This annual “best things I ate” list is always a fun one to put together. Not only is it looking back at memorable bites, but it’s fun remembering the occasion or who I was dining with. As I always say, the food and environment have a big impact on your experience, but so do your dining companions!

A very interesting stat – I dined at 197 restaurants, bakeries, breweries, food trucks, etc in 2024. That number dropped significantly to 140 in 2025! I think it was a combination of reasons. I was a little uninspired, and I was trying to save money. You take a risk dining out at places you haven’t been before (and even places recommended by others).

Most of these things should not come as a surprise if you read my quarterly flavor posts. Here are 15 memorable eats!

Chicken Sandwich at Dang Hot

This is one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in town! I got the mild, and it definitely has some heat. Perfectly crispy and good flavor, this food truck is a must-try.

Key Lime Pie from Lulu’s Pie Shoppe

This pie changed key lime pie for me, and I’m awaiting my next opportunity to enjoy this!

Rajasthani Tawa Paratha with Aloo at Paratha Rollers

You get two hits and lots of flavor with this dish – the soft paratha bread and the potato masala.

Masu at Craft Omakase

We got to return to Craft Omakas (my top choice for omakase in Austin), and it was once again a fantastic meal. This ocean trout bite was one of my favorites. Read more about Craft here.

Matcha at Dam Coffee Bar

A new coffee shop opened in Austin, and you have to go try their matcha. I’ve had their coconut water matcha and mango matcha, and both were strong and flavorful. They also have Vietnamese coffee and egg coffee that I want to try one day.

Dinner at Kane Sushi

I would love it if Kane Sushi were in Austin (it’s in Cedar Park) because their bites were delicious and huge!

Brunch at Ladino (San Antonio)

We took a weekend trip to San Antonio and had my dream brunch at Ladino. It’s part of the Emmer & Rye Hospitality restaurant group and one of my favorites. The cuisine is modern Mediterranean, and their Turkish brunch includes a variety of side dishes like seared halloumi, marinated olives, sourdough flatbread, and housemade jams. You can choose an entree, and I highly recommend the Turkish eggs.

Soup Dumplings at Mian & Bao

Mian & Bao has been a favorite spot for many this year, and I agree. These are some of the best soup dumplings in town!

Vanilla Chantilly Cake at Rockman Coffee and Bakery

Rockman officially turned one this past October, and they are offering some delicious pastries! The vanilla chantilly cake was one of my favorite things I tried. See my feature post on Rockman here.

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Teddy’s

This fried chicken sandwich seems to only be available during happy hour, and it was delicious!

Matcha at CaPhe.in

Ok, I’ve been drinking a lot of matcha. And this is another good one! I tried their ube previously, and I liked their banana matcha more. Creamy banana flavor, and the bruleed banana slice on top is a nice touch.

Italian Sub at Handsome Dan’s

The spontaneous meals can be the best, as evidenced by this sandwich and beer at Handsome Dan’s. This sandwich reminded me that I love a good sandwich and that I should go seek these out more. It’s also very satisfying to see these sandwich layers. I also enjoyed the IPA, which they brew in-house.

Otoro with Caviar and Truffle at Tare

I returned to Tare for an omakase meal and again loved it. Of course, the matcha tres leches is still great, but you can’t beat how delicious this tuna belly bite is. See the feature post on Tare here.

Breakfast at Phoebe’s Diner

This Austin spot is known for its breakfast and brunch. Their bananas foster French toast is heavenly! It’s banana walnut bread topped with whipped cream, fresh bananas, and more.

Brisket Burger at la Barbecue

I went to a media dinner with JUSTIN Vineyards & Winery, an award-winning (Michelin-starred) vineyard in Paso Robles, California, making Bordeaux-style blends. They paired their wines with the barbecue of Jess Pryles, a local BBQ expert, and la Barbecue, a Michelin-starred barbecue restaurant in Austin. My favorite pairing was the Candied Jalapeno Brisket Burger with the 2022 JUSTIN Reserve Cabernet.

What’s the best thing you ate this year?

Look back at my flavors posts this year:

• Flavors of the Month Q1 2025 – Austin Restaurants to Try
• Flavors of the Month Q2 2025 – Austin Restaurants to Try
• Flavors of the Month Q3 2025 – Austin Restaurants to Try
• Flavors of the Month Q4 2025 – Austin Restaurants to Try

See my recaps from past years here:

• Best Things I Ate This Year – 2024
• 12 Best Things I Ate and Drank in 2023
• 10 Best Things I Ate in 2022

The post Best Things I Ate in 2025 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Austin is a foodie’s paradise. The city’s vibrant culinary community is fueled by talented chefs, a giving and enthusiastic community, good festival weather, and a love of events. Culinary events fill foodies’ social calendars year-round in addition to restaurant openings and are a great way to meet chefs and try new restaurants. Many are “sip and stroll,” which includes trying samples at each participating restaurant’s booth.

I’ve gathered the 11 best food events to help you explore Austin’s culinary scene. Please check websites for the most updated information.

