Who: Pitchfork Pretty
What: Southern eats with an emphasis on seasonal & locally-sourced ingredients in eco-modern surrounds
When: Monday 7am- 10:30am, Tuesday to Thursday 7am – 10:30am and 5:00pm -10pm, Friday 7am – 10:30am and 5:00pm -11pm, Saturday 5pm – 11pm, Sunday Closed
Where: 2708 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Why: Presentation doesn’t just come first, it is the inspiration behind the name of Pitchfork Pretty. The concept is to take farm to table, in the most elegant way possible. Not pretentious, just beautiful looking food prepared and presented in a way that makes you want to open your mouth and close your eyes.
Word on the street is Owner Seth Baas’ mother used to renovate old farm equipment, ie a pitchforks. And that was a sentiment for which Baas took to heart when crafting Pitchfork Pretty.
It’s a smaller restaurant, but you don’t really notice due to the open nature of the whole place and especially the kitchen. It’s cozy, you can peer right in and see the magic happening, whether it’s the perfect placement of the flowers into the miso-butter paired with the buckwheat cornbread, or the BBQ chicken that is prepared in the hearth oven that gives half the dishes their open fire preparation.
Dish after dish that came out, I became more and more impressed. These dishes were simple, pure, works of art. Nothing was too fancy that you felt like you couldn’t disrupt it to take the first bite, but that the ingredients were put together in a way to really show them off.
Of the things I indulged in, my favorites were the aguachile with snapper, watermelon, aloe and basil. I’m a big fan of watermelon and fish, so this pairing with snapper was bite after delicious bite. I also couldn’t get over the layered coconut crepe cake, which apparently took Executive chef Max Snyder months to perfect. It’s a good thing he did because the dessert was the perfect ending to our time at Pitchfork Pretty.
It was apparent that everything that was being prepared and presented was deliberate and intentional. From the appetizers to the drinks, it was a meal that was remarkable, a place that I would like to visit again. And so I encourage you to give it a try, next time you’re in the need for a great meal. I don’t think you would be disappointed. And when you go, please be sure to let them know Dine With Shayda sent you!
