Lucille + Mabel Kitchen & Libations for impressive upscale dining in Brownwood, TX

Exterior

Lucille + Mabel Kitchen and Libations was a lovely surprise to find in downtown Brownwood! I cannot recall having a more enjoyable dining experience recently. The best meals I have had eating out this year have been at the Black Cur Steakhouse in Coleman and now this gem in Brownwood. Restaurants in Abilene need to up their game without question. I will happily drive 80 miles for this kind of quality and service.

My dining companion and myself greatly appreciated the atmosphere, the service, and the food at Lucille + Mabel. All were stellar. You really feel like you are at a restaurant in a much larger city but without the attitude that can come with elevated restaurants in urban areas. That being said, the prices are in line with the quality so be prepared. The menu is elevated but not inaccessible to most tastes.

Lucille + Mabel Kitchen & Libations is in a former bank building, complete with vaults. Upon entering we were greeted by the host. We had reservations and were taken to our table quickly. The bar and dining areas are separated but you can see into both. The restaurant is rectangular shaped with high ceilings, exposed brick and a green, black and white color scheme. It has the look of a historical building which tickles the history buff in me.

Bar area

Dining area

After being seated, the server came quickly to pour our water and get our drink orders while we looked over the menu. There were several steak options as well as many creative twists on familiar favorites--Korean fried chicken for example. The water for the table is served in previously used liquor bottles which is a fun way to use an item that otherwise would have just been thrown out. Clever.

Once the server returned with our drinks, she asked if we would like to order an appetizer. We went with the fried asparagus spears that were topped with crispy crab and a Bearnaise sauce ($22). My date had a question about the steaks so our server went back to the kitchen and brought out the various cuts and discussed them in detail to aid him in his choice. 

I ordered the pasta Alfredo with mushrooms and chicken ($21). He ordered the 9 oz prime cut filet ($59) which was sourced from 1855 Black Angus Beef. The steak was served with rosemary garlic mashed potatoes topped with bacon and asparagus on the side.

Asparagus appetizer

The appetizer was yummy and visually appealing. The asparagus were tender but not mushy. The crispy crab on top added an intriguing element to the taste. The portion size was more than we could eat and still have enough room for our entrees.

My pasta Alfredo was ample in size. I could only eat about 1/3 of it as the sauce was so decadent. Unlike so many places, they did not overdo the garlic in the sauce. Yay! The chicken on top was lightly breaded and juicy and the fettuccine was al dente which was quite pleasing to the palate. The past tasted fresh. For the reasonable price of the dish, it may be the best return on investment on the menu. Certainly there was enough left for a second meal the next day.

Pasta Alfredo with chicken

The filet was stellar--cooked to a perfect medium-rare and tender. The server asked that the steak be cut to be sure it was cooked correctly. It was seasoned in a way that really let the beef shine through and was topped with an herbed butter. There was not a bite leftover. A sumptuous steak indeed.

The service was outstanding and that aspect of eating out is getting more and more difficult to find. Our server was friendly without being intrusive but most of all she knew her job, the menu, and was a great ambassador for the restaurant. I had not one quibble about anything in regard to the food, beverages, atmosphere, or service. It was all five star in my book.

Filet cooked medium-rare

One caveat about making reservations there, and you are going to need a reservation, is to just call them. I tried three different avenues to contact them online; via the contact form on their website and two emails to different email addresses that are posted on their website and never heard anything back. Currently, there is no option to make reservations on any of the popular dining reservation apps either. I think the owners are concentrating more on running the restaurant than on their online presence. Their Facebook seems to be the spot with the most up to date information regarding hours and specials.

If you are in the area, I highly recommend trying Lucille + Mabel. Brownwood can surprise you. There is more going on there than you would expect. Check it out.

Update: Yesterday I took two friends to try Lucille + Mabel. Since it was only 4pm we sat in the bar. We ordered drinks and the mint in my friend’s mojito was slimy, not muddled. She had to send it back. The rest of the drinks were fine.

The servers in the bar were okay but not as attentive as what I experienced on the first visit in the dining room. Maybe newer employees? The three of us ordered off the appetizer menu, starting with two tasty crab cakes over grilled asparagus, and one of us added a half wedge salad as well. The steak bites topped with shrimp (3 per order) the others had were very good but we had to ask if the shrimp were breaded with flour, it was cornstarch, as she was gluten sensitive. However, my coconut shrimp tacos ($15) were overpowered by the balsamic sauce on the tacos and only had about two cut up pieces of shrimp in each taco. For dessert we shared a butter pecan cheesecake which was divine. All the desserts were tempting. 

