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Shoreline
Grill
I get lots of emails from
Gonzo Gourmet Club members asking me where to go for a view of the lake
and fine food. Unfortunately, we are a city with manylakes but not many
good restaurants adjacent to them. The Shoreline Grill, next to the
Four Seasons on East 1st, is a significant exception. And on top of
that, by golly, they've got serious bat watching.
I have been a long time fan of the Shoreline Grill. They have a lovely
location, nestled on the shores of Town Lake, gracious and attentive
service, and in the "But what have you done for me lately"
category, I have two words for you: "Shrimp Harisa."
Chef Dan Haverty added this dish to the menu after
it won rave reviews at the Texas Hill Country Food and Wine festival.
And I want to tell you, it deserved every accolade.
Shrimp Harisa is a cross between mediterranean and cajun featuring red
pepper coreandor style and it is sensational. Served with a crispy Napa
cabbage slaw and a lovely sauce of preserved lemon butter which derives
its reddish color from the spices coating the shrimpthe flavor and taste
are simply irressistable.
Also highly recommended is the smoked chicken with penne pasta. This
Southwest style dish sparkles with flavor. Done in a stellar ancho cream
sauce, and evoking a style not seen as much in Austin since the heady
days of the Granite Cafe years ago, this one is sensational.
Yet another recommendation is the Grilled Sea Scallops with Pecorino
Polenta and garlic basil beurre blanc. The texture of the scallops is
almost always perfect, firm to the bite while almost literally melting
in your mouth.
And let's not forget the Gilled Tuna with soba noodles and a piquant
miso sauce. I really enjoy the presentation of this dish and the Asian
influence on the preparation.
The thing I enjoy the most about Shoreline now are the things I've enjoyed
for years; the restaurant takes nothing for granted and they have a
unique dedication to making their patrons feel special, week after week.
And when the night is right, you can watch half a million bats on the
way to their dinner as you enjoy yours. Do yourself and your party a
favor: make The Shoreline Grill part of your plans this week. For Fox
7 news, I'm Rob Balon, dining out.
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