Whimsical Sweetness at Chez Zee

For many, Chez Zee seems to be an Austin habit. A monument in Central Austin, if you will. It's hard to believe, but in my 10 years of Austin living this was Breakfast In Austin's first time to experience Chez Zee - an old world bakery, infused with American cuisine. I've heard good things from many! Originally called Chez Fred, Sharon Watkins purchased the old dive in 1988, re-opening in 1989 under her new whimsical brand called Chez Zee. The concept? A place for all to enjoy baked goods & varied foods, the arts and an occasional board game on the outdoor patio.

A new approach for Breakfast In Austin, I asked my 12 year old to do the selecting. I gave her a choice of 3 venues and asked her to eyeball the menu's. I had a hunch she'd pick Chez Zee if only for the pancake, waffle & french toast selection. She's a sucker every time for the sweet breads!

Upon our noon arrival, the 12 year old & I were met by a most friendly female hostess who graciously sat us immediately. No lingering at Chez Zee! The first thing I noticed about Chez Zee was it's understated charm. Crooked chairs hanging on the walls, cushy couches and lights strewn throughout. Think cute & cozy but slightly dated.

Once seated we were then met by our server, Thomas. Thomas' introduction? "I'm Thomas, at the bomb dot com!" Catchy catch-phrase, Thomas! Asking if it was our first time visiting Chez Zee, Thomas provided a complimentary triangle of their #1 selling menu item - Creme Brulee French Toast with Meyer's Rum Sauce. Nice touch, Thomas at the bomb dot com who described the dish as a deconstructed Challah bread, soaked in a Creme Brulee custard and then slow baked for 4 hours and cut. This little piece of sweet & decadent magic was served warm with rum sauce and whipped cream. We held onto our forks for dear life and nearly licked the plate. Really a perfect way to start our meal! (Note: Chez Zee happily sells loaves & kits of their #1)

Drink orders? Continuing with the sweet theme, the 12 year old ordered a tall Hot Chocolate with a hugely significant pile of whip cream. The verdict? Delicious. Who doesn't like an ultra sweet hot cocoa? I went on to order an alcoholic beverage, the Chez Zee Bloody Mary for $5.95. A definite kick due to the tabasco splash and a jalapeno garnish but ultimately a bit watered down.

Brunch orders? Two 8-inch Buttermilk Pancakes for $5.95 topped with a strategically placed strawberry and served with warm syrup and butter whipped. The 12 year old had also ordered a side of fruit but that didn't make it to our table. I should say that this 12 year old is a pancake expert and orders them up all the time! Her verdict? Amazing, the best ever, sweet, fluffy and she'll happily return again and again...

Ever addicted to the Classic Eggs Benedict with Canadian Bacon, Breakfast In Austin forced another choice. Today's Bennie? With 10 choices ranging from a Smoked Salmon Benedict to a Portabellino Benedict topped with an array of veggies, I decided on the Commodore Sausage Benedict served with Country potatoes. The Commodore was equipped with a grilled and rather salty sausage patty, a small toasted English muffin, perfectly poached eggs and a respectable Hollandaise sauce. Frankly less isn't always more. If I wore a sticker on my head that said "Breakfast In Austin loves a ridiculous amount of hollandaise, don't be shy" I'd likely not complain again (unless the balance of taste wasn't there). But I don't announce. I'm just a regular bloke dining on morning fare and prefer all dining establishments and servers read my mind! In any case the hollandaise was balanced but by virtue of there being only a meager amount of sauce & too salty of a sausage patty, the overall Bennie was just average for me. Every bite had me wishing I'd ordered the Classic with extra hollandaise. Side Note. Do you ever ask for ketchup or tabasco so that you can spice up your potatoes? Mine never made it to the table. Darn you, Thomas at the bomb dot com!

Without offending Chez Zee faithfuls, I wasn't hugely impressed with the overall plated food. That said, this was my first time and there are so many other menu choices. Chez Zee clearly understands the word sweet! Baked goods like their Creme Brulee French Toast and sweet breads like their Pancakes were major hits. This is indeed where Chez Zee shined today!

