[This post includes complimentary eats from restaurants and affiliate links to products I recommend. All opinions are my own.]

One of my goals this month was to decrease the eating out and impulsive food buys. I had a few meals out (like ALL OF NASHVILLE), but overall, there were more home-cooked weekend meals and less “swing by because I need a treat” buys. This doesn’t mean there weren’t mouth-watering eats. Take a look.

New Year’s Day Brunch
Fresh into the “less eating out” goal, we made a big New Year’s Day spread with friends. Sweet potato crostinis, shakshuka, Caesar salad, bacon-wrapped asparagus, and peach bellinis!

New Year’s Day Brisket
Later in the day, we enjoyed this incredible brisket made in the Big Green Egg. Mouth-watering!

Dinner at Ajo
Round Rock is limited in their quality restaurant options compared to Austin but it’s been fun discovering new places. Ajo is located in downtown Round Rock and was a really good meal. We enjoyed the Beef in the Raw (beef tartare), scallop crudo, lobster mac and cheese with pork cracklins, and Ajo Salad (Grilled chicken thighs, mixed greens, spinach, bleu cheese crumbles, avocado, bacon, figs, candied walnuts, and heirloom cherry tomatoes tossed in a homemade honey balsamic vinaigrette).

Beef in the Raw at Ajo

Scallop Crudo at Ajo

Ajo Salad at Ajo

Lobster Mac at Ajo

Craft Beer at Zilker Brewing Company
FINALLY! Finally visited Zilker Brewing Company when we had family in town. I loved their Trapp Marco IPA with the Spruce Juice IPA and Elfie Sunshine (surprisingly, I liked this smooth stout!) close behind. They do four beer flights and buy by the pint. Their tasting room seemed a little small but that’s because it was chilly out and no one was on the patio.

Nashville
Did you see my post about the Best Restaurants in Nashville? We ate A LOT. There is so much good food in Nashville, I’d say it’s the next big foodie town!

Smoothies
There was a lot of breakfast smoothie making happening this month to curb the morning breakfast taco buy. I’ve been using the Ninja mixer I won at my company holiday party. [See more details about the Ninja QB3000SS Fit, Silver here.] We don’t measure ingredients, but each includes: one banana, three handfuls of kale, one or two handfuls of almonds, half to full cup of almond milk, and a few ice cubes. I tried protein powder in mine one morning and BLECH! Do you have any protein powder recommendations or any smoothie recommendations? Please let me know!

Craft Beer at Idle Vine Brewing Co.
A new brewery, Idle Vine Brewing, opened up in Pflugerville! On this first visit, I really enjoyed their IPA with the Idle Mind Pale Ale close behind. They have half pint and full pint options.

Chocolate at Chocolaterie Tessa
I was so excited Chocolaterie Tessa invited me in to see the store and taste some chocolates! This a local Austin shop that makes fine, artisan chocolates free of artificial flavors, preservatives, and colors. Tessa was so sweet to let me try a variety of chocolates and my favorites were the dark chocolates and nutty chocolates. They have chocolates in shapes for Valentine’s and Texas, and they have small, medium, and large assorted chocolate boxes. For Valentine’s Day, they will have a special Belgian Chocolate Praline and bon bons in Strawberry Basil, Raspberry, and Cinnamon made with CatspringTea’s Yaupon. Love beer and chocolate? Check out their pairing Valentine’s event with Zilker Brewing Company.

Happy Hour at Isla
Austin Food Bloggers Alliance hosted a monthly happy hour with complimentary bites provided by Isla, a bar on West 4th Street. I loved the island vibes and Peruvian theme. While I wouldn’t come back specifically for the food, I wouldn’t mind ordering the chicken thigh anticuchos (skewered chicken thighs) and Bao Con Chicharron (steamed bun with smoked crispy pork belly) while having drinks. The Tituba drink is so good and they specialize in rum! Run flight, anyone?

Bao con Chicharron

Draft Mead from Meridian Hive
I finally got to try local meadery Meridian Hive’s mead. These draft meads are lightly carbonated and not too sweet. The Discovery is made with orange blossom honey, the Rhapsody has honey and blackberries, and the Haven has honey, peach, and ginger. Yes, all three are in cans and you can find them in stores all over Texas.

Sushi at Tomo
I wrote about Tomo last year [check out that feature here], and while this was the first visit back in a while, it still remains one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. I’ve been dreaming about that one monkfish liver with uni sushi bite ever since I swallowed it. The seared live eel bite was a dream too. I also loved the orange clam. And for sashimi, we always get: Japanese Madai, King Salmon with fresh wasabi, and a sashimi Nobu style.

What have you been eating lately?

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The post Flavors of the Month: January 2017 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

While Austin’s newest restaurants get the majority of the buzz in the media, consistent Austin restaurants, like Tomodachi Austin, fly under the radar and have no problem filling their seats. And it’s not only warm bodies trying out the restaurant for the first time. It’s loyal patrons coming week after week to enjoy fresh sushi, an enthusiastic atmosphere and the talents of their favorite sushi chefs.

