Sometimes, you come across a restaurant that renews your faith in restaurants. Not that my faith in restaurants needed was shaken, and needed renewing or anything, but sometimes, a great restaurant, like La Condesa, can just really make an impact on you, leaving you with a renewed passion and desire to seek out more of the very best.
Yesterday, I invited my mom for a lunch date to aforementioned La Condesa, and after she visited their beautiful and enticing website, she was way more than happy to accompany me.
We arrived at 11:30 a.m., right when the restaurant opens its doors for lunch, and were seated quickly on the outside patio. I must say though, the interior of La Condesa is fantasticly funky, colorful and yet, still sophisticated. I took my time admiring the fun bar area and dining spaces before making my way out to the patio.
Once seated, we were able to sip some cold iced tea, and go over their lunch menu, which just by reading got my drool going.
We decided to go big, and start with their guacamole tasting, which gives you samples of their four varieties they make in house, and we also went with their four seasonal salsas. Yum.
It was a really pleasant day, and sitting there on the patio, we were able to soak in the sun while it was still breezy and cool. With all the scorchers we’ve been having, it seemed like a little slice of heaven.
Our guacamole and salsas arrived, and we couldn’t have been happier with what was placed before us.
Glorious! From top to bottom, left to right, we had a smokey and earthy salsa that tasted deep and intense. The light green was an avocado and tomatillo cream. It was bright, acidic and somewhat citrusy. The deep green jalapeño and granny smith apple salsa blew my mind. It was light, but exploded with spicy, tart and sweet flavors. It was by far my favorite. The last salsa was SUPER smokey, and was perhaps a bit too interesting for my palate.
The guacamole from left to right, top to bottom: lump crab and granny smith apples diced and tossed in a coconut vinegar, traditional, ancho paste and toasted almonds and lastly cotija cheese with crisp watermelon.
Each one of these guacamole tastings brought such different flavors and textures to the table, and I loved them all. The traditional was simply perfect in its balance of flavors, and the texture was nice. The ancho and almond guacamole was inventive, spicy and crunchy. We loved it, and all were delicious, but our favorites had to be the other two.
My mom’s favorite, and my second favorite, was the lump crab and granny smith apple/coconut vinegar. Sensational. The crab tasted like a sweet sea, and the apples were tart, crunchy and paired perfectly with the other elements. Texturally, this was to die for.
As for me, my favorite had to be the cotija and watermelon guacamole. It was, in my opinion, the best bite of the day. Between the crunchy and sweet watermelon and the salty fresh crumbled Mexican cheese, this variety was more than inventive, it was revolutionary. I will never look at guacamole the same again. Ever. This was beyond delicious and I will never forget it. This may sound a touch on the dramatic side, but believe you me, this was the perfect guacamole.
I could have eaten that all day long, but I had to show some self-restraint, as we had ordered our main courses which were on their way.
My mom wen with their Mixta con Pollo Rostizado, which was basically a salad of roasted chicken, local arugula, cabbage, bibb lettuce, green beans, jícama, radish, corn, grape tomatoes, avocado, red onion, queso fresco, mustard vinaigrette. Sounded spectacular, but what arrived was not what we expected. It was so much more.
You know when you order a chicken salad at a Mexican restaurant, and you get a TON of lettuce, a sprinkling of chicken and a smattering of other crunchy ingredients?
This. Was. Not. That. Do you see all that chicken? DO YOU SEE IT? This salad was the ideal salad that usually never comes to pass. But at La Condesa, your salad dreams are made reality, and this was delicious. I know because I snuck a bite. It was bright, crisp, refreshing, and the chicken was perfectly cooked, and flavored beautifully. The ratios of lettuce to veggies to protein were, for the first time in my experience dining out, perfect.
I ordered the Alambre tacos, with seared steak, roasted poblanos, charred onion, queso mixto, and salsa chipotle.
Bow wow chicka boom boom. These tacos were CRAZY.
Upon first bite, I was mesmerized. Stupefied. Entranced. The steak was cooked to perfection. It was buttery, tender and flavor-packed. The poblanos were plain charry-goodness, and the cheese was nice and creamy. The fried onions added the textural crunch it so needed and the tortillas were warm and welcoming.
My only complaint, if it even is a complaint, which I’m not sure it even is a complaint, is that the tacos were super rich and decadent. Almost too amazing for lunch time… But as I sit here, thinking back to the meal, it’s possible I am speaking too soon. But like I said, they were super intense, creamy, and yes, just plain indulgent. Maybe I need a second take on it…
All in all, La Condesa more than exceeded expectations, and has with only a few bites, climbed my list of the BEST of the best restaurants here in the amazing city of Austin, TX.