I recommend if you want to experience the best side of the restaurant, get a reservation for dinner and skip dining in the bar.

Lucille + Mabel Kitchen & Libations
114 Center Ave.
Brownwood, TX 76801
(325) 430-0979
 

https://www.lucillemabel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/p/Lucille-Mabel-Kitchen-and-Libations-100076016620145/

Hours (these recently changed so I recommend checking their Facebook page for updates)

Sunday-Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday 4pm-9pm

Thursday & Friday 4pm-10pm

Saturday Brunch 10am-2pm, 4pm-10pm

 

Grain Theory--Craft beer, wine, and coffee with some food to boot

The long awaited space on the northwest corner of Pine and N.2nd is now open. On the second floor is Grain Theory. You can get up to it via an outside staircase on the N. 2nd side or an inside one on Pine. I assume there is an elevator but I did not look for it. Apologies.

I had a business lunch there so I cannot speak to the alcoholic beverages but as you would expect by the name, craft beer is highlighted. Prices are on the "on tap" menu inside. There is also a small list of wines with by the glass prices of $7 or $9. They open at 7:30am so coffee is also featured.

Fish and chips

The food menu is not extensive but that is to be expected since the focus is on the beer. For lunch, I ordered the fish and chips. One of my colleagues ordered the same and the other ordered the grain bowl with bacon added. I am glad bacon was added because otherwise that was too healthy of a lunch. Lol.

There was no table service when we went for lunch. We ordered our food at the bar and it was brought out to us. 

The fish and chips was an entire large Alaskan pollock fish filet beer battered and deep fried. Served with their peri remoulade sauce and another sauce of your choice with thick cut kennebec fries on the side. My second sauce was the spicy goddess which was a mix of ranch, green goddess, and jalapeno. Both sauces had some heat which I liked. No traditional tarter sauce option but if you want mayo there is Duke's mayo available too. The cost of the fish and chips is $14 but the portion size is generous.

I found the fish and chips to be the best I have had in land locked Abilene but my New England born colleague said the fish needed to be cod and the breading was a bit overdone on the outside and underdone on the inside. However, he did agree that is was good compared to Abilene's other fish and chips options. I need to get my British brother-in-law to come to town and give it a try. 

Grain theory bowl

The grain theory bowl was $8 and an extra $3 with bacon added. It is a combination of ancient grains, roasted sweet potatoes, green onion, pecans, cranberries, and sage served with a maple miso vinaigrette. This is a direct quote, "it feels like I could be eating this at a place by the beach in Santa Monica."  Take that as you will but he enjoyed it. This option, sans meat, would be great for vegetarians/vegans. 

Other items on the menu includes sausages, a chicken roll, flat ironed Akaushi flat iron steak, salad,and a few appetizers like the Belgian fries--plain with side sauce or loaded with beer cheese, green onions and bacon or biltong (air-dried beef similar to tender jerky) and pretzel bits.

At this time there was one item on the dessert menu, a coffee stout panna cotta.

The food menu is designed to compliment their beer selections. The day we went the steak ($25) was not on the menu for lunch.

Soft drink options are sparkling water, iced tea or some craft sodas ($2.5).

The space if impressive. They have a wrap around outside seating area on two sides and the interior is metal and wood, a sophisticated industrial look. I have no doubt that Grain Theory will be a popular spot in the evenings and on weekends. It fits right in with the revitalization of downtown Abilene and the increasing focus on dining and nightlife options in town.

 

202 Pine Street, Suite 201, Abilene, Texas, 79601

 (325) 513-6628

Hours--

 Mon-Wed 7:30am-10pm

Thur 7:30am-11pm

Fri-Sat 7:30am-midnight

Sun Closed

https://www.graintheory.beer/

The Local--Trendy Tacos and Tequila

Morning margarita

UPDATE--Recently a friend and I visited The Local for lunch on a Saturday. I'm happy to report an expanded and more flexible menu, outside dining and brunch made for a lovely experience this time around. Prices are still a bit higher but the presentation and surroundings help to alleviate the issue. Great service as well!

Brunch migas with bacon

 

Original review--

The Local is Abilene's newest downtown restaurant/bar located in the former Busch Jewelers building on Cypress Street between N. 2nd and N. 3rd streets. They specialize in gourmet tacos and high end cocktails ($8 and up). It is great to see downtown Abilene continue to expand and offer more and more options to head down there in the evening.

My friends and I went by on a Thursday evening about two weeks after they opened. We went fairly early at around 5:30pm and were seated immediately but the place soon started to fill (as any new place in Abilene will the first few weeks after opening) and remained popular before the pandemic hit. I ordered chips and salsa for the table. The portion size was not overly generous but the salsa was tasty. The chips were on the stale side. 