The dishes steal the show. Chef Steve is talented and creative, and he’s taught his chef team very well. They bring a fire to your table with the Volcano roll or let you be the chef with the hot rock. You can find tasty rolls like the Ex-Girlfriend and typical dishes like edamame or tonkatsu on their menu. My go-to dishes aren’t necessarily on the menu the servers put in front of you but the ones displayed on small chalkboards on the wall behind the sushi bar. It’s a list of the day’s fish offerings. Pick the fish you want and your waitress and the sushi chefs know what to do. Their fish selection is one of the freshest in town, and I love the variety of fish too. We’ve found that you get the most inventive and interesting dishes when you let them do what they do best.

If you’d like to order from the menu, try:

• Nobu New Style Sashimi: sashimi dressed with garlic yuzu soy, ginger, chives
• Yellowtail Sashimi
• Tomoviche: very light with citrus, sea salt, cilantro, and sriracha; great with Japa Tai/Snapper fish
• Quail Egg Shooter
• Spicy Edamame
• Cucumber Sake

As for the service, seeing the same faces over several years is evidence to how much the team enjoys their jobs. They’re always friendly and welcoming, even when it’s a full night and they’re running around to keep up. I appreciate their eagerness to recommend dishes to try, and they rarely steer us wrong.

Since the restaurant doesn’t do reservations, weekend nights around 7 p.m. can easily have you waiting for 30-60 minutes, especially if your party is larger than two. Try arriving earlier or be prepared to wait. If you want the best seat in the house, sit at the sushi bar! You’ll be able to watch the chefs craft the dishes and get more insight about sushi.

Tomodachi is an inviting place to explore sushi and enjoy an exquisite meal. Enjoy!

4101 W Parmer Ln #E, Austin, TX 78727

Hours:
Mon – Thur: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; 5:30 – 10:00 pm
Fri: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; 5:30 – 10:30 pm
Sat: 12:00 – 10:00 pm

Want more information about Austin’s restaurants? Check out this guide of my favorite Austin restaurants.

Interested in trying sushi but don’t know where to start? Take a look at this article to help you with etiquette.

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The post Favorite Austin Eats: Fresh Sushi at Tomodachi Austin appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Charleston
As you’ve seen from my previous post about the Best Restaurants in Charleston, we had many, many great eats during our four days in Charleston.

La Pepita Salad and Kale Nachos at Vinaigrette
Vinaigrette is a health-focused restaurant with a new location in south Austin. This salad was SO GOOD. Chopped green kale with shredded chicken, black beans, crumbled cojita, diced avocado with spicy crispy pepitas and a lemon-cumin vinaigrette. It was a big dish but one that make you feel healthier and healthier as you ate it. I loved the mix of flavors, subtle spice and crunch of the pepitas. I also loved the Kale Nachos appetizer.

Gelato at Dolce Neve
Dolce Neve is always a treat when I’m in south Austin and looking for a sweet treat. It might be a strange combination but I got scoops of salted chocolate and lemon.

Crawfish Boil
You may remember we hosted our first seafood boils last fall. We had borrowed a boiler but since my boyfriend got a boiler for Christmas and LOVES crawfish, we wanted to host a crawfish boil. It was a BIG success – 63 lbs of crawfish boiled and eaten. The crawfish were big and spicy. Sadly, this is the only photo I took during the party; I was too busy peeling crawfish!

The Domain’s New Rock Rose District
Some friends and I checked out the new Rock Rose district one night. While only a handful of places are now open, the late-night favorites seem to be Kung Fu Saloon and Lavaca Street Bar. I recommend the chicken nachos at Turf N’ Surf Kitchen at Lavaca Street Bar. Since I live up north, I’ve been looking forward to more food and drink options in my area, and it looks like the majority of places in Rock Rose will be open up by the fall. Can’t wait to try them all!

RA Sushi
For our Austin Food Blogger Alliance happy hour, we enjoyed dishes at RA Sushi downtown. The dishes were plated beautifully and the lighting was perfect on their patio. I tried a few of the many dishes that night, and my favorite was the chili ponzu yellowtail (on the appetizer menu). We also enjoyed a variety of rolls, RA chips and salsa, potstickers, edamame, shishito peppers, mochi balls and dessert rolls.

Any noteworthy eats in your life last month?

The post Flavors of the Month: March 2016 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Brisket, beef ribs, pork ribs, potato salad and beans at La Barbecue
My friend Aaron (one of my best eating companions!) and I have wanted to try La Barbecue for a while, so we luckily got a pre-order in one Saturday morning. What they say is true – this is some of the best barbecue in Austin. Yes, you’ll need to get to this trailer at least an hour before to get the best selection of meat and to get it ASAP.

Beef and Pulled Pork Tacos at Tacos and Tequila
My friend Sarah and I enjoyed the $2 self-serve taco bar and drink specials for happy hour. The tacos aren’t fancy but they’re good for the price.

Dinner at Sushi NiNi
For good, cheap sushi in a sports bar setting in a strip mall right off I-35, Sushi NiNi is your place. Strange, I know! It’s a unique setting but their happy hour is great and their sushi is even better. I enjoy sashimi (raw fish without the rice) and their rolls are good also.

