A2 Rating Scale (out of 5):
Ambiance: 
Food & Drink:
Service:
Likeliness to Return:
THE BASICS:
WHAT: Justine’s Brasserie – A French bungalow in the heart of BBQ land (aka Texas)
WHERE: Austin, TX
WHEN: dinner, drinks, night out… if you start here, you end here (you won’t want to leave).
THE DISH:
WHAT TO ORDER: Salade de Crabe ($16- Crab, Cucumber & Avocado salad) – light, refreshing and excuse me for sipping the dressing off the empty plate. Côte de Porc ($22- Pork chop)- my coworker licked his plate clean (of course, not before I snagged a few bites) and it comes with the most DELISH potatoes au gratin. Red fruit sorbet and mascarpone bombe ($8) to end on a high note.
WHAT TO SKIP: Steak Frites ($26) – you would think this would be the best, but sadly it was the worst entrée on our table.
WHERE TO SIT: Anywhere you sit, inside or out, you feel like you are in your chic friend’s private abode (and you’re asking her if you can move in). They don’t take reservations so when you get there, depending on what’s avail and the temperature (it is Texas), see what you’re feeling. Either way you’ll end up exploring the “backyard” fully equipped with disco balls… yes, even outside.
WHO TO BRING: I went with my coworkers, and even though they’re like family to me (our relationship works because they encourage me to drink glass after glass of vino), this means you can go with ANYONE. This is the type of place where a short date will turn into a long date, so if you like that person definitely doooo it and get lost in it.
WHAT TO WEAR: Trust me you will take amazing insta pics. So you may want to think about that (wish I had).
WHAT TO KNOW: If driving there you get nervous thinking you’re heading towards the middle of nowhere, keep on truckin’; you are NOT and you will make it there (it’s really not as far as it feels). AND apparently they have this really cool room with all lights and mirrors that although I did my research, I didn’t know that existed until the next day (now noted to look at a place’s insta beforehand and not just their website). It looks awesome. I’m sorry I let you down… It won’t happen again. On the positive, it gives me an excuse to go back.
EDDR LIFE LESSON: When traveling, don’t be afraid to venture outside the main touristy area. This gem was in a neighborhood we would have never just stumbled across.
A2 FINAL THOUGHT: Even though it’s not new, you feel like you’re in the “in-crowd” for knowing about it and being there (at least I did as an out-of-towner). The vibe and general feel overruled the food, but it all evened out for an experience I can’t wait to have again.
Dreaming of disco balls and staging my next insta pic,
Alex
eat.drink.dish.repeat. 