News You Can Eat

5 things to know in Austin food right now: New Mexican restaurant opens garden bar outpost

Este is opening an intimate bar space on its grounds called Bar Toti.

Photo couresty of Bar Toti

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings

Recent East Austin darlingEste, known for Mexican seafood and charcoal cooking, is opening up a garden bar to share its spotlight called Bar Toti. The menu is "inspired by the bar cultures of Spain, France, and Mexico," according to a release, including an unexpected "smashburger" by Chef Fermín Núñez, a current Tastemaker Awards nominee. Visitors can snack on other à la carte bar snacks like marinated olives, seasoned nuts, mussels, and Basque cake. Only 750 square feet, the side venue can accommodate 75 standing guests. Bar Toti opens on April 21 and operates Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to midnight.

Two openings at The Shops at Arbor Walk this April have expanded the food options at the North Austin outdoor mall. Casa Do Brasil, an upscale churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse), brings fire-roasted meats straight to diners' tables alongside a salad bar, and opened on April 14. Teaspoon, which opened on April 1, brings teas, boba, coffee, and creative juice or milk mixes from the chain's Los Altos, California, origin. The Shops at Arbor Walk are located at 10515 N Mopac Expy.

Other news and notes

Topo Chico, the sparkling mineral water worthy of the cult obsession it's garnered since 1895, is branching out from its classic-but-safe flavor profiles with a whole new line called Topo Chico Sabores, launching on April 24. The three flavors come in cans containing real fruit juice and herbal extracts with no added sugars: blueberry with hibiscus, tangerine with ginger, and lime with mint. The new line will only be available in five regions: Texas, Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and New York.

Coffee drinkers who have found themselves wishing for a little more spice will be pleased to hear about Roasty Buds, a new Austin coffee brand since 2022 that just launched new flavors — and maybe even a little intimidated. Existing flavors include hatch chile, ghost pepper, and Carolina reaper, plus some non-spicy roasts. Joining the roster are Texas BBQ and cherry glaze BBQ, both smoky flavors, but the latter takes on more sweetness. Bags can be purchased at roastybuds.com.

Pasta Bar, the semi-Italian cousin of omakase restaurant Sushi by Scratch Restaurants, is not so new to Austin anymore as it celebrates its first anniversary in town. The 10-person chef's table has drawn much attention for its luxury plating and pricing, but the experience is surprisingly laid back, especially with wine pairing. A new spring menu features beautiful al dente cavatelli with Louisiana crawfish and nasturtium (an edible flower), a knockout Parisian gnocchi with bone marrow, and a Texas wagyu ribeye with acorn flour pasta. Reserve ($195) on Tock.

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Near and Deer

Vespaio-trained chef serves venison from trailer at Austin's Sign Bar

Photo courtesy of Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, is now open at Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, a food trailer specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, has just opened for business at Sign Bar. Chef and owner William Woodland, a.k.a. Woody, says so far things are going great.

"They're doing a great job promoting us at Sign Bar. I feel really special," says Woodland.

This is a big change from several years ago when sign bar first opened and Woodland says he "pestered" the folks behind the cool new space.

"I think at that time they wanted to see a couple of years of good experience," says Woodland. "And now my reviews are insanely good — so I think that helped!"

Born and Braised started out at Lustre Pearl back in 2022, and then quickly moved over to Sage Brush where it stayed for more than a year. More recently, Woodland has been operating out of Bastrop and is happy to be closer to town again at Sign Bar, which is located in East Austin. It's still a bit of a drive for many, but not as far south.

Some of the menu items include birria tacos, homemade birria ramen, and multiple venison-based dishes: chili, a smash burger, and bratwurst. There's also grilled cheese, street corn, and other sides.

"I think it's one of only a couple of places in town where you can get venison any time," says Woodland. He adds that the main focus of any foods he prepares is minimal waste and using good, quality, native ingredients. "I'm kind of an ingredient hippie," he laughs.

These cooking roots can be traced back to Woodland's days at his grandparents' out in the country, where his uncles butchering deer in the garage was the norm, and venison was always on the table. As an adult, Woodland got his "formal" education in the kitchen at Vespaio under the tutelage of Ryan Samson.

"He gave me his culinary book from when he went to school and quizzed me everyday; basically took me to culinary school through that job," says Woodland. "I cry thinking about him all the time. Great guy; a really good mentor."

Born and Braised is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 pm to 2 am, and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 am, at Sign Bar Austin (9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3). The bar, decorated with more than 75 retired signs from legendary local businesses, offers a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails.

Sign Bar Holiday Tree This miniature Zilker Tree is the newest permanent installation at Sign Bar. Photo courtesy of Sign Bar

As of early December, guests can enjoy all Sign Bar has to offer next to the Sign Bar Holiday Tree. This 64-foot tall tree is an homage to the Zilker Tree, and unlike most holiday displays, this tree will be up year-round. Guests can even spin under this mini-Zilker Tree — but may want to give it a minute after a bowl of venison chili.

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