Interested in trying yourself? Weekend Brunch is served both Saturday & Sunday from 9am to 3pm. For parties of 5 or more, contact Chez Zee for Reservations.

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

Visit Chez Zee: http://www.chez-zee.com/

View the Brunch Menu: http://www.chez-zee.com/brunch/

Chez Zee on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/ChezZeeAmericanBistro?sk=wall

Chez Zee on Twitter: @Chez_Zee_Austin

Pros: Extensive Brunch Menu, Complimentary Creme Brulee French Toast was a nice touch, Pancakes, service, year round Christmas lights, full service coffee bar, ample seating

Cons: Forgotten - our sides of fruit & ketchup (not a big deal but this Breakfast In Austin thing is a test!), watered down bloody mary

Suggestions: More hollandaise on your Bennie or offer to provide a side of extra sauce, exterior & interior are dated - I get the Chez Zee vibe but a facelift or an update to modernize the venue might go a long way

Chez Zee ~ 5406 Balcones Drive, Austin, Texas 78731 ~ 512.454.2666

A fine time with Swine at Bacon

There was a time when Breakfast In Austin didn't eat bacon. In fact I made it a personal mission to convert those I knew from bacon to the leaner turkey bacon. Yep, I was one of those passionate turkey bacon lovers. I should say that I had a lot of success. My friends would go as far to suggest that Oscar Meyer/Louis Rich pay me a conversion fee. Seriously, I would've made bank! Suffice it to say, turkey bacon took a passenger seat and though I still enjoy it, bacon is a part of my life again. We all know that bacon comes from the back and sides of the hog, salted and dried or smoked, usually sliced and fried for food. Bacon is greasy, fatty and full of sodium. It's a tasty mess! Certainly makes one wonder why anyone would give up the swine.

This leads me to introduce one of Austin's newest finds. Any guesses on the name? Yep, Bacon. Makin' Bacon, Spankin' Bacon, Awaken with Bacon. Aside from the logical rhyming, Bacon is located on the corner of 10th & Lamar in a cute yellow house with signs of the pig. If you were a fan of the now closed, Screaming Goat, this is the same location.

Bacon is a venture by Jed Taylor, Zac Bryant, Ryan Reynolds & Reid Reynolds. Bacon offers an infusion of bacon into their meals including Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Specialty Items, Sides and Brunch. The only thing they don't seem to have is Bacon Coffee. Bacon has a very clear vision, a bacon selection, with a consistent theme. You'll see a pink pig on the back roof, a bacon door handle, bacon memorabilia, bacon t-shirts for sale, bacon & pig signage and bacon artwork.

Ordering from the Bacon Breakfast Plates was challenging because everything sounded good. The Broken Yolk BLT had been recommended and always a sucker for runny eggs, I signed up. This is Bacon's version of a BLT for $8.95. Excited to have a choice between 2 types of bacon, I opted for the spiced up Cajun cured with 2 barely fried eggs, bibb lettuce, a tomato, house mayo and Texas toast. The photo doesn't do this sammie justice! It was a tasty, oozing mess and worth every penny. Apart from the BLT falling apart, I definitely recommend for a 1st time Bacon experience.

My friend Micah who has been a supporter of Breakfast In Austin was kind enough to join me for a bit of Nikon snapping. Micah's the one who keeps me in line and calls me out for not posting reviews. Not Micah's 1st time to Bacon, he opted for their Breakfast Special, a Pork Jowl Barbacoa and Bacon Hash with 2 eggs, yellow pepper sauce and tortilla strips for $8.95. When I asked Micah for an insightful breakdown, he offered that there was a lot going on with the dish, which always makes me think there's TOO MUCH going on with the dish. Micah assured me this was a good thing, that his pork/bacon/hash mixture was full of flavor and very filling. The presentation was gorgeous!

