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Blue Dahlia brings Relaxed Brunching to Austin

13 April 2009 365 views View Comments

Are you ever stumped as to where to go to brunch on a weekend? There are so many choices in Austin but many of the standbys – Magnolia, Moonshine, South Congress Café, 1886 at the Driskill, etc. have long waits on the weekends. Next time you’re with a group of people and want to enjoy a relaxing meal in place of breakfast and lunch, give Blue Dahlia a try.

Adam and I met some friends at Blue Dahlia on a Sunday at 11. It was a cold and rainy day so the patio was not an option but there were a handful of open tables available in the relaxed and natural wood filled main room.

Everyone can order a la carte but we were in a family-style kind of mood so we ordered a selection of dishes to share. This included a cheese and fruit plate; waffles; quiche; a variety of breads and fruit spreads; and a bowl of fresh fruit. The atmosphere and some of the menu items, like the bread basket, remind me of Le Pain Quotidien, a high-end breakfast chain that I used to visit in New York City.

We all enjoyed the spread and most importantly, the company. The owner was our server and she made us feel at home and not at all rushed. On our way out, we stopped in to the Obama store that opened right next door to Blue Dahlia on East 11th back in November. I picked up a mug featuring President Obama on the beach with “Yes I Would” on one side and “Hottie in Chief” on the other.

Unfortunately, the Obama Store closed at the end of March and the Obama mugs are not featured for sale on the web site. I bet if you call Glen Maxey, the owner and a former member of the Texas House of Representatives, he’ll find a way to get one to you. He even posts his cell phone number online but asks that no one call him between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. Now that is a good night’s sleep.

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  • esigal
    Sounds familiar...

    February 24, 2009
    East Side Cafe(s)

    While we are on the topic of brunch, two other spots we recently tried are: Blue Dahlia Bistro on East 11th and another formidable east-sider, the aptly named East Side Cafe. They each showcase local ingredients in bistro settings, however, the main difference is the menus. East Side offers traditional egg, pancake, waffle, salad and pasta dishes while Blue Dahlia specializes in tartines, salads and cheese boards in the style of Le Pain Quotidien. It’s clear that the women who run the decidedly French bistro took their communal seating and decor inspiration from Le Pain as well.

    http://eatraustin.com/search/b...
  • Jodi
    This is the unique link: http://www.tastytouring.com/20....

    Thanks Rebecca!
  • rebeccammendations.com
    Jodi,

    I tried to click on the title of this post to get the link for my Blue Dahlia write-up, and wasn't able to get a unique link to this post. Do you know why?
  • vgras
    I have only been to Blue Dahlia once on a Sunday morning and although the food was great, service was a huge let down. The food took forever to come and the waitress didn't do a very good job at check up on our party.
  • Betsy
    Dining at Blue Dahlia makes me happy. Their candlelit, plant-filled patio is a perfect spot for an intimate dinner or a glass of wine with friends. Definitely need to try their brunch; I recommend their homemade veggie lasagna for dinner.
  • double tonic
    looks like you had some *great* company! i love taking my newspaper to blue dahlia on sundays. it's not only delicious and (mostly) healthy, their prices are great.

    and while i love that woodsy main room, there's nothing like their patio!
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