Three of us ordered a single taco at an average price of $5 per taco. The fourth ordered a grilled chicken salad. He, by far, made the best choice since a salad is generally not meant to come out hot. The presentation was great but the tacos were tepid. This is a common comment that I heard from others that have eaten at The Local, even several months after opening. However, it did not seem to dim their popularity among the socialites in town.

The two chicken taco versions that were ordered were flavorful but my carne guisada taco was practically inedible. Not only was it lukewarm the meat was so tough I could not chew it. Very disappointing. Plus, I was fairly certain I had ordered the carne asada taco as I generally do not care for gravy on my meat. 

The food was brought out on small metal trays with a paper liner that had old Busch Jeweler ads on it. The nod to the history of the space was a nice touch. The decor is upscale. Lots of glass, metal, with black and amber accents. There is also an upstairs area.

I have been back a couple of times but only to meet friends for drinks and conversation, not to actually order a meal. My recommendation--go by for an adult beverage before or after a downtown event but do not go there hungry.

The Local
250 Cypress St, Abilene, TX 79601
325-232-6463
https://www.thelocalabi.com/

Rancho Pizzeria in Coleman--So worth a road trip!!!

The owners of the celebrated Rancho Loma in Valera have opened a contemporary pizzeria in downtown Coleman called Rancho Pizzeria. As Rancho Loma is one of my all time favorite dining experiences, you know I had to make the 100 mile round trip to try some of their pizza.

Exterior--no outside signage at the moment

The decor is industrial chic with some West Texas nostalgia mixed in. Inside there are about 8 high backed booths, 3-4 tables for two, a large group seating area at the front and a private dining room in the back. All this to say, it isn't all that large of a restaurant. Peak times may mean a wait, especially as word spreads about them. A bar with some additional seating runs along one sided adjacent to the chef station and brick oven. Service was friendly, prompt and professional.

Art above the bar

We ordered the olive tapenade with goat cheese ($7) as an appetizer. It was served with toasted bread. Loved it!!! My favorite item of the night. I believe that Chef Trueblood, that owned the now shuttered Bonterra Blu in Clyde, where I adored the olive tapenade on his salads is part of the Rancho Pizzeria team...pretty sure it was him making the pizza when we were there. Yes, you can see them preparing the food which is fun. One of the owners was also around chatting with customers.

Olive tapenade with goat cheese

I also got a small Cesare salad and my husband ordered a small house salad. Both were very good made with super fresh, high quality ingredients.  The Gorgonzola cheese on the house salad was gorgeous and plentiful. The dressing on my salad was super flavorful, if a bit heavy on the capers. The romaine was crisp. Both a bargain at $5 and $4 each. Larger entree sized salads are also available.

Caesar salad

The 12" pizzas are wood fired in a brick oven and are big enough for two to share, particularly if you have an entree and a salad as we did but we tried two of them anyway.  My husband got the carne pizza with  crushed tomatoes, prosciutto, Italian sausage, pepperoni, fontina cheese, and Calabrian chiles ($18).  It was the highest priced on the menu. It also had fresh shaved Parmesan on top.  I had the fungi ($14) pizza that was topped with roasted shiitake mushrooms, bechamel sauce, fontina cheese, roasted garlic, and white truffle oil.

Carne pizza

The crust on my husband's pizza was crisp yet tender and the taste of the meats really popped with the addition of the peppers. It was simply delicious. The mushroom pizza had an expected earthy flavor, with the shiitake and tuffle oil, and the unexpected arugula. The garlic was subtle. However, the crust was just a little underdone. You need to really, really like mushrooms if you order this pizza. I like mushrooms but shiitakes are not my favorite. The surprise arugula topping was too bitter for me and, admittedly, I missed the tomato sauce. Maybe if the roasted garlic had been more pronounced I wouldn't have missed it as much. The menu also includes a classic Margherita (tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil) on the menu as well as the pepperoni, sausage, and arugula with prosciutto. Next time, I'm getting the Greek salad, a pepperoni pizza and my husband is hankering for the meatball appetizer.  There will DEFINITELY be a return trip!

Fungi pizza

The meal was certainly worth the drive from Abilene and if you are passing through Coleman on a Wednesday-Sunday during their open hours, you should eat there. You won't regret it. We had leftovers for the next day.

Please note that substitutions are not allowed on the pizzas and there is no "create your own" option. However, at times there are specials for the lunch or dinner service such as lasagna or steak if pizza is not your favorite. Check their Facebook page for current offerings. Reservations are not accepted, unless booking the private dining room.