Austin Food and Wine Festival

• Details: Three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits, featuring Texas’ most celebrated chefs and restaurateurs. Think mingling with chefs, seeing demos and indulging in tasting sessions.
• Date: November
• Proceeds Benefit: Texas Food and Wine Alliance
• See my experience here

CultureMap Tastemaker Awards

• Details: This tasting event honors local restaurants with an awards ceremony. Find out who wins awards such as Restaurant and Chef of the Year
• Date: May
• Proceeds Benefit: Central Texas Food Bank

Farm to Plate

• Details: More than 25 Austin chefs and restaurants sharing delicious bites at a beautiful venue.
• Date: May
• Proceeds Benefit: Sustainable Food Center

Field Guide Festival

• Details: 3-day event focused on local chefs and farmers
• Date: April
• Proceeds Benefit: Central Texas Food Bank
• See my experience here

Food for Thought

• Details: A handful of Austin’s chefs serving samples while celebrating Communities in Schools of Central Texas
• Date: October
• Proceeds Benefit: Communities in Schools of Central Texas

Hot Luck Festival

• Details: Created by Aaron Franklin, this festival features four days of tastings and music in several venues around Austin
• Date: May
• Proceeds Benefit: Southern Smoke Foundation

Texas Craft Brewers Festival

• Details: Texas’ largest celebration of small and independent Texas craft breweries. Try beers (200+ options) by breweries from all over Texas
• Date: November
• Proceeds Benefit: Texas Craft Brewers Guild
• See my experience here

Texas Monthly BBQ Festival

• Details: Taste top Texas BBQ joints on Texas Monthly’s annual list
• Date: November
• Proceeds Benefit: Texas Monthly
• See my experience here

Toast of Texas

• Details: This event gives guests the opportunity to try different wine styles, varieties and regions
• Date: June
• Proceeds Benefit: The Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Scholarships

Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis

• Details: Event includes bites from Austin’s top chefs, live music, and a silent auction.
• Date: November
• Proceeds Benefit: Lone Star Paralysis Foundation

Umlauf Garden Party

• Details: Stroll through the beautiful garden while enjoying bites and drinks from local restaurants
• Date: April
• Proceeds Benefit: Umlauf Sculpture Garden

What’s your favorite food event in Austin?

P.S. Need more food ideas? Check out these posts:

• The Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List
• Best Food and Cooking Classes in Austin
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan

The post Best Food Events in Austin, Texas appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I volunteered at the main tasting on Sunday. My day-long experience was impactful, and I want to put this event on your radar for next year. Keep reading to learn about it!

Why Field Guide Festival?

If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know I am passionate about local eating and supporting local farmers and artisans. You may remember my year-long local challenge or have seen posts trying things like chicken butchery or visiting a flower farm. Field Guide Festival is for fellow foodies who have similar interests.

Field Guide Festival is a special event that brings together the local food community, from chefs and farmers to producers and foodies, to strengthen our connections. This event celebrates and honors the talent and commitment to being a farmer and chef. It illustrates the beautiful, symbiotic relationship that makes a community thrive. Farmers and chefs can’t survive without each other, and when you support the local relationships, they thrive even more.

These reasons stick out to me about why we need the Field Guide Festival:

• Connection to Food: The abundance and convenience of grocery stores are great, but we’ve lost connection and appreciation to the people who grow and raise our food. Being able to meet our farmers and experience their work can help with that connection.
• Creativity: Chefs and farmers are focused on their jobs, and bringing them together to discuss, connect, and spark ideas encourages creativity. We want creativity and innovation in our restaurants.
• Culture: What does Austin want to be known for? I see authenticity, fun, and values in the food community. This festival leads the way to ensure we, as a food community, keep focusing on what’s important.
• Fun: Where else can you try Austin’s best restaurants in one place? If you love food, you’ll like trying all of these unique bites. It’s also a great way to learn about restaurants you haven’t visited.

If we want to support our local food community and want Austin to keep growing as a foodie city, events like this are necessary to stay knowledgeable and innovative.

What is Field Guide Fest?

This event has evolved since its inception in 2021, growing into a larger event every year. Field Guide Festival is a 3-part/day event benefitting the Central Texas Food Bank, and you can purchase tickets for each event.

Friday is Land to Larder ($200), a seated dinner at Boggy Creek Farm. This dinner features chef and farm collaborations in a coursed meal. This event is a more intimate and formal meal compared to Sunday’s event.

Saturday is the Symposium ($30), where there are multiple talks with chefs and farmers. If you’re a food nerd, you might love hearing the discussions about topics like sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming.

Sunday is the main Field Guide Festival ($70-300, $140 General Admission). This tasting-focused event is from 1-5 pm, where you can eat and drink continuously! About 11 different booths offered plentiful bites, plus there was a rapid-fire pizza happy hour at the end of the day.

Favorite Field Guide Festival Activities

I attended Sunday’s event, which is what I would recommend for first-timers. If you’ve been to past Texas Food & Wine Alliance Events (Live Fire and Wine & Swine), you’ll see similarities to the sip and stroll format. The number of booths and attendees is lower than those events, so the event overall feels more intimate.

There are about 12 booths featuring a chef/restaurant paired with a farm. The chef’s dish features produce from their partnered farm. I didn’t try all of the bites, but here are some of my favorites:

• Smoked Vegetable Quesadilla by Chef Kevin Cannon of Barley Swine and Phil Green from River Field Farm
• Lion’s Mane and Chocolate Gelato by Chef Marco Silvestrini from Dolce Neve and Sean Henry from Hi-Fi Mycology
• Smoked Kohlrabi Tartare with Fennel Chutney and Kale Cream Brioche by Chef Je Wallerstein from Fabrik and Alison Stone and Nia Howze from Hope Full Farm
• Carrot Gelato by Ariana Quant from Uchiba and Carissa Eckle and Terence Tagoe from The Refugee Collective Farm

Some other event features include a live fire area to watch chefs in action, baby goat and chicken petting, and various beverage companies with samples.

Save room for pizza! The pizza happy hour starts around 4 pm. Four Austin pizzerias start putting out pizza slices for attendees to try.

How to Attend

Follow Field Guide Festival on Instagram and sign up for their email list to find out when tickets for next year’s event open up in the fall. The event has typically been in April.

If you’d like to volunteer at the event, their call for volunteers goes out around March. As a volunteer for the Sunday event, you are there for about 6 hours and given a 1-hour break to enjoy the festival.

I’m so glad Field Guide Festival exists! Be sure to put it on your calendar for next year!

