Craft Beer Boom

Local beer garden and kitchen, The Brewtorium, coming to thirsty North Austin 'hood

More local craft beer and food is coming to North Austin, this time by way of The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen, which is slated to open next year. The concept for a casual, neighborhood beer garden that features in-house-brewed craft beer and good food comes from husband and wife team Chris Rauschuber and Whitney Roberts, who are North Austinites themselves.

“Selfishly, we've been thirsty for a spot like this for a long time,” Roberts says. “It's fantastic what's been happening along Burnet Road, where more local establishments are opening up, but we're still pretty inundated with chains further North. We want to provide the residents of North Austin with a place to go that feels like the Austin they know and love.”

"We want to provide the residents of North Austin with a place to go that feels like the Austin they know and love," says Brewtorium co-founder Whitney Roberts.

While no official location has been named, Roberts says we should expect the spot somewhere in the North Burnet/Jollyville/Duval area.

The concept will be “pub-meets-beer hall.” Working with a designer out of Portland, Oregon, Rauschuber and Roberts hope to design a spot “like nothing that currently exists in Austin,” with a special focus on minimizing long lines for beer and food. Yes, there will be plenty of outdoor space, including a beer garden that will be totally dog friendly.

The couple met seven years ago in a pub and bonded over their mutual love for craft beer. Over the past decade, Rauschuber has been working as a software engineer by day while honing his beer recipes and brewing process in their garage brewery. Meanwhile, Roberts is hoping to put her experience as a business development and marketing professional towards cultivating a serious sense of community at The Brewtorium, with regular events like yoga in the beer garden and learn-to-brew classes.

“We want to create a neighborhood gathering space, not just a place where people come to eat and drink,” she says, “so we're planning events that appeal to all types of people.” They’re also looking to host big Oktoberfest and Maifest events, where they plan to tap seasonal beers and have live music, special food offerings and interactive activities.

Rauschuber, who has won more than 125 awards from homebrew competitions, is most passionate about classic German beers, so expect to see some German influence throughout the beer selections. As of now, the beer lineup includes five “classic” beers, ranging from light to dark, with names like “Das Daydrinker” (crisp, clean, German lager) and “Sol Surfer” (the flavor and aroma of a West Coast-style pale ale, yet beautifully balanced). There will also be three to seven rotating styles, ranging from experimental and seasonal beers to old world classics.

The large amount of local breweries in Austin is one of the reasons The Brewtorium is focusing just as much on cultivating community as on marketing the beers. Distribution is a goal for the future, but right now, The Brewtorium is more intent on serving good beers in house. “There are so many fantastic local beers already on the market, and that's one reason we chose to open a brewpub where people can come and drink our beer with us in our house,” says Roberts.

As far as food goes, the plan is to create a simple yet creative menu that includes a mix of healthy and indulgent items. Since craft beer isn’t necessarily low in calories, hearty but healthy salads will be featured prominently on the menu. The hope is that each entree will pair specifically with one beer, not only to enhance guests' experiences, but possibly entice someone to order a beer they wouldn’t otherwise consider.

Ultimately, the couple wants to encourage people to discover new styles and flavors “in a totally welcoming and unpretentious environment.”

To stay up-to-date on The Brewtorium, slated to open in 2016, check out Facebook, Twitter or the brewery/kitchen's website.

The Brewtorium, a new beer garden and kitchen in North Austin, will feature craft beer and simple yet creative food.

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The Brewtorium, a new beer garden and kitchen in North Austin, will feature craft beer and simple yet creative food.

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Omakase for Everyone

New South Austin restaurant swims against current of expensive omakase

Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi keeps things simple.

Austin had no shortage of beautiful sushi restaurants, but a new one at Lantana Place is doing drawing the trend away from the center of the city and sticking a lower price tag on the experience. Tancho Sushi, offering "everyday omakase," is now open at 7415 Southwest Parkway.

The thought of casual omakase feels like a bit of an oxymoron in Austin, where the service style — which tasks the chef with choosing what the diner will eat — is almost synonymous with something fancy and expensive. Factor in the interior design at Tancho, which certainly doesn't look pedestrian, and it's hard to believe it's actually an everyday meal.

But all things considered, these prices seem reasonable: $29 for the lightest dinner option, and capping out at a $59 feast. Lunch is even less expensive, starting at $24.

Tancho Sushi interior The airy space takes advantage of its surroundings outside of the city.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

In some omakase experiences, the chef might factor in a diner's taste, the special ingredients that are available that day, and any number of other factors to determine what hits the table. But at Tancho, these prix fixe options are predetermined, doubtlessly contributing to the more accessible pricing.

The 50-seat restaurant also uses a clever marketing angle to get diners in who aren't necessarily experienced in sushi, or might otherwise be intimidated by letting a chef choose unfamiliar foods. "With thoughtfully curated preset menus, Tancho simplifies the dining experience by eliminating the guesswork so guests can focus on enjoying their meals," a press release announcing the opening says.

The release was sent November 22, but it looks like Tancho has been serving customers in a soft opening capacity for about a month, based on its Google reviews (which are stunningly high for a new restaurant at 4.7 stars).

Offerings at Tancho are simple.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Although each menu is different, there is a shared arc. All four experiences start with sunomono salad, a cucumber-based dish with red seaweed and sesame. Then there's tuna sashimi with smoked yuzu ponzu and scallions, and the rest depends on what the diner chooses.

Some standout items across the dinner service are sea bream on the light menu; akami (very red meat along the spine of a tuna) on the standard omakase menu; a lobster open hand roll on the rolls-only menu; and a tuna flight on the grand omakase menu.

No menu item is especially complicated. The focus is on doing each ingredient right, including the temperature the fish is served at and even the flavor of house-made soy sauce and ponzu.

“We keep the focus on the ingredients,” said co-founder Brad Van Otterloo in the release. “By stripping away unnecessary flourishes, we allow the quality of our fish to take center stage. This is a Texas-born concept through and through, and we’re proud to contribute to Austin’s growing sushi reputation.”

The open hand rolls are a signature for the restaurant.Photo courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Despite all this talk of omakase, it is possible to order à la carte items: some appetizers, nigiri (sliced fish on top of rice), and rolls. There's also a carefully curated beverage program, which largely focuses on sake. That includes the Kubota Manju or “Ten Thousand Celebrations" ($79), renowned in Japan for its complex layers and smooth mouthfeel.

“As Austin continues to grow, we wanted to introduce a fresh take on the sushi experience,” said Van Otterloo. “We’re here to make sushi approachable for Austinites while honoring the integrity of this cuisine. It’s about creating a space where everyone can discover and enjoy sushi at their own pace – no pressure, no pretense.”

Tancho Sushi exterior This restaurant is meant to be approachable.Image courtesy of Tancho Sushi

Tancho Sushi is located at 7415 Southwest Parkway, Building 4, Suite 300. It's open daily from 11 am to 10 pm, offering both dine-in and takeout. There are no reservations.

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