Opening alert

Wildly popular brunch spot brings the bacon to first East Austin location

Snooze will open its third Austin location — its first on the east side — on September 25.

Photo by Debbie Wolvos

First it woke up Rosedale, then it spread to South Austin. Now, wildly popular chain Snooze, an A.M. Eatery is bringing all-day brunch to the east side.

The Colorado-based chain will open its third Capital City location at 1109 E. Fifth St. on September 25, notes a release. It will be the first restaurant to open in the Plaza Saltillo development.

The new outpost’s menu is anchored by heavier fare like eggs Benedict, pancakes, omelets, and diner-style breakfast plates with bacon and hashbrowns. Lighter dishes include egg white scrambles; grain bowls loaded with farro, quinoa, and roasted vegetables; and avocado toast.

And since brunch without booze is just a late breakfast, Snooze also offers a full bar. In addition to expected cocktails like Bloody Marys and mimosas, there are also a few originals, such as the Boss Hog, with bacon-infused bourbon, and the Wicked Watermelon Margarita, with house jalapeño-watermelon agua fresca.

Every time Snooze launches a new location, it hosts three invite-only practice services that serve as fundraisers for the local nonprofits. For the Plaza Saltillo location, the chain will be partnering with Central Texas Food Bank; Anthropos Arts; and Partners for Education, Agriculture, and Sustainability (PEAS).

Once Plaza Saltillo is fully operational, it will be a busy dining hub. Joining Snooze will be Japanese barbecue joint Gyu-Kaku, gelato maker Dolce Neve, JuiceLand, the Kebab Shop, Hopdoddy Burger Bar, and recently announced tenant Poke Austin.

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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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