Want to read more about Austin food? See these posts:

• Best Food Events in Austin, Texas
• Why Drinking Craft Coffee is Important + Fun Coffee Tasting in Austin
• Best Farmers Markets in Austin
• Austin Restaurant Features

The post How Field Guide Festival Inspires Austin’s Foodies appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I ate at 197 restaurants, bakeries, breweries, food trucks, etc in 2024, and all but one dish was enjoyed in Austin, Texas. I also didn’t include anything from my NYC trip because so much was great! You can see those things in this post.

Best Dishes and Drinks of 2024 – 23 Spots

Pan Fried Soup Bao at Si Jie Special Noodle

Lychee and Strawberry Souffle Cake from Interrupted Baker

Lamb Rib at KG BBQ

Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake at The Guest House

Sourdough Focaccia with Housemade Ricotta, Honey, Thyme at Intero

Brown Butter Cake, Cinnamon Gelato, Pecans at Intero

Killed Lettuces & Onions at Audrey (Nashville)

Swedish Tosca Almond Cake at My Sweetish Friend

Hokkaido Scallop at Tare

Masa Twinkie at Mercado Sin Nombre

Unagi at Toshokan

Dinner at Birdie’s

Cacio e Pepe Slice from All Day Pizza

Cocktail at Oko

Halo Halo at Oko

Dinner at Craft Omakase

Steak Super Burrito at Asado’s Taqueria

Soft Serve at Bambino

Pozole Verde Tonkotsu at Ramen del Barrio

Pepper with Eggplant and Preserved Egg at Hunan Bistro

Pandan Cupcake from Hhomdee

Crab Benedict at Serenade

Pecan Souffle at Garrison

Among the 197 places I dined at in 2024, here are some more notable mentions.

Favorite Restaurants: (I had only tried 3 of these before and many of them opened this year)

• Si Jie Special Noodle
• The Guest House
• Intero
• Tare
• An Nyeong K Tofu & BBQ
• Bambino
• Taqueria 10 de 10
• Birdie’s
• Nixta Taqueria
• Craft Omakase
• Garrison
• Oko

Food Trucks:

• Asado’s Taqueria
• KG BBQ
• All Day Pizza
• T-Loc’s Sonora

Desserts and Pastries:

• Golden Eye Chocolates
• Interrupted Baker
• My Sweetish Friend
• Good Things
• Mercado Sin Nombre

Bars:

• Mama Dearest
• Equipment Room
• Flo’s Wine Bar
• Trona
• Milonga Room

Where I’m Looking Forward to Eating in 2025

I’m sure you can guess that I always have a “to-eat” list. Here are some places I’m planning to cross off my list next year.

• Custard Prison – paczki (filled donut) pop-up
• Dang Hot 89 – fried chicken
• Feral Pizza – pizza
• Kalimotxo – I want to try their new location
• Knuckle Sandwich – sandwiches
• Loudmouth – pizza and more
• Paper Boy – the go-to brunch, haven’t been since it was a food truck
• P Thai’s Khao Man Gai – I do love Haianese chicken rice
• Rockman Bakery – newest bakery, had some things delivered by a friend but want to dine in and try more
• The Flower Shop – 70s diner meets dive bar

Here’s to more great eats in 2025!

What was your favorite thing eaten this year?

Need more of my favorite eats? Here are the posts to read:

• Flavors of the Month Q4 2024
• Flavors of the Month Q3 2024
• Flavors of the Month Q2 2024
• Flavors of the Month Q1 2024
• 12 Best Things I Ate and Drank in 2023
• 10 Best Things I Ate in 2022

The post Best Things I Ate This Year – 2024 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

The joy of this is you can check these things off year after year because there’s always something new to try! When looking at these goals, you can set yourself up for a monthly challenge or simply one-and-done. Some of these can be life-long adventures. I know I have some of these on my list!

These goals are related to food in some way, either preparing or eating. This first section includes goals related to cooking and baking. Then it moves to foodie goals that are done outside the home, like dining out at restaurants and shopping at grocery stores.

Here are 33 foodie goals to check off your bucket list!

Cook through a cookbook

Have a cookbook you’ve been meaning to use? Challenge yourself to use it by cooking as many recipes as you can in a year or set a number like one recipe a week or eight recipes a month. For inspiration, check out my posts about cooking through a cookbook:

• Cooking Through a Cookbook: Smitten Kitchen Every Day
• Cooking Through the Half-Baked Harvest Super Simple Cookbook
• Cooking Through the Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

Cook through a blog

Similar to cooking through a cookbook but now you have a huge recipe database of a blog. Some popular recipe blogs are Defined Dish, Half-Baked Harvest, Sally’s Baking, and Smitten Kitchen.

Cook with a new-to-you ingredient

Have you ever cooked a whole lobster or fish? What about saffron or pandan? Maybe you have an ingredient in mind (like something you’ve been gifted or something cultural) or go explore a grocery store for inspiration.

Learn to cook a cuisine

One of my favorite cuisines is Thai and I have a few favorite recipes I go back to over and over. A goal could be to learn more Thai recipes or try a new cuisine like Indian or Italian.

Use a kitchen gadget

What device could you use more frequently? Air fryer, ice cream maker, and vegetable spiralizer are a few you might have.

Make something from scratch

Trying to make something from scratch gives you deeper knowledge about the dish. Have you ever made pasta, broth, or ice cream from scratch?

Create a cook/bake bucket list

This could go many ways! Maybe there are things you’ve always wanted to bake or maybe you want to learn more recipes with a specific ingredient. Planning out the exact list of things to make could create a year-long challenge to accomplish once a month. You could also do this for a season like I did with my challenge to cook one soup every week during winter.

Reduce food waste

Being mindful of your food waste is a great skill for any home cook. You could make a goal of using more of the ingredients or using all your groceries for the week. You could also look into composting.

Make a recipe book

Do you have favorite family recipes or recipes you ask friends to make? Gather those recipes for safekeeping with your own printed or digital recipe book. This would be a great way to preserve family recipes.

