Another serendipity – Plate by Dzintra
Super Sister and I had been involved in some serious shopping, and it was beyond time for lunch (1:30). We drove into a strip shopping center looking for food, and what we found was a gourmet restaurant.
As we drove through the strip shopping center we saw this and wondered….
A group of ladies were sitting outside, and we took that as a good sign. Inside was appealing. And this is the truth – You could tell that the customers were enjoying their food. Do not ask me how – but we could tell. So we decided to join the fun.
When the Thai Butternut Bisque came to the table, I decided it was time to go get the camera out of the car. This is a half order of the Thai Butternut Bisque – they were kind to split it for us. Be still my heart! It was beyond delicious. Menu description: Local butternut squash simmered with lemongrass, ginger, Thai chilies, and coconut milk, finished with buttery croutons, and cilantro. This bisque is worth a trip to Austin.
While we were waiting for our entrees a cute lady behind the bar apologized for using the mixer to make a cheesecake. Then we started talking. You got it. This was the owner/chef – Dzintra. She was preparing for a cooking class that was being held that evening. But there is more – this pretty, friendly, sweet lady was a finalist on the Food Network show The Next Food Network Star. We feel like we have a new friend – I am sure everyone who meets her feels the same way.
I ordered the Gourmet Pulled Pork Carnitas. Yummy! Menu description: “Slow mesquite roasted pork shoulder is shredded, layered in warm tortillas, and served with a sweet and spicy blueberry-onion jam.” I ordered the carnitas because I was curious about the “sweet and spicy blueberry-onion jam”. This strange sounding jam is wonderful, and goes well with the shredded pork. Dzintra says she is planning on marketing this jam, and she should. I know I would buy it. The side salad had heirloom tomatoes (loved them), and a light vinaigrette . And to think that we literally stumbled upon Plate by Dzintra.
Super Sister ordered the Asian Duck Salad, and it was also good. Menu description: Hudson Valley duck breast roasted medium, sliced thin, atop a bed of sautéed bean sprouts tossed with carrots, shallots, and a vinaigrette of soy sauce, ginger, sesame, and honey.
Just the day before, Plate by Dzintra had won Grand Champion Cuisine at the Rodeo Austin Off the Vine Wine and Food Tasting event. Last year they won third place, and this year they were the winners. (ding, ding, ding, applause.) And to think – we were eating some of the best food Austin has to offer. How cool is that?
For research purposes we had to try dessert. (Please tell me you do understand.) This was a cherry bread pudding with anglaise sauce. Wonderful! I liked it. I loved it. I want more of it!
Life is good!
Blessings to you and yours,
Dzintra lived in France for twenty years and trained at le Cordon Bleu. In addition to cooking classes, she host supper clubs, and caters. On the big screen in the restaurant was a slide show of plates of her food – unbelievable photography. I wanted to try everything. There were also pictures of Dzintra on the local TV shows. (She really is a star!)
If you are in the neighborhood, I do recommend Plate by Dzintra. It is located at 12717 Shops Parkway Suite 100. (I think this is in the Bee Cave area.) Lunch is served Monday – Saturday, and dinner is served Wednesday – Saturday (I think).