It is only 5:30 pm on a Tuesday and the parking lot of the unassuming El Alma Mexican Restaurant in Austin is full! Unimaginable in my book, but it is packed to the brim. City girl turned country girl I seem to be out of sync with city ways. Crowded restaurants and long lines are but a distant memory. However, the proof of this phenomena stares me in the face–there is no room. And it’s raining!

Giving up on his quest to park close by, Michael drops me off in the parking lot at the top of the hill leading down to Barton Springs Road and the front door of El Alma.

I’ll see you in a bit,” he tells me and then noses the car into heavy traffic making his way to the Long Center where he will park the car–since it is within walking distance–and because we will be attending a lecture there after dinner.

Happy Hour at El Alma Mexican Restaurant

Umbrella open, protecting me from the drizzle, I gingerly make my way down the hill and enter chaos. Now–now I understand the parking lot. After-work-happy-hour is in full swing. The restaurant is filled with laughter and conversation. Luckily, I made reservations. Luckily, they didn’t give my table away, and luckily, they seat me without my husband in tow. No incomplete-party seating rules here!

When the server arrives I order two top-shelf margaritas on the rocks and start perusing the menu for Antojitos to share with Michael when he finally gets here. I need something that will take a little time. I’m giving him fifteen minutes to sit down across from me. I make the decision, choosing mushroom and jack cheese empanadas.

I try very hard to look nonchalant in my aloneness–not abandoned by my date, aka husband. The appetizers arrive before Michael. I argue with myself. Should I or shouldn’t I? I don’t. I sit here–staring. Smiling.

Antojitos

Slightly damp, Michael finally arrives just as I look away from the door to tell my server for the second, perhaps third time I’m still not ready to order the main dish. Walking away, she gives us time to look at the menu and decide. We concentrate instead on the empanadas–still piping hot. Crispy. Creamy. Well seasoned, and served drizzled with crema, a small mound of guacamole, and a dish of Morita chimichurri.

The top shelf margarita is delicious and smooth as silk. How could it not be with, Cointreau, lime juice and agave nectar, added to the Jimador Reposado tequila. No hint of margarita mix anywhere in sight–thank goodness. I learn that Jimador is the highly rated, number one tequila in all of Mexico–named in honor of the master tequila harvesters, the Jimadores, who cut each agave heart by hand with a razor-sharp instrument. I try to make mine last–I don’t want to fall asleep during the lecture on astrophysics. Michael has no such qualms and orders another to go with his entree.

Healthy Entrees at El Alma Mexican Restaurant

The Rellenos arrive. I tell Michael his dish is much prettier than mine, looking like the Mexican flag with deep red-orange sauce, white rice and a green poblano pepper stuffed to the gills with roasted duck, almonds and raisins. My relleno hides its color inside the spicy pepper, being stuffed with sweet potato, chard, pepitas, and panela cheese. I never knew a vegetarian relleno could be so tasty. Michael shares a bite of his–I like it too. And I feel very virtuous eating a vegetarian meal.

Feeling time slip away, I check my phone. Michael looks at his watch. We both look at each other. He speaks first and says, “We have more than an hour before the lecture starts. We need to order dessert.” And, I notice the skies beyond the window are doing more than raining the gentle drizzle of an hour ago. It is pouring buckets. A very good reason to kill time.

Dessert

The Avion Espresso Tres Leches Cake that I order is reminiscent of Italian Tierra mi su, redolent with the essence of coffee, moist, and delicious. After my second cup of coffee, I look out the window and notice that the downpour has turned to drizzle. Not waiting to tell Michael my observation, I quickly say, “It’s time to leave,” and signal for our server.

The Long Center Lecture

By the time we are seated in the mezzanine section of the Long Center, despite my umbrella, despite the light drizzle, I am damp and chilled. I snuggle as to close to Michael as possible, and wait.

The commanding presence of Neil deGrasse Tyson takes the stage and he tells us, “Earth wants to kill you. The Universe wants to kill you too.” And so it begins–and ends way too quickly. The hands on the clock whiz by at the speed of light. Neil deGrasse is brilliant, informative, entertaining and funny. I want more.

Almost the last to leave the auditorium we walk into a night equally as brilliant and clear and refreshing as our speaker.

El Alma Cafe

Location: 1025 Barton Springs Road; Phone–512.609.8923; email–info@elalmacafe.com Outdoor seating available.

Hours: Open seven days a week. Monday thru Thursday, 11 am–10 pm; Friday, 11 am–11 pm; Saturday, 10 am–11 pm; Sunday, 10 am–10 pm.

Happy Hour: EVERY Day: 3–6 pm.

Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm

Reservations Advised and may be made through Open Table