Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s culinary scene, as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.
Yes, it’s your “Food News Buffet” for the final week of October here in the demon-haunted developments of our riverine city …
You, um, you did know that BBQ Ramen Tatsu-ya, the latest incarnation of the Aikawa Brothers’ growing (and acclaimed) (oh, rightfully acclaimed) empire of noodley goodness and more, you did know that it’s open now, right? Yes: They’ve stealthily debuted their new brisket-forward bastion of yum where Contigo used to be (2027 Anchor); and we’ve yet to try it at press time; but, given our past experience with Tatsu-ya endeavors (and that there’s an illustration of Tatsu Aikawa in the dictionary, next to “repeatedly knockin’ it outta the park”), we’re stoked, citizen, we’re so highly stoked …
That whole area that’s so conveniently close to the Chronicle offices, tell you what. Because what used to be Sala & Betty’s location down the road has been taken over by those good folks behind Austin’s former Russian House – it’s now ATX Grill RH, at 5201 Airport – and you can imagine how career journalists might react to a nearby place so brightly flowing with vodka …
But, no, you’re right: That’s just bad stereotyping of journos, isn’t it? Some of us, after all, prefer beer. How fortunate, then, that the second iteration of popular Lazarus Brewing Company is gearing up, is about to increase the already formidable drinking-and-eating presence along that popular corridor – at 4803 Airport …
Last week in this column, we wondered if a town can ever really have enough pizza. Now the distinct but collaborative individuals behind Salt & Time, Lenoir, Rosen’s Bagels, and Swedish Hill are insisting No, it can’t, by bringing “a nostalgic and family-friendly menu to South Austin” with their Dovetail Pizza, scheduled to open at 1816 S. First sometime in mid-November. Of course – as our recent, unrelated convo with chef Charles Zhou of Apt. 115 affirmed – the building-permits process in this city leaves much to be desired, so we’ll just keep our pizza-grabbing fingers crossed …
In more holiday-topical news, here’s Halloween – the nightmare before Election Day, if you will (and we can only hope that Election Day itself won’t turn out to be a total fucking nightmare) – here’s All Hallows Eve, with the tricking and the treating and the usual macabre shenanigans – and if you’re still getting supplies for your most badass party, we’re gonna point you in the direction of the Cupcake Bar. We had the pleasure of sampling their superlative confections at the recent opening of Hotel Granduca‘s new Laurel restaurant, and we know they’ve got a plethora of spooky treats sure to supercharge any decent soirée. Although, even with that emporium’s excellence well in stock, we’d still hit up The Salty (2000 S. Congress) to add a few of those Minty-Chip Monsters to our party spread. Because those are mini-brioches filled with whipped Oreo-and-mint cream, topped with a mint glaze and sprinkled with Oreo crumbles, is why. Yes, they’re scary good …
But if you’re not throwing a party of your own, you might wish to check out the spooky action at a not-too-far distance, via Wax Myrtle’s ‘House of Wax’ Halloween pop-up bar that boasts, among its eldritch decorations, a curated cocktail menu, tarot card readings every night, and a TV wall installation that’s playing old horror movies via VHS. That’s Thu.-Mon., Oct. 27-31, 8-11pm, within the elegance of the Thompson Downtown (506 San Jacinto) … also, the DoorDash ice cream truck will be parked outside the Northwest YMCA (5807 McNeil) on Sat., Oct. 29, 5:30-7:30pm, to give away ice cream and candy bars for free to everyone (and treat-filled pumpkin pails for the first 450 visitors) … and don’t forget to head over to Sawyer & Co.’s deliciously New Orleans-inflected diner at 4827 E. Cesar Chavez, where, if you show up in costume (Sun., Oct. 30, 3-9pm, or Mon., Oct. 31, 8am-3pm), they’re gonna give you a free root beer float …
Halloween and its collateral – even the glut of pumpkin spice everything – will come and go, though, and what will remain in our sports-crazed midst is tailgating, tailgating, tailgating. And, especially with National Sandwich Day coming up on Nov. 3, we can’t imagine a more convenient way to celebrate a gameday than with a tasty array of Antone’s Famous Po’Boys. (Got a cousin who swore, last year, that he was gonna propose marriage to one of those Antone’s roast beef po’boys – but, okay, the dude was 1) maybe a little drunk at the time and 2) an Aggie, so go figure.) Still, a couple of Antone’s chicken-and-swiss delights, a tuna po’boy or three, maybe a Piggy (stuffed with chopped ham, salami, pepper jack, and provolone with mayo, pickapeppa sauce, and dill pickle), accompany it all with some sweet & spicy pickles and that crowd-pleasing Chow Chow of theirs, and – yeah, that’s a tailgate treasure chest just waiting to be opened. And you know you can find ’em at H-E-B and all over town …
Let’s see – what else, what else? There’s a pop-up wine tasting from Kerrville Hills Winery and Rivenburgh Wine out in the country – at The Hill at Hye this Saturday … and this Sunday brings the 2022 Wine & Swine porkapalooza to Camp Mabry … and Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi of Nixta will be the collaborators at L’Oca d’Oro’s excellent Pasta Paisanos gig on Tuesday …
Also, next weekend, the Austin Food & Wine Festival will be giving our city its best annual gastrogasm … at around the same time the Texas Book Festival is boosting our bibliophilic brilliance … and, with so much festive excitement everywhere, you might want to relax near where the Austin FC has recently been handing all challengers their own asses: Over at the Domain, where the affable Lone Star Court (10901 Domain) will soon be hosting a series of Drunk Yoga classes …
WUXTRY! On Tuesday, Nov. 8, all Kerbey Lane Cafe locations will offer a free pancake, also known as Pancake Poll Perks, to anyone showing their “I Voted” sticker. Note: Those who participated in early voting (Oct.24-Nov. 4) are encouraged to keep their sticker to bring in on Election Day …
WUXTRY! That fine rooftop restaurant, Nido, atop newly debuted The Loren hotel on Riverside? Not only does the place offer a great city view while you’re enjoying the kitchen’s culinary treasures, but they’ve also permanently 86’d foie gras from the menu, having had a little enlightening heart-to-heart (or, perhaps, liver) with the folks from PETA …
Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and do something nice for your favorite neighbor.
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