Dining Picks
Where to eat in September: New beer gardens, breweries and menu items from LaCondesa
Sep 3, 2012 | 2:29 pm
Live music at Banger's
New offerings from La Condesa
Double Horn Brewing in Marble Falls
September may officially be the farewell to summer, but as temperatures continue to swelter, so do these quick picks for your dining prospects.
New and Noteworthy
Just in case you couldn’t find enough to do in the Rainey Street area, Banger’s Sausage House and Beer Garden joins the hip little district offering a whole slew of beer on tap (more than 100) and a festive backyard featuring live music on most weekends.
And considering the place is named for the traditional English dish “bangers and mash,” made of sausages, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, it should be no surprise that this place serves up sausage. A lot of sausage. Of the more then 30 styles available — some more flavorful than others — you’ll no doubt find something to suit your tastes. Even if you’re vegetarian. (A handful of the selections are 100 veggie friendly.)
The Cajun-style andouille sausage has a good kick and tastes great on a pretzel bun with caramelized onions from the interactive “build your own” menu. Composed sausage dishes such as jalapeño-bacon-cheddar burger with all the fixins you’d expect served on a sweet kolache-style roll or bacon and shrimp sausage served with cheesy grits and barbecue sauce. Whether you’re a fan of handmade links such as these or not, you’ll no doubt enjoy the outdoor beer garden for local live music and a cold brew.
New on the Menu
Perhaps its the vibrant atmosphere or the fresh, playful flavors chef Rene Ortiz consistently delivers from his Mexican-inspired menu, but La Condesa never disappoints when looking for a reliable downtown dining locale to please all palates.
Especially when there are a few new menu items to try including a crispy pork shoulder taquito with black beans and tangy tomatillo-avocado salsa or dark and delicious three-day mole sauce served with citrus rotisserie chicken and fresh tortillas. The vibe is always buzzing and service is generally spot on — although sometimes a little inattentive. And now that Chef Ortiz has whetted our appetites with news of his upcoming fresh Thai concept, Sway, an evening at La Condesa certainly helps to quell the anticipation.
Off the Beaten Path
Every once in a while it pays to take note of notable restaurants just beyond the borders of Austin. Especially if the chef and general manager both share a history in helping to open Austin’s own 24 Diner. Such is the case with the DoubleHorn Brewery in Marble Falls, where you’ll find Austin-native brothers Chris and Jason Harrelson running the kitchen and the bar at this Hill Country stop serving up Texas-comfort food.
You’ll find your classic steaks and burgers, but a few unexpected treats as well including pulled pork nachos and their own spicy version of bangers and mash with jalapeño pork sausage and gorgonzola mashed potatoes. And as the name implies, this is a full scale brewery featuring brews from brewmaster Eric Casey who earned his chops while apprenticing at Blanco’s Real Ale Brewery.
You may not find yourself in Marble Falls too often, but when you do, the DoubleHorn is the place to drop in and dine.