Breakfast IS available all day with a handful of other options including Chicken & Waffles - with 2 brined and buttermilk battered all natural chicken breast cutlets served on top of a malted vanilla waffle for $9.95. For something $2 lighter, try their Bacon Waffle with 2 thick cut strips of bacon cooked into a waffle and topped with sliced nanas' for $7.95. If you or your child have a sweet tooth, why not order Bacon's French Toast with 2 extra thick cut slices of locally baked Texas bread dipped in a vanilla batter and griddled for $6.95. If you're a fan of Biscuits and Gravy, try Bacon's spin for only $4.95 with 2 buttermilk drop biscuits topped with house bacon gravy.

No Mistaken' Bacon.

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about Bacon, visit them at: http://www.baconaustin.com/

To view Bacon's Breakfast Menu: http://www.baconaustin.com/?page_id=50

Like Bacon on FB: http://www.facebook.com/BaconAustin

For Tweets: @BaconRestaurant

Pros: Bacon, great service, breakfast all day, location, theme, atmosphere

Cons: Parking is slight in the back lot, minimal on the street

Suggestions: If you have a Sunday Brunch, please add the information to your website

Bacon ~ 900 W. 10th Street, Austin, Texas 78703 ~ 512.322.9777

100% Green, Natural & Elemental at Java Dive Organic Bistro

Java Dive isn't really a "dive," as the name might imply. It's my neighborhood "go-to" spot for a dark blend of coffee, friendly faces and the occasional baked good or organic whole wheat breakfast taco.

In case you hadn't heard, Java Dive has a following in the Austin & Lakeway areas with a reputation for offering 100% organic food with primarily gluten-free options. Led by owner, Roni Liberman, his concept caters to all breakfast lovers, including those with food restrictions. Other highlights? Varied coffee beans are roasted in house (think anti-Starbucks), along with creatively baked goods (my personal fave - the triple berry muffin) which are made fresh daily, from the kitchen. If you're looking for a quiet place to work on your laptop with artsy ambiance, Java Dive offers free wi-fi to assist in jumpstarting your day. I've taken them up on this service a few times!

Java Dive has created an extensive breakfast and brunch menu that is worth exploring! If you enjoy Waffles, there are many options (also available as gf) including a Mandarin & Toasted Pecan styling - all topped with maple or chocolate syrup and homemade whipped cream. Omelette lover? You'll find several choices including a Pesto & Mushroom Omelette with Swiss Cheese to the Italian Delight Omelette with spinach, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. For the more traditional breakfast lover, Migas, Bagels, Oatmeal & Breakfast Tacos are also available. A common theme provides you options to dress up your meal with nitrate free turkey or ham.

Upon arriving at Java Dive, I'd decided to indulge in something hearty. But first, the steps:

1. Grab a menu at the door (study it)

2. Walk to back counter (wait in line)

3. Place order with cashier (nameless, hurried & all biz, grrr)

4. Pay (card or cash, they take tips at the counter)

5. Collect your number for table delivery (find a table, they were packed today!)

So, what did Breakfast In Austin order? A caffeine fan, I decided on a Soy Cappuccino for sipping which made its appearance in a bulky red cup with an artsy leaf in the foam. Cool and tasty!

...and in appeasing my insatiable need for food after running stairs this morning, I decided on the the South West Bacon Sunrise Panini. Imagine (or see picture below) a delicious creation with scrambled eggs and cheese on a toasted organic sprouted bun with organic and pesticide free tomatoes and a fire roasted poblano pepper. Remember my note of dressing up a meal? I did just that with the addition of nitrate free turkey. All I can say is BRAVO - the presentation was beautiful and the food combination tasty.

Parting words? While on your quest for a great breakfast with healthy options and flavorful food, I highly recommend spending your hard earned $ at this local dive, Java Dive Organic Bistro. Roni and his staff will treat you right!

