The Experience at Cafe Josie
I’ve been to Cafe Josie four times in the last few years and I’ve loved every single visit. This charming and long-time standing local restaurant has an experience unlike any other – it’s Austin’s first and only casual dining with an unlimited chef’s tasting menu. And the food? Incredibly inventive, beautiful, and delicious! They change the menu seasonally, so what you see pictured might not be what they’re currently offering.
From left to right: steak frites, avocado salad, beer battered acorn squash, caesar salad, fried oysters, smoked pepper pimiento cheese, and gulf redfish.
So many good things happening in that picture. The steak frites were perfectly made – there are fewer things better than a buttery, medium-rare steak and crispy salty fries! I have to say the beer battered acorn squash was my favourite. Super flavorful, crispy, and with the most delicious remoulade. One thing I really appreciate is that they can make almost anything gluten-free – they have a separate kitchen to assure no contamination!
Fried oysters, beer battered acorn squash, fried brussels sprouts, and smoked pepper pimiento cheese.
The grilled gulf shrimp lettuce wrap has scallions, red pepper, jicama, red chile nam jim, and herbs.
This isn’t always on the menu, but it is one of my favourites I had! Creamy polenta with fried catfish, grilled corn, and paprika aoili. Truly delicious.
The fried chicken sandwich comes with a buttermilk biscuit, caramelized garlic gastrique, and basil. It’s the cutest fried chicken sandwich you’ll ever have.
Where my mac n cheese fans at?! The shells and cheese come with cheddar, smoked gouda, and magical bacon onion jam. Sweet and salty and creamy and FABULOUS!
Look at this beautifully seared meat! And I don’t know about you but I’d like freshly grated grana padano on everything.
This was a special of the night – salisbury steak with mashers. It’s hard to share because it’s so good!
This is the grilled gulf redfish with celeriac slaw and grilled lemon – I love the contrast of the blackened fish with the bright slaw.
The tamarind chicken was something special – black garlic dashi, smoked shimeji rice and scallion. The perfect dish for a cold evening!
Joel loved the smoked wagyu meatloaf – it comes with gruyere mashers, smoked tomato demi and crispy onions.
I loved every component of this dish: grilled hanger steak with roasted fingerlings, chevre mousse, smoked shallot butter, and chips.
These yummy baby back ribs come with compressed apple, kale, sweet potato, fish sauce, and pepitas. I didn’t expect the meat to just fall off the bone so easily!
Another favourite of mine – the red snapper crudo tostada with avocado puree, red curry, sesame, and radish. The fresh raw fish with the spicy sauces and crunchy tostada had my mouth so happy!
This malted vanilla ice cream with funnel cake, cajeta, and powdered sugar is a sugary dream come true.
Have you had The Experience yet? Check it out Monday through Saturday starting at 4pm and their brunch service on November on Sunday at 11am for $30/person – you can take a look at the brunch menu here! You can also take advantage of happy hour prices from 4 – 6 pm Tuesday – Saturday.
