this is life in austin & aspen

Fourscore and several years ago I was slated to do some PR for a sweet new restaurant opening up right in my ‘hood. It went so far as me being at menu tastings. Alas, other things got in the way (including some delayed city permitting), and I got to experience the glory that is El Arbol with everyone else–when it opened.

The three-story treehouse is lovely, all white laquer and mod while somehow retaining a comfortable, neighborhood atmosphere. Perhaps the most important thing about the physical location is the giant, tri-level patio. Few places in Austin boast such sizable patios, and patios are a part of our very soul as a city.

Then, so too are delicious and creative drinks, a low-price-but-high-quality wine list, and $3 empanadas that taste like doughy heaven.

We sampled a ton of food, most of it seafood because their meat unfortunately is not free-range, though the brined chicken is and is delicious. It might have been my favorite.

But let’s begin at the beginning, where there was a delicious bread basket with sauces, and there was also ceviche, melted provolone queso fundido, and seafood salad, all of which were good, though the ceviche wasn’t as good as I remembered from my chef’s tastings. Could have been an off-night, could have been a different recipe.

For dinner, we had mussels and snapper, the aforementioned chicken, and the one non-free-ranger had a delicious, giant steak. We shared sides, the gnocchi was a fave.

We agreed with all of the reviews we read–there are very few vegetarian options. But do you really go to an Argentine steakhouse for the vegetarian food? We also agreed with many other reviewers that both the wine list and wine service are top-notch. The ponytail-ed sommelier spent plenty of time at our table and made a stunning recommendation that easily ended up being one of the best bottles of wine I’ve ever had.

The service too, was impeccable, as our waitress was friendly, upbeat, and prompt. She also strongly encouraged us to get dessert, and it was incredible–light, if a chocolate dessert can be called such–and a perfect cap without being too much.

Which is a pretty good description of El Arbol, actually–perfect without being too much. It’s upscale, but not too much. Indulgent, but not too much. A neighborhood hangout, but not too much (this is no Cain & Abel’s, kids).

Not bad for walking distance to my house.