Cook a favorite dish from your travels

I’m sure you can remember a restaurant dish you enjoyed on your travels. Have you ever tried to make it at home?

Host a potluck or dinner party

Eating is better with others! Host a themed potluck or dinner party. You could try cooking something new or challenge your friends to a cook-off. Check out these ideas:

• Paella Party to Celebrate 10 Years
• How to Throw a Tinned Fish Party
• Our Holiday Cookie Party
• Matcha Potluck Party
• Austin Party Ideas for the Foodie

Eat locally

How would you eat differently if you could only eat ingredients grown and produced within 200 miles of your home? How can you incorporate local meat and produce into your diet? Maybe start with one day a month like I did for my farm-to-table challenge.

Grow your food

It doesn’t get more local than your own backyard. You could start with an herb or two and evolve into a large garden with a healthy number of vegetables.

Share your love of cooking/baking

How can you give your time and talents to others in your community? Maybe it’s helping stock a free fridge or volunteering at a local non-profit. Here’s a list of some ideas.

Perfect a signature recipe

Is there a recipe you want to get really good at? Some ideas could be coq au vin, basque cheesecake, or beef wellington. Maybe that involves making it every month to perfect your technique.

Try a long-term project

If you have extra time and interest, try keeping up with a long-term food project. Ideas could be sourdough, kombucha, beer, or pickling. You’ll gain a hobby, some knowledge, and hopefully, some good things to eat and drink!

Visit a new restaurant

The sky’s the limit with this goal. Maybe you want to try a different cuisine every month or visit a food truck. Maybe you want to explore your neighborhood (like North Austin) or dine at all the restaurants of a particular chef.

Try all the dishes

Do you have a favorite dish? What if your goal was to eat it all over the city and find your favorite place? Maybe it’s banh mi, maybe it’s cacio e pepe. For me, it’s cupcakes! You’ll have fun ranking the places.

Try all the restaurants of a cuisine

Instead of a favorite dish, maybe you have a favorite cuisine. Have you tried all the Japanese restaurants in your city? Maybe it’s a specific type of food within a category, like Sichuan, Cantonese, and Hunan in Chinese cuisine.

Support a cottage baker

Many talented bakers share their delicious bakes in pop-ups around town. Order something for a weekend treat or a party. You can find many on Instagram, or check out this list.

Take a cooking class

Get your hands dirty and gain some knowledge by taking a cooking class. With multiple options in town, you can find a class for a variety of cuisines. Use this list to find your best option.

Try a cuisine you haven’t had

Your goal can simply be trying a new cuisine. Visit a restaurant and try something new. Some less prevalent cuisines in Austin that come to mind are Ethiopian, Nepalese, Burmese, and Indonesian.

Go pick fruit

Have you ever picked peaches or strawberries? It’s a fun activity that gets you to the source. See this post about picking peaches for inspiration.

Visit your bucket list restaurant

A lot of times, this involves a big dollar-value meal and a bit of travel, like The French Laundry. But there are some bucket list restaurants in Austin, like Otoko and Pasta Bar. Usually, people choose a bucket list restaurant because they like a chef or are curious about the dining experience.

Shop a new grocery store

I love HEB, and it’s where I go every week, but for something new, visit somewhere new. Exploring a new grocery store introduces you to new products. Check these out in Austin:

• The New Grocery Store on the Block is Foxtrot Austin
• Ode to the Neighborhood Bodega + Shopping Austin’s Royal Blue Grocery

Go on a tour

I love food tours when I travel, but locally, I also like visiting distilleries like Fierce Whiskers. There are lots of options!

Take a tasting class

This is similar to a cooking class but no cooking involved, just eating! Try a wine flight at a winery or take an Antonelli’s Cheese shop class. You can find more options here.

Do a food tasting

Do you have a favorite snack or drink? This goal involves buying five different brands to do a taste test. You could make it a party like a tinned fish tasting. Or maybe you want to try different non-alcoholic hopped drinks. Maybe you want to find the best potato chip.

Join a CSA

Investing in community-supported agriculture is a win-win. You get a regular supply of locally-grown veggies and you’re funding a local business. See this post for more ideas.

Travel for food

Do you prioritize your travel based on how good the food is in the city? Take a foodie vacation! There are plenty of foodie cities in the U.S. like San Francisco, Charleston, and Mexico City.

Shop a farmers market

Your local farmers market is a lot of fun! (It’s also cool to do when you travel.) You’ll be able to grocery shop for vegetables and meat, and try goods from local food artisans.

Visit a farm

Similar to picking your fruit or taking a tour, visiting a farm puts you in touch with the land. See where local vegetables are grown or see how honey is made. Pet baby goats!

Enjoy a wine-paired dinner

Every time I attend a wine-paired dinner, I am amazed at how the wine and food mutually enhance each other. It’s impressive that sommeliers and chefs work together to create the perfect menu to do this! You can also find paired dinners with cocktails or beer, though I think it works best with wine.

What are you putting on your foodie bucket list?

Need some more inspiration? Check out these posts:

• 10 Best Foodie Experiences in Austin, TX
• What’s on Your Foodie Bucket List?
• How to Travel the World Like a Foodie
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan

The post 33 Foodie Goals to Check Off Your Bucket List appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

It was hard to do, but in this post, I’ve picked out 12 of my favorite dishes and drinks of 2023!

Tuna Tiradito at Este

This dish melts in your mouth and has become a signature dish for the restaurant. The buttery bluefin tuna is accompanied by avocado and finished with allium salsa negra and crispy leeks. It’s a light and pretty dish that I loved this year.

Fried Chicken Sandwich at Spicy Boys

I can’t believe I haven’t called this out before, but this is my favorite fried chicken sandwich in Austin! There are five locations around town so go get yours.

Vada Pav at Dosa Shack

This sandwich has a deep-fried potato patty and has garlic and mint chutney. After the first bite during our food blogger event, I knew it was going on this list!

