Where to Chill

Ice cream and Italian-inspired apps make a home in Austin's Mueller neighborhood

Bottega ice cream by Merry Monarch Ice Cream

Bottega brings ice cream and small bites to a storefront perfect for people-watching.

Photo courtesy of Merry Monarch Ice Cream

Believe it or not, life in Austin is slowing down — a little. We're still a growing, bustling city with lots of new art and foodie destinations. And it looks like this may be the beginning of a wave of workshop-type restaurant openings. Or in Italian, a bottega.

In fact, here comes Bottega. Announced just days before its September 2 opening, this "Italian-inspired neighborhood spot" will be serving up ice cream, coffee, and savory bites in the Mueller neighborhood — where people love a chance to lounge around with a drink and a snack. It will also serve beer and wine once the City of Austin gives its approval.

There will be lots of ways to enjoy the shop, with both indoor and outdoor seating as well as a walk-up window. A release focuses more on the treats than the setting they're served in — rightfully so, for die-hard ice cream fans — so guests will have to check it out in person to suss out the vibes. The exterior features super cute window lettering and a pink-and-red theme, plus a tiled bar that's perfect for people-watching while snacking.

The ownership team combines three fantastic things: ice cream-making, dogs, and Michelin stars. Bottega combines the talents of Gregory Maze of Merry Monarch Creamery, Kati Luedecke of Neighbors Dog Park & Coffee Shop, and Chef Rudy Rivera III formerly of Austin farm-to-table restaurant Wink and the Innat Little Washington (that's where the stars come in) in Washington DC.

The ice cream is not formally the main draw, but surely the treat that will make the eatery stand out to new visitors. Merry Monarch recently won Best Ice Cream in Austin Monthly'sBest of ATX 2023, while operating out of a food truck. This will be the creamery's first brick-and-mortar location.

Its flavors bridge the gap between experimental and comforting. No ice cream is just one flavor, even before the add-ins, which are mostly made in-house.

OreoMiso blends Oreo and white miso ice cream with cookie chunks and dark chocolate hazelnut truffles; the Persian Honeycomb makes a complex mix of roasted almond, cardamom, ricotta, and vanilla ice cream with swirls of other regional flavors like rose and pistachio; and the Tom Kha Lime Pie combines coconut and kaffir lime leaf-infused ice cream with mix-ins like yuzu curd and candied ginger.

Meanwhile, Chef Rivera promises "light fare" that is very fruit-and-vegetable forward, but always sounds perfectly Mediterranean — something Austinites don't get much, as most European restaurants serve strictly food from their respective countries, while Mediterranean restaurants tend to skew Middle Eastern.

Look out for stone fruit bruschetta featuring grilled peaches and cherries on herb goat cheese and arugula salad with a mint vinaigrette; hearts of palm ceviche with cucumber, (citrus) supremes, and pearl onions with a Meyer lemon emulsion; and a couple of chilled options served with lavash, like beef tartare and crab salad. Casero Austin, a charcuterie store, will also contribute its boards and paté.

Bottega (2100 Robert Browning St.) opens to the public on Saturday, September 2, at 2pm. After that, hours of operation follow a regular, if complicated schedule:

Tuesday – Friday from 7 am to 2 pm (walk-up/outdoor) and 5-9 pm (indoor and outdoor)
Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm (walk-up/outdoor) and 5-9 pm (indoor and outdoor)
Sunday from 8 am to 2 pm and 5-9 pm (indoor and outdoor all day)

More information is available at bottegaatx.com.

openings ice cream desserts apps mueller

Election Day Dealas

Election deals and parties in Austin to make November 5 go by faster

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Save that sticker.

Whether voting fills you with emotion or a sense of mundane obligation, there are immediate rewards after the ballot box.

Austin bars and restaurants who either want to inspire civic feelings or capitalize on the newsy moment have prepared treats for voters — or just people who want to watch the outcome be announced together. They know you might have voted early, so stickers aren't always required.

Voters don't need to feel passionate about the president to get out there, either. If a free slice of pizza, a chance to choose a mayor, or a pick for railroad commissioner (who oversees the oil and gas industries) are enough motivation, Tuesday, November 5 is the last day to head to the polls and follow this list to the deals.

An interactive map of Travis County polling places can be found here. Voters can visit any location in the county where they are registered.

Aloft Hotels
109 E 7th St.
This is one of the few election events that actually don't address the race; this "No Watch Pawty" invites people to escape the election madness with a local animal shelter (this national brand under Marriott doesn't mention which) for some free stress relief starting at 5 pm.

Bambino
979 Springdale Rd. Ste. 153
Folks who can stand to witness the full scope of reactions in person as results start rolling in can get that experience at pizza joint Bambino, which will be offering $1 slushy shots each time a state is called. For Kamala Harris, the deal will be for piña colada shots; for Donald Trump, it'll be for orange dreamsicle shots. (Do these choices feel personal? Absolutely.) A tenth of the night's proceeds will benefit TX Gun Sense and the Lilith Fund.

Black Star Co-op
7020 Easy Wind Dr #100
Black Star Co-op has been in the watch party game for years, and has even had a busy cycle of hosting debate watch parties, too. It promises "Food & Beer Specials all night. Good people. Good vibes."

Cheer Up Charlies
900 Red River St
Organized by (and benefitting) civic engagement platform Democrasexy, this "carnival of care" from 6 pm to midnight includes performances by drag artists, burlesque dancers, comedians, and more, plus an acknowledgment that regardless of the outcome, there's work to do at the state legislature in January.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 & 1421 S. Congress Ave., 501 E. 53rd St.
One of Austin's most popular pizzerias is bringing back its longtime election incentive, where customers can wear their “I Voted” sticker for a free slice. The promotion started with early voting on October 21 and is running through Election Day.

Hotel Vegas and Volstead
1502 E 6th St.
These music venus are famous for their South by Southwest parties, but this time they're steeping into politics with a watch party starting at 5 pm. They'll show analysis inside, with a DJ on the patio, themed cocktails, games, and tacos throughout the night.

Kerbey Lane Cafe
All locations, including 3003 S. Lamar Blvd. and 13435 US-183 Ste. 415
Austinites in need of comfort food can get some at Kerbey Lane Cafe, which is giving out a free pancake to anyone who brings their "I Voted" sticker; it can be saved from early voting. This deal is for dine-in only.

Rosen's Bagel Co.
11101 Burnet Rd. Ste. A100
The first 100 people in line at the Burnet location of Rosen's Bagel Co. will get a free bagel with Violife coconut-based cream cheese in two flavor choices: Texas Pecan Pie or roasted lime, poblano and scallion. "I Voted" stickers are not required, but an openness to trying vegan cream cheese is.

Star Bar
600 W 6th St.
Star Bar has endorsed its candidates: UT Longhorns Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. Guests can pick up some merch declaring their support (buttons for $3, hats for $20), plus enjoy $3 red and blue jello shots all day.

Tillery Street Plant Company
801 Tillery St.
Austinites with the compulsion to nurture something after the election can present their "I Voted" sticker at Tillery Street Plant Company for a freebie: either a four-inch herb or vegetable starter (excluding lavender) or a two-inch succulent. Both come with a Tillery sticker.