(June 25, 2010)

When Beau Theriot built the Oasis on a cliff overlooking Lake Travis, the first thing he wanted to accomplish was to create a place where people could have fun. And he certainly accomplished that.

Sunsets and margaritas have a way of going together. It took quite a bit longer for the food to ramp up to the quality of the fun: but gradually, despite some setbacks that would have crushed most entrepreneurs (the horrific fire that devastated virtually all of the restaurant ) the Oasis rebuilt and evolved into a restaurant that serves up some pretty darn good Tex Mex and comfort foods. It'll never be Hudson's on the Bend but it's not supposed to be. Oh yeah, and we still have that view and those sunsets!

The moment I knew that the Oasis had turned the corner on the quality of its menu was when I first tasted the Tortilla Soup a few years ago. This was and still is spot on: a spicy tomato base with chicken stock, moist pieces of chicken, and adorned with tortilla strips. Great flavors! Likewise the Piratas are a blast. A dish from Acapulco, this is grilled beef fajita meat with Jack cheese toasted into flour tortillas with guacamole, lime, red onions and cilantro. Add a dab of chili con queso to it and voila! Chicken is also available but I like the beef version. Another fun appetizer is the Fireballs. These are bites of spicy, breaded chicken served with a jalapenos ranch sauce. A simple dish, but quite tasty. And they go really well with a chilled Dos Equis. The Nachos have gotten better as well. I like the Bean and Cheese version the best. No longer soggy, they have a crispy yet mellow texture and a smooth taste. Get the charro beans.

The Tex Mex entrees at the Oasis reflect dishes that simply wouldn't have existed in the "great view-bad food" days of the Oasis. Take for example the Crawfish Enchiladas. These are tortillas stuffed with mushrooms, spinach and cream cheese and smothered in a very serviceable crawfish etouffee. Or the Pulled Pork Rellenos. The key to this dish is the Tecate battered Anaheim chiles stuffed with red chili braised pork. The crema Mexicana finishes off this dish with élan!

The seafood entrees echo the same sentiments in improved choices and execution. The Jumbo Fried Shrimp are tough to pass up. One dip of those beer-battered shellfish into a side of tartar sauce is enough for the harshest critic: the crunch alone speaks volumes. The Mango Citrus Tilapia is another good choice. The tilapia is blackened, topped with fresh shrimp and scallops and covered in a well-executed mango citrus glaze. And the Fish Tacos hold up nicely. The tilapia snuggles into the crisp corn tortillas with slaw, tomatoes and Acapulco salsa.

As noted, the Oasis is about comfort food, tasty libations, sunsets, and fun. And it's about the pluck of one resilient owner who simply would not rest until his restaurant delivered on all of the above mentioned categories.

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