Congress Closes

Austin's Restaurant Congress unexpectedly closes after 5 years of fine dining

As Austin's dining scene continues to fluctuate, we experience a constant barrage of news on openings and closings. Today's bad news comes with a side of good news: Restaurant Congress is closing January 1, 2016 to make way for the expansion of neighboring Second Bar + Kitchen.

Both restaurants come from Chef David Bull and the La Corsha Hospitality Group. The decision to close Restaurant Congress and focus on Second Bar + Kitchen in the downtown space is an effort "to satisfy a growing demand for the casual dining concept." While the former was lauded for its exquisite cuisine and upscale atmosphere, the latter drew a steadier crowd night after night.

"It's bittersweet to say goodbye to Congress; we have had an incredible five years," said Bull in a release announcing the news. "We have celebrated many special occasions, nurtured many culinary careers, and supported our local farmers and vendors. We look forward to continuing the tradition of exceptional food and wine experiences through a different voice and in more locations."

The news of Restaurant Congress closing does not affect the opening of Boiler Nine Bar + Grill, the hotly anticipated restaurant from La Corsha in the blossoming Seaholm development. This high-end concept with locally sourced food and top-notch cocktails is expected to open in early 2016.

Also on the horizon for La Corsha are two more Second Bar + Kitchen locations — one in Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and the other in Archer Hotel at The Domain. Bull will assist with the expansion but will eventually transition to executive chef of Archer Hotel, while Ethan Holmes will step in at Second Bar + Kitchen's expanding downtown locale.

Restaurant Congress will stay open for New Year's Eve service. To book a reservation, head to the restaurant's website.

A remodel of the Restaurant Congress space to make way for the larger Second Bar + Kitchen is expected to wrap up in spring 2016.

Second Bar + Kitchen is expanding into Restaurant Congress' space.

Photo by Casey Dunn

Second Bar + Kitchen is expanding into Restaurant Congress' space.

Team Bonding

CultureMap’s Tailgate fires up Austin foodies and sports fans

CultureMap Austin Tailgate 2024, Vince Young

Photo by Guillermo Rosas

Vince Young got a lot of use out of his Hook 'em Horns sign.

While some Austinites were root, root, rooting for their home team, they were also getting to know local restaurants through their best takes on sports-watching snacks. Sports fans and foodies gathered at Distribution Hall on Thursday, December 12, for CultureMap's Tailgate party, presented by Verizon.

Some of Austin's top chefs and their teams set up tasting booths around the warehouse and outside on the lawn, where many of the jersey-clad guests enjoyed a fire pit and cornhole games. Guests took the sporty dress code seriously, although some added their own twist with fun Christmas sweaters.

People from all walks of sports fandom came by — including some F1 fans — but the Longhorns were clearly the favorite of the night. Among all the baseball caps with team logos were plenty of cowboy hats and boots.

Austin Tailgate 2024 There were burnt orange accents in outfits everywhere.Photo by Guillermo Rosas

VIP admission gave guests access to an exclusive meet-and-greet with UT Longhorns legend Vince Young, whois now almost as well-known to foodies for lending his name to Vince Young Steakhouse downtown. Former Longhorns running back Jamaal Charles also posed for photos with VIP fans and joined Young in signing autographs to kick off the evening, courtesy of presenting sponsor Verizon and their On the Road to the Super Bowl promotion.

Guests were also able to register for an exciting chance to win a VIP trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans*. And if you missed your chance, don't worry. There's still time to enter now.

With some live sports feeds projected on the walls, the only thing left to make it a real tailgate was a large spread of hearty snacks. Guests filled up on big samples by some of Austin's favorite restaurants, including:

Pulled pork kolaches from Phoebe's Diner
Jerk chicken tostadas from The Jerk Shack
Patty melts from Thunder Chief
Sweet n' spicy bruschetta from Postino
Chicken halloumi arayis from Ezov
Braised brisket bao from Honey Moon Spirit Lounge
Smoked and fried chicken skewer in a blackberry-habanero glaze from Industry
Ramen Frito pie from Ramen Tatsu-Ya
3 Color Vegetable Dumpling from RedFarm
Par 3 red chile braised pork tacos from The Dirdie Birdie
Deboned and stuffed chicken wings from Nido at the Loren Hotel
Green miso chicken skewers from Victory Lap
Chicken wings from Tommy Want Wingy
Hogs in a blanket with jalapeño cheddar sausage and house mustard from Terry's

Some of the restaurants also gave out generous freebies for after the event, including $25 off at Honey Moon Spirit Lounge, $10 off at Phoebe's Diner, and a free smash burger at Thunder Chief.

The Jerk Shack dish at Austin Tailgate 2024 Some team members from the Jerk Shack came all the way from San Antonio to share their food.Photo by Guillermo Rosas

With so many places to pick up a cocktail or a beverage sample, lines were short; the open bars served up signature cocktails by Tequila 512 (the Touchdown Margarita and Mexican Mule Rusher) and Jim Beam Black (the BBG and Rackhouse Black) and beer from EIGHT, along with THC seltzers from Howdy.

What are sports without a little competition? Attendees voted on their favorite dish of the night, and Ramen Tatsu-Ya took home the trophy for their noodle-forward take on a Frito pie. Plus, Tommy Want Wingy triumphed over 15 other competitors in a bracket-style tournament to take home the title as winner of the Ultimate Wing Showdown.

$Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya \u201cTako\u201d Matsumoto of Ramen Tatsu-Ya at Austin Tailgate 2024$ Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya “Tako” Matsumoto celebrate their well-earned win.Photo by Guillermo Rosas

Although attendees would have to part ways with the guest athletes at the end of the night, there was plenty of signed gear and other memorabilia available in a silent auction. Participants picked up jerseys, photos, helmets, footballs, and other cool items with interesting backstories. Some football-loving family members are in for an exciting Christmas morning, according to some secretive auction winners.

Guests also picked up prizes from the Verizon truck and the special activation by Houston Powder Coaters, including clear backpacks that are great for bringing into stadiums and metal water bottles. Sports fans also got a kick out of PicMe Events' selfie robot, which roved around for photo ops and cracked them up by imposing their heads on players' bodies.

Xavier Worthy helmet at Austin Tailgate 2024 Wide receiver Xavier Worthy's shiny helmet looked magnificent on the table.Photo by Guillermo Rosas

The Tailgate got sports fans fired up, but it's up to them to bring their A-game to the Longhorns' matchup with Clemson on December 21, the first time the teams will have ever played each other. Whether the Longhorns win or lose, Austinites can remember these restaurants when ordering takeout to watch the game.

Photo by Guillermo Rosas

Vince Young got a lot of use out of his Hook 'em Horns sign.

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The Tailgate was presented by Verizon and sponsored by HOWDY, Eight Beer, Houston Powder Coaters, Tequila 512, Jim Beam Black, PicMe Events, and Audio Visual Consultations.

*The NFL Entities shall have no liability or responsibility for any claim arising in connection with participation in this sweepstakes or any prize awarded. The NFL Entities have not offered or sponsored this sweepstakes in any way.

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