Rise N' Shine

Cult biscuit and doughnut chain drops opening date for Central Austin shop

Rise Biscuits and Donuts will open soon on the Drag.

Move over breakfast tacos, biscuits are taking over the town. (Just kidding. Kinda.) Since announcing it was moving into the former home of Fuzzy's Taco Shop on the Drag, carb lovers have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Rise Biscuits and Donuts.

Lucky for us, the wait is almost over.

Though the original opening date was projected for fall 2017 (then again for March 2018), the cult biscuit shop will finally open its doors at 2522 Guadalupe St. on April 11.

Rise's made fresh doughnut menu includes classics like sprinkles and raspberry jelly as well as shop specialties like maple bacon bar, creme brulee, and apple fritter. On the savory side, diners can opt for biscuit sandwiches topped with crispy buttermilk chicken; bacon, egg, and cheese; and country ham. The menu also features non-biscuit and doughnut fare like chicken strips, "hashpuppies," and salads.

Salads aside, with its prime campus location and online ordering option, we can only imagine the number of hangovers that will be quelled within Rise's hollowed walls.

Since opening in 2012, the North Carolina-based Rise has developed a cult like following thanks to its Instagram-worthy fare and rapid expansion across the U.S. (The company is currently operating 17 shops and has two more slated to open soon, including its Austin location.) In an interview with Eater, the company said it aims to eventually have 1,000 stores across the country, modeling its business after the success of the Five Guys burger chain.

In celebration of its Austin grand opening, Rise Biscuits and Donuts will be donating 10 percent of all sales on April 14 to Kirby Hall School.

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Canapé Club

Luxe Austin cocktail bar becomes a fun country club for the summer

Photo courtesy of Prélude

Prélude is inviting Austinites over for guest chefs, live music, and games this summer.

Austinites who'd like a taste of country club living — without committing to hitting the links every weekend — can stop by this summer restaurant pop-up at Prélude. The swanky new cocktail bar and restaurant on West Sixth Street is hosting a four-month event series called Prélude Country Club, bringing guest chefs, live jazz, all-night happy hours, a Kentucky Derby party, and more from May through August.

Chef Matt Peters is at the helm as usual. Best known for winning the coveted Bocuse d'Or in 2017, the chef is bringing even more prestige to Prélude's culinary program by inviting some of Austin's best chefs to stop by: a press release lists Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis, Kevin Fink of Emmer & Rye, and Fermín Núñez of Suerte among the participants.

Each chef will visit for a single night and collaborate on a one "a tasting of canapés and small plates," according to the release., together. Canapés (hors d'oeuvres served on a cracker) are a big part of Prélude's regular menu, so this will likely be a fun opportunity to get experimental with them.

Increasing the country club ambiance, there will be lawn chess and cornhole on the mansion's lawn and table games inside, including mahjong. Those who don't know how to play the Chinese tile game can learn from Austin Mahjong Social each Tuesday evening while snacking on charcuterie and cocktails. Groups even even sign up for a league on Wednesday evenings.

On Thursdays, live jazz will fill the back lawn from 6-9 pm; on Fridays and Saturdays, guest DJs will stop by to transform the main bar indoors into a walk-in lounge from 9 pm to 1 am.

That's all available to anyone who books a space, but some short-term memberships ($200 for the duration of the country club) will also open up some summer possibilities. Most importantly, a membership gives first access to the guest chef dinners and any special events, plus a "country club concierge" to assist in making reservations.

In addition to booking perks, members will also get an exclusive cocktail menu, all-night happy hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and discounts from the award-winning Spa Sway at The Domain and pickleball spot Other Racquet Social Club in East Austin.

Prélude Country Club's first event will be held Saturday, May 3, to watch the Kentucky Derby on the back lawn. Of course there will be mint juleps, plus more canapés and live music. The regular food and beverage menu will also be available for purchase. Guests are encouraged to dress as if attending the derby. Tickets ($100) are available at prelude-austin.com.

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