Last spring, we took a look at some of the summer’s most anticipated new restaurants. Now that the dog days have come and gone — well, almost — we have a peek at some of the most anticipated new restaurants for fall.
Over the past month, we've welcomed Rainey Street's NoVa, an eclectic twist on classic global cuisines from chef Brad Sorenson, and Haymaker, a new Manor Road establishment from the owners of Black Sheep Lodge serving up homestyle eats, craft beer and cocktails and a row of sports-centric flat screen TVs. Olivia chef and owner James Holmes’ Lucy’s Fried Chicken, which has its original location on South Congress, had a few days of soft openings last week for its second location on Burnet Road.
Other restaurants making their (expected) debuts this fall:
Estimated open: late September
Located where the Mansion at Judges Hill used to be, this hotel and restaurant underwent a complete renovation to transform into the Hotel Ella. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the original owner of the property, Dr. Goodall Wooten, who married Ella in 1898. Chef Scott Mechura will offer a New American style of cuisine, including such items as Gulf black drum with apple-jalapeño slaw and a classic burger featuring house duck prosciutto, Boursin cheese and a fried egg. Mechura previously served as executive chef at The Timbers at Moonlight Lodge and the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Mont., and at Escondido Golf and Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas.
Estimated open: October
This dessert shop is set open on South First Street and will serve authentic Italian gelato. Dolce Neve is owned by an Italian couple who make handcrafted gelato from traditional recipes using a unique, artisanal machine imported from Italy — only the second one to make it to the United States. For those looking for the “real deal” in gelato or simply craving a good scoop of frozen goodness, this will be the place to go.
Estimated open: late fall
Known for its amazing sandwiches and charcuteries, this West Austin restaurant is now opening a second location on Burnet Road. North Central Austinites can look forward to award-winning sandwiches, soups and homestyle sides like jalapeño slaw, pork and beans and country potato salad.
Estimated open: late fall/ early winter
Chad Dolezal and Victor Farnsworth, previously of El Arbol, are planning to open The Hightower on East Seventh Street. While the menu is still under development, we can expect a neighborhood-style restaurant with full bar to join the growing number of eateries in East Austin.
Estimated open: end of 2013
Perhaps the most buzzed-about restaurant this season, Odd Duck has been under construction for some time in the Gibson building on South Lamar Boulevard. The former all-local food trailer from Bryce Gilmore closed after the opening of his heralded Barley Swine. Luckily, it is set to return as a full-scale restaurant, employing the same farm-to-table philosophy, with local ingredients as well as a hand-selected list of local beers. Patrons can dine in the spacious dining room or head outside to enjoy a craft beer on the big back deck. No confirmation on a set open date, but Gilmore’s last report was “hopefully before year’s end.”
Estimated open: late fall/ early winter
A French- and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant from chef Allison Jenkins and Vilma Mazaite, LaV was originally set to complete its new construction in the lot next to Takoba on East Seventh Street in the fall, but it’s looking more like it will see a winter opening instead. It's billed as a restaurant and wine bar; future diners can look forward to a seasonally based menu made up of local ingredients.
In the meantime, check out what’s to come at Say LaV food trailer, open Wednesday–Saturday nights at the Volstead Lounge and Hotel Vegas on East Sixth Street. The LaV crew has also been known to host pop-up dinners around town, so make sure to keep up with the restaurant online.
Estimated open: late fall
Slated for later this fall, this downtown restaurant will offer a modern take on Southern cuisine. A Texas native who trained at the Culinary Institute of America, chef Michael Fojtasek (formerly of Lincoln Ristorante and Son of a Gun Restaurant) joins fellow Culinary Institute grad and chef Grae Nonas (formerly of Tarry Lodge and Son of a Gun Restaurant) at this new establishment, named after four generations of Texas women. Fojtasek and Nonas have been hosting pop-up dinners around town, the most of recent of which was held at Fino. The duo will take their cuisine on the road when they head to Dallas on October 6 to host a pop-up at Driftwood restaurant.
Also highly anticipated? Paul Qui is set to open yet another East Side King on South Lamar Boulevard. Looking even further ahead, we're excited about anticipated winter and spring 2014 openings of a second restaurant concept from the owners of Contigo to be located on East Sixth Street, a brick and mortar location of Dai Due and a yet-to-be disclosed restaurant concept from chef Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki, formerly of La Condesa and Sway.
Goodall's is set to open in late September.
Launderette's festive cookie box can be picked up anytime before December 23. Image courtesy of Jon Scotty
TLC's Christmas To-Go Spread should feed eight to 10 people this holiday season. Photo courtesy of TLC
Aburi Oshi Sushi's 48-piece holiday sushi platter. Photo courtesy of MYLK Collective