There is a small but thoughtful beer and wine selection available and occasional live music. The do takeout if not slammed with dine-in patrons.

 Hours--

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: 11am–2pm, 5pm–9pm
• Thursday: 11am–2pm, 5pm–9pm
• Friday: 11am–2pm, 5pm–10pm
• Saturday: 11am–10pm
• Sunday: 11am–3pm

If you are traveling on 84 between Abilene and Brownwood, you will need to make a detour to get to Commercial which is right off 153 and 206.

414 S. Commercial
Coleman, TX 76834
(325) 726-9307
ranchopizzeria.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rancho.pizzeria/timeline

CLOSED Abi-Haus: A Little Bit of Austin in Abilene

Abi-Haus, Long Live Abilene

Abi-Haus is a new bistro in downtown Abilene located on N. 2nd east of Pine St. My friends and I decided to go there for a Christmas dinner. Firstly, I appreciate that they celebrate Abilene, the decor and advertising show it. Secondly, be prepared...the restaurant is tiny. It only has ten 4-top tables inside and four seats at the bar. There are also five two-person tables outside on the sidewalk. The decor is fun and kind of "warehouse" hipster albeit a very small warehouse. Abi-Haus proved extremely popular last Friday night. In fact, they had a problem with their reservation process and were severely overbooked so we didn't get seated for our 7:30pm reservation until 8:45pm. By the way, they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more. There were several apologies from the staff and one of the owners, Ryan. He comped us a couple of appetizers for our trouble. We spent our time waiting in a pub across the street. There is no where at Abi-Haus to wait for a table except the sidewalk.

The menu is eclectic but not extensive. They have some items, such as lamb that I haven't seen anywhere else in town. Every night there are rotating fish and rotating duck entrees. There are different menus available for brunch (Sat & Sun only), lunch and dinner. 

For apps we got the Farmer's plate which had grapes, strawberries, a few slices of sourdough, and a small amount of brie and goat cheese with some truffled honey. Everything was tasty but it is better to order this plate for two since the portion size is small. Menu price was $5. We also got shrimp and cheese grits. Menu price was $11. Loved the grits which were flavored with cheese and bacon and had grape tomatoes but the shrimp was underwhelming since they didn't have a lot of flavor. One of my friends also ordered some fry bread ($5). It was good but overpriced. I think it would be better served with the truffled honey instead of ranch dressing and mustard.

Fry bread served with grainy mustard and ranch

We had some questions about the menu and the server did her best to answer them. I imagine that the kitchen was backed up from the overbooked evening but it took about 45 minutes to get our food. We had burgers, steak and duck. The duck was served with a chocolate demi-glaze and it got a thumbs up from my friend. She had fries on the side. Everyone had the fries or "frites" as they call them and they were scrumptious.

Duck in chocolate demi-glaze

The next dish was a bistro steak in a sauce with onion confit. The steak was supposed to be medium-rare but came out medium-well. The flavor came mainly from the bordelais sauce.

Bistro steak

The rest of us ordered either the $5 Cheap and Cheesy burger or the $8 Abi-Burger. I had gorgonzola cheese with grainy mustard on my burger along with homemade pickles, lettuce and tomato. Mine was cooked just right and the price was super reasonable. The Abi-Burger is larger and comes in a vegetarian and Kobe beef version for an up charge. I was very pleased with my burger and there were several topping options.

Cheap and Cheesy Burger--Only $5!

There are some add-ons such as Abi-Mac and Cheese for $4. It had a nice flavor and I could tell the cheese was quality but it was a little bit on the dry side. Probably had been made earlier in the day.

Abi Mac and Cheese

There is a 20% gratuity added for six or more people.  Service was good though not speedy due to the crush of people. The servers need a little more training in regard to the menu. The bar manager also stopped by at the end of our meal and had a conversation with a couple of my friends about wine. Abi-Haus personnel were doing their best and I'm sure the problems with reservations and timing will improve. It always takes some time to work out the kinks. Next time I'm going for brunch...chicken and waffle. Brunch also has gluten-free and vegan entree options.

Another couple of new things for Abilene diners is that they take your card at the table and swipe it right there with an iPhone with 15%, 20% or no tip options and the water bottle on the table with tap water in it so that the servers don't have to bring out glasses of water. I think Abi-Haus is a fresh and needed addition to the Abilene dining scene.

Abi-Haus
(325) 672-7452
959 N.2nd St.   |   Abilene, TX 79601
hello@good-haus.com