Travel like a local in their own town. Of course it’s fun to visit the highly recommended hot spots of any up and coming adult playground. Just a bit outside of the flourishing downtown of Austin, you’ll find tree-covered humble abodes lining the streets, interrupted with a few camouflaged, commercial properties.
Cipollina shot-gunned the corner spot in one of these little edifices; a charming, Mediterranean-inspired eatery that caters the neighborhood appropriately. The menu is short, but entertains an all-star showing in every category. Soups, salads, pizzas, small and large plates and a separate dessert menu invite every palate.
The butter leaf salad to start is a perfect mixture of sweet and acidic, and compliments a small plate very well. They serve mussels, wild boar pate, smoked red trout and a beef tartare (pictured) that would impress a vegetarian. OK, that might be a stretch, but it is beyond mouthwatering.
Mix up your normal weeknight dinner with something creative, like an oyster mushroom risotto that’ll kick you in the mouth with a feeling that case studies say only heroin addicts have had. The hanger steak is cooked beautifully, drizzled with gravy that is a sufficient alternate dipping sauce for the side of fries, only if their homemade ketchup is too tasty for you.
The menu includes a goat cheese ravioli, tagliatelle with house sausage and kale, braised pork belly, and a guinea hen confit, just in case you were feeling inspired. Wanna share? Try a summer squash pizza with basil pesto and house ricotta. They also offer a white truffle, margherita, and pork pepperoni pizza to name a few more.
Almost everything on the dinner menu is available for lunch, plus a few sandwiches and wraps. Their peach cobbler was picturesque and very tasty. Accompany your meal with wine from their healthy-sized list, or have a go at a microbrew. From a menu that ranges from $5 to $17, you will surely eat your moneys worth. Come love Austin.
Comments
Okay Jordan - there goes my dining out budget! Thanks for doing the leg work for me - so many new fantastic restaurants and menu items. You have a great sensibility for great food. Cippolini's, here I come! Yum...
I have lived in Austin my whole life, and never heard of this place. Looks awesome though. I will make it over there sometime soon.
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