Come midday, take a break and fill your belly at these local hot spots boasting global fare on the ground in North Austin:
• Balkan Café and Grill (11800 N. Lamar Blvd.) evokes Europe with traditional bites like hummus and ć evapi (grilled beef sausages), šopska salata and lepiñja bread.
• The French Quarter Grille (13000 N. Interstate Highway 35) boasts all things Cajun, including fried green tomatoes, red beans and rice, étouffée and po’ boys. Plus, plenty of crawfish.
• Vietnamese specials – like Ga Ngu Vi (five-spice chicken) and Hu Xao Xa Ot (lemongrass tofu) – are blooming at Sunflower Restaurant (6001 W. Parmer Lane).