Those of us of a certain age remember Jeffrey's, and its sidekick Clarksville Cafe right next door (which was always my favorite one, with those stunning Malou Flato tile murals). They were, for a time, the only good and/or interesting places to eat in Austin. Except for the great parties my University of Texas grad school Latin American Studies crowd had at Melissa's house. Fast forward two decades. Explosion. Hard to keep up with what has opened - and what has closed.
A business meeting was scheduled for today. At Josephine House, just barely open for business (as of 4 weeks ago). It is right around the corner from the hallowed ground of Jeffrey's/Clarksville Cafe. (Clarksville long gone from this location; Jeffrey's is getting a much needed complete revamp and is closed for now).
Sure, I thought épicerie on my first visit was pretty awesome, thematically and architecturally, and even a little envy-inspiring. But this, this Josephine House. I just want to pick it all up, with its huge oversized white-washed rustic wood boards, its original windows and black venetian blinds, its outdoor fireplace, banquette seating, the chairs, the white marble bar and countertops, and take it all home with me as my own little party pavilion in the back yard. Or on the banks of the Blanco River. Or somewhere in the Vaucluse.
I walked in and just repeated over and over. To the cook in the back in the kitchen, to the hostess: "It's just so darn cute. I can't get over it. It is just too cute."
Outside has seating, casually scattered interesting wicker chairs. Off to the side: a deck, a vintage (looks like) wood picnic table with iron legs, a nice and warm (cold day when the wind kicked up) outdoor fireplace used for cooking the steak for the sliced sirloin sandwiches, cozy little alcoves of upholstered banquettes for outdoor, slightly covered dining. Lights strung up across.
Inside: Light filled. White everywhere on those broad, rustic, white-washed wood boards on the horizontal. A marble bar to the left in the big front window of the house. Small. Cozy. Gleaming with adult libations and espresso machine.
More inside: Off to the right, the "main" dining room. It is petite. What is really charming is the left side of the room: all across one side of one wall, and a half a wall: all white marble countertops just spread out with an array of lovelies. A leek tart, a white platter bursting with the colors of slices grapefruit and oranges. Pickled vegetables. Crockery piled up. Abundant bouquets of flowers in antique silver trophy vases. Dessert goodies! Breads! What is happening to Austin - and can it get any cuter with these restaurant architectural design overhauls.
Still more architectural cuteness. The quasi-open kitchen. Quasi in the sense that above the marble counters are grey-washed rustic barn doors, on that awesomely industrial steel barn door hardware, that slide wide open to allow a look into the petite kitchen.
And yes, to whomever designed this, duly noted that spectacular scent in the WCs -- the women's one at least. Updated vintage in the WC as well. Yes, all duly noted. Duly noted looks like Sarah Richardson was here.
Bathed in and delighted by such architectural charm, I caved and said yes to a pre-lunch glass of wine. A Muscadet from the Loire Valley.
Oh, right. The food. Lovely roasted chicken "ragu" cooked on the bone then taken off for me (not me personally, but for the dish as served) over some tasty polenta. The portion was not overly large. Good thing, as the appetizer chosen, because that leek tart set out on the expansive marble countertop for ogling had gotten to me, was quite abundant for a starter course. (In hindsight, I think one is supposed to share those plates.)
Josephine House is open only for lunch right now. And cocktails in the afternoon. How lovely does that sound. Only light snacks, i.e., almonds, olives, available to go with your adult beverage. Yes, that sounds pretty swell. Also open for private parties. Adorable, yes, that too, but even better if I could just pack it all up for a private party in my own backyard.
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