downtown - 4/8 - The Austinot

Parallelogramophonograph Gives a Mouthful of Improv to Austin

February 22, 2017 by Susan Meyer Leave a Comment

The cast of Parallelogramophonograph, L-R: Roy Janik, Valerie Ward, Kaci Beeler, Kareem Badr
(Credit: Steve Rogers)

Not all improv groups are created equal. I’m a fan of improv theater in general, but I have to admit, I’ve been to some painful shows in the past. When done badly, improv theater can be downright uncomfortable to witness. But when a troupe has chemistry, energy and talent, and everything falls into place just right, you’re in for an incredible live theater experience. Austin local quartet Parallelogramophonograph (PGraph, for short) is improv done well. Very well. [Read more…]

Beer Lovers Seek Mort Subite for Sip of Belgium in Downtown Austin

January 16, 2017 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Welcome to Mort Subite, downtown Austin’s newest Belgian beer bar (credit: Bill Tucker)

With all due respect to local stouts, sours and IPA’s, I feel Belgium makes the best beer in the world. And while we have breweries dedicated to brewing in the Belgian style, it can be hard to find the real thing. Enter Mort Subite, a bar that not only specializes in beer from the land of waffles and chocolate, recreates the warmth and friendliness of a traditional Belgian pub. [Read more…]

Multi-Regional Italian Cuisine Hits Downtown Austin at Red Ash Italia

December 2, 2016 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Peering into the kitchen at Red Ash Italia in downtown Austin (Credit: Susannah Haddad)

Tex-Mex and steakhouses may be the Texas standard, but when it comes to Austin’s growing culinary scene there are many cuisines challenging that tradition. Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines across America, yet in Austin we lack authentic options.

Only in the last five to ten years have we seen an increase in authentic Italian pizza locally, but Italian food is much more than just pizza. Finally, Red Ash Italia offers dishes that highlight both northern and southern Italian styles of cooking. Here’s what awaits you when you visit Austin’s Red Ash Italia. [Read more…]

Locally Owned Vince Young Steakhouse Excels Beyond Red Meat

August 5, 2016 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Vince Young Steakhouse on San Jacinto Boulevard at 3rd Street

If you’ve wandered around downtown near the Austin Convention Center during SXSW, then you’ve walked right past Vince Young Steakhouse. Longhorn football fans no doubt recognize the restaurant’s namesake, but even they wouldn’t know this is a family-run, locally owned and operated business founded in 2010. Husband and wife Phillip (Executive Chef) and Laura Brown named their establishment after friend and ex-University of Texas football heavy-hitter, Vince Young, whom Laura’s father mentored at UT.

You can find a cheaper steak in Austin, but you’ll have a hard time finding a better one. If you manage to take a breath and put your fork down to look around, you may be most surprised by the atmosphere. While the decor is upscale and the staff members excel at customer service, ’60s and ’70s tunes play across the speakers and festive groups feel no pressure to talk in hushed tones.

The Vince Young Steakhouse summer menu reveals there is more to this place than steak. When I was invited to see for myself, I couldn’t [Read more…]

The Townsend Introduces Gourmet Bar Bites to Complement Cocktails

June 29, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

A mix of early century charm and modern cocktails await you at The Townsend
(Credit: Andrew Bennett Photography)

When we last left The Townsend bar, we raved about their speakeasy ambiance and clever cocktail list.

Almost one year later, this vintage-inspired lounge has added gourmet, yet accessible, bar bites to their repertoire. The Townsend is now one of the premier spots on Congress Avenue to eat, drink and get your Jimmy Stewart/Barbara Stanwyck on. [Read more…]

Revival Public House Blends Pub and Southern Comfort Downtown

June 16, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Bacon Wrapped Dates At Revival Public House

The bacon-wrapped dates are a must-try dish at Revival Public House (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Editor’s Note: Revival House has closed.

The corner of 2nd and Trinity can be a challenging one for new Austin businesses. When companies and trade shows invade the Austin Convention Center, profits soar. When they leave, it’s a different story. Located too far for the South Congress lunch crowd, and inconvenient for the Rainey/6th Street scene, blossoming restaurants have had a tough time maintaining a regular clientele.

Revival Public House hopes to change all that. Through an Austin-centric menu, décor and vibe, this new eatery offers up Southern comfort food with an ATX twist. The result is a delicious addition to the local foodie scene that’s well worth traveling the extra couple of blocks. [Read more…]

Free 2ND Street Soundcheck to Showcase Local Artists in Downtown Austin

June 13, 2016 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

On June 18, the 2ND Street District will fill with live music and vendors during free 2ND Street Soundcheck festival (Credit: 2ND Street District)

Guest article by Alicia Santiago

An Austin summer is filled to the brim with free movie screenings, swimming holes, brewery tours and live music. The summer live music scene feels different than it does the rest of the year. Attribute it to the Texas sun or UT students’ summer vacation, but summer in Austin feels like a time for locals to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World.

You’ve heard about Blues on the Green and Unplugged at the Grove, but the 2ND Street Soundcheck festival takes the cake for summer music festivals. This free family event offers live music, shopping, in-store performances and outdoor fun, all while supporting the local artistic community. [Read more…]

Creative Ways to Explore the Texas State Capitol in Austin

June 9, 2016 by Kristin Leigh Leave a Comment

Texas State Capitol Building at sunset (Credit: saneimpala)

Anyone who has been in central Austin has gazed at the architectural jewel in the heart of our city, the Texas State Capitol Building. Poised atop 22 acres of tree-filled land and elegantly framed by downtown buildings, this historic structure has been expertly maintained and curated by Texans since 1888 and is a lovely place to enjoy a day of learning, strolling and feeling the Lone Star love. [Read more…]

BaseCamp Aims to Elevate Austin Sports Bar Concept

May 30, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Live it up with drinks, eats and sports at Basecamp (Credit: Cultivate PR)

Sports bars can be overwhelming. Bar tops bathed in the harsh light of tightly packed TVs and beer sign neon. Average food options like bland wings, onion rings and the dreaded over-cooked nacho plate. Liquor ads serve as wallpaper, designed to distract you from the real mission: rooting on your favorite team. Sports bars don’t have to be “pinkies up,” but they don’t have to be blaring noise machines either.

With a cut above menu of comfort bar food, inspired cocktails and a modern yet welcoming ambiance, BaseCamp hopes to elevate Austin’s expectations of what a sports bar should be. [Read more…]

Mean Eyed Cat Brings Spirit of Johnny Cash to West 5th Street

February 4, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Warm and welcoming with a dive bar edge: welcome to Mean Eyed Cat! (Credit: Mean Eyed Cat)

For 90% of the world, there’s only one Man in Black. Forget the Will Smith movies; ignore the X-Files. Johnny Cash, one of country music’s original rebels, is the only one who matters.

While you can trek to Nashville to pay homage, there’s a joint right here in Austin that honors the legend through its décor, drinks and demeanor. With more than just a novelty name for a dive bar, Mean Eyed Cat Bar hides quality cocktails, great food and exceptional service behind its roughneck exterior. The result is your new favorite local hangout. [Read more…]

Latest Tweets

Welcome to The Austinot

Recent Posts