Mulberry, Austin TX: You read Playboy for the articles? I go to wine bars for the food.

Oh, welcome back solid food! I thought I'd give this little downtown wine bar a try, just around the corner from my hotel. I don't drink wine but wine bars these days really are doing some great things with food.  Mulberry is a small, fun place to eat for small groups.  The night I was there (Monday), bottles were 20% off.  As a restaurant, I think some of its dishes relied too heavily on gimmicky combinations instead of simpler and tasty food.

We start with this nice blue cheese with coppa on little crunchy crostinis.  Loved the honey drizzle. Came together nicely.

Coppa, Gorgonzola Crostini, Honey

I loved the watermelon and feta craze that started a few years ago.  Unfortunately, goat cheese and watermelon just didn't work for me.  I liked the watermelon and the pickled onions.  Gelee always creeps me out a little and here it was a neutral element that didn't add nor subtract. 

Watermelon, Pickled Onions and Saffron Goat Cheese with Basil Pesto Gelee

I just read an article in Bon Appetit about how gastropubs are just throwing together decadent ingredients and putting it on a menu.  This was a foie gras filled burger on light, crunchy bread laced with butter. So, I guess it's guilty! I love it though but was glad it was a small little burger because I think my conscience and my arteries were seizing up.

Foieberry Burger

Beautifully pressed corned beef sandwich. I was too full to taste it though. Next time!

Corned Beef Sandwich

Last year, I read an article about pimento cheese.  Supposedly, this old school cheese mixture (cheese, cream cheese, pimentos, etc.) was making a comeback. Well, not in this restaurant because it was bland and so disappointing.

Fried Green Tomato and Pimiento Cheese Sandwich