House Special Banh Mi at Fresh Bowl

Per my records, I’ve eaten at Fresh Bowl at least nine times this year, the most out of any place. I’m so lucky that it’s near me because their banh mi is excellent! I wrote about this place in this post.

Orange Blossom at Moonlight Bakery

In researching kouign amann for this post, I stopped by Moonlight Bakery for their orange blossom, a kouign amann with orange. It has everything great about the kouign amann with the added zing from the orange. I’m pretty sure I gobbled this up in the car!

Barbacoa Taco from Un Mundo de Sabor

Loved the classic barbacoa taco from food truck Un Mundo de Sabor, located at Fierce Whiskers. I’m so glad there is no shortage of tacos in Austin!

Strawberry Croffle at Cafe de Margo

I had my first croffle – croissant waffle – this year. This crispy pastry has caramelized sugar on the outside and it was topped with strawberry cream and strawberries. The stand was open at Hana World Market and will return in the new year.

The McDowell at Slab BBQ

This sandwich greatness came out of nowhere. The deboned pork ribs are fall-apart moist and the Soul Glo sauce makes this messy sandwich excellent.

Potato Gnocchi at Rooster & Owl

I love gnocchi and I wanted this dish all to myself! This dish was enjoyed on our trip to D.C.

Make It Snappy Cocktail at Ezov

In a year when cocktail bars are exploding into the Austin market, I’ve had a lot of mediocre cocktails. But this one made me stop AND put it on this list! Ezov is a new restaurant from the Emmer and Rye Hospitality Group featuring Mediterranean food. The Make It Snappy cocktail had Bulgarian Feta-washed gin, snap pea, whole grapefruit, and lime.

Matcha Latte at Intelligentsia

Intelligentsia has this oat matcha latte on tap and it is solid!

Blackened Dayboat Fish at Olamaie

The fish itself was good but what elevates this dish is the Carolina Gold rice with the butter blue crab sauce. It made me want to lick the plate!

Honorable Mention: Too Many Things in Japan

I knew I had to include things I ate in Japan on this list but it was difficult to choose only one. So, a quick list of things I would love to eat again:

• A5 Wagyu Skewer at Tsukiji Ihachi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
• Strawberry Daifuku at Tsukiji Iroha in Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo
• Fish ramen at Maru de Sankaku in Osaka
• Okonomiyaki at Torame Yokocho in Osaka
• Cheese Tart at Grand Riviere in Hakone
• All the sushi and tempura

Honorable Mention: Strawberry Book Club at Paper Route Bakery

Ok, the strawberry book club made my list in 2022 too, but with Paper Route Bakery’s closing, it deserves an extra tribute this year. Austin’s greatest food loss this year was Paper Route Bakery. It closed in June and I have been searching for better cake since. But I did enjoy this cake-tasting day with my friend Janna where we bought every slice.

Wishing you a happy and delicious New Year with lots of incredible eats!

Looking for past posts?

• 10 Best Things I Ate in 2022
• 10 Favorite Things I Ate This Year – 2021
• Flavors of the Month: Q4 2023
• Flavors of the Month: Q3 2023
• Flavors of the Month: Q2 2023
• Flavors of the Month: Q1 2023

The post 12 Best Things I Ate and Drank in 2023 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Where should you eat when you visit Austin? That’s a very popular question and the answer varies depending on what you like to eat. But many will agree with the spots on this list.

These are the places that are usually top-of-mind when locals and people who have visited recommend restaurants. You might have seen these on viral videos and plenty of ‘best of’ lists. Some of these spots might have locations outside of Austin now, but they all originated here!

Donut at Gourdough’s

The loaded donuts are probably meant for sharing, but we won’t tell if you eat the whole thing yourself. Gourdough’s started as a trailer on S. 1st St.

Trailer: 1503 S 1st St., Austin, TX 78704 
https://gourdoughs.com/

Don Juan Breakfast Taco at Juan in a Million

Since its Man v. Food tv appearance, the Don Juan Challenge has only increased in popularity. One order of this massive breakfast taco with potato, egg, bacon, and cheese can easily be turned into three or four tacos.

2300 E Cesar Chavez St., 78702 Austin, Texas
http://juaninamillion.com/

Burger at Hopdoddy

These burgers are big, juicy, and delicious! They have several kinds and it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. But I will say the Primetime has brie and truffle aioli. Don’t forget the parmesan truffle fries! [See my post about Hopdoddy here.]

Eight locations in the Austin area
https://www.hopdoddy.com/

Barbecue

When it comes to popular barbecue, you have two main choices. Visit the classic – Salt Lick BBQ – which is about a 35-minute drive from downtown and has a huge barbecue pit on view, or the infamous – Franklin Barbecue – which will require at least a 4-hour wait in line. (Pro tip: order ahead or you can get a few of Franklin’s items at Loro, an Asian smokehouse restaurant co-owned by Aaron Franklin.) Avoiding all of that? La Barbecue, Micklethwait, and Stiles Switch will have lines but not as long.

• Salt Lick BBQ: (original location, cash only) 18300 FM 1826, Driftwood, TX 78619; also locations at the airport and in Round Rock; https://saltlickbbq.com/
• Franklin Barbecue: 900 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702; https://franklinbbq.com/
• La Barbecue: 2027 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702; https://www.labarbecue.com/
• Micklethwait Craft Meats: 1309 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702; https://craftmeatsaustin.com/
• Stiles Switch: 6610 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752; http://www.stilesswitchbbq.com/

New York Style Pizza at Home Slice Pizza

Big slices of thin-crust pizza are made fresh at one of Austin’s favorites – Home Slice. If you’re in a rush or just want a slice, go to the window for a slice to-go.

