trailer life

New North Austin food trailer Lizzie's Lunchbox introducesMediterranean-inspired Texas fare

Working on "Lizzie's Lunchbox"
Photo by Kathleen Jennings
Lisa Allen and Lizzie's Lunchbox transformed.
Photo by Keith Allen
Lisa Allen and friends helping get "Lizzie's Lunchbox" ready
Photo by Eric Clark

We all wish for the courage to "quit our day job" and striking out on our own to follow our dreams. While it's just a dream for many, those who take the chance are truly brave souls.

It happened, by chance, in the small west Texas town of Marfa. It's where mom, technical writer, part-time caterer and culinary artist Lisa Allen realized she could take that leap of faith and start her own business.

In the spring of 2010, Lisa and five of her girlfriends made the drive from Austin to Marfa, Texas, to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. The best meal of the weekend came, from of all places, a food truck called The Food Shark. The food was healthy, full of flavor and fun, exactly the type of fare that Allen could create. A few months later, she was shopping for a truck.

She found what she thought was the perfect truck to house her dream venture in Dallas, but the engine blew up on I-35 on the drive back to Austin. Lisa says she chose to believe that wasn't a sign of things to come. Refusing to give up, her husband spent the last year rebuilding the engine and—together with her family—they transformed the old tool truck into one mighty fine kitchen on wheels. She even convinced some of her girl pals to spend a Saturday afternoon with sprays and sponges to give it its sparkle. And their efforts have paid off: the truck has become the newest food trailer in Austin, Lizzie's Lunchbox.

Lisa discovered her love of cooking at a young age; in fact, it was Julia Child's show on PBS that inspired her. She says her Mom was always supportive of her cooking, telling her she could create whatever she wanted, though there was just one rule: "Clean up the kitchen when you're done!" Though she's got two kids to cook for, she rarely makes the same dish twice. Every day, she scours recipe newsletters and websites looking for new ideas.

She's joining the food trailer era at an opportune time. True, it's a big market, with more options than it seems possible to sample; most offerings you'll find in South Austin serving everything from tacos to cupcakes to crepes. But if you search for Lizzie's Lunchbox down South, you won't find it.

Head to North Austin, Lisa's neck of the woods, where Lizzie's Lunchbox will be serving Tex-Med (that's short for Texas-Style Mediterranean), plus some traditional lunch fare for your midday pick-me-up.

Allen will dish up creations like cedar plank smoked salmon served with tabbouleh and Greek salad, marinated chicken kabob wrapped in a tortilla with a spicy sriracha sauce and smoked turkey sandwiches with havarti and pear on truck-made bread. The bread is crusty on the outside, moist on the inside and made fresh daily right on the truck by Lizzie herself. Of course, you can also indulge in decadent brownies, cookies and cakes.

Lizzie's Lunchbox is located at 10401 Jollyville Road 78759; follow @LizziesLunchbx for up-to-the-minute news.

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These 10 Valentine's Day dining specials in Austin extend the holiday

Photo from Laurel Restaurant Facebook page

The Laurel Restaurant is one of many Austin eateries offering romantic dinner specials.

Valentine's Day used to be a simple affair: boxes of chocolates, maybe a bundle of roses, and a handmade card, probably including a doily and some pink construction paper. These days, though, restaurants, hotels, and businesses have made Valentine's Day into something closer to a Valentine's Season.

But since that seems to mean plenty of delicious dining specials and extra decadent menus, we're not complaining. In fact, we've rounded up 10 of our favorite romantic and delicious dining specials for this Valentine's Day — or rather, season.

SusieCakes
January 27 to February 14, multiple locations
Between late January and Valentine's Day, SusieCakes, a beloved national bakery, will be offering several sweet specials like the classic Valentine's Day Vanilla Celebration Cake, a rich Southern Red Velvet Cake, mini Sweetheart Cakes, mini cupcake boxes, and of course, heart-shaped sugar cookies with DIY cookie decorating kits. Between February 10 and 14 you can also get the SusiePink Vanilla Celebration Cake, the Valentine's Day Vintage Cake, and special, customizable gift box combos. Just be sure you pre-order your Valentine's treats by February 13.

