The Grounds of Eden East
I never thought I’d be walking in the Garden of Eden, but here I am, tromping the grounds of the funkily charming Eden East—a true farm to table restaurant. Turning green—as green as the produce that grows here—with envy at the sheer magnificence of Mother nature’s gifts. I can’t help but be envious of the abundance of beautiful vegetables and herbs that spring from the soil of East Austin. The fantastic chickens. The trees. The old buildings.
City born and bred, I’m a country girl at heart, and I still yearn to live on a farm.
Our exploration at an end, my friends and I return to the outdoor dining area to get a refill of the complimentary Arnold Palmer made with Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka. A brilliant idea. A deliciously refreshing drink. Dining here on a Thursday night we discover today’s menu is a la carte, not prix-fixe as it normally is on weekends. The three of us have some decisions to make. The thought crosses our collective minds to choose one of everything for our appetizers, but wisely we decide not to. We do want to have room for the entrée.
Appetizers
We begin our dining adventure with a Texas Cheese Plate, featuring burrata cheese made by the Mozzarella Company in Dallas, and accompanied by a drizzle of balsamic and olive with sweet cherry tomato halves and a pile of crostini. How could a dish comprised of these excellent ingredients be anything but delicious? For it is delicious. We devour the soft and creamy burrata in minutes—we are all greedy. The Farm ‘BQ comes next. This appetizer is an array of root vegetables that are lightly smoked, served with chevre–the best molasses I have ever tasted–a pecan romesco, and studded with a variety of healthy seeds. I am partial to smoke and beets—I want to snag everyone for myself but I do try to share. The carrots, sweet potatoes and turnips are equally good, so I don’t mind sharing at all.
Next comes a very fresh green salad with deviled eggs, raw and pickled red onions, more sweet cherry tomatoes and crisp cucumbers—all of it dusted with goat cheese queso fresco. I share the spicy delicious deviled eggs. When I am about to start on the greens, I realize that I haven’t taken one picture. I ask our server if I could have two more deviled eggs explaining my dilemma—I’ll pay. They arrive instantly–and are complimentary. While I eat the tender lettuce mélange, my friends tuck into a rainbow of pickled vegetables. They share. I’m partial to the corn and love how thinly the beets are sliced—twirls rather than rounds. All of it beautiful to look at.
Entree & Dessert
Of the three entrees on the menu this evening, I am torn between the Grilled Pork Chop and the Black Drum with Ghee Poached Crab. The pork calls my name more loudly than the fish, however, when I take a bite of my friend’s black drum it has a delicious grilled crust, is very flavorful and I wish I could have both. My grilled pork chop with smoked bean hash is served medium and is very tasty. Difficult to cut with a table knife, it is tender—not chewy or dry. You always take a chance with a lean pork chop, and this time, I won.
The Cajeta Crepes are slightly sweet, drizzled with cajeta and lightly filled with a dark chocolate chili ganache. Dark sweet strawberries and toasted pecan finish the dish. My friends and I look around at the other diners. It appears we were almost the first to arrive, and a race to the finish to be the last to leave. It is a perfect evening. I’ll do it again. Soon.
Eden East – The Particulars
Eden East is a true farm to table restaurant–with the farm, the vegetables, the chickens, and the eggs right beyond the community table outdoor dining space. It is a rustic wonderland filled numerous vegetable gardens and decorated with whimsy. Eden East was selected to host three of the four SXSW Bites Dinners this year in conjunction with the James Beard Foundation. SXSW and James Beard know a good thing when they see it. If only I had known then what I know now, I would have reserved my place at one of those dinners. Next year I’ll brave the crowds and travel north.
Located in East Austin, the restaurant serves a monthly prix fixe menu every weekend or Friday and Saturday. They serve an a la carte brunch every Wednesday and Saturday. Every Thursday they offer an a la carte dinner paired with live music or a DJ.
Eden East is BYOB. However, they provide free corkage, chillers, wine glasses, and flutes.
Location: 755 Springdale Road, Austin, Texas
Hours of Operation
BRUNCH: Wednesday & Saturday, 9 am – 1 pm, a la carte alongside our farmers’ market
DINNER: Thursday 6 pm – 10 pm, a la carte with live music; Friday & Saturday 6 pm – 10 pm, supper club multi-course prix fixe
Reservations are a must for Friday & Saturday dinner and may be made through Open Table. All other service is walk-in, however, you should make a reservation for parties of 12+
Phone: 512.428.6500
Email: info@edeneastaustin.com
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