1415 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 (original location) or 501 East 53rd St, Austin, TX 78751
https://www.homeslicepizza.com

Detroit-Style Pizza at Via313

Detroit-style pizza came to Austin and we’ll never be the same. We love this thick, fluffy, and crisp crust with caramelized cheese on the edges. They started as a trailer and now they also have several brick-and-mortar locations. [See my post about Via313 here.]

Eight locations in the Austin area
http://www.via313.com/

Kimchi Fries at Chi’lantro

Welcome to the home of the original kimchi fries! Think French fries loaded with your choice of protein, kimchi, cheese, sauce, and spice. This restaurant fuses Korean and Mexican flavors into something we think you’ll love. It also went from food truck to brick-and-mortar AND you might have seen Chi’lantro on Shark Tank.

10 locations in the Austin area
http://www.chilantrobbq.com/

Tacos at Tacodeli or Torchy’s

Tacodeli or Torchy’s is a hot discussion in Austin, so it’s best if you visit both and let me know which one you prefer. I think Tacodeli is a little simpler while Torchy’s combinations are a little untraditional. If I had to choose, I would go to Tacodeli for breakfast and Torchy’s for lunch or dinner. Don’t forget the doña sauce at Tacodeli and try the queso at Torchy’s.

• Tacodeli: 7 locations in Austin; https://www.tacodeli.com
• Torchy’s Tacos: 11 locations in Austin; https://torchystacos.com/

Queso

Queso is another category where you’ll get many opinions. We have solid options in Austin, so I can see why. In addition to Torchy’s queso, I recommend:

• Cowboy Queso (with guacamole, black beans, and pico de gallo) at Kerbey Lane
• Bob Armstrong Dip (with picadillo ground beef, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream) at Matt’s El Rancho

• Kerbey Lane: 8 locations; https://kerbeylanecafe.com/
• Matt’s El Rancho: 2613 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704; https://mattselrancho.com/
• Torchy’s Tacos: 11 locations in Austin; https://torchystacos.com/

Ramen at Ramen Tatsu-Ya

This is the shop that made ramen something in Austin. Their delicious broth produced long lines and buzz. You can get ramen in many places in the U.S. This one is our best. [See my post about Ramen Tatsu-Ya here.]

Five locations in Austin
http://ramen-tatsuya.com/

Fast-Food Burger at P. Terry’s

Yep, we’ve been hiding the best fast-food chain in Texas and it was founded in Austin. I’m not usually for fast food but P. Terry’s all-natural burger is one of the best around. I also like their chicken burger. Don’t forget a milkshake.

31 locations in Austin
https://pterrys.com

Ice Cream at Amy’s Ice Creams or Lick Ice Cream

I haven’t forgotten dessert! The classic ice cream option is Amy’s Ice Cream. If you’re looking for unique flavor combinations, try Lick Ice Cream. You can build ice cream combinations with toppings and sauces at Amy’s and Lick prides itself on using pure ingredients from Texas.

• Amy’s Ice Creams: 15 locations in Austin; https://amysicecreams.com/
• Lick Ice Cream: 3 locations in Austin; https://www.ilikelick.com/

Smoothie and Juice at Juiceland

What you hear is true. Despite this list of seemingly unhealthy food, Austin does have many healthy eats. We’re the reason why Juiceland has locations throughout the city. Their smoothies and juices are so good! I recommend the Wundershowzen and Originator.

25 locations in the Austin area
https://www.juiceland.com/

Sushi at Uchi, Uchiko, or Otoko

If you’re looking for finer dining, sushi restaurants top our restaurant lists for best eats. Uchi and Uchiko are sister restaurants while Otoko is an intimate experience. All have the fresh fish and creative dishes you’re looking for if you’re craving sushi. Otoko only offers an omakase tasting menu while Uchi and Uchiko also offer a la carte. Reservations are required if you want to get a seat.

• Uchi: 801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704; https://uchiaustin.com/
• Uchiko: 4200 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78756; https://uchikoaustin.com/
• Otoko: 1603 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704; https://otokoaustin.com/

See my Austin omakase guide here.

Farm-to-Table at Barley Swine or Odd Duck

Farm-to-table is more than a buzz phrase. Among many things, it’s a belief that local farmers should be supported and that local produce tastes better and is better for the environment. Chef Bryce Gilmore has been a leader in promoting this through his restaurants Barley Swine and Odd Duck. At these restaurants, you’ll enjoy creative, shared plates with plenty of local ingredients. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the tasting menu.

• Barley Swine: 6555 Burnet Rd #400, Austin, TX 78757; https://barleyswine.com/
• Odd Duck: 1201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704; https://oddduckaustin.com/

Craft Beer at Jester King Brewery or Banger’s

If you’re looking to get beer from the source, you’ve probably heard of the infamous Jester King Brewery. Located about 30 minutes from downtown, they specialize in farmhouse and barrel-aged ales. The largest tap wall in town is at Banger’s and it features local breweries that distribute.

[For many more craft beer recommendations, see my Ultimate Austin Brewery Guide.]

• Jester King Brewery: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736; https://jesterkingbrewery.com/
• Banger’s: 79 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701; https://www.bangersaustin.com

Something Vegan

Ok, hear me out. If you’re following this list, you are probably not a vegan, but if you want to try vegan food anywhere, Austin is the place. Our vegan options are pretty good for people who choose not to eat animal products and/or who are dairy-free. Vegan food gets a bad rap but it can be a way to try something new. Here are some of my favorite options in Austin:

• Baked Goods at Zucchini Kill Bakery: 701 E 53rd St Suite C, Austin, TX 78751; https://www.zucchinikill.com/
• Pizza from Li’l Nonna’s: 440 E St Elmo Rd A1, Austin, TX 78745; http://www.lilnonnas.com/

Donut at Round Rock Donuts

Round Rock Donuts is about a 20-30 minute drive north of downtown. I’ve added it to this list because, like everything else on this list, the donuts get mentioned a lot, especially their gigantic Texas-sized donut. In the 1940s, they developed their secret recipe, using fresh eggs that give the donuts their signature yellow/orange color.

