Where are the great salads in Austin?

[jwynne2000]

Looking for some help from fellow Austin hounds on above average salads in Austin. I've only recently started to seek them out as my meal choice, so I'm a little, ahem -- green -- on the topic.

Two of my favorites I've enjoyed recently are the tuna nicoise at Hopfields and the Caesar with anchovy at Asti.

Surely there are more. Let's hear 'em.....

[popvulture]

I'll also add that the duck confit salad at Enoteca is tasty. It comes with chevre crostini and has a nice grapefruit vinaigrette and bitter frisee/watercress to cut the fattiness.

[MyySharona]

House Pizzeria on Airport and 52nd has 2 salads and they are wonderful. The Mixed Greens has walnuts, goat cheese and strawberries and the other (my favorite) is made with baby spinach, shaved parmesan, crispy salami, and is tossed with olive oil, salt, and you're given a lemon wedge to complete the dressing. It is by far the simplest, best salad I have ever had. AND they give you a sourdough roll with the salad that is absolutely addictive.

The roasted olives are a nice appetizer as well, especially with the salad. And I highly recommend a lemon-ginger Italian soda to top it all off.

[foodiegal71]

Seconding the spinach salad at House. It's the simplest thing in the world, but just out of this world with flavor and texture.

[WSZsr]

Leaf at 2nd and San Antonio!

[slowcoooked]

I have two recs I don't see here:

I realize I may be straying a bit from what I assume is the intent of X, Y, Z ingredients + greens, but you'll get them on the side with Blue Dahlia's egg salad that sits atop nice wheat bread. Really dill-y and the bread is buttered too, and that just might be the money move in that dish.

I also like the simple vinaigrette dressed sliced pear + gorgonzola + greens +walnuts +thin red onions at home slice. pair that with a slice or 60 of fried eggplant pie (fridays) and it's a great lunch.

[popvulture]

That egg salad at BD is INSANE. I think it really might be the best egg salad I've ever had. It's so simple too, yet obviously there's some trick in there that makes it so good. I think they must put a little bit o' crack in there. Just a sprinkle.

[Trhosion]

My favorite I've had in town this year was at second bar / congress:

Roasted golden and red beets, arugula, pickled shallots, camembert, some really nice house made candied pecans, dried cranberries and a vinaigrette.

I think it's off the menu right now, but I imagine they will bring it back in the fall.

This isn't a normal salad, but I really like the fried brussels sprout salad at the liberty location of east side king: crispy fried brussels with mint, basil, cilantro, onions, peppers and cabbage with a tasty sauce. Yum!

[twyst]

"Roasted golden and red beets, arugula, pickled shallots, camembert, some really nice house made candied pecans, dried cranberries and a vinaigrette. I think it's off the menu right now, but I imagine they will bring it back in the fall."

It's on the dinner menu and not the lunch menu ;)

[jwynne2000]

Great recommendations... keep 'em coming. I will definitely check out the Allandale salad at Cover 2, since I know they do a great job with their jerk shrimp salad.

Blue Dahlia and North will be on deck.

[sweet100s]

1) @ North restaurant in the Domain

Burrata Alla Panna, with Grilled Asparagus, Caper
Vinaigrette, Toasted Almonds, Mustard Bread Crumbs 12

The combination of the caper vinaigrette and the mustard bread crumbs is amazing. They don't skimp on the burratta either.

I wish North would bring back their version of the insalata caprese. It was the best insalata caprese ever - arugula pesto surprise along the plate's bottom under the arugula, buratta, perfectly dressed arugula. something else on top.

2) @ Cover 2 in Northwest Austin, and at Cover 3 on Anderson Lane

the Allandale Salad with their brick chicken
http://cover-2.com/wp-content/uploads...

[popvulture]

I'll agree about leaf- such potential, but ultimately not worth it. Their salads are SO expensive!!! I'd rather just duck in Central Market for the salad bar... a few less fancy options, but much cheaper.

[foodiegal71]

Also noteworthy at North is the one with hazelnuts and strawberries. I get cravings for it.

[elpaninaro]

Nicoise at Chez Nous- and a pretty amazing basic house salad there too. Looking forward to reading the replies of others- Austin does not have much of a track record on salads, and I would love to hear some good places to try. In the early days, Leaf had the potential to be great- but those hopes are long gone.

One more thought for an amazing salad dressing if you want to do the rest yourself- Mangia bleu cheese dressing, and specifically the Mesa location. The Lake Austin location's version does not quite get there (same name on the door, but different ownership due to a family splitting of the business.)

[popvulture]

Blue Dahlia makes a great Nicoise. On the times I've had it, the tuna was cooked perfectly, plus it came with all of the appropriate fixins and a tasty vinaigrette. Highly recommended.

[NirvRush]

my current fave salad is the asparagus goat cheese from Trattoria Lisino.

[NirvRush]

Can't believe I forgot one of my favorite salads! The fancy chicken salad at jack allen's kitchen is fantastical. Achiote chicken, figs, pears, candied walnuts, blue cheese, champagne vinaigrette... yummmmm