Have you tried this?

A salad to Relish: This peachy perfection triumphs as a summertime favorite

This is a true story that no one who knows me will believe. Once upon a time last week, I had a lunch getaway planned to River Oaks to eat the best salad to ever touch my lips: The Texas peach salad at Relish.

It was my first planned trip since peaches came back into season, and I spent the morning daydreaming about it in anticipation: The soft, sweet peach slices next to the slightly salty, paper-thin strips of prosciutto, the goat cheese brightening up a bed of lettuce and baby spinach, the sweet crunch of the candied pecans, and the mild but permeating flavor of the peach champagne vinaigrette that has just a hint of cinnamon, making the entire salad taste like a dessert.

This marks the first time in my life that I have ever been disappointed by the prospect of trading in a salad for a sirloin.

Just before I headed out the door, another friend called to remind me of our previously scheduled lunch at a steakhouse. This marks the first time in my life that I have ever been disappointed by the prospect of trading in a salad for a sirloin.

The salad at Relish is just that good. I've tried similar concoctions at Haven and Brennan's, but Relish's version is bigger and less expensive than either of those, plus there seems to be more of the goodies (that's the non-rabbit ingredients) to go around on every bite. It's actually somewhat of an issue; I'm constantly trying to create the perfect bit with a little bit of everything and end of shoving about two pounds of salad in my mouth at a time. It's not exactly cute but I'm OK with that.

Lest I paint a picture of perfection, you do have to get your food to go or eat it on some rather uncomfortable bar chairs next to a slim stainless steel counter. But that's a small price to pay, especially if you pair the salad with a freakishly refreshing blood orange limeade.

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cheers to that

Texas bourbon named one of 2024's top 10 whiskies

Still Austin Whiskey Co. Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey

Still Austin Whiskey Co./Facebook

Now if only we could snag a bottle...as a Christmas gift, of course.

Three cheers for Still Austin Whiskey Co.! The distillery's Bottled in Bond Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey was recognized as one of Whisky Advocate'sTop 20 Most Exciting Whiskies of 2024.

Every year, Whisky Advocate's expert panelists rank hundreds of whiskies based on their quality, availability, value for the price, and "X-factor," meaning an excitement-inducing component like a unique flavor or an innovative idea. An international panel also reviews contenders through several blind taste tests without knowing each whisky's producer, origin, age, or price.

The magazine ranked Still Austin's five-year Red Corn Bourbon No. 7 on the list with a prestigious score of 94 points. The Red Corn whiskey, which was released in June 2024, has mash bill consisting of 36 percent Jimmy Red corn, 34 percent white corn, 25 percent rye, and 5 percent barley.

According to panelist Shane English, tasting notes start big and bold with cracked pepper, dusty leather, and cocktail cherries, before moving on to a palate of chile pepper, caramel, and buttery cornbread.

"Each sip is electric — the pepper gives this whiskey a zing balanced by poundcake and glazed doughnuts," English said. "Charred oak fades to chocolate, coffee, and pecan pie on the finish."

Still Austin had the only Texas product on the list, which was fitting given the brand's recent boasting that it could match any Kentucky Bourbon. As a game day stunt when the Texas Longhorns played the Kentucky Wildcats in November, Still Austin refilled empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles with its own Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1.

When the brand isn't playfully antagonizing Kentucky fans, its Red Corn Bourbon sells for a retail price of $85 per 750-milliliter bottle, falling nearly in the middle of the price category out of all 20 bourbons on the list, with eight others priced for less.

For additional context, none of the top five bourbons fall under a $100 price tag. In fact, the most expensive bottle on the 2024 list is the Angel's Envy 2023 Cask Strength Port Wine Barrel Finished Bourbon, which ranked No. 12 and retails for $230 per bottle.

"Our top 20 whiskies represent a curated collection that deserves your attention. Each whisky on the list stands out for its superb taste, representing the pinnacle of a year filled with remarkable tastings," said executive editor David Fleming in a release. "This list features whiskies offering exceptional value, leaders in their respective styles, and superbly made expressions that are well worth seeking out."

Whiskey Advocate's 2024 Whiskey of the Year is Laphroaig Elements 2.0 Cask Strength Scotch Single Malt, which earned 95 points and retails for $165 a bottle.

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