Power Couples – The Perfect Food Pairings That Make a Meal
Good things come in pairs. And in the case of these five winning combinations, really, really good things. From a strawberry duo that’s perfectly in season to some of the best patio food in the country, Austin boasts a spread of fantastic matchups.
Behold, your new go-to pairings:
1/Fried Quail Taco & Strawberry Margarita at Odd Duck
Get ready for a bit of day drinking with this strawberry power couple. The fried quail tacos are topped with a strawberry pico de gallo, and the cocktail, laced with mezcal and topped with a dainty cube of strawberry shortcake, is the perfect complement. It’s lightyears beyond your corner Tex-Mex restaurant. //South Lamar. Book now on Resy.
2/Salumi de Tejas & Bubbles at Salt & Time
Salt & Time just re-launched its entire menu, so you’d be wise to try more than just a pairing. For now, start with an elegant happy hour. Try the Salumi de Tejas board for a sampling of house-made cured meats that reflect local flavors. Order it with a lightweight bubbly cocktail, like the Sbagliatto Negroni, a riff on the classic that incorporates cava. //East Austin. Book now on Resy.
3/Smoked Mackerel & Shochu at Kemuri Tatsu-Ya
Nothing says springtime like a good patio session, and Kemuri currently has one of the hottest patios in town. Grab a pal, and order the amazing smoked mackerel along with a few samples from the shochu menu; Kemuri is one of the only places in town where you can get a wide variety of this Japanese spirit.//Holly. Book now on Resy.
4/Guacamole de la Casa & Fro-Mo at Grizzelda’s
Sometimes the only way to improve on perfection is to add bacon. At Grizzelda’s, “de la casa” means that and more: add bacon, roasted garlic, and pickled jalapeño. Pair with the house margarita and killer patio, and you’ll be in business. //Holly. Book now on Resy.
5/Fried Chicken & Sin City Punch at Little Barrel and Brown
The first element of this match is a classic all-in-one pairing (a pair within a pair, if you will): the buttermilk fried chicken you know and love, served on a bed of waffles and topped with chorizo maple syrup. Order it with a glass of the Sin City Punch – a springy brunch cocktail if there ever was one – with a strawberry-citrus-rosemary shrub, bubbles, cognac, and rhubarb bitters. //South Congress. Book now on Resy.
