The Quesoff Wants You, Garbo’s Grabs Another Brick-and-Mortar, Local Foods Debuts Downtown, Lazarus Revamps the Former Coldtowne Theatre, and Ooooh, That Bourbon Brawl: All the news that will thrill your taste buds
Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s food scene, pulled from numerous PR posts, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdropping.
Do you, cheese-loving citizen, want to participate in this year’s Quesoff at the Mohawk?
Yes it is The Austin Chronicle‘s”Culinary news buffetfor the last week of June, as compiled by your wacky food reporter anchored deep within the frenetically throbbing heartland of Texas.
Enter the Quesoff! The annual celebration of improving Austin’s favorite tortilla chips returns to queso until the Mohawk (912 Red River) on Saturday, October 8 – and your own variation of the classic dish could take home the top honors, as restaurants, top chefs, home cooks, neighbors, siblings compete in four categories: meaty, spicy, vegetarian and wild. (To note: Olamaie/Little Ola Cookies reigned supreme in last Champions League iteration of the year.) So, turophile, do you think you have what it takes to be a big cheese this year? That’s why we warn you in advance: [email protected] now to register (and include the category you wish to participate in)…
Ross Masonlongtime owner of Hyde Park Avenue B Grocery (4403 Avenue B), tells us that reports of his venue reopening have been greatly exaggerated. Due to COVID precautions and staffing issues, Mason is selling only certain pre-made sandwiches – Mon-Sat, 11.30am-1.30pm – although it accepts custom orders from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Also, some menu items are not always available. He can cut things to order, but you have you have to cut him a little slack, you know? Mason’s current work philosophy is to “get back to it slowly – everything over time. »
Garbo’s Fresh Maine Lobster is on a roll, with their second permanent location on the way
And you know the closed place of the Counter Cafe near Sixth and Lamar, right? Former home of great restaurant food and lots of loving abuse? Well, it won’t stay empty for long and its new incarnation will be a beacon of hospitality: Fresh Maine lobster from Garbo owner, Heidi Garbosecured the space and will open Garbo’s second brick-and-mortar location there this fall. But, while we all wait Garbo is on Lamar to open its permanent doors, the Garbo’s food trailer will be parked next door (626 N. Lamar) and open for service. Yes, you will be able to order a nice range of seafood to take away from this truck, Thu.-Sat., 11am-8pm, until the restaurant renovations are ready for restaurant service in September. September? Well, unless there is a blockage in the authorization process, we count; but damn it never is happening in Austin. *wink*
During this time, the tasty slivers of lobster sometimes served on pieces of beef at Dean’s Italian Steakhouse, this the lobster is almost irrelevant when you consider the quality of the rib eye and the fillets themselves. Because the cuts of meat from this new gastronomic emporium of 110 E. Second are already of such quality (even before you opt for their A5 Wagyu) that you will probably come across some kind of steak induced maxillofacial orgasm and will not have the means to think of anything else. Yet when you recuperate, sitting there in the well-appointed dinner palace that open June 16 within the JW Marriott downtown complex, you can rest assured that the other menu items (those oysters Rockefellerfor example), and the bar program (which smoked manhattanomg!), and the attentive service, and all the chic, polished shebang to a welcoming glow, all of which will make you think, “Yeah, I must be doing something right, to be able to dine at a place like this.
Speaking of exceptional food and beverage experiences, when Squire magazine talks about such things, they name the Austin one Tiki Tatsu-ya as one of America’s Best Bars in 2022. We have names the place the same since it opened, of course, and by all reports (thanks, L. Barthelemy), Tatsu Aikawathe islander’s paradise (1300 S. Lamar) still remains stellar, and the visiting ghost of Don the Beachcomber is a very happy ghost indeed…
Local foods finally opens (the Saturday June 25) in the Second Street District, as a two-story building, Michael Hsu-designed emporium. The restaurant, dedicated to supporting local farmers, ranchers, fishmongers, artisans and vendors in Texas, will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with expanded brunch hours on upcoming weekends. It’s at 454 W. Secondto be precise, and note: menu highlights include the Crispy Chicken Sandwich made with oven-roasted chicken breast, walnut seed crumble, crushed chips, tomatoes, house pickles, romaine lettuce, provolone and buttermilk ranch, piled on a Slow Dough pretzel bun; the Seasonal harvest salad, currently featuring leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, sugar snap peas, Pure Luck goat cheese, roasted corn, watermelon radish, sunflower seeds, Texas watermelon, and fresh herb dressing; and – yeah, you get the idea…
And oh! Naomi Seifterit is Picnicthis concentrate of healthy meals all day long, has opened a third location – at 1600 S. First. The new 3,500 square foot restaurant with its colorful, airy interiors and extensive seasonal menu also features a full-service bar and lounge where you know the cocktails will be delicious and creative. Please note that during these first two weeks, the restaurant will only offer dinner – Sunday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. – but, after July 5their café-bar, their lunches and their weekend brunches will also make the tasty vittles vibrate…
and chief Mashama Bailey (who just won the Outstanding Chef award at the 2022 James Beard Awards) and his Gray spaces the team is launches its own weekend brunch at Dinner bar in the beautiful city center Thomson Hotel (506 San Jacinto) – Saturday & Sunday, 10am-2pm – featuring Bailey’s signature style from Port City South Fare with dishes like cookies and gravy, French toast with thick Pullman bread, a truly glorious croque madame, and more…and, leveraging old corporate synergy, wax myrtle on the Fourth thompson floor, they are laying down to start a new summer card and turn Wednesday nights into a series of melodious parties with live DJs…
Let’s see, what else? Have you noticed how Brasserie Lazare getting ready to open the second iteration of their excellent beer selling businessjust at airport 4803, where I Luv Video and ColdTowne Theater were? And did you see how our editor Melanie Haupt was thrilled with this JewBoy Sub Shop (little brother of Mo Pittleit is jewish burgers) sometime ago ? Also: Banger’s is hosting its own Renaissance Festival this weekend, and Crown & Anchor’s is celebrating its 35th anniversary, and Still Austin is partying for Pride in the Yard, and these Supper Friends are already doing their fine dining paired with wine again once, and the Garrison Brothers’ annual Bourbon Brawl takes off its gloves at Fair Market on the last day of June…
Now eat as good as you can, tip like it’s old fashioned, and – because you have better things to do – do not engage with idiots.
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