Say Uncle

Darling Hyde Park cafe branches out with second location in East Austin hotel

Uncle Nicky's is adding another branch to the family tree. Hyde Park's Italian-inspired all-day cafe is launching a second restaurant, officially opening Monday, December 9, in East Austin.

Located in Hotel Eleven at 1123 E. 11th St., the eatery will offer the same blend of Northern Italian-inspired dishes and specialty craft cocktails that has fans flocking to the original. Feast on antipasti, pane tostato, salads, and classic sandwiches daily, or enjoy specials and off-menu dishes during Uncle Nicky's weekend brunch. Those looking for a sweet treat can choose from house-made pastries and gelato, among other desserts.

Cocktails — the unexpected star of Uncle Nicky's — are also inspired by Italy, and include spritzes, Negronis, and even a frozen Campari and soda. Amaros, Italian wines, and beers are also available.

Leading the operation are partners Nic Yanes, owner/chef of Juniper; Brandon and Zane Hunt of Via 313; and Travis Tober, who also owns Nickel City, located just two doors down from the new Uncle Nicky's locale.

“Expanding to East Austin and neighboring our friends at Nickel City has been a goal and we’re excited to open in the neighborhood,” said Yanes, who oversees Uncle Nicky's food program in addition to Juniper and downtown's Verbena.

Like its Hyde Park location, which took over the former Dolce Vita space in February 2019, the new east side spot will feature to-go options and outdoor dining space to promote social distancing.

Though the new location officially opens on Monday, it is hosting a soft launch beginning Saturday, December 5. To celebrate their new east side digs, the team is offering a free sweet treat with purchase of drip coffee or cold beer and a complimentary Montenegro with a purchase of a specialty cocktail or beer (while supplies last, of course).

Uncle Nicky's newest location will serve the same menu as the original.

Photo by Consumable Content

Uncle Nicky's newest location will serve the same menu as the original.

openings east-austin

Refill, revere, rejoice

Austin distiller refills Kentucky Bourbon bottles for $1 in UT gameday stunt

Photo courtesy of Still Austin Whiskey Co.

Still Austin is filling up empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles and adding its own label in a display of Texas dominance.

Cheap bourbon isn't usually something people line up for, but in this case they know it's good. Still Austin Whiskey Co., a favorite Austin distiller, is offering $1 refills of its own Cask Strength Bourbon on empty Kentucky Bourbon bottles on November 23.

The promotion celebrates the Texas Longhorns vs. Kentucky Wildcats football match the same day. This is a highly anticipated game because the two teams have only been matched up once, back in 1951. Kentucky coach Mike Stoops reportedly also upped the ante by saying the Longhorns have "no weaknesses."

Essentially, this is a parallel challenge by Still Austin: Replace your Kentucky Bourbon with our Texas spirit and watch the Lone Star State win again.

"Why would I ever taint your bourbon with dried up Kentucky juice[?]" asked a (frankly, terrifying) customer on Instagram.

There is a misconception that bourbon has to be made in Kentucky. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association itself points out that, "According to the 1964 Congressional Resolution, in order to have “Bourbon” on the label it must be made in the United States of America and meet all other federal “standards of identity” for Bourbon."

Still Austin CEO and co-founder Chris Seals is setting the record straight with a little snark, inviting both fans and "skeptics" to stop by to take advantage of the deal.

“We’re deeply grateful to Kentucky for inventing the stuff, but after 200 years of the same old bourbon, people want something new,” said Seals in a press release.“The idea that great bourbon can only come from Kentucky is a myth based on decades of misinformation. We’re inviting everyone still holding onto this old guard notion to ‘Kentucky Fill Up’ to experience the difference for themselves.”

The product he's chosen to represent the brand, the Cask Strength Bourbon, is described as "a deeper more 'metal' version of our beloved straight bourbon." It's 116 proof (58 percent ABV) and has won double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition twice, in 2022 and 2023.

Still Austin will only refill 500 bottles. Here are the rules: The bottles have to be 750 milliliters, clean, intact (with the original cap on hand), and they must have originally contained bourbon from a Kentucky Distillery. There are two time slots for refilling at 9 am and 11:30 am. Patrons can get tickets ahead of time at stillaustin.com.

In addition to the fill-ups, Still Austin will host a watch party starting at 2:30 pm. More Texas-Kentucky crossover will include Frozen Texas Julep cocktails, Texas fried chicken, and an armadillo derby race. There will also be exclusive merch and giveaways. Still Austin is the official corporate partner of Texas Athletics.

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Fans of Austin sports and Austin food and drinks can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm December 12 at Distribution Hall. Find out more about it here.

whiskey university of texas longhorns