A Local Gem

South Austin restaurant named one of the top neighborhood gems in U.S.

OpenTable is at it again with another buzzworthy list of top restaurants in the U.S. This time the focus is on neighborhood gems, and one Austin locale (situated in an up-and-coming neighborhood of its own) made the cut.

The "Top 100 Neighborhood Gem Restaurants" list, says OpenTable, "honors the welcoming spots at which diners celebrate both the everyday and the exceptional." The site analyzed more than 5 million reviews of 19,000 restaurants across the country to determine the top 100 restaurants that "make you feel special time and again."

District Kitchen and Cocktails — located on West Slaughter Lane in the burgeoning South Austin neighborhood — represents Austin on the list. The restaurant, which opened in the fall of 2013, offers a locally sourced seasonal menu and craft cocktails in a laid-back, neighborhood environment (read: far away from the hustle and bustle of downtown). Reviews of District Kitchen and Cocktails on OpenTable champion its unique menu and casual vibe.

"If you are in the area I HIGHLY recommend you try this place. It has a great vibe, and almost feels like it should be downtown but it is still pretty low-key. The staff is personable, and there is a decent amount of (free!) parking," reads one shining review.

In addition to District Kitchen and Cocktails, three other Texas establishments were deemed neighborhood gems. Black Sheep Bistro in Spring, outside of Houston, was joined by Dallas' Battuto Italian Kitchen and Gemma.

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Grocery news haul

Grocery service Farmhouse Delivery returns to Austin with fun surprise

Courtesy photo

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After suddenly halting its operations in May, grocery service Farmhouse Delivery is on its way back, with an extra surprise for Austin: a new storefront.

Known for offering locally prepared foods and produce from small Central Texas farms, the subscription-based service emailed its loyal customers on Monday, November 18, to share the relaunch news and outline its plans for the future.

“We’ve missed you and are beyond grateful for your patience as we’ve been hard at work planning the next chapter of Farmhouse Delivery,” the newsletter reads. “Soon, you’ll once again have fresh, local food delivered straight to your doorstep[.]”

Farmhouse Delivery is aiming for a December date to resume deliveries, they say. They've used the intervening six months to not only revamp their existing business model, but to expand their offerings.

The biggest surprise in the newsletter was a revelation of plans for a new storefront in Austin, blending a cozy farmer’s market vibe with what they call “the best parts of your favorite grocer — where you can discover fresh foods, refill on essentials, connect with other members on sustainable living, and, of course, [shop] our best local products — all in innovative, reusable packaging.”

The email did not divulge details for the location or timing of the storefront project.

The company also plans to introduce a new membership model with exclusive benefits such as sneak peeks of new products and promotions.

Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Farmhouse also announced that it’s working toward a completely plastic-free delivery:

“Expect to see your favorite items in sustainable packaging, with rewards for returning and reusing Farmhouse materials. Together, let’s reduce waste and make sustainable choices the coolest thing to do.”

The newsletter invited customers to complete a survey to help shape the ongoing Farmhouse experience. There, customers can indicate their desired delivery day (or days) and the factors that influence that preference (meal planning, work schedule, etc.), as well as specific products they would like to see in future deliveries.

Survey participants can also designate their preferred price point for memberships and the most appealing benefits from a long list, including free deliveries, additional delivery days, free products, members-only cooking classes, exclusive content, and more.

Neither the newsletter nor the Farmhouse website announced a specific date for relaunching, but returning and new customers can keep an eye on the website and social media for further details.

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