Restaurant Review: Walton's Fancy and Staple!

Walton's Fancy and Staple is kind of a hard review for me.  Even though I love this little spot, I can't exactly give it a recommendation as having a great gluten-free menu, or even a decent gluten-free menu.

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Walton's is a french bistro style deli/bakery/cafe/floral shop so in addition to various coffees they mainly feature gluten-full breads, pastries and sandwiches.

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However they do have a few gluten-free desserts on their menu, namely a flourless chocolate heart, a delectable mousse which comes either in a chocolate cup (seen below) or a "tower" with a base made from the same batter as the flourless chocolate heart and occasionally assorted flavors of macarons when available (which is rare.)
To be sure, ask any of the helpful and friendly employees to point out exactly which desserts are gluten-free.  All the desserts are on shelves behind the same glass counter so as with any case, proceed with caution at your own risk.

So while I can't recommend Walton's as being very gluten-free friendly, I can say that they are at least gluten-free conscious and have a few options for whenever you're in a fancy-coffee-and-dessert-from-a-fancy-bistro type of mood.

At least for me that's usually the only time I'm willing to go to Walton's and come face to face with the pastry temptation.
Really though, with one bite of mousse and sip of your latte and you'll forget gluten.

In fact, Walton's is such a charming little spot, you'll find that it wins you over inspite of their gluten-free lacking menu.  It is after all a cafe/flower shop!  Their vintage style decor reminds you of a french cafe -- not that I've ever been to a french cafe but if like me you've never been to one, it's probably what you imagine a french cafe looks like.  Two long narrow atriums, a refrigerated glass counter, wooden slat folding tables and chairs and of course, fresh flowers at every table.
All in all, not the friendliest place for gluten intolerants but a thoroughly enchanting place to stop for a sip of coffee and perhaps satisfy a sweet tooth.

Walton's Fancy and Staple:
Website
Menu
Location:
609 W 6th Street
Austin, Tx 78701
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Subsequent visits to Walton's have resulted in a consistently enjoyable experience.
I have since taken my mom to share a chocolate mousse and she ended up falling in love with the place, just like I did.
On my most recent visit I went with my sister and my aunt who are both gluten-free also.  My sister was hungry for something more substantial than just coffee and dessert so she ordered a creamy chicken salad.  It was very good and I dare to say it's even a little on the rich side that makes you want to gobble it up and forget about calories.

I got my usual latte but this time for dessert I had to get the heart cake since they ran out of chocolate mousse (rightly so, they are heavenly!)  They usually have either mousse cups our mousse towers but this time both were out!  But all ended up well.

The batter for the heart cake is also used as the bottom of the mousse tower but I had never actually had the heart cake by itself.  It turns out it's pretty good!  Of course while I prefer my dessert creamier (and richer, hello thighs) the heart cake was a good counterpoint to my usual.  It is dense enough that it doesn't get soaked by the coffee but airy enough to eat with a fork.  It has more cocoa flavor rather than  a chocolaty flavor, so I'd describe it as being finer and lighter than a brownie.

Not as sweet as the mousse cup but sweet enough to where a creamy, unsweetened latte is the perfect complement.
Everyone that I've taken to my best kept secret haunt has fallen in love with this place and it's not surprise.  Here's a peek at the shabby chic interior, which always makes me feel like I am in a far away hidden European cafe.