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about Java Dive Organic Bistro, visit them on the web at: http://javadivecafe.com

To see a complete list of Breakfast offerings, check out Java Dive Organic Bistro's Menus:

Breakfast Menu: http://javadivecafe.com/Documents/Breakfast%20menu.pdf

Weekend Brunch Menu: http://javadivecafe.com/Documents/sunday%20brunch%20menu.pdf

Pros: 100% organic, gf options, varied menu, kid friendly with kid menu, free wi-fi, freshly roasted beans & coffee, delicious baked goods, affordable, locally owned

Cons: When you're busy, it's even more important to get the dirty tables cleaned up

Suggestions: Bring another employee in on Saturday & Sunday mornings. Would increase flow at the door, counter and with turn at your tables. Also, are you Bistro or Cafe? The signage on both locations, then online is confusing

Java Dive Organic Bistro (Restaurant) ~ 1607 RR 620 N, Austin, TX 78734 ~ located in The Oak Grove Plaza ~ 512.266.5885

Java Dive Coffee Shop ~ 900 RR 620 S, Austin, TX 78734 ~ located in the Lakeway Commons Plaza ~ 512.263.5995

Plastic wealth & overindulgence at TRIO's Sunday Brunch in The Four Seasons Hotel

Seems fitting to kick off Breakfast In Austin's 2011 season at a venue where the masses feel prosperous. Legit or misplaced. A gratuitous display of plastic wealth at TRIO Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown, Austin, Texas. At $48 a head, you can only hope to be impressed. Damn - you better be!

Just in time for our 10am Sunday brunch reservation, G-Man & I began our Four Seasons Hotel Austin adventure. Valet your vehicle? Doors magically opened for you by handsome doormen? A chair pulled out for you table side? Gosh - it's like a gentleman caller at every turn! But then at $48 a head, should a Lady (or Man) expect anything less? Certainly not!

Upon entering TRIO, my eyes bulged and heart raced at the mouth watering smells and stunning displays of beautifully presented food. I don't mean just scrambled eggs, predictable bacon & the standard waffle set-up. The 1st station posed a variety of yogurt parfaits, either with or without granola, topped with fresh berries and sprigs of mint. Honeydew, cantaloupe & pineapple plus a varied display of freshly baked goods, like breads and danishes, enticed my desire to indulge.

As I swiveled my head to the right, I realized a plan of pacing myself would be MANDATORY. The 2nd station boasted asian pot-stickers, creamy mashed potatoes with boursin cheese, succulent veal, prime rib with au jous, perfectly rounded mini-blueberry pancakes with whip & syrup, ample pork sausages, stout bacon, a subtle eggs benedict, miraculous cheese blintzes and made to order of any size & content - omelets. OH MY GOD.

Straining to pull myself from Station 2's hearty staples, I forced a look toward the left. Station 3 nearly mastered a snap of my neck! Holy hell. Think delicacies that you might never place in a Sunday brunch. Well, TRIO at the Four Seasons has mastered appealing to the senses of travelers and food lovers abound. Alaskan crab claws, shrimp ceviche, mussels, california roll & ahi tuna with soy & wasabi to boot! Fresh vegetables (asparagus), loose leaf & pasta salads, bagels with lox & fixings and cheeses, pistachios & figs. All items beautifully displayed and seemingly fresh. Salivating!

A quick peek to a discreet corner opposite Station 3 revealed a four foot fountain churning milky chocolate with marshmallows & strawberries just waiting to be dipped. This is the kind of thing you either jump into headfirst or don't touch with a 10-foot pole. We still had 1 more station to gaze at before even being seated...

Station 4 = death...I mean, dessert table. A minimum of 8 desserts, all impeccably created, displayed and labeled. A quick glance revealed an ever capable creme brulee, a luscious pistachio layered cake to a more complex creation of lavender macarons. Tripping over my feet, I unbearably moved on to...

...Our table! Finally! Benjamin, aka "Ben" waited on us hand and foot. Coffee? Mimosa? Water? Freshly squeezed orange juice? Clean plates or silverware? Ben was spot on and friendly at every moment. The Four Seasons is known for their impeccable service and attentiveness to detail. We experienced all of that and more at TRIO.

A few recommendations? The Yogurt Parfait, Boursin Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Cheese Blintzes, Bagel & Lox, Crab Claws, Miniature Blueberry Pancakes, Fresh Fruit and of course...the Mimosas, were all huge hits! There weren't any major upsets except for the Eggs Benedict (and believe me, I cringe when I say that). A fresher and more "tender" english muffin with a generous amount of hollandaise would've made this attempt 10x better.

