It’s fitting to kick off Breakfast In Austin at a venue where the masses feel prosperous – whether legitimate or misplaced. With a gratuitous display of plastic wealth at TRIO in the Four Seasons Hotel, one can only hope to be impressed.
Just in time for our 10 a.m. Sunday brunch reservation at TRIO, Breakfast In Austin began its Four Seasons adventure on San Jacinto Boulevard in downtown Austin.
Valet your vehicle? Doors magically open for you by a handsome doorman? A chair pulled out for you at the table? It’s like a gentleman caller at every turn! At $48 a head, should a lady, or even a man, expect anything less? Certainly not!
Upon entering TRIO, located downstairs from the hotel’s main entrance, my eyes bulged and my heart raced at the mouthwatering smells and stunning displays of beautifully presented food. I don’t mean the standard scrambled egg, predictable bacon or generic waffle setup.
The first station posed a variety of yogurt parfaits, either with or without granola, topped with fresh berries and sprigs of mint. Honeydew, cantaloupe and pineapple, plus a varied display of freshly baked goods like breads and pastries, enticed my desire to indulge.
As I swiveled my head to the right, I realized a plan of pacing myself would be MANDATORY. The second station boasted Asian pot-stickers, creamy mashed potatoes with rosemary, succulent prime rib with au jus sauce, perfectly rounded mini-pancakes with whip and syrup options, ample pork sausages, stout bacon, an out-of-this-world eggs Benedict with cured and smoked ham, miraculous cheese blintzes and made-to-order of any size and content – omelets. OH MY GOD.
Straining to pull myself from the hearty staples of Station Two, I forced a look toward the left. Station Three nearly mastered a snap of my neck! Holy hell. Think delicacies that you might never place in a Sunday brunch.
TRIO has mastered appealing to the senses of travelers and food lovers. Alaskan crab claws, shrimp ceviche, mussels, California rolls and ahi tuna with soy and wasabi adorned the table. Along with sides like fresh asparagus, loose leaf and pasta salads, bagels with lox and fixings, cheeses, pistachios and figs, these items were beautifully displayed and seemingly fresh. Absolutely salivating!
Station Four = death. I mean the dessert table. A minimum of eight desserts, all impeccably created, displayed and labeled. A quick glance revealed a most capable crème brûlée, a luscious peaches-and-cream concoction and a more complex creation of lavender macaroons.
Tripping over my feet, I unbearably moved on to … our table. Finally!
Oliver waited on us hand and foot. Coffee? Mimosa? Water? Freshly squeezed orange juice? Clean plates or silverware? Oliver was spot on and friendly at every moment.
The Four Seasons is known for its impeccable service and attentiveness to detail, and Breakfast In Austin experienced all of this and more at TRIO.
Recommendations? The yogurt parfait, rosemary-infused mashed potatoes, cheese blintzes, bagel and lox, crab claws, miniature blueberry pancakes and of course, the mimosas, were all huge hits.
TRIO’s crowning moment? The eggs Benedict might just be the No. 1 hit in town. A 20-day process in curing and smoking locally raised ham allowed for amazing flavors to develop. Paired with an ample amount of creamy hollandaise and perfectly poached eggs, Breakfast In Austin found this Bennie unbelievably delicious!
Should you decide to partake in Sunday brunch at TRIO, relax, take your time and indulge. I would highly recommend the experience with a loved one or if you’re celebrating an event.
Many times, we want a quick fix or an inexpensive meal, so keep TRIO in your back pocket for that overindulgent weekend when you want to spoil yourself or someone else. The spread and experience are worth every penny.
Sunday brunch begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. It is not necessarily what I’d classify as “kid friendly,” but TRIO is part of a hotel operation, and kids can enjoy brunch for $20.
If you use valet services, get your parking ticket stamped by a server, and claim $3 off the overall charge.
If valet service isn’t your thing, or if the weather is right, use the Four Seasons Hotel garage or parking meters, which are free in downtown Austin on weekends. A walk to the hotel is quick and enjoyable.
It’s all about the feast, not the famine!
TRIO at the Four Seasons – Austin is located at 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, Texas 78701. To learn more about Sunday brunch, visit www.triorestaurantaustin.com, or call 512-685-8300. To get a quick peek at some of the brunch highlights, see the menu at www.triorestaurantaustin.com/menus/brunch_menu.
Breakfast In Austin’s Jennifer Clarke is morning fare obsessed, easily humored, hungry and semi-undercover. Scouring Austin for the best diners, brunch experiences, coffee shops and breakfast tacos, she carries a Nikon in one hand and a fork in the other. For more information about Breakfast in Austin, visit http://breakfastinaustin.blogspot.com, find them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter (@breakfastaustin).
Pros: Beautiful presentation and selection, wonderful service, bottomless champagne and mimosas included in the price per head, the atmosphere and the eggs Benedict
Cons: Expensive, BUT you’re paying for quality, atmosphere and service. And remember, drinks are included!
Suggestions: Call ahead, and make a reservation. TRIO is a hot spot.