Mini cupcakes from SusieCakes Among many other sweet treats, SusieCakes is offering mini cupcake boxes this Valentine's season. Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Hotel ZaZa
February 7-17, 400 Lavaca St.
If bed is the only place you want to go this Valentine's Day weekend, Hotel ZaZa is making it easy for you to stay there all day with a sweet breakfast-in-bed deal. Guests who book a stay between February 7 and 17 can secure complimentary breakfast in bed for two (a $50 value) plus flower delivery to the room.

Sushi | Bar ATX
February 13-15, 2600 E. Cesar Chavez St.
In the days surrounding Valentine's Day, Sushi | Bar ATX is offering a 17-course omakase experience. This specially-curated menu includes a complimentary champagne toast upon arrival, a Valentine's Day-inspired nigiri bite, and decadent touches like caviar, truffle, and foi gras. This experience costs $225 per person, and reservations are highly recommended.

In a press release, the restaurant notes: Sushi | Bar ATX is set to relocate in the next month or so. Location may change prior to Valentine’s Day. If so, guests who have made reservations will be alerted of the change.

Arriba Abajo Rooftop Cantina
February 13-16, 506 San Jacinto Blvd.
For Austinites looking for a slightly more economical Valentine's dinner, Arriba Abajo might be the move. From February 13-16, this downtown restaurant is offering a $70 dinner for two, including braised short ribs, papas bravas, charred rapini, escabeche, chocolate mousse, and more. Reservations are encouraged.

The Loren Hotel
February 13-16, 1211 W. Riverside Dr.
This year for Valentine's Day, the Loren Hotel is offering "A Taste of Romance." This romantic package was created just for sweethearts checking into the hotel for the weekend, and includes a welcome bottle of sparkling wine and macaroons; daily breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, Nido, for two; and dinner at Nido for two. Though it's not included in this package, The Loren is also home to Milk + Honey Spa, should guests want to throw massages into the mix. Stay dates are from February 13-16, and reservations can be made now through February 16.

The rooftop at The Loren Guests can enjoy this romantic rooftop at The Loren Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Loren Hotel.

Laurel Restaurant
February 13-23, 320 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.
The Laurel Restaurant at Hotel Viata has created a veritable Valentine's Season this year, offering this romantic dinner special from February 13-23. Guests will start out with a welcome glass of prosecco, followed by a three course prix fixe meal. Menu items include a Tuscan kale salad, prime ribeye for two, and a cannoli trio for dessert. Pricing starts at $115 for two ($77 per person), plus $45 per person for wine pairings. Reservations can be made online.

Foreign & Domestic
February 14, 306 E. 53rd St.
On February 14 — the only special on our list that's one night only — Foreign & Domestic is transforming into a candlelit, romantic getaway in the heart of the North Loop neighborhood. The evening's special surf and turf menu for two includes ribeye and scallops with potato pavé, broccolini, and béarnaise ($95), plus a dessert of chocolate cake with strawberry mousse and pretzel candy ($10). The usual menu will also be available, and reservations are highly recommended.

Crú Food & Wine Bar
February 14 & 15, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, No. 104
Crú Food & Wine Bar invites guests to a special four-course dinner this Valentine's Day weekend. Menu items include lobster bisque, filet mignon, and molten chocolate cake, all for $65 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.

Serenade American Brasserie
February 14 & 15, 200 Lavaca St.
On February 14 and 15, Serenade is offering a four-course prix fixe menu and special Valentine's Day cocktails in addition to the regular à la carte menu. This special menu will include curated seasonal dishes with an optional wine pairing for each course. Guests who book a Valentine's dinner will also have an automatic reservation at the Blue Room, The W's cocktail bar, for an after-dinner drink. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
February 14-16, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd.
Throughout the weekend, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort will be offering several special Valentine's (and Galentine's) events, including Puppies and Pilates on February 13, a 30-minute Pilates class surrounded by adoptable puppies from the Bastrop County Animal Shelter, as well as Neon Nights, a Texas Dance Hall pop-up on February 14. The resort's restaurants will also feature special menus throughout the weekend, including dishes like côte de boeuf for two, red velvet cake, and a special Strawberries and Dreams cocktail.

Cocktails at the Hyatt Lost Pines Guests can enjoy special events and menus at the Hyatt Lost Pines throughout the weekend.Photo courtesy of Hyatt Lost Pines

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