Jobell Cafe & Bistro in Wimberley: Gold in the Hill Country
Jobell Cafe & Bistro
Austin has a number of really cool and interesting restaurants that are sometimes tucked away in more remote locations. Finding them is like striking culinary gold! Dining at them is a blissful experience that every foodie should enjoy.
Jobell Cafe & Bistro on Highway 12 in Wimberley is one such place. Established by transplanted New Yorker David Bober and his wife several years ago, this restaurant is a charming and innovative homage to locally sourced foods and chef-driven inspiration.
Our most recent tasting there was an exhilarating experience. We began with Chef Mike’s Baked Brie which absolutely sparkled with layers of flavor. The pastry dough surrounding the cheese was spot-on with regard to texture and the accompanying baguette and fruit compote paired very nicely.
Next up was a colorful platter of red and yellow peppers roasted and stuffed with lamb and venison sausage and topped with a drizzle of olive oil. The dish presents beautifully and lives up to its savory billing. We loved it!
The stuffed peppers at Jobell
The first entree we tried was a butter poached rock lobster tail atop a bed of creamy risotto. I usually prefer cold water lobsters but this tail was moist and full of flavor. The risotto was the perfect complement and for a smaller dish it was quite filling!
The butter poached lobster risotto at Jobell
The next entree was a stunning grilled pork chop that was exquisitely tender and came with a scalloped potato cheddar gratin and a peach chutney that enhanced the flavor profile. Great mouth feel on this dish and I would most certainly order it again.
The grilled pork chop at Jobell
The coconut curry shrimp was another show stopper. My wife is not a curry fan, but the flavors in this dish were so perfectly nuanced that it created an amazing flavor balance. The shrimp were succulent and served over a pilaf of farmers market ancient grains, feta and goji berries. This is another dish that you simply must try.
Phew! Tough duty but we rose to the occasion for the bacon wrapped venison meatloaf. This was wonderfully flavored, surprisingly tender and not the least bit gamey. What a creative dish and perfectly executed.
I could go on and I will after I’ve had a chance to sample some more dishes from this terrific restaurant. They do a separate lunch menu as well as a Sunday brunch. More to come!!
Jobell Cafe & Bistro
16920 Ranch Rd 12
Wimberley, TX 78676
(512) 847-5700
