Trey's Cuisine, South Austin
This week's review takes us to a trailer that is quickly becoming an AFJ favorite- Trey's Cuisine on S Lamar. Trey's located on the same spot as a couple of our other favorites the Odd Duck and Gourdough's. Let's face it most people probably come to this spot to try one of the other two but the way we see it you have three options:
1. Forget the Duck and hit Trey's and Gourdough's.
2. Forget Gourdough's and hit the Duck and Trey's, or option
3. Get something from all three places. This is my favorite option.
No matter which option you choose we think that Trey's should be a part of it. Why? First, great service. The entire staff loves what they do and it shows. Second, and most important is the food. It's easily some of the best we've had yet. Trey's, like the Odd Duck, does the kind of food you'd expect at an expensive restaurant, but still affordable. The bottom line is that if you go out to this spot and don't try something from Trey's you are missing out on a real gem of trailer. The owner, Cowden III (Trey, get it?) makes everything possible in house. This includes the pasta and the bread. He also takes the time work on one of the local farms he buys from just so he can know what he's buying. Now that's dedication. As much as we admire that, we are here for a review so onward with the eats.
The Steak Mac. One of the most delicious things around, hands down. First take some macaroni and cheese (the pasta is made in house). Then grill up a flank steak. Still with me? Then chop up the steak and mix it with the mac and cheese. Can you see where this is going yet? Then lightly bread it and fry it and serve it up on house made bread with arugula and a little dressing. One of the most genius things ever. Born as it turns out during Trey's travels in Amsterdam while experimenting with, ummmm..... recipes....No matter how it came about I'm glad it did because the combination of the steak mac, the fresh bread, and the greens is fantastic. I get one every time I come out even if it's just to hit Gourdough's.
Pierogis. We also tried the pierogis, made from house made pasta and stuffed with potato and cheese. Dave opted for the proshooter option, which is a pierogi that has also been stuffed with prosciutto. The balance between the cheese, potato, and prosciutto is fantastic and the pasta is fried to a nice crunchy texture. A fantastic side. We recommend the proshooter option.
Next up are our main dishes. First is the Pan seared duck with gnocchi (pronounced nyo-kee), apple, and blue cheese. Duck is probably my personal favorite poultry, and this did not disappoint. It is perfectly seared and lightly smoky; served in a savory broth with apples and zucchini. The blue cheese melts into the broth adding its own nice funk to the mix. It also comes served with slices of grilled bread.
Dave decided to go with the crab tortellini. The tortellini is served in a broth made of clamato, that's clam and tomato juice, which lends itself perfectly to the crab. You get that nice seafood flavor all the way through the dish, but with a nice bright tomato bite. The broth also has sliced cucumber to help mellow out the acidity from the tomato. Like the duck it is served with a little toasted bread. A very well balanced dish and one that I highly recommend if they're serving it when you come out.
While it's true that the Odd Duck gets most of the attention in the trailer scene (and with good reason), we at the Austin Food Junkies feel that Trey's is every bit as good and give them our highest recommendation. We enjoyed our meal and will be back soon. Thanks!
AFJ rating- 5 Lone Star Points