austin restaurant reviews Archives - Downtown Austin Blog

amber gugino | February 20, 2015 | Leave a Comment

Rainey Street District Welcomes Salvation Pizza… and More

The Rainey Street District continues to evolve, most recently with the opening of Salvation Pizza at the base the Skyhouse Apartments, and across from Milago condos. And another pizza is apparently underway just down the block at 78 Rainey.

When Skyhouse apartments opened last year, their first retail tenant was the enormously popular Royal Blue Grocery. For months a TABC permit application donned the window and residents wondered when Salvation Pizza would finally open.

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Jude and I stopped in the other day and enjoyed a white pizza and it was very, very [Read more…]

Filed Under: austin apartments, austin restaurant reviews, Rainey Street District

amber gugino | June 25, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Where to Watch the World Cup – Downtown Austin Sports Bars

I’m not real into soccer. Matter of fact, first soccer game I ever watched was Sunday’s World Cup Match between the USA and Portugal. What an exciting game, though! I literally stood up and cheered when the US made that second goal, and then I moaned and beseeched the soccer gods when Portugal scored to tie.

It was enough to get me excited about the upcoming match against zee Germans, happening this Thursday at 11am (tomorrow!). But, where to watch this epic game in downtown Austin? I have a couple of suggestions.

1. Liberty Tavern, in the Hilton Downtown: 500 E 4th

photo by Diana Nogueira

Remodeled in 2012, with 11 big screens, and an airy and spacious atmosphere. Great local beers, and ample breakfast / lunch food. Extremely convenient for those living in the 5 Fifty-Five Condos or Sabine Condos in downtown Austin.

For the World Cup, they’ve also added a 16’x9′ Jumbo HD screen!

photo by Diana Nogueira

And drink specials galore, including $2 Lonestars!

2. Takoba (downtown adjacent), 1411 E. 7th

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112″ indoor projector screen
75″ TV outside
covered outdoor seating / misters
$15 buckets a beer

Need I say more?

3. The Mohawk, 912 Red River

Mohawk Exterior

Inside big screen with surround sound

Second TV in Bar Area

Green Room Upstairs

The Mohawk has multiple screens, including an indoor screen with surround sound, along with beers and bubbles, and noshes by Frank. Nice dark and cool atmosphere for the big screen area, too!

Don’t like any of my suggestions? Check out a more comprehensive list from Austin Culture Map, which includes my top three, plus other downtown venues like Russian House, Holy Mountain, Fado, and Bar 96, plus places in other parts of the city.

Filed Under: around town, austin bars, austin lifestyle, austin restaurant reviews, downtown austin, life in austin

amber gugino | April 22, 2014 | 1 Comment

Cuban Restaurant in Downtown Austin – Pleasant Storage Room

As far as I know, there aren’t currently any Cuban restaurant concepts in downtown Austin proper. Well, there WASN’T before this week, anyway. There’s a new one popping up in the warehouse district, where the now defunct Stack Burger Bar used to be (one of the restaurant concepts owned by the now infamous Yassine Enterprises).

Let me introduce you to Pleasant Storage Room, officially opening TODAY: [Read more…]

Filed Under: around town, austin bars, austin lofts, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, downtown austin, life, life in austin, small business, Warehouse District

amber gugino | February 20, 2014 | Leave a Comment

Girls Night Out in Downtown Austin – Eat at Chavez

I never thought I’d say this, but if you want to check out a really cool new restaurant, you should hit up The Radisson at Congress and Cesar Chavez.

No kidding.

The Radisson is now the home of the simply hip and delicious new restaurant, Chavez, owned by Parkside’s (and Backspace’s) own Shawn Cirkiel.

amber gugino | December 29, 2013 | 2 Comments

Girls Night Out – Things to Do in Downtown Austin

Me and some of my lady friends enjoying culture at The Contemporary.

Note: This evening’s itinerary also works for date night!

I like to do a group outing with girlfriends once every week or two, but sometimes we get into a rut – where we are doing the same things, going to the same places, etc. So, for 2014, I’ve made a commitment to try and mix things up a little (nothing too crazy) and try to do something a little different each time we get together. Last night was our first night since the holiday madness, and me and gals decided to hit up the northern edge of Congress near the Capitol – frankly, a seeming no man’s land in the evenings.

Me and some of my lady friends at the beginning of girls night. At The Contemporary.

Stop 1 – 6pm: The Contemporary – The Jones Center at 7th and Congress

An artistic shot of the staircase at The Contemporary – The Jones Center. Photo by Lindsey Strobel.

For a steal at $5, you can get in to The Contemporary – Jones Center, and view the exhibitions on site (apparently, your receipt gets you [Read more…]

Filed Under: around town, austin art, austin lifestyle, austin recreation, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, Congress Avenue District, girls night out, life in austin

amber gugino | October 10, 2013 | 5 Comments

Slake Cafe in Downtown Austin – No Muss No Fuss

I never turn down a free lunch. So when Alex, the GM for Slake Cafe in downtown Austin at 7th and Brazos (where Bakerman’s Bakery used to be) sent me a note inviting me to come in for just that, how could I say no?

The weather was beautiful, so I walked from the office to Slake at around noon the other day. There were several patrons in line already, and the tiny little front area of the cafe (apparently, the entire Slake space is about 3,400 sf, but it’s mostly kitchen) had a bit of a chaotic, but not bad, feel (there were people in line, people milling about waiting for their order, couple of folks eating at the sparse interior tables, 4 or 5 folks behind the counter – kind of a lot going on in not a lot of square footage). They are about to [Read more…]

Filed Under: around town, austin condos, austin lifestyle, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, austin towers, austin towers and high rises, life in austin, small business

amber gugino | August 31, 2013 | 2 Comments

It’s Open! No Va Kitchen and Bar on Rainey Street

I’ve been watching 87 Rainey for some time, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting to try No Va Kitchen and Bar since I first saw the TABC notice on the door in May 2012.

Well, it’s finally open, and I had the chance to try it last night. Despite the name, the restaurant / bar concept is a definite go.

So many things to like! First off, there’s a celebrity chef component (Brad Sorenson of The Next Food Network Star fame), AND he’s really friendly! Second, more FOOD on Rainey (which, as a Rainey resident, is very near and dear to my heart and stomach). The food is tasty and not crazy expensive!

amber gugino | August 25, 2013 | Leave a Comment

Craft Cocktail Bar in Downtown Austin: CU-29

Named after the touches of Copper decorating the interior of the bar, CU-29 is the latest craft cocktail bar to hit the downtown Austin scene. Located near Brazos Place Condos and across the street from the Omni, this little gem is a great place to order a fancy cocktail after a long day at work. Prices run from about $10 (and up) per drink AND people who live or work downtown ALWAYS get 20% off!