My morning routine is as follows: wake up, complain about waking up, saying “NOOOO…” a few times, and then rolling over, petty whichever kitty is there, either Karen or Marcus, and finally, picking up my phone and checking my emails. Usually there’s nothing exciting. It’s more of a habit than anything. But the other morning during this routine, I found an email confirming my upcoming lunch reservation at TRACE in Austin at the W Hotel.
Wait… What? I didn’t remember making any such reservation, and was starting to semi-panic. Did I do this in my sleep? Am I really going crazy?
As it turns out, my mom thought that we were long overdue for a mommy-daughter lunch date, and went ahead and made some reservations for us at a place she found on “the Google,” saying that it looked good. Heck yeah it looks good. I’ve wanted to visit TRACE for quite some time now, and just never had the chance. So I was appropriately geeking out, unable to wait for the next day to get out there, and enjoy some vibrant, locally influenced and responsibly prepared goodness.
Honestly, there’s little else that could compare to the joy that comes with a truly delicious meal out on the town. Little else, I tell you. The whole process from discovering a new place, like TRACE to deciding to go and then arriving and taking the first glances at the menu are all very exciting things to me. Yes. I’m a huge food-nerd, and a guess a huge dining-out nerd. I’m not ashamed.
We arrived just in time for our 12:45 p.m. reservation, and I was filled with glee.
FILLED. WITH. GLEE. As we walked up the side walk, I couldn’t help but marvel at the fun, and relaxed outdoor dining space they created. I bet this place fills up at happy hour, that’s for sure.
We entered the sleek and modern hotel restaurant that doesn’t at all reflect the traditional stodgy, dated and heavy hotel restaurants of recollection. No way. This place was beautiful. Clean lines, fun textures, nice curves, fun mirror mosaics and lots of natural light make this space beautiful and stirring.
We were promptly seated outside by our choice, and though it was an impossibly hot Texas afternoon, the huge patio fans and the blast of A/C from the inside made a potentially terrible situation way more than manageable. It was, in fact, comfortable and peaceful.
Our hostess presented the menus to us, and we were left to take in the beautiful setting. Wonderful. There were so many amazing menu options to choose from too. Take the shared small plates, for example. I couldn’t choose. Between the Crispy Texas Artichoke, hand-cut herb fries and the market snacks charcuterie plate, I was at a loss. My mom was too. But we ended up deciding that the market snacks would be the way to start our afternoon at TRACE.
What a good idea that turned out to be. The Market Snacks of the day were sadly, not explained to us, but luckily, I could figure most of it out: Prosciutto, duck, another type of pig, dried chorizo, delicious cheese and strawberry preserves, and of course my favorites, the lightly pickled green tomato, cauliflower and onion. Sensational.
Even my mom, the woman who despises all things “sausages and cheeses,” went to town with me on this dish. It didn’t hurt that the bread was delicious, and she is a bread lover. That’s an understatement. A bread OBSESSOR. I love you mom! Also, I must mention that the veggies had the most perfect pickling to them. It was so delicate, and so mouth-wateringly sweet and sour. Absolutely delectable.
Anyway, we went ahead and placed our main courses, about half way through our market snacks.
My mom went with the Grilled Shrimp and Romaine Leaf Salad with tender baby leaves, anchovy parmesan dressing and croutons. I went all in and got the TRACE Butcher Burger with 8 oz. of meat, Tillamook cheddar, tomatoes, crisp lettuce, crisp bacon, a Niman Ranch egg over easy with homemade roasted tomato ketchup, stone ground mustard and aioli. Yeah. That’s a big burger.
But I didn’t know HOW big until it was presented to me. Holy smokes.
This burger far surpassed any expectations that I’d previously had about what a burger was. It was huge, juicy, tender, flavorful, simple yet complex, and beautiful. It was the messiest dang thing I’ve ever tried to eat, but somehow, I came out un-stained. Phew.
My mom’s salad was impressive in other ways. The shrimp were enormous, cooked perfectly and packed with a punch. They were fresh, and juicy and went perfectly with all the other salad components. Magnificent.
The only other thing that could make this food taste any better than it did was the absolutely perfect weather we were having while sitting outside on the beautiful patio. Our TRACE experience was exquisite and memorable.
I feel like it was just yesterday that we were there, basking in the sun, sipping iced teas and dining on beautifully cured meats and cheeses, a huge burger and a refreshing salad. Gorgeous. I will be back. OH. I will be back.
