Chronicle Approves of Green Pastures’ Upgraded Classics

Chronicle editor Brandon Watson revisited Green Pastures and its new restaurant Mattie's, and approved of its much-needed upgrades. This is especially compared to the dated food and appearances he experienced during a meal long before La Corsha Hospitality Group’s takeover.

Mattie’s menu, under chef Joshua Thomas, isn’t setting out to completely uproot the restaurant’s past. Instead, Watson found versions of the classics with slight changes that make sense in the scope of the current dining scene.

Grassy and sweet, Irish cheddar makes the pimento cheese feel a little less down-home. It also adds some necessary temperance to the messy Spanish chorizo breakfast sandwich [...] Flaky biscuits are slathered in guava butter, and cauliflower rice subs for white rice in the gumbo z'herbes

The burger is stellar as well, to the point where Watson was "overwhelmed by the immediacy of beef," in a great way. His one qualm, given Thomas' food truck background (he used to run the Chaat Shop), he wished he ramped up the Indian influences, because he liked what he had:

The coconut curry-drenched basmati bowl and the gobi 65-like crispy cauliflower are far from vegetarian afterthoughts, and the cardamom rice crème dessert is exquisite.

THE BLOGS — South Austin Foodie revisited barbecue spots Salt Lick BBQ and Opie's BBQ, and understood why everyone loves Kemuri Tatsu-ya, ATX Eats and Treats ventured out to Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ.

• Restaurant Review: Mattie’s [Chronicle]