Should you decide to partake in Sunday Brunch at TRIO, relax, take your time and indulge! I would highly recommend the experience with a loved one, group of friends or if you're celebrating. So many times we want a quick fix or an inexpensive meal. Keep TRIO in your back pocket for that overindulgent weekend when you want to spoil yourself or someone else. The spread and experience is worth every penny!

Sunday Brunch begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 2. It's not necessarily what I'd classify as "kid" friendly, but TRIO is part of a hotel operation. Kids are able to enjoy Brunch for $20. Also - have your valet parking ticket stamped by your server and claim $3 off a $10 charge - so, $7 to utilize valet service. It was pouring out, so completely worth it! If valet isn't your thing or if the weather is right, parking meters are free in downtown Austin on weekends and a walk to the hotel is quick & enjoyable.

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about the Sunday Brunch hosted by TRIO at the premiere Four Seasons Austin, find them on the web at: http://www.triorestaurantaustin.com/

To get a quick peek at some of the Brunch highlights, see their menu at: http://www.triorestaurantaustin.com/menus/brunch_menu/

Pros: Beautiful presentation & selection, wonderful service, bottomless champagne and mimosas included in the price per head, atmosphere

Cons: Expensive BUT you're paying for quality, atmosphere & service. Remember - drinks are included!

Suggestions: Your Eggs Benedict was the ONLY dish I didn't care for! Please make sure it's fresh - I had a brick of an english muffin that took too much muscle to cut through and the hollandaise was meager at best.

TRIO at The Four Seasons Austin ~ 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78701 ~ 512.685.8300 (Call ahead as Reservations are recommended)

Heavenly Sunday Brunch at Satellite Bistro & Bar

My old co-worker and friend, Elsa Decker & I took to the Sunday Brunch scene last Sunday, November 14th and met at locally owned and operated Satellite Bistro & Bar. Located west of South Mopac at the corner of Slaughter & Escarpment, this family owned concept of eating great food in a relaxed atmosphere, was created by brothers, Mark and Marty Kamburis. The brothers have continued a family tradition, inspired by their Grandfather's arrival from Greece in 1912 and ensuing experiences in the food business.

Scouring their online Brunch Menu prior to the morning of 11/14, NEVER-ENDING MIMOSAS'S were listed at $6.75 per person. Elsa & I talked about this for days! Clearly, part of our catch-up/gab session was dependent on bottomless flutes of champagne and orange juice. After arriving at 10:30 a.m. and meeting our fine server, Casey, we exuberantly ordered our never-ending mimosas and complimented this glorious menu item. Sadly, Casey broke our hearts a little and said that due to TABC Regulations, Satellite had to discontinue their "never-ending" mimosa's and instead offer a controlled carafe option with fixed price. I said..."update your online MENU, Casey!" By the looks of it, their webmaster DID later that night at 6:23 p.m. Never-ending aside, the liter sized carafe was near perfection and set the stage for our 2.5 hour brunch...

After eyeballing the Satellite Bistro & Bar Brunch Menu and salivating over their options, both Breakfast In Austin and Elsa were feeling the pull toward one of five styled Eggs Benedict. Always a sucker for the traditional benedict, Breakfast In Austin opted for a slight spin called the "Poached Club". Think seared country ham, smoked turkey and bacon placed over two toasted english muffins and topped with 2 perfectly poached eggs & a subtle hollandaise sauce. Seriously delicious and pushing toward the #1 bennie in town. As if the meat concoction and hollandaise sauce wasn't enough, Satellite adds a lusciously rich & flavorful Scalloped Potato as the main side along with a bowl of fresh fruit. Priced well at $10.99.

Elsa's Eggs Benedict choice was labeled the "Flying Saucer". Clever name Satellite Bistro! Obviously the same concept as the "Poached Club" with english muffins, poached eggs & hollandaise. But the toppings? Imagine roasted portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers, feta cheese and avocado. Elsa loved the plated food, especially the Scalloped Potatoes, though described her hollandaise experience as nondescript.

