When Laura and I arrived in Austin on July 23rd the first thing I did was apply to every job on Craigslist which I was qualified for. That meant an odd gauntlet from restaurants to tech support and a few random jobs in between. The first week alone I had to have had 10 interviews, I went in to Frank on Colorado Ave, I interviewed for a cafeteria position at a private school, 34th St Cafe, a place called 1st Shred, Longhorn Village, and multiple others that just blended in to each other.
I was offered positions at Frank and 34th St Cafe on the same day. I ended up taking 34th St, going in for one day of training and leaving due to the mismanagement and a gross kitchen environment, not to mention the fact that they offered me one pay rate during the interview then lowered the offer the day I came in to start. I was confident that if I was offered two jobs in my first week of interviewing that it wouldn't be hard for me to garner further offers as long as I didn't limit my options by getting stuck in a job that wasn't right for me.
In early August I went in to an interview at The Steeping Room, a small tea house that offers lunch and snacks that pair well with their massive selection of teas. They offered me a job which would start on August 8th, but that didn't stop me from scheduling multiple interviews for August 7th. I am always looking to advance myself and gain not just any employment, but the best possible employment. My interview on the 7th went great but they had a hiring process that went on for over a month so I went in to work on the 8th at The Steeping Room ready to learn.
What I learned there will never leave me, their selection of off the beaten track Asian influenced cuisine astonished me. One of the options I was responsible for making at my station was the Napa Rolls which were rice wraps filled with chicken or tofu. napa, carrots, cilantro, basil, mint, and scallions with a splash of rice vinegar served with Sriracha and "home made" peanut sauce. I had the opportunity to try one and it was absolutely an amazing change of pace from crispy deep fried spring rolls that most places serve, it is hand rolled and completely health conscience.
The sandwich that made me a true believer though was the Roast Beef Chili Lime... ::drool::
The first time I was honored to have it was after a shift during my orientation with one of the owners. I spent almost a half hour savoring every bite as I filled out paper work and went over the rules and regulations. Natural roast beef, feta spread, arugula, sauteéd chili lime tomatoes and caramelized onions made this sandwich something I had never tried before at any of the dozens of deli's and restaurants I have found myself in over the years.
Each and every morning shift I worked I also had the pleasure of scarfing down their version of an egg sandwich in between tickets. Which for $3.95 comes with scrambled eggs topped with white Vermont cheddar and a your choice of spicy or regular on wheat or white bread. I always went with spicy and added bacon to it. The bacon they serve has nearly no fat and is thick and wonderful to consume to the taste buds if not the arteries.
Finally in my last week of employment with them I went ahead and gave the Turkey BLT a try, twice! Not your run of the mill BLT, the natural Turkey and basil mayo really add something to what has to be the most bland sandwich on the menu. But by bland I definitely don't mean bad in any way. With selections that tempt and stretch the taste buds in so many different directions this sandwich is the option for those who are normally afraid to try new things. It is the foot in the door to moving on to a much more diverse and eclectic way of eating.
After working for The Steeping Room for 3 weeks I was offered the job at which I had interviewed on August 7th. A job that I truly deserve and have dreamed about for many years, which also gets me out of the kitchen. Sadly I have to pay for my lunches, but fortunately I can afford to now. I am more than pleased with the time I spent at The Steeping Room, not only because of the food but because of the great people I got to meet and the lengthy review I was able to write today. If you find yourself in The Domain any time soon, The Steeping Room is right next to a Starbucks and a few doors down from The Apple Store, definitely give it a try and let them know that Frank sent you.
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