In between the struggle of memorizing endless definitions and racing against the clock in a test, stress has become my companion. Good food, however, is a proven remedy. Because of this, I have sought two spots in Austin, one where studying comes easy and the other where my body feels warm and my mind at ease.
The inside of the Café Crème Downtown Austin location. Part of the French-inspired café’s mission is to help their customers create “memorable experiences” in their “welcoming spaces.” (Carlota Dávila / Hilltop Views)
When the deadlines pile up, I go to Café Crème, located inside the Austin Central Library. Although finding a coffee shop in Austin is probably easier than finding a convenience store, they often fall under the same category: modern, expensive and completely unsatisfying. I feared the same when I walked into the polished modern space at Café Crème, but instead I was greeted with a vibrant atmosphere made up of focused college students.
I settled in at a corner table for the next couple of hours. The music was loud enough to blur the conversations around me, yet subtle so that nobody would sing along. The menu consisted of an assortment of sweet and savory crepes, sandwiches and breakfast tacos, complimented by their coffee, tea and smoothies.
Their Lox everything bagel is a must, with its buttery smoked salmon, tomato, generous smear of cream cheese, crisp red onion and capers. It was simple but well constructed, offering the perfect savory balance of creamy and acidic.
Café Crème’s Crêpe Madame (back) and their Lox Bagel, served with the side of chips, are among the many different fresh crêpes and bagel options that their menu offers. (Carlota Dávila / Hilltop Views)
The Crêpe Madame was a light, yet enjoyable, combination of egg, ham, cheese and honey mustard served with a side of salad. It made for a solid meal, but I would definitely consider trying another one on my next visit and substituting the forgettable salad for chips.
The star of the evening was the iced chai latte. Its layers of spices were impossible to go unnoticed, balanced by creamy oat milk and the right amount of sweetness. It is the kind of drink that forces loyalty to a restaurant.
What makes Café Crème an ideal place to study, other than its food, is its environment tailored to efficiency. The seating is comfortable and the large windows overlooking downtown prevent any feelings of confinement. With good Wi-Fi and friendly staff that leave you uninterrupted, it is easy to maintain focus. If it gets too noisy or crowded, you conveniently have access to their outdoor patio or one of the many nooks of the Austin Central Library.
When the need for productivity is over, I take shelter in Japanese soul-food, specifically the Ramen Tatsu-ya located on South Lamar.
Tatsu-ya is straightforward. You order as soon as you walk in, sit at a wooden table stocked with enough utensils for the next twenty diners and wait. About six minutes later, a steaming bowl of ramen shows up in front of you, the smell itself is enough to provide reassurance. The entrees and sides usually take longer, but the warm bowl of glory prevents you from even noticing.
The menu features eight different ramen options and I’m proud to say that I have eaten every last spoonful of the four I have tried. The bowls are all very similar, with only slight variations in the broth.
Along with the eight-ramen main menu, Ramen Tatsu-ya also offers appetizers, which they call “Munchies,” and extra topping options. In this visit, we tried the Mi-so-hot Tonkotsu (back) and their Sho-yu Tonkotsu, a twist to their classic The OG. We also savored the Chili Oil Gyoza (left), the Negi Rice Bowl and the Katsu Slider. (Carlota Dávila / Hilltop Views)
On this visit I tried their Sho-yu tonkotsu. The broth is made from 60-hour simmered pork bones and a soy sauce blend, it is perfectly rich and infuses the noodles with more flavor than they could ever achieve in another cuisine. It is topped with a slice of grilled pork, which provides a momentary sweetness amidst the savory flavors. The vegetables provide a crunchy texture and freshness.
Their Mi-so-hot tonkotsu was as good as ever, which starts with the same rich pork bone broth as the Sho-yu, but trades the soy sauce for a miso spicy blend. The addition of ground pork in the dish makes it even heartier. It is any spice lover’s dream, even if that means drinking several glasses of water by the end.
Tatsu-ya has the type of dishes that require self control, with each bite daring you to slow down, but you simply don’t want to. After eating a lot more than you probably should, having a nap or good night’s sleep is mandatory, naturally guiding the body towards recovery.
Austin is a city known for its college and slow-paced life, take advantage of both and feed your mind and soul in Café Crème and Ramen Tatsu-ya.