Dessert? Chocolate? Elsa insisted we indulge on one of Satellite's specials of the day - the Chocolate Cake Pancake. Good move for Breakfast In Austin. Thanks a lot, Elsa. Not a lot more needs to be said other than this delicious cake housing chunks of chocolate was oversized and worthy. Worthy of Satellite Bistro & Bar offering it as a post brunch dessert for all at the table to share.

As I write and wrap up this posting, Breakfast In Austin can only guess as to where the "Satellite" name came from, so I offer this little spin. One of the many definitions of Satellite is, "any celestial body orbiting around a star or planet." Elsa was the star and Breakfast in Austin, the planet. The celestial bodies? A few! Our phenomenal server, Casey, who offered the perfect blend of attentiveness and information. The liter sized Carafe (or Holy Grail) of Mimosas offering approximately 8 flutes for $11.99. The food being flavorful and impressively gorgeous. Satellite's atmosphere which was light, vibrant and relaxing. Perhaps even the deceased Grandfather Kamburis keeping an eye on things...in any case, several celestial bodies orbiting at Satellite Bistro & Bar. As it should be for all us stars and planets...

It's all about the feast, not the famine!

To learn more about Satellite Bistro & Bar, visit their website at http://www.satellitebistro.com/

To view Satellite's Sunday Brunch Menu, go to http://www.satellitebistro.com/Brunch_Menu.pdf

Pros: Stand-out service, relaxing & hip atmosphere, liter sized mimosa carafe, varied & exciting Brunch menu, Eggs Benedict, Scalloped Potatoes

Cons: Having a hard time coming up with any...

Suggestions: Make your "Chocolate Cake Pancake" a menu item and encourage ALL to buy one and share as dessert after brunch

Satellite Bistro & Bar ~ 5900 Slaughter Ln., #400, Austin, TX 78749 ~ 512.288.9994

Death by Fork at Jack Allen's Kitchen!

In the mood for Southern home-cooked food? Jack Allen's Kitchen kindly obliges with their 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Sunday Brunch. Locally owned, Chef Jack Gilmore and the Jack Allen's crew reinvents old standards and supplies a powerfully satisfying experience, although it borders on a heart attack in the making. Show up, eat to your hearts content and depart feeling completely and utterly stuffed. The kind of stuffed where you can't even burp. Baked Macaroni and Cheese? Chicken Fried Chicken with Green Chile Gravy? Chicken Fried Pork? Sausages? Twice Baked Potatoes? This is definitely how Grandma killed Grandpa...

To those of you who have heard of Jack Allen's Kitchen but haven't been, it's discreetly tucked away from downtown, just northwest of Highway 290 on 71. You might recall the previous Y Bar & Grill? That's the place. Jack Allen's prides itself on good ol' Texas hospitality, is known for using locally sourced, fresh ingredients and creating unique dishes.

How did Breakfast In Austin arrive at Jack Allen's Kitchen? You can imagine my list of breakfast joints, brunch stops & trailers is LONG. Sometimes it's near impossible to choose a place to eat, let alone review. I love recommendations! After a full weekend of celebration and spirits, including a friends wedding, football games & Halloween mischief, recent nods were worth listening to and Jack Allen's quickly rose atop my list. A southern influenced, artery clogging, $12.99 Sunday Brunch would certainly cure any hangover, right? Right!

G-Man and I arrived five minutes early at 9:55 a.m. To my surprise there were several cars parked in the Jack Allen's lot with diners waiting on the sidewalk and hovering near the main entrance. A very good sign. Promptly at 10:00 a.m. the doors magically opened. The hostess staff was welcoming and on point, immediately seating us near the buffet area. Our server? A nice guy, who was ultimately - casual. Didn't quite catch his name and although attentive he had to return a second time to explain Jack Allen's made to order items separate from the buffet line.

