Some Continental Charm for the East Side

While I cringe a little at the state of uber-gentrified East 11th Street, I'd like to highlight its most charming corner cafe, the Blue Dahlia Bistro. Nothing says gentrification like faux-Euro fare, but the Blue Dahlia is quirky, authentic, relatively inexpensive, and surprisingly humble (check Le Mission).

To the stranded francophile's relief, it offers a menu full French-inspired dishes, including cheese plates and open-faced sandwiches. It also offers continental inspirations not of France, like the porcini ravioli with basil pesto and caprese salad (fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil). Other seemingly everyday American fare is given a French treatment - the egg salad is served with capers.

It's also a vegetarian's delight, with several exotic meat-free sandwiches (and let's face it - those are a rare find). I've already mentioned the egg salad, and also consider the ricotta with fig, black pepper, and agave. Or the brie with walnuts and apricot preserves. Or the humus with avocado, sprouts, and tomato. Plus, all the salads are served sans-meat.

The Blue Dahlia also tries to offer as much local, organic produce as possible, all the while keeping most entrees under $10. Every sandwich is served on whole wheat bread. It's these little touches, plus the beautiful ambiance created through low-lighting and sturdy wooden tables, that make this place seem right out of Provence.

Lucky for us, it's happily settled in East Austin.

The Basics:
Location: 111se E. 11th St., across from the Victory Grill
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Accepts: all major credit cards
Rating: 4 stars
Bottom line: East Austin's the better for it.

So Happy for Flip Happy

Excuse my absence.

Austin seems to attract the ever-amusing blend of quality high class with ironic kitsch, and nothing seems to embody this more than the gormet air stream trend. This is high quality food served for less because it's made in an air stream or truck or road side stand, and it's all over this city. Take a look at previous posts on Lulu B's and P. Terry's.

Now add Flip Happy Crepes, the gormet French staple served out of a 50's classic, gruyere and all. Flip Happy is notorious in Austin for beating Bobby Flay. Yep, that's right, Iron Chef grill-master Bobby Flay. He asked for it, seeing as he challenged them to a throw down for Episode 1 of Season 3.

Even still, it seems many people are surprised to hear about this local treasure and their Food Network victory. Tucked behind S. Lamar (in walking distance from P. Terry's) it still feels low-key, somewhat hidden. I talk about this place on a regular basis, telling people they must go, must try the savory crepes.

I then go on to tell them about the crepes. The roasted chicken, sauteed mushrooms, gruyere, carmelized onions. It is as wonderful as it sounds. My mouth is watering now as I write about it.

I've also tried the shredded pork with carmelized onions and gruyere (seems we can't get away from gruyere... oh gruyere!) Even the vegetarian options sound full of flavor. I could go meatless for spinach, feta, and roasted garlic. Or for tarragon mushrooms, caremlized onions, gruyere, spinach, tomato, and chives.

The downside to Flip Happy is its limited hours. Typically, it's open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 to 2:30. But check their blog to make sure they're open. Also, it's getting busier and busier, so keep in mind that it's not fast. You'll have to wait about 30 minutes.

But it's worth it. Oh yes, worth every mouth-watering bite.

The Basics:
Location: 400 Jessie Street, just behind P. Terry's on S. Lamar
Hours: Wednesday - Friday 10:30 - 2:30 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Accepts: Cash only
Rating: 5 stars
Bottom line: They beat Bobby Flay for a reason.