Review of La Condessa

Contemporary Mexican in downtown Austin. This place is just a short walk from Google, as is Fixe, so Erin & I had a biscuit at Fixe's bar then walked down for our reservation at La Condesa. I like the interior.. open and airy with tile floors, it has a Spanish villa feel. The menu was kinda inscrutable. Even for someone like me who duolinguo certified as 18% fluent en Espanol, there was an ingredient or two in each dish that had me scratching my head. We eventually settled on a mushroom based starter called HUARACHE DE HONGOS Y HUITLACOCHE. I tried to order it by name and the server was like, 'just stop'. I wasn't even mad.

 

It doesn't look like much, and there were some funky notes, but mushrooms, cheese, herbs came together for a rich, earthy flavor. The corn fritter on which it was served also has a nice crisp to the bottom. Really good.

My entre, 'bistec asada'. This was really good! I don't have a picture, but it was cooked to tender medium rare, had a nice bark, and was served sliced on a pool of bone marrow relish that had an awesome spicy kick. The radish on top was also tasty. Left me satisfied but not stuffed.

Erin's entree. This was billed as a steak taquito.. Which was a bit misleading if you think taquitos are crispy rolled things... Erin requested just the cheese and meat so that part was working-as-intended. The grilled manchego was maybe a bit rich/overpowering so we had a hard time finishing this one.

A good place to have in your back pocket if it's Fri or Sat afternoon and your favorite places are booked up. 3 Aemon stars.