106 W Liberty Ave, Round Rock, TX 78664
1614 E Whitestone Blvd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
https://www.roundrockdonuts.com/

Are these the end-all, best restaurants in town? It depends on who you ask. We all have different tastes and experiences. If you want the most talked-about restaurants, these are it. They became famous for a reason. Now it’s your turn to see if they live up to your expectations. I hope they do!

Do you have any restaurants to add to the list? Comment below!

P.S. Want more restaurant recommendations? Check out these posts:

• My Favorite Austin Restaurants
• Top 30 Cold Treats (ice cream and more) in Austin
• Best Food Trucks in Austin
• Food Trucks that Now Have a Brick-and-Mortar Restaurant
• Best Pastries in Austin
• Where to Eat Noodles in Austin
• Best Cupcakes in Austin
• Bubble Tea Shops in Austin
• Best Restaurants in North Austin

P.P.S. Want to read more about Austin? See my full Austin Travel Guide here.

The post The Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Ziki Bites at ZIKI Kitchens

These crispy spanakopita balls surprised me and it’s a must-order when you visit this food truck.

Strawberry Book Club Cake Slice from Paper Route Bakery

This slice of cake made my year! And hopefully this year I’ll try every regular flavor at this favorite bakery.

Lobster with roasted kombu, sea urchin, dolce at Pasta|Bar

One of the best dishes of an extravagant meal at Pasta|Bar was this creative dish. The flavors were an explosion of elegance and something I wish I could enjoy regularly! See every dish in this post.

Tacos at Cuantos Tacos

There is an abundance of taco trucks in Austin. I have probably tried a tenth. But I crossed one of these off my list and it is something I still think about.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Lettuce Wrap at APT 115

Dining at APT 115 was one of the most fun chef’s tastings I had this year. The dishes were fun and creative. This lettuce wrap had delicious mushrooms in it! See the full meal in this post.

Grandma-Style Margherita Pizza from Pedroso’s Pizza

While not as many as tacos, pizza is also readily available in Austin. Pedroso’s Pizza brought us something new with their grandma-style pizza. It’s crunchy on the outside but chewy on the inside, a style similar to Sicilian and hailing from Long Island, NY.

Peking Duck at Bamboo House

Bamboo House topped many lists this year because of their Peking duck. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and thin wrappers made this delicacy one of my favorite dishes.

Oreo Miso at Merry Monarch Creamery

This new ice cream food truck has been making waves with its creative, artisan ice creams. The Oreo miso is one of my new favorites.

Bone Marrow Tacos at Comedor

These decadent tacos are fatty goodness. Enough said? Learn more in this post.

Cornbread and Corn Ribs at Odd Duck

Meals at Odd Duck and/or Barley Swine are typical every year. During this meal, I really enjoyed the cornbread and these corn ribs blew my mind!

Reflecting on Austin Dining

With the pandi “over,” most restaurants tried to return to the previous normal, but it was easier said than done. Restaurants faced labor shortages, increased food costs, and wage competition, among other issues. Some restaurants weathered the years and sadly couldn’t do it anymore. I said goodbye to many bakeries and a few breweries. (List of 2022 restaurant closures on Eater Austin.)

It wasn’t only restaurants closing. With increased food costs trickling down to customers, restaurants have added some burden to diners, and many times, it was hard to see or maybe accept the value of dining out, especially when service and quality are subpar. I’ve left many meals disappointed this year, so much so I’ve been weary of eating out. You might have noticed fewer places on my quarterly flavors posts. While we’ve tried fewer new restaurants, we’ve also tried to be more discerning about where we go and saved money.

Altogether, Austin’s restaurant industry continues to evolve and I like to think it’s for the better. I hope restaurants of different cuisines continue to open and restaurants will re-focus on sustainability.

I’m excited to try new restaurants this year!

What was the best thing you ate this year?

The post 10 Best Things I Ate in 2022 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I hope when you try these recommendations, you’ll have the memorable experience I had!

Brunch at The Bearded Baking Company

I’ve been singing my praises of The Bearded Baking Company all year because of the meal I had early in the year. A warm croissant sandwich with ham, egg, and cheese. A dish with creamy grits, bacon jam, pimento cheese, poached egg, and chicken-fried bacon. Fried potatoes smothered in grilled pimento cheese, bacon lardons, and green onions. A huge, gooey chocolate chip cookie. And a perfect maple carrot cupcake. Every part of the meal was mouth-watering and the hospitality was the cherry on top!

Cookie Choux from Whipped ATX

I traveled to Leander to get in line before it opened. My goal: get all the treats! It was worth it and I discovered one of my favorite treats – the cookie choux. The outside is a crispy, almost caramelized texture while the inside has whipped cream. This cream puff challenges my negative stance on them and it’s a satisfying sweet treat.

Tacos at De Nada Cantina

Austin has a lot of tacos. Like, A LOT. Most of them are good and a select few end up on lists covering the best things you put in your mouth. Their chefs know what they’re doing with slow-cooked meats and hand-crafted masa tortillas. The flavors are vibrant! My must-orders are the barbacoa taco, verduras taco (veggie), and the carnitas and cheese quesadilla.

Sushi Omakase at Uchi

The most consistent omakase in Austin goes to Uchi. Every sushi bite was perfect and the meal was cohesive. This blog post will tell you all about it!

Burnt Basque Cheesecake from Ogi the Yogi

I first ordered a slice of this delicious cheesecake and I was so impressed, I convinced a friend to go halfsies on a whole cheesecake. It’s creamy, dense, and you can’t eat only one bite. I didn’t know I liked cheesecake that much until I had this one.

