Dining del Lago 2014
Looking for water? Bring your own!
Fri., July 4, 2014
Plate by Dzintra
12717 Shops Pkwy. #100, 512/358-4776; Tue.-Sat., 5-9:30pm; Sun., 10am-3pmwww.platebydzintra.com
Dzintra Dzenis is the chef/owner of this delightful little restaurant. Back in 2010, she was a finalist on the Food Network's prime-time show, The Next Food Network Star. Before that, she also picked up a Grand Diplôme from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, where she graduated with honors in both cuisine and pastry. Her operation in Austin started as a cooking club and teaching facility, but soon she started to open for dinner and occasional lunches. Every week she creates a new menu with perfectly fresh ingredients. A couple of weeks ago, her menu listed a salad called the Savory Heirloom Tomato Tart ($15). It was a concoction of puff pastry with goat cheese, basil, and heirloom tomatoes baked until crispy and set on top of baby greens dressed with a citrus vinaigrette. Dzintra usually has some form of ribs on her menu and that week it was classic braised short ribs ($28). They were so tender that the meat fell off the bone onto decadent mashed potatoes. Personally, I have little interest in reality TV competitions, but Dzenis' restaurant deserves its strong reputation, and a dinner there will surprise you. Between the magnificent Artisan Bistro and Plate by Dzintra, lake-area dwellers can hold their head high in any discussion about Austin fine-dining destinations. – W.M.