Stylish Dining, No Pretentiousness at The League Kitchen & Tavern

Not everyone has the luxury of dining downtown, which is why The League Kitchen & Tavern has three locations. All of them have 2nd Street District vibes, but without the hassle.

I recently made the short drive to The League’s newest location in Dripping Springs‘ Belterra Village. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the food, atmosphere, and plethora of parking. You will be, too.

Thank you to The League Kitchen & Tavern in Dripping Springs for allowing me to sample food and drinks at no charge. All opinions are my own.

The League Kitchen & Tavern Story

Neon lights paired with eggshell blue upholstery, and black and white hexagonal tile, gives The League a 1920s Prohibition feel. “We try to bring elegance to the aesthetic and the table,” the general manager told me. “At the same time, there’s something for everybody. It’s a downtown feel without any pretentiousness.”

The League’s Dripping Springs location is the third to open in the greater Austin area. It’s also the fifth restaurant for co-owners Tony Ciola and Creed Ford, of Tc4 & Co.

The concept for The League is simple: provide a sophisticated yet homey place where guests can indulge their senses. As Ciola and Creed put it, “The League is not just a restaurant; it is a lifestyle.”

What to Expect From the Menu

I was lucky to get to sit down with Chef Sisto between orders. We chatted about what he’s got cooking. “American comfort food,” is how he described the restaurant’s menu, adding, “The concept is to give people the best quality product at the best price, and make it feel special.”

In addition to a full menu of appetizers and main dishes, Chef Sisto creates two specials every week. He tries to make them unique, depending on seasonal ingredients available. The League sources its ribs, ribeyes, and ground beef from a family-owned company in Texas.

Here’s a rundown of some of the items I enjoyed while dining at The League.

Hudson Bend Pretzels and Beer Cheese

Chunks of bread with “skinny arms” and “fat bellies” are handcrafted and baked fresh by Lisa Glover, local Austinite and graduate of Le Cordon Blue’s Patisserie and Baking Program. The League serves its Hudson Bend pretzels with beer cheese and ground mustard, which makes for a seriously satisfying treat.

Fried Pickles

You’ve never had fried pickles until you’ve had The League’s version. They’re a crazy hybrid of regular fried pickles and Buffalo wings. The combination entails breaded and fried horseradish pickle chips, wing sauce, and blue cheese crumbles.

This unusual take on a tried-and-true appetizer is salty, savory, and semi-sweet. And it will definitely leave you craving more.

Veggie Burger

Black beans and sweet corn combine to create a notable veggie burger patty that, despite delicate appearances, didn’t crumble after handling. Slices of avocado and dollops of BBQ sauce kicked things up a notch, while a side of truffle fries completed this hearty but not overly heavy meal.

The League’s Beverage Program

The League Kitchen & Tavern offers an extensive list of drinks. You’ll find modern and vintage cocktails, including several versions of the Moscow Mule, as well as beer and wine. Here’s what I tried.

Jamaican Mule

I’ve heard of mules hailing from Moscow, Kentucky, and Mexico. Now there’s a Jamaican version of the popular adult beverage, available for your drinking pleasure. A splash of rum, lime juice, muddled strawberries, and basil mixes with ginger beer to give drinkers all the irie vibes.

Wine

I chased my Jamaican Mule with a glass of Decoy Cabernet Savaugnion from Napa Valley. This particular wine was full-bodied with pleasant notes of blackberry and currant.

Wine by the glass is $2 off during happy hour, which runs from 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Confectionary Menu

While you may be tempted to devour everything on the menu, don’t forget to save room for dessert!

G-Ma’s Old Fashioned Dump Cake

This WWI-era cake has a funny name for being such a sweet dessert. The rich, chocolate brownie-like cake comes dressed with toffee chips, pecans, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s happiness on a plate.

Look to The League

Escape the worries of Austin’s downtown hustle and bustle, and find a little comfort. In addition to the new location in Dripping Springs, you can find The League Kitchen & Tavern in Lakeway and Avery Ranch.

Multiple Locations – Website

 

@dollarsaenz wants to know:

Have you been to The League Kitchen & Tavern yet?