Springdale Farm Aid

Saving Springdale: Community rallies to save struggling East Austin farm

Sonya Cote Eden East at Springdale Farms in Austin 4133

Springdale Farm Aid takes place Sunday, September 28 from 1 pm - 5 pm.

Photo by Veronica Meewes

Some of Austin's top chefs are joining forces this weekend in support of Austin's award-winning Springdale Farm.

The sustainable urban farm, known as the home to Eden East and for its biweekly farm stand, is facing ongoing financial struggles. Since the Urban Farm Ordinance passed last year, Springdale has been allocating resources to meeting the standards — and it's costly.

"These days, we spend a good majority of our time and resources going to city meetings and filling out city applications for permitting, code compliance and farm ordinances while we try and keep our focus on being the community hub that we've always set out to be," said Paula Foore, Springdale Farm co-owner, in a press release.

"I know we are not the only farmers that are caught in the crosshairs of navigating policies here ... but with the upcoming city elections, we're concerned about the future of our farm," Foore continued.

On Sunday, September 28, local talent will unite for one "big-hearted" event, aptly dubbed Springdale Farm Aid. Throughout the afternoon, chefs will be dolling out delicious bites while guests stroll around the grounds, play farm games and listen to live music — all in the name of saving Springdale.

Notable chefs including Bryce Gilmore, David Bull, Shawn Cirkiel, Sonya Coté and Andrew Curren will serve signature fare to be paired with drinks from the Tipsy Texan, Real Ale, Austin Eastciders and Austin Wine Merchant.

All-inclusive tickets for the afternoon benefit are $50 a piece. Proceeds will assist the farm by helping ease its ongoing financial burden.

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Basil And...

Pflugerville chef brings Vietnamese eats to Hutto with new concept

Broth & Basil/Instagram

Basil & Bites, a new concept by the owner of Broth & Basil, is opening in Hutto in spring 2025.

A Pflugerville chef is circling Austin and opening a second, new concept in Hutto. Basil & Bites, which fuses Vietnamese cuisine with Texas influences, will open in fall 2025 at the junction of TX 79 and CR 119, according to a press release.

The new restaurant by the chef behind Broth & Basil is part of the Townwest Commons development, owned by NewQuest Properties. The same company also promised this summer to bring a new Chuy's to the same development by early 2025. It says in the Basil & Bites release that Chuy's is on track to open in January.

Basil & Bites has claimed half a building, totaling 5,500 square feet of space. It's across from the EVO Entertainment — a movie theater, bowling alley, arcade, bar and restaurant, and more — that the developer has been using as an anchor in promoting the new business park. It also maintains its "original anchors" Lowe's and the YMCA.

Phen T. Diep owns Broth & Basil, and was already familiar with in NewQuest because the restaurant is located in another one of its properties, Stone Hill Town Center in Pflugerville.

The release offered few details about the restaurant itself, including what would be on the menu. At Broth & Basil, as the name suggests, pho is a main offering. And like Basil & Bites, the existing restaurant also takes pride in its Texas heritage, offering Texas Wagyu Beef from Ranger Cattle, which is based in Austin.

Other menu offerings include a variety of meats served over vermicelli or rice, and a few specials like Wagyu bo luc lac (shaking beef) cooked on the hot plate it's served on.

According to the Broth and Basil website, Diep started out as a home chef. He's committed to traditional Vietnamese dishes, even though he's added some Texan elements, and the bone broth simmers for 10 hours so no additives are needed.

"We recruited him because of the yearslong success of his first restaurant, which was the first one in Austin to feature Pho Wagyu," said NewQuest leasing director and senior vice president Josh Friedlander in the release. "It's now one of the most popular dishes on the menu."

openings asian cuisine hutto pflugerville