Funnel Cake Ale at the Texas State Fair
In addition to the Fletcher’s Corny Dog and flavorful fried gulf shrimp boil, I tried the Funnel Cake Ale. It tasted like regular ale with a bit of vanilla and the cup’s rim was dusted with powdered sugar. Not better than a real funnel cake!

Tapas Dinner at Casa Rubia (Dallas)
With a glowing review from a friend, I dined at Casa Rubia for dinner and it was an excellent choice. Some of the tapas we enjoyed from this Spanish restaurant included: Bunelos de Pollo (chicken croquettes), Codorniz (quail), Gambas al Ajillo (gulf shrimp), Vieiras (sea scallops), and Costillos de Cordero (lamb ribs).

TX Shiitake Quiche at CBD Provisions (Dallas)
I enjoy visiting Dallas because more than likely, I’ll enjoy brunch somewhere new with friends. This last time, we ventured to the downtown Joule hotel for this swanky and beautiful restaurant. It was a quiet Sunday morning, our food was a hit and the service was fantastic. There wasn’t a bite of kale and mushroom quiche left on my plate and the assorted pastries were a great way to start brunch.

The Milano, Pepperoni & Basil, and The Green Belt Pizzas at Pinthouse Pizza
If you’re looking for delicious pizza and beer, try Pinthouse Pizza. We shared three personal size (10 in) pizzas. My favorite was the Green Belt with ricotta, mushrooms and spinach.

Dinner at Andiamo Italiano
We don’t see a plethora of Italian restaurants in Austin, so I’m glad I can add Andiamo Italiano to my list. I enjoyed the Capesante dello Chef (seared sea scallops) and Paglia e fieno alla Boscaiola (Homemade fettuccine with sausage, mushrooms and onions in light cream sauce). I couldn’t stop eating the fettuccine noodles. They were tender and perfectly al dente. The sauce was delicious!

Grilled Oysters at the Whole Foods at The Domain
The problem with oysters: they disappear too quickly! The grilled oysters topped with parmesan coupled with a beer from their wide selection were a great mid-day snack.

Wundershowzen at JuiceLand
JuiceLand is my go-to for fresh smoothies and juices. While a little pricy, the convenience and the fresh ingredients make it worth it. I usually like my smoothies with almond milk and almond or peanut butter. My favorite has been the Originator but this Wundershowzen (almond milk, spinach, hemp protein, banana, and peanut butter) has been added to my list!

Dinner at Uchiko
It’s been a couple of years since I dined at Uchiko and it was so much better than I remembered. Our fantastic dinner included: hama chili (yellowtail), brussels sprouts, gyutan (grilled beef tongue), madi (Japanese bream), unagi (eel), sake toro (salmon belly), and finished off with the tobacco cream dessert.

Burger and Fries combo at Player’s
Player’s brings back great college memories. Since it is closing Nov. 23, Linda and I decided to pop in one last time for lunch. With the outside-the-ordinary burgers becoming the norm, it’s nice to get back to the basics of a simple burger.

Martin Códax Albariño and Seafood-focused meal at Josephine House
Martin Códax invited food bloggers to try their wine while indulging in a perfectly paired seafood dinner. Josephine House served Martin Códax’s Albariño and the wine’s crispness and acidity complemented the dishes very well.

Dinner at Odd Duck
Ending my month on a high note, I celebrated my friend Dan’s birthday with a group of friends at Odd Duck. Our dinner included: pretzel, steamed dumpling, lamb kebab, ceviche, fried chicken croquette, soft cooked duck egg, goat confit, coconut rice pudding and apple cake doughnut. The lamb kebab and apple cake doughnut were my favorites!

What delicious things did you eat in October?

The post Flavors of the Month: October 2014 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Mango and Strawberry Shaved Ice at Snow Monster
A refreshing cold treat on a hot summer day.

Catfish Fries and Tom Kah Shrimp & Grits at Kin and Comfort
One visit and I’m a big fan of this place. I also loved the Peppered Beef Tongue.

The Original Sandwich and tofu spring rolls at Saigon Le Vendeur
Not my favorite banh mi in town but I hear the grilled pork is the best out of the sandwiches.

Cholesta Roll (chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans tempura fried) and Lo Burn (tempura shrimp, unagi, jalapeno) Roll On Sushi

Teatails at Steeping Room
I’ve loved Steeping Room every time I’ve visited. On this visit I also enjoyed their popular Chocolate Chip Caramel Cookie.

Masu Donburi (Ocean Trout Confit, crispy trout skin, ikura) at Kyoten
This fish was melt in your mouth delicious. I can’t wait to go back and have it again.

Chicken Fried Lockhart Quail & Waffles on the brunch menu at TRACE

Homemade Frangelico Nutella Cupcakes
It had been a LONG – too long! – time since I had made cupcakes. This recipe was delicious!

Some yummy things I ate this month and didn’t get a picture of but still dream about:
Foie Gras (aka melt in your mouth delicious) at Uchi
Sapporo Ramen with light broth and ajitama at Michi Ramen
Connecticut Roll at Garbo’s

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