The way JAK does it! (Sund'y Brunch, that is)

Once seated, ask your Server for a drink and anything made to order. Specifically, farm fresh eggs your way, biscuits & gravy or pancakes. I asked to indulge in their $3.50 Brunch Bloody Mary and sample their Biscuits & Gravy. The Bloody Mary? Not strong or very spicy. The Biscuit & Gravy? Terrific because of Jack Allen's signature Green Chile Gravy. Completely memorable!

I must admit that Jack Allen's presentation of their Sunday Buffet was a hit with me! As you walk the line, all items are gorgeous, stocked and ready to go at 10:00 a.m. There were some clear successes! A few of the items you'll find with comments & photographs:

Chicken Fried Chicken covered with Green Chile Gravy (This signature Gravy makes everything taste better - back right in photo below)

Smoked Salmon Spread (amazing)

Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes (heavy but tasty)

Baked Macaroni & Cheese (put me in a damn near coma it was so good!)

Mama's Sunday Chicken (not my personal favorite - not a huge fan of dark meat)

Farm fresh veggies (healthiest thing I ate)

Migas (Tasty but not enough tortilla cooked into the blend)

Deviled Eggs (Flavorful)

Farm fresh salads (Pasta salad was a hit)

Layered Enchilada Casserole (lackluster in taste, just fair)

Desserts (dry)

"It's all about the feast, not the famine," (Breakfast In Austin's catchphrase) is an ideal way to explain my experience at Jack Allen's Kitchen. Their southern styled dishes are comforting and delicious but holy heart attack, I could hardly move, let alone breathe for a couple of hours after. Eat at your own risk and don't say I didn't warn you!

Thank you Jack Allen's Kitchen for a fine Sunday Brunch and yes, the cure to my self inflicted hangover. Breakfast In Austin will spread the word and return. But next time for lunch, dinner or happy hour...

JAK is happy to take your reservation by email, phone or just show up! Remember Sunday Brunch is only $12.99 per person and the 12 & under crew is $5.99 per.

To learn more about Jack Allen's Kitchen, go to http://www.jackallenskitchen.com/ and for details on Jack's Amazing Sund'y Brunch, go to http://www.jackallenskitchen.com/SundayBrunchMenu.pdf

Pros: Lowest cost brunch I've seen in awhile, great quality & creative dishes, nice atmosphere, outdoor patio for seating, Texas hospitality, ample staff, tons of signage

Cons: Our Server was a bit too casual - nice guy but missed a few steps in explaining the set-up and taking our order

Suggestions: Don't hide the yogurt & granola on the table by the window - I could've used some of that

Jack Allen's Kitchen ~ 7720 Highway 71 West, Austin, TX 78735 ~ Email: info@jackallenskitchen.com ~ 512.852.8558

Brunch with a Boom at TnT Tacos and Tequila!

Dare I say that Breakfast In Austin has discovered the biggest boom for it's buck at TnT's Sunday Brunch? Absolutely! I wouldn't have believed the $17.95 full buffet with Champagne and Mimosa's sticker price unless I had tried it myself. There are always hidden costs with Brunch, right? You want coffee & cream, that'd be an extra $2.50. A premium vodka in your Bloody Mary? We'd be happy to provide that for $8.00. Champagne in a flute? Oh...that's not part of the Sunday Brunch cost, but I'll be sure to add $10.00 to your final bill. After two months of exploring a variety of spins on breakfast in our fair city of Austin, Tacos and Tequila on the corner of Pressler & W. 5th Street, offers the most legitimate Brunch for the best price!

Like most patrons, I'd experienced TnT as the new place on W. 5th Street for Happy Hour. A distinct tequila menu intact, TnT's post work experience boasted inexpensive Mojitos & Margaritas with delicious handmade chips served in a brown paper bag with a variety of salsa's. Pretty much heaven! Unfortunately TnT doesn't seem to have a distinct marketing strategy for their Brunch aside from word of mouth. (It's not on their website with only a minor mention on Facebook) I'd heard of TnT's Sunday Brunch by way of an insert attached to my final bill at Happy Hour. Brunch? Oh boy! I was intrigued with their $17.95 price and knew I'd have to add it to my list of places to go. Additionally, my friend Kindra (aka KZ, who did not pay me for this endorsement) enjoyed TnT's Brunch soon after and highly recommended the stop to Breakfast In Austin. An immediate move up the list...

