Flan | Blue Eyes and Bluebonnets

Romantic Evening at Casa Colombia in Austin

Casa Colombia was a wonderful choice this year for Valentine’s Day. After an afternoon at the Arbor Cinema watching Slumdog Millionaire, the hubster and I decided to try some place different for dinner. Little did we know when we chose Casa Colombia what a wonderfully romantic evening and delicious meal we would have.

Casa Colombia in Austin

Casa Colombia is located in east Austin in a small building that looks like it used to be someone’s residence. There are two small dining rooms inside, which make for an intimate setting. We were seated in the front of the back dining room, next to the live musicians. I felt like we were having our own private concert!

Casa Colombia Ceviche

Ceviche at Casa Colombia

I spent my teenage and college summers studying in Mexico. One of the dishes I absolutely fell in love with was ceviche, fresh marinated fish.

Casa Colombia serves ceviche on weekends. If I could go there every weekend just to eat their version of this dish, I would. The marinade is tasty and tangy. I’ve tasted other ceviche in Austin and there seemed to be more onions than fish. Not at Casa Colombia where the appetizer is just about all fish. Plaintains are a perfect complement to the dish.

Casa Colombia Entrees

The food at Casa Colombia is innovative, fresh, delicious and beautifully plated.

Tamal valluno at Casa Colombia in Austin

I chose the Tamal valluno, corn masa stuffed with pork, beef, chicken and vegetables, wrapped in plantains leaves — served with rice, salad and green plantains. It was really delicious. To save room for dessert, I took half of the meal home. It was just as delicious the next day.

Pechuga Rellena at Casa Colombia in Austin

The hubster loved his Pechuga Rellena, grilled chicken breast stuffed with cheese, mushrooms, spinach and pico de gallo — served with mash potatoes, salad and black beans. The chicken was tender and the stuffing was fresh and flavorful.

Dessert at Casa Colombia

Flan at Casa Colombia in Austin

The creamy caramel flan was scrumptious and beautiful.

Tres Leches Cake at Casa Colombia in Austin

The tres leches cake was a perfect end to a perfect meal.

Website: http://www.casa-colombia.com/

1614 E 7th St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 495-9425

Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM

El Faro – My New Favorite Austin Restaurant

I have a new favorite restaurant — El Faro Taco & Cafe on Wells Branch Parkway in North Austin. The food at this family-owned restaurant is incredible. And so is the service. Owner and Chef Morales — as well as his wife, son and mother-in-law — made my husband and I feel like we were part of the family.

El Faro Taco & Cafe

Friday nights feature an all-you-can-eat buffet. I decided to try a few items and then go back if I had room for more.

On my plate and in my tummy:

Pozole
Enchiladas Tejanas
Tacos Dorados
Picadillo
Lengua
Chicken Pepe (this was my favorite)
Carne Guisada
Rice
Flour Tortillas

The chicken and lengua were incredibly tender and tasty.

El Faro Taco & Cafe Friday Night Buffet

I was stuffed and wanted to save room for dessert, so I will have to wait until my next visit to try something different from the buffet.

What I will try next time:

Costilla de Puerco
Huesitos de Res
Puerco a la Mexicano
Charro Beans
Chiles Rellenos

El Faro Taco & Cafe Tres Leches Cake

Mrs. Morales is the pastry chef at El Faro. My husband and I shared a flan and a piece of tres leches cake. WOW. The flan was great. And the tres leches cake has to be the best I’ve eaten in Austin. The photo above is a tres leches cake that she had prepared for a birthday party.

If you are a fan of fresh and delicious food, served with care and a smile, then El Faro is just the place for you!

El Faro Taco & Cafe
1779 Wells Branch Pkwy # 108
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-3430

Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday through Friday: 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM