The Well Traveled Chef

I came across Dave’s catering business in Austin’s local-​centric foodie world at another restaurant, surprisingly. The business card literally titled: «Dave’s Pies.» I thought this obscure, but I went ahead and ordered up some chocolate mousse pies. I got them for a «Food Studies» session, so obviously, you would think I wanted the healthiest option. Hell, no. We are foodies. We got their most popular pie.
The circularly-​shaped baked good was FANTASTIC! It was creamy, yet light; chocolately, yet not overpowering; rich, but not filling. The crust was no doubt crafted with love, to boot. It was crumbly and full of graham-​like goodness.
WTC appears to be a catering company, first and foremost, but even if you are not having a wedding or hosting some sort of luncheon, I highly recommend you call him up and pick up a pie ASAP. The central location off I-​35 makes it easy to get your sweet tooth tuned up.
If you need a catering suggestion, I would certainly explore options with the WTC. Not the World Trade Center… that is gone, sadly. Too soon? Nah. If his actual sustenance (not stuff that spoils your appetite) is half as good as his pies, then I will need to order up some trays of food… can you order from a caterer in this fashion? Trays of food for home consumption? I sure hope so.

I stayed at David’s house this past January while on a cross-​country road trip. On the drive into Austin, my boyfriend was looking up restaurant reviews and we found The Well Traveled Chef. We decided based on Amber’s review to call David up and see if we could stay at his place. Sure enough, David called us back and we headed to his house. Staying at David’s is really great if you want to get to know Austin quickly. He can offer you lots of recommendations. He has some very adorable dogs, and chickens out back that lay delicious eggs. He made us a great, healthy breakfast everyday, and some amazing ratatouille one of our evenings. The room we stayed in was very nice and comfortable and his house if very centrally located in South Austin.
A more long-​term resident of his place, Lucas, gave us a tour of Austin, which really gave us a feel for the city. I highly recommend you stay here, tell David: Savannah and David say, «hi».

In an attempt to rescue me from my crutches-​boredom at home, my friend Darla called and announced, «This sort of South Austin hippie friend of mine, David, is a really good chef and out of nowhere on Fridays he does these dinner parties. They’re really fabulous! You bring your own wine and $ 10 and he cooks a multi-​course meal for you!»
She was right. I was greeted by an artsy Austinite, David himself, an East Texan, a young Londoner, and a German woman with her Brooklyn-​residing daughter. I was also greeted by a host of lovable mutts, but their conversation wasn’t nearly as varied and interesting as the topics that bounced from person to person and nationality to nationality at the table.
The group was so different, the wines brought as well… We started with a fresh salad with herbs from David’s own garden and moved onto his tortilla soup which he boasts won the Austin Chronicle ‘Best Of ‘Award just a few years ago. David chose to only use natural, organic ingredients… even down to the chicken used in his soup, and the relaxed, affable, demeanor he radiated was so perfectly Austin I am now adding his Friday night dinner parties to my «Must See» list for those from out of town. His home is like a large, gorgeous bungalow with plants and dogs covering his cozy balcony. Go with an acquaintance, and leave with a friend. An experience even. This was the most South Austin experience I have ever had. Have the peach cobbler and don’t be shy about asking for seconds!