My companion for Sunday? Ever the good sport, G-Man, who teases me mercilessly when I pull out the Nikon for photo opp's. We arrived at 10:15 a.m., after scoring a parking spot on Pressler St. just outside the restaurant. There's always something a little odd about arriving first. Like you're the overanxious patron who beats everyone else to the venue and catches the staff doing something naughty. Like licking a spoon or picking their nose. In this case, the staff wasn't quite finished with their set-up, so it gave Breakfast In Austin a chance to walk the venue and photograph some of their offerings.

Our server, Amy, with the purple highlights and friendly smile, greeted and guided us through TnT offering great tidbits and made us feel right at home. G-Man and I opted to sit outside amongst 10 sidewalk tabletops. The interior of TnT is open & festive but on a sunny, temperate morning, there's nothing like fresh air while you eat. I loved having the option!

Amy recommended we try the handmade mango agua fresca added to our champagne. Absolute perfection! I must admit this was the #1 hit for me at TnT's Sunday Brunch and it didn't hurt that Amy was ON the refills!

Always a sucker for Eggs Benedict, I requested two-made to order and enjoyed every bite. Other delicious items were the Shrimp Ceviche, Cheese Enchiladas, Red Potatoes, Migas, Flan & Cinnamon Brewed Coffee.

Here is a listing of some of TnT's brunch items including impressions & snapshots (note the * signifies extra worthy):

*Eggs Benedict (delicious flavor, muffin & egg were perfect, hollandaise was GOOD and would've been my new #1 with a touch less butter)

*Shrimp Ceviche (fresh, fresh & fresh, delicious)

*Cheese Enchiladas with Blue Corn Tortillas (right side of plate - perfectly made with great taste)

*Cornbread Grit (sweet and surprising)

*Red Potatoes with Peppers & Onion (near perfect with flavor & spice gusto)

*Migas (delicious)

*Corn Tortillas & Chicken Stew (flavorful thick sauce)

*Homemade Tortilla Chips & Salsa (love them!)

*Fresh Guacamole & Queso (both excellent & fresh)

*Coffee (a blend made especially for TnT - smooth, rich with a hint of cinnamon)

*Flan (creamy, yum)

*Baked goods (Tasted several - loved the cinnamon twist)

*Fresh fruit (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries)

Pasta Salad

Huevos Rancheros

Chicken Enchiladas (the ONLY thing I ate that wasn't good)

Rice & Beans (standard)

Sausage Links

Mimosas

Belgian Waffles (with amazing fixings)

Omelets

Tacos and Tequila pulls off a genuine blend of breakfast & lunch with an appealing Mexican infusion. I literally enjoyed every item with only one exception, and that my friends, is impressive! Just take the chicken enchiladas off your menu, TnT, and I'll pretend they never existed! Full buffet is $17.95, children 6-10 are $6.95 and children 5 and under are free.

I've heard some say that TnT is hard to find. It's not! If you're driving into downtown from Mopac, Pressler is a cross street on W. 5th. Past ART on 5th & Covert Buick Body Shop, look for the new Gables on your left and TnT is on the 1st floor. Parking is free in the garage at the Gables or you can try your luck on or around Pressler Street.

It's all about the feast not the famine!

To find out more aboutTnT Tacos and Tequila, you can find them at: http://www.tntgrill.com/ or on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/TNTgrill?ref=ts

Pros: Great selection of food, friendly & attentive staff (Amy our server was awesome), the mango agua fresca was insanely delicious, DJ Manolo playing some groovy tunes, affordable all in one price, terrific open & light atmosphere, outdoor seating, great parking

Cons: Still setting up when we arrived, the chicken enchilada

Suggestions: Advertise your Sunday Brunch! You can't rely on word of mouth only when you have huge competition all around you. You're a business, so make some money!

TnT Tacos and Tequila ~ on the corner of W. 5th & Pressler ~ 507 Pressler Street, Austin, Texas 78703 ~ 512.436.8226