Lieve’s Favorite Austin Restaurants —
Who doesn’t love a good meal out?!
And even though Covid is still around, here is a round-up of my favorite places — to either order from, or get yourself into in person once the world is in a better place to do so. I will say, each of these places take great pre-caution to ensure dining is safe and most come with outdoor dining. Fun to have plans ahead!
xLS
Photos: Olamaie
For any meal out, the cross section of atmosphere, incredible food and ambiance is a must for a successful experience. Luckily, Austin has plenty of these and Olamaie is always a classic pick for me.
Situated in the familial setting of a restored home down on San Antonio Street, executive chef and owner Michael Fojtasek and partner Grae Nonas have created a classically beautiful space with a menu inspired by the best in Southern cooking. White walls and a more muted tone, leave space for highlighting great food. What I love about Olamaie’s atmosphere is that is it reserved yet filled with lots of ‘at home’ warmth.
With that same attention to detail and a thoughtfulness in the way they prepare food, Olamaie always leaves me excited for the food experience itself; ready to enjoy what I might taste on any given evening.
An irresistible love for their biscuits (yes, please get them) — they’ve opened Lil Ola’s Biscuits for pick up during the pandemic!!
I have a very fond memory of Michael Fojtasek introducing me to an incredible local Madeira: Haak Jacquez from Santa Fe, Texas, as we wrapped up a meal a while ago. It was such a lovely end to our dinner that we promptly went and purchased a bottle of our own to keep recreating that feeling.
These are what our restaurant experiences should always do for us – leave us with connections. And in this serene, considerate environment, you will find those in spades.
Photo: Easy Tiger
For a lazy Sunday afternoon:
Easy Tiger’s new location on the East side
easytigerusa.com/pages/east-austin
1501 E 7th Street
I always love them for a Sunday afternoon beer and pretzel or brat kind-of-day.
They have taken over the old space in which La V was formerly housed in. A great space which was empty far too long. I am thrilled someone has re-injected love into that fabulous location.
Photo: ABGB
Grab the outdoors by the bottle:
The Austin Beer Garden Brewing Company
1305 W. Oltorf
It’s been those wide open spaces — that have carefully considered distancing — that stands out for me.
I am grateful for the occasional change of scenery and one of my beloved places for that is The ABGB. Only serving by reservation (though they’ve recently shifted back to first come, first served) and outdoors, theirs is a typically ‘Keep Austin Weird’ atmosphere, created lovingly by using their outdoors well.
Spread along the rocky gravel that is their plot on Oltorf, The ABGB is easy-going, unpretentious and full of delicious beer and food options, right under the old oak trees. Not your typical beer garden fare, their menu is considered and fun to play with. Picnic tables sit under the trees and leave plenty of space for you to feel comfortable, out in our typically beautiful sunshine weather. Try their bacon wrapped green beans or Maw Maw deviled eggs, alongside a tall glass of Hell Yes beer and you’ll set yourself up for the perfect afternoon.
For the part of me that misses my European home:
Speakeasy The Garage
(shh, let’s keep this one between us, shall we?)
503 Colorado St.
Many years ago, walking downtown, we noticed a small neon sign blinking the word Garage as we passed a typical parking garage. Up for the challenge of understanding what that meant in this seemingly mundane parking place, we found that the sign led us to a door in the center of the parking structure.
Photos: Google
Once past the bouncer at the door, we found ourselves pleasantly in the midst of what I nostalgically experience each time as a European bar.
Belgian or French in feeling, this dark, sultry atmosphere is well-stocked with imaginative cocktails, and luxurious tunes spinning on a customer accessible turntable. High ceiling and the raw grit of this utilitarian structure, imbue the space with a great energy.
A cross between Brutalism and Art Deco are what you’ll find here. Curved booths, quietly candle-lit for intimate conversation. An incredible rounded bar, allows for more participation if you choose to.
The Garage is a fun place to discover — not only does it offer the louche-ness of something you’ll find in Brussels or Paris, but it invited the surprise of meeting someone somewhere you might have never realized existed.
Photos: Austin Proper Hotel
Textural Creativity abound:
The Peacock Mediterranean Grill
properhotel.com/austin/restaurants-bars/the-peacock
600 West 2nd St.
We are lucky, in our little old Austin, to have many bigger influences happening at the same time as we keep things local — and the Peacock is a great way to experience this. Interior designed by the inimitable Kelly Wearstler, this grill is a great place to meet anyone for some delicious Mediterranean fare.
Salty and rich in flavoring, the menu is varied and ready to transport you a bit farther afield. As for the atmosphere, Wearstler beautifully captures anyone’s visual interest by layering gorgeous Portuguese tiles, mixed in a variety of patterns, alongside rich rugs and sculpture that immediately transports us to a faraway place.
The Peacock is a great spot to people watch and linger for long hours with friends or family alike.
