Restaurant Find: La Traviata

On my last day in Austin, I had to be rebooked on a later flight due to the record snowfall in Dallas. I hate traveling in the winter. The later flight did however give me the time to enjoy a nice sit-down lunch by myself at La Traviata, a charming little restaurant in downtown Austin. It was only about half a mile from the convention center so I walked my not dressed warmly enough self to the restaurant and was seated at a tiny table near the door and a window looking out over Congress. I mentioned on my personal blog how nice it can to dine by one self. Especially when the meal is as delicious as mine was at La Traviata.


This was my Caesar salad, which is in theory, a pretty simple salad. However, the sherry vinegar and anchovy vinaigrette made it spectacular. I really like Caesar salads. They're simple salads, lettuce, Parmesan, croutons and dressing. But the sherry vinegar added such a nice bite. I've got to try making a homemade Caesar dressing myself one day.


For my entree, I waffled for a bit between dishes, but eventually settled on this Calamari alla Puttanesca. I love seafood, and I really love calamari. I also thought this pasta was delicious. The sauce had a terrific bite to it, and the calamari was spectacular. Calamari is tricky, oftentimes coming out just a tad bit too chewy. But mine was perfect. And while the dish looks like one of great substance, it never felt too heavy, an excellent thing in a midday meal. All in all, a very satisfying meal for one.

Restaurant Find: Cedar Door Bar & Grill

I was on a business trip last week, Tuesday through Friday, in Austin, Texas. Austin is one of those cities I've always wanted to visit. Unfortunately, the weather was dreadful and it being a working trip didn't make it a terribly exciting trip. But, you always have to eat, and I always enjoy a good meal. I had dinner by myself on my first night in Austin, where I had this delicious bowl of spicy tortilla soup and then a couple delicious chicken tacos.

I've become a big fan of soups, and maybe one day I'll remember to introduce you to my favorite tortilla soup in Tucson, but for now, this is a good one in Austin at the Cedar Door Bar & Grill. I really liked the spiciness that the poblano peppers added, and the chicken was so so tender. Tortilla soups are interesting because you can find them made a number of different ways. Sometimes they're real brothy, with just a few avocado slices, tortilla strips, and cheese. But in my opinion, the best soups have some substance to them. Veggies, shredded chicken, fresh avocado slices. This was definitely one of substance.



I love tacos. I mean, really, is there a more fun food than tacos? And they're so varied. These chicken tacos were delicious. They were stuffed with a marinated grilled chicken, caramelized onions that added a touch of sweetness, roasted poblano peppers for a kick, and a tomatillo salsa. I also squeezed a little lime juice over them. It was the most amazing mix of flavors, and so balanced with the onions and the peppers, the lime juice and the salsa.