Opening Alert
New restaurant dishes up Southern comfort in South Austin hot spot
The folks behind J. Black's Feel Good Lounge are branching out with a comforting new spin-off. Parent hospitality firm, Manera Restaurant Group, promises "nostalgic Texas ambiance and comfort food" with the opening of TLC at the Lamar Union (near Alamo Drafthouse) in March.
"This come-as-you-are indoor and outdoor space will feature counter service and community tables with games that will tire out the kiddos and keep the adults clamoring for more," Nicole Heger, marketing director for the Manera Restaurant Group, tells CultureMap. "Come by to watch the game or catch up with old friends while enjoying cold beers and regional staples from fried oysters to wild boar sloppy Joes and everything in between."
Despite the obvious connotation, however, TLC doesn't stand for what you think. "We keep the name open for interpretation. The way we see it, whatever TLC stands for in your mind is exactly what TLC stands for," says Heger.
The opening of TLC will come on the heels of the February closure of J. Black's Houston location. The decision allows the restaurant group "to focus all our energy on our own backyard of Austin," according to Heger.
In addition to his work with Manera, partner Sean Fric is also opening Colleen's Kitchen with his wife, Ashley, in the Mueller district this year.