We've reached round 3 of CultureMap's 2013 New Restaurant Challenge. The four-week bracket contest pits some of Austin's best new restaurants against each other, letting CultureMap readers decide which will ultimately be awarded a Tastemaker.
Thanks to your votes, the original pool of 16 restaurants has been narrowed down to the final four contenders: East Side King, Ramen Tatsu-ya, Banger's Sausage House and Epicerie. You can vote through Sunday, March 24 on the final four, in the following match-ups.
East Side King @ Hole in the Wall vs. Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden
In this match-up, Top Chef Paul Qui's brick-and-mortar joint near campus faces the Rainey Street District's home to sausage and beer. East Side King's location at Hole in the Wall is well revered for its ramen dishes (chicken tortilla is a favorite), while Banger's is loved for house-made sausages and an impressive 104 beers on tap.
Ramen Tatsu-ya vs. Epicerie
Located in the northern corridor of town, these new spots boast well-executed specialty cuisine: Japanese for Ramen Tatsu-ya, French-Louisiana fare for Epicerie. At Ramen Tatsu-ya lines form each day of the week as patrons eagerly await a taste of its noodle dishes; Epicerie offers a quaint alternative for casual, flavorful dining in the Rosedale neighborhood.
The final two contenders will be announced on Monday, March 25, so vote for your favorites today. (You can vote once a day here.)
The winner of the New Restaurant Challenge will be announced at the CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on Thursday, April 11 at the Driskill Hotel. The event, benefiting the Austin Food and Wine Alliance, promises to be festive and delicious with plenty of drinks and decadent treats from the best in Austin's culinary and cocktail scene.
