I’d been meaning to visit Koriente for some time, but somehow had never made it until last week.  During a busy Saturday of running Christmas-related errands I deliberately blocked out a few minutes while downtown to stop and investigate.  Tucked away behind the noisy bars at the eastern end of 6^th Street lies a small, quiet parking lot off of Sabine and 7^th; unexpectedly, in the shadow of I-35, a beautiful garden surrounds the lot and a small seating area on the back patio.

The first impression entering through the back door is a little disorienting; there is a lot of everything packed into the small hallway.  It’s not cluttered, though; far from it, things are clean and orderly, but there’s a lot of…everything.  The walls are covered in small mirrors, paintings, and old photographs of movie stars, flowers, trees, and scenes of locations too old or remote to identify.  Mismatched shelving and cabinets hold sundry plates, teapots, teacups, old tea canisters, and other objects, some of which seemed only for show and some for use.  The north-facing front plate glass window overlooks 7^th Street with good sunlight and ample views of the other shops and assorted Austinites about the neighborhood (the courthouse is a block in one direction; the homeless shelter in the other, providing a colorful mix of personages).

As I became accustomed to my surroundings, I realized that the order of the day was eclecticism.  The décor is a blend of objets d’art and assorted things folksy, old, new, and uncertain; Oriental accouterments sat upon shelves overlooking the same red-checkered tablecloths one might find in Italian restaurants in Boston’s North End.  The menu, too, comprises neither traditional tea house nor oriental fare; it’s rather Asian-inspired, fresh, and healthy.

Unsure how to proceed (as I had entered through the back) I set my things on a nearby table and approached the counter.  A smiling young man offered me a menu, and as I perused the fare I began to feel the pressure of thirsty patrons behind me in a newly-forming line.  Suddenly rushed, I somewhat hastily ordered a pot of Darjeeling and the Smoked Salmon Roll ($5.50).  Would I like a bowl of miso soup to go with that—on the house?  Oh, yes; yes I would.  (I later learned that soup or green tea ice cream are complimentary with any entree from 2-9:30, but at the time I was more than delighted.)

I sat back down and opened my little book to record my impressions, but before I had the lid off of my pen, my tea and soup arrived.  The Darjeeling was well-steeped in a little, colorful ceramic pot accompanied by a lovely small wooden handle-less cup.  As I poured my tea and considered my soup (I had to get up to get a spoon) I noticed Oscar Wilde regarding me languidly from his spot on the wall.  The miso was delicious, fresh and clean and quite low in salt.  Minutes later my salmon roll arrived, cut into five pieces sushi-style.  The smoked salmon is rolled in a tapioca wrapper with mixed greens, red and purple cabbage, carrots, and avocado, and served with a little container of the least salty soy sauce ever and a dollop of wasabi.  The interplay of the flavors and textures of crunchy fresh vegetables, avocado, and salmon was fantastic.  After my tea, soup, and roll, I was extremely satisfied for under ten dollars.

In addition to appetizers in roll form, they offer a dozen entrees, largely soup, rice, and noodle dishes (or a combination thereof) to which you may add chicken, avocado, egg, mushrooms, and so on.  The most expensive menu item (sans additions) tops out at $8.  All of the ingredients are fresh and homemade as well as low in sodium, cholesterol, and fat; here are also a number of gluten-free and vegan options.

The tea menu is modest but well-rounded; they offer an assortment of black and green teas, with a few whites and oolongs, rooibos, and a handful of herbal blends.  Koriente also has a selection of freshly made iced teas and offers beer, wine, and Ruta Maya coffee.

A funky, Austin-styled, family-owned, fresh, healthy, inexpensive, tea-centric restaurant?  I’ll certainly return to Koriente to try their entrees; now I know where to park instead of driving on by thinking, “Man! I have to try that place!”

Koriente Restaurant and Tea House
www.koriente.com
512-275-0852
621 East 7^th Street
Austin, TX 78701

Bob Kasenchak is a writer for Unity Teapots, specializing in cast iron tea pots and fine Asian teaware.

Brusters

This ice-cream haven offers a slew of various flavors and dishes. From almonds to coconuts to coffee cake streusel and peanut butter means that there is something for everyone. Visit Brusters

Maggie Moos

Providing the finest ingredients and most memorable experiences for ice cream available fresh in the treatery is Maggie Moo’s. Their specialty? Hand-folding favorite mix-ins to selected flavors.

Cold Stone Creamery

For the ultimate ice cream experience, Cold Stone Creamery offers an abundant amount of assortments such as fresh fruits, crackers, candy and chocolates, among others to mix in any flavor and size.

Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream

Baskin-Robbins offers a flavor for every occasion. From classic to regional to deep freeze ice-creams, everyone is sure to find something they can savor!

Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

To enjoy home-made super premium ice cream, be sure to check out Ben & Jerry’s. For over 30 years they have been making ice cream delights. With all the ones that’s available, I must say my favorite dish is cake batter ice cream with banana, white-chocolate chips and gram crackers topped with whip cream and a drizzle of caramel. What’s your favorite ice-cream combination?

Author Byline:Lauren Horn

Take a heavenly trip to Heaven Sent Desserts

Next time you’re out and about eating at your favorite restaurant, skip the dessert and take a trip to Heaven Sent Desserts on the corner of 30th and University for a cup of coffee or tea and grab a taste of your favorite sweet tooth dessert. You won’t be disappointed.

Contradictory to it’s name, Heaven Sent offers a delicious selection of temptatious and seductive dessert delights that are guaranteed to cure anyone’s deep down desire for sweets.

Their dessert menu offers creative names such as Heaven Sent’ Naughty Angel, to Bitter Sweet S’Mores to a favorite of mine, the Swirled Cheesecake Brulee. Who could resist such a dessert?!

Along with their appetizing list of desserts they also have a decent drink menu of espressos, lattes, mochas, frapps, smoothies, teas and Italian sodas. I for one, enjoy a nice pot of jasmine tea, but don’t let it steep too long as it starts to bitter quickly.

On our recent visit, I decided to try the Sunday Bloody Sundae which I hadn’t seen on the menu before. This sundae truly is heaven sent. They describe it as a rich fudge Brownie grounded on Whipped cream, topped with Mint Ice Cream & Blood Orange Sorbet, accented with ButterScotch’d Caramel and Chocolate Sauces, Seasonal Fruit Compote and finished with Mint Pop-Rocks and a Caramel Halo.

Well, I saw ice cream and managed to miss the minor details of let’s say, Pop-Rocks that come with it. I am a sucker for ice cream so this was a clear choice for me this round.

Much to my surprise, a few Pop-Rocks managed to sneak by in the first bite or two. Finally I identified the mysterious popping in my mouth as my child hood entertaining candy I grew to love. I’ve never been so entertained eating a dessert. Make sure you try the Sunday Bloody Sundae before it’s removed from the menu.

As our closing bites of dessert came to end, Chef Tina Luu came out to introduce herself and check on everyone to make sure all was good. Personally, I’ve always appreciated when a chef or owner comes out and checks on their patrons. Not only does it show they care, it shows class.

And for these reasons we’ll keep coming back to Heaven Sent Desserts. Try them out and bring some friends or family with you. Parking is usually available within a block or so and you can’t miss the sometimes small line out the door.

Heaven Sent Desserts Phone: 619/793-4758

3001 University Avenue (corner 30th Street)

North Park, San Diego, CA 92104

(directions)

Hours of operation:

Tuesday-Thursday 11am-11pm,

Fri-Sat 11am – 11:30pm

Sun 11am – 9:30pm