The Austin Food & Wine Festival featured many restaurants in their Grand Tasting. One that impressed on both fest days was PhoNatic, a Central Austin Vietnamese restaurant that will soon open a Southpark Meadows location. Their Salt & Pepper Tofu appetizer is crispy, loaded with flavor and a welcomed respite from the animal protein-heavy offerings of the day. I normally avoid egg rolls, as so many tend to be bland, oily tubes of vegetables who have lost the battle to stay crunchy. PhoNatic’s shrimp egg rolls were a burst of seafood taste, with crispy veggies and a crackly shell that shattered delicately on my tongue. Yes, I went back for seconds, with no shame. If you haven’t visited this family-owned restaurant yet, I implore you to go, soon. You will not regret it. Fresh, flavorsome, delectable bites await.
