La V, new fine dining French Restaurant in Austin
We all need to eat, we took a break from SXSW and dined at La V.
This is easily one of the most beautiful rooms you could dine in near Austin. It's on the East side, next to Takoba, and they have complementary valet.
THE FOOD PICS:
Farm egg & mushroom raviolo, consommé ($13) and the Wood oven bouillabaisse, squid, clams, blue prawn, rouille ($29) -both amazing.
We couldn't figure out the escargot. We debated the odd, almost bitter taste not usually found with the snails. I thought it might be cumin, mace was also suggested. We quized (harrassed) our very patient server and she revealed curry powder (probably had all the spices we were considering). Not sure how curry powder got on the French escargot... this did not work for us.
The highlight of the meal.... Janina O'Leary! I'm not really into sweets, but as a great pastry chef should, her offerings draw from a wider palate than sugar alone.
chocolate delice: laV earl grey ice cream, cocoa nib ($9)
warm brioche doughnuts: vanilla bean pastry cream, berry jam ($9)
The wine list was a poor fit for me. They DO have an impressive collection with some real valuable gems in there. I'll admit I don't know a lot about French wine. BUT! I did bring a French wine collecting friend along to help navigate the list.
His reaction was priceless, "WOW! that bottle I brought to your house for dinner a couple weeks ago? According to this list, it’s worth $3200! We had a $3200 bottle of wine with that cassoulet you made. I have three more of those bottles at home! THAT'S ALMOST TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS OF WINE!"
We struggled to find a bottle under $200. I even requested the sommelier make a suggestion, the best she could do was $250. I explained that this was just a regular weekend meal, not celebrating some life changing event (wedding, graduation etc).
I ordered a wine by the glass and I did order the cheapest one on the menu at $11. I didn't care for mine and the wife refused to drink hers she disliked it so much. I'm sure they are decent wines, and our palate is used to an American style of wine. In conclusion, I'd like to see some table wines added to the list. I don't need something rare, I just want to enjoy it.