The Barley Swine - Don't Miss It

Drive by too fast and you’ll miss it; get distracted and you’ll miss it; blink and you’ll miss it. The Barley Swine in Austin, Texas, looks like a hole-in-the-wall bar stuck in the side of a strip mall, perhaps a place where undesirables might gather for a cheap beer at any time of day, but it’s not. The Barley Swine is a gastronomic paradise, with a welcoming staff and eclectic atmosphere.

The dining area is small, only 8-10 tables. The tables are rustic,no table cloths to anything that would suggest “fine”dining, The rest of the space is taken up with an open kitchen in which every diner can view the busting staff of chefs and prep cooks as they prepare and serve a wonderfully matched twelve course menu for each awaiting patron.

The Barley Swine serves foods that are purchased from a special selection of farms and ranches, it is a farm-to-table dining experience. Every menu is created from what is available at that time and paired with wines and/or beer from their rather interesting selection. Some of these pairing were especially notable.

The first course was an uni, turnip soup with creole onion. We were drinking a Spanish Cava that made the mid-pallet come alive with a creamy sensation that definitely surprised. They served a Red snapper, strawberry truffle and a green gazpacho with kefir and trout roe paired with the 2013 Anne Amie Cuvee A Amarita from Willamette Valley. There were only 1002 cases produced of this beautiful wine that combines Pinot Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer and a touch of Pinot Gris. The flavors were explosive and awakened the senses.

One of the best things I’ve ever eaten was their corn muffin with ham and creamer peas. It was the perfect balance of sweet and savory with a chewy texture that somehow melted on the tongue. It was paired with Trimbach’s Pinot Gris Alsace 2011 and the acidity from the Alsace complemented the dish perfectly. The mozzarella with spring onion dish had been paired with Real Ale Hans’ Pilsner from Blanco, Texas. This, for me, was amazing. I don’t drink beer, I’ve tried many times to develop a taste for it, but I can’t. I am a wine drinker and just don’t like beer. This paring, however, gave me an insight into what beer can be. By itself, the pilsner wasn’t my thing, but when sipped after tasting the mozzarella with spring onion, I was amazed. The flavors of the dish with the pilsner came together beautifully.

The rest of the meal went along just like the rest. Every course brought a new flavor never experienced before and probably never to be experienced again. Our server kept the courses coming in good time and with a delightful personality, he made the meal one to remember. It was the perfect meal.

This unassuming little hole-in-the-wall had behind it the most amazing talent in food preparation. It is a gastronomic paradise, a theater for the pallet and a perfectly satisfying evening. This rustic, casual restaurant is a lesson or us all, never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a restaurant by its door. It’s the talent behind the door that counts. Cheers!!!

#austin #tastingmenu #restaurant