Bess, I hear you callin'...

I'll buy lunch for the first person that can name the real song from the title!

Had lunch with Cheetah. And a glass of wine. The world is full of surprises.

I have decided that the salad industry is at a standstill. I don't want to see another Wedge, I don't want to see another goat cheese and pecan on mixed greens, no more balsamic vinaigrette, you can have your Greek, your Taco and your plain Dinner. Where are the salad chefs?! Is there such a thing?! Well, we need them!

Then a simple plate of loveliness showed up. Herb Spring mix with walnuts and blueberries and a yummy vinaigrette (raspberry-basil to be exact and it's deliciously subtle). I don't even like blueberries, but the fact that they used them was exciting to me. And the good ol' walnut?! It's the king of nuts! It wasn't even on the lunch menu, but we asked for a dinner-type salad and this was the option - big enough to split. And it just may have restored my faith in salad.

I had the Mushroom Crepes, but compared to Cheetah's Chicken Pot Pie, they were boring. They weren't really - they just weren't... chicken pot pie. How we passed up the Bacon-wrapped Meatloaf, I will never know. What we didn't pass up was the Challah Bread Pudding with Chocolate Ganache. You had Cheetah at Ganache. And I just like saying pudding.

Super cute server, but she was a tad weak at the end (didn't clear bread basket and/or bread plates before dessert... or at all... and I had to ask for a refill on coffee), I still tipped well (which is fodder for a whole post in and of itself). Anyway, not the end of the world.

What will be the end of the world is if no one can name the song in the title.

BESS Bistro on Pecan

500 West 6th Street

Austin, Texas 78701

512.477.BESS (2377)

http://www.bessbistro.com/

A Study in Black & White

For the record, I am not a dessert person.

You wouldn't know that based on this picture, but it's what made my maiden voyage to Green Pastures totally worth it.

What about the Brunch Buffet you ask? Isn't that the best part? No. No, it's not. It was massive and pretty, but not extraordinary. Highlights did include the Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Garlic, the Brie, Pecan Butter and Raspberry Jam Toasted Sandwiches, the Sugar Snap Peas and the meat-on-a-stick (can't remember it's fancy name, but who doesn't like meat-on-a-stick?!).

I was lured in by the Milk Punch. I overheard the server tell the table behind us, "We have Milk Punch, which is rum, brandy, Haagen Dazs...", then I passed out for a minute so if there is anything else in it I missed it. All I know is that she raised her eyebrows at me when I asked for a third? fourth? glass. Don't judge me!

My fate was sealed with the powdered sugar dusted confections known as Homemade Marshmallows. Jet-Puffed, you outta be ashamed of yourself for calling whatever those things are you call marshmallows. Those are not marshmallows! THESE are marshmallows. Soft and billowy, not too sweet, not too dense. And yes, I ate every one you see pictured here and took two home. What did I say about judging?!

Green Pastures is a beautiful Victorian home set on an idyllic property replete with peacocks and Live Oaks. Oh, and that lady you see by the backdoor with a milkshake mustache, covered in white powder like Courtney Love on a three day bender? Yeah, nevermind her.

Green Pastures Restaurant

811 W Live Oak

Austin, Texas 78704

512.444.4747

http://greenpasturesrestaurant.com/