Mafaldine Pasta at Birdie’s

This mafaldine at Birdie’s is magic! I love the texture of this ribbon pasta and the lightly creamy sauce and the mushrooms were perfect accompaniments. This bowl is what I think of when it comes to elevated comfort food, which describes Birdie’s very well.

This Dessert at Uchiko

The jasmine cream dessert at Uchiko is a must-order, must-try. There’s a whole blog post about it!

Mochi Waffle from Bom Bakeshop

You know something is good when you unexpectedly finish it in minutes sitting in the parking lot. Bom Bakeshop has been on fire with their pop-ups this year and their limited mochi waffle offering was a perfect balance of sweet and satisfying. You can get their mochi donuts regularly but maybe they’ll bring back their waffles?!

Sushi Omakase at Otoko

One of the most extravagant meals this year (because of price and presentation) was the chef’s tasting at Otoko. It’s the most attentive and precise service you’ll find in Austin. It’s an intimate show with incredible food. It’s worth the splurge to experience it at least once! See more details in this post.

Dinner at Lutie’s

As I conveyed in this post, dining at Lutie’s was a sleeper hit. From reading reviews, I learned to lower my expectations yet leaving the restaurant very satisfied reminded me that it’s good to give places your own try. The composition of the trout and rice dish seems so simple yet I frequently wish I had it in front of me to enjoy again. It doesn’t hurt that Lutie’s took my favorite pastry – kouign amann – and made it into a unique and craveable dessert. See more details in this blog post.

Have you tried any of these restaurants?

P.S. Want more restaurant recommendations? See my Flavors of the Month posts for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4.

P.P.S. The last time I recapped the best things I ate in the year was in 2017. See that post here.

The post 10 Favorite Things I Ate This Year – 2021 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Non-alcoholic hopped drinks or non-alcoholic beers have been a growing trend in the last few years. With the popularity of sparkling waters, it makes sense the next beverage would be a sparkling water and beer hybrid! These drinks have the refreshing taste of a cold beer yet the alcohol content of sparkling water.

There are several variations of non-alcoholic hopped drinks, including sparkling water, tea, and soda. As you can guess, tea has added caffeine and soda has added sugar. The goal with these drinks is to provide the delicious hoppy flavor without the booze. I love this idea because the effects of alcohol can be an inconvenience. Now, hoppy flavors can be enjoyed anytime. 

Where to Find Non-Alcoholic Hopped Drinks

While non-alcoholic hopped drinks are growing in popularity, grocery stores are not sure where to put them. Someone recommended looking in the sparkling water section of the grocery store, but I usually found these drinks in the alcoholic section. Some stores had separate coolers for non-alcoholic beer or a labeled non-alcoholic section, while one mixed it in with the alcoholic beers.

There are many brands out there and many of them are not widely distributed. Be sure to look at a brand’s website for their distribution list or to buy directly from them.

5 Non-Alcoholic Hopped Drinks to Try

As I was tasting these hopped beverages, I was looking for a full but not overwhelming hops flavor and I discovered I have favorites depending on what type of drink I want to enjoy. 

• If I want a drink that tastes like an IPA (aka heavier hops), I’ll reach for Run Wild IPA. 
• For some caffeine, I’ll pick a HopTea. 
• If I’m needing something light and refreshing, Hop Refresher is my go-to.

Here’s more about each of the five drinks I tried.

Run Wild IPA by Athletic Brewing Company

Athletic Brewing Company was my first taste of non-alcoholic beer more than a year ago when I visited Pop Up Grocer in Austin. The brewery, headquartered in Stratford, CT, is a leading non-alcoholic beer company with a few types of beer. In addition to their award-winning Run Wild IPA, they have beers that are similar to a Mexican lager, a stout, a hazy IPA, and a blonde ale.

Run Wild IPA is for the ultimate hops lover. It packs the pucker with a smooth finish. You’ll be amazed at how they get so much hops flavor in.

Free & Easy NA IPA by Karbach Brewing Company

Karbach Brewing Company is headquartered in Houston, and they joined the Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2016. Love Street and Hopadillo are two of their popular beers, and Free & Easy is their non-alcoholic option.

This drink tastes much like an alcoholic IPA. It’s smooth and has citrus flavors. I didn’t love the strong bitterness at the end but it doesn’t linger.

Hop Refresher by Lagunitas Brewing Company

One of the easiest of these hopped beverages to find, Hop Refresher is a popular choice among non-alcoholic beverage choices. Lagunitas Brewing Company was founded in Northern California and became a part of Heineken in 2015.

Hop Refresher is one of my favorites on this list. It’s bubbly with lots of light, citrus notes, and a refreshing, crisp flavor. I think it’s a crowd-pleaser for anyone.

HopTea by Hoplark

For a caffeinated drink with a hop flavor, HopTea is a great option! Brewed in Boulder, Colorado, HopTea varieties are made with white tea, green tea, black tea, or chamomile. Hoplark now also makes hopped sparkling water with its three main flavors featuring one type of hops – sabro, mosaic, and citra.

I’ve tried a few of the tea varieties and I love that you can taste the tea flavor along with the hops. You’ll notice that there are also varying levels of hops for their tea. The Calm One is chamomile with a little bit of hops while on the other end of the spectrum is The Citra Bomb One with white tea and as much hops as they can pack in.

Whitestone HopWater by Whitestone Brewery

Here’s a local Austin option! Whitestone Brewery in Cedar Park brews sparkling water with a light hop flavor. This is a great alternative for people who love sparkling water. Whitestone HopWater can also be used as a mixer.

This sparkling water is a good way to hop into trying hopped drinks. It’s light and refreshing with a hint of hops.

Have you ever tried a non-alcoholic hopped drink? What’s your favorite?

P.S. Prefer alcoholic drinks? See my Austin brewery guide here.

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post I Tried 5 Non-Alcoholic Hopped Drinks – Here’s My Favorite appeared first on Fearless Captivations.