Siena

So last night for Austin Restaurant Week Amy and I chose one restaurant to go to and we finally decided on Siena. We chose it for the price, which was markedly lower than what we would have paid for each dish separately any other night, and because the menu sounded delicious. And it was.

I had the salad to begin. Quite small, mixed greens in a light sweet vinaigrette with a generous portion of perfectly crisp bacon, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese and a few slices of apple. It was the perfect size to begin the meal with. We also each got a roll with olive oil to dip into. The bread was night, almost the texture of a traditional baguette but more ciabatta-y? The crust was seasoned and yummy.

For dinner we both decided on the trout. Initially we each wanted to get something different but neither of us wanted chicken. They had a pork dish but I've eaten pork recently so I didn't want pork and Amy ordered the fennel sausage and cannelini bean soup so she didn't want pork either. The third dish was a handmade ravioli, which wasn't really calling to either one of us. So the trout it was, and can we just say wow?

A huge fillet of trout delicately crusted with walnuts, topped with a very rich lemon butter sauce and four sauteed shrimp. With a side of sauteed spinach with garlic. Wow. It was incredible. The butter sauce was almost too rich, and we definitely took our time getting through the whole thing! We didn't want to rush and we didn't want to leave leftovers so we sat and waited til we fit it all in! With dinner I had a glass of Riesling, which was heaven, Amy had a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

After we had taken at least an hour and a half with our entree and waited at least another half hour just chatting and letting our food settle, we finally ordered dessert. We decided to share the panna cotta and tiramisu -- initially we both wanted the chocolate torte but upon seeing it it looked so small and run of the mill that we decided to get the less than common desserts. We also each got decaf lattes with Bailey's.

They brought the Bailey's in a separate small apperitif glass -- is it wrong if I say that that might have been the best part of the evening? The frothy latte was served in a big mug with a biscotti on the side, it was absolutely indulgent and delicious. The desserts were a nice sweet ending to the night but nothing amazing. The panna cotta, which I've never had before so I don't know what to compare it to, had a lovely texture and a tangy flavor, a result of being made from yogurt. It was served with a port wine reduction with figs which was heavenly, the figs may have been my favorite part. I'm a fan of all things custard, pudding, flan, creme brulee so I really enjoyed the panna cotta.

I've never been a big fan of tiramisu, I always just think it's okay, and this was no different. The genoise, isntead of lady fingers, were very moist, soaked, alledgedly in espresso and liqeuer and rum, although I couldn't taste any semblance of alcohol. The menu said it used mascarpone cheese, which I've also never had before so I couldn't tell you if it was the real thing, but whatever it was it was delicious. The entire dessert was very delicately flavored and really enjoyable. It was nice, especially with the latte. Amy really din't like the texture, but I enjoyed it. Like I said, nothing incredible, not a dessert that I would say "Oh I looove tiramisu!" but of all th ones I've had, this one is up there, and it was worth every bite (and every dollar!).

All in all the ambiance was wonderful, the location was beautiful, the restaurant was beautiful, our waiter was super patient with us (we were there for FOUR hours!). We really took our time to enjoy each little morsel, and we did. It wasn't the best meal I've ever had, by far, but it was the most enjoyable, by a long shot. If every restaurant would let me have a three course meal over the course of four hours, I would be a happy woman (I just need to work out and make a lot more money first!).