Won’t You Be My Neighbour?

Dead Rabbit team partners with Irish duo for Belfast brunch spot in Austin

Neighbourhood Café brings some Irish treats, but loves showing off its beautiful French toast.

As Austinites hail the opening of New York’s Dead Rabbit pub on July 4, the East Sixth Street concept becomes a twofer for those seeking award-winning Irish hospitality. Founded in Belfast, Northern Ireland, by Oisin McEvoy and Ryan Crown, Neighbourhood Café is partnering with the Dead Rabbit team to bring its renowned brunch offerings and premium coffee to the Lone Star State.

The collaboration launches a significant partnership between the two brands, which share a commitment to celebrating contemporary Ireland and honoring Irish artisans, makers, and artists. The partnership also marks the expansion of Neighborhood Café outside its native Belfast, making Texans the lucky recipients of the brand’s first foray into the American market.

“In all that we do, we first look to Ireland for brands, partners, and artisans to champion,” says Dead Rabbit’s managing partner, Jack McGarry in a press release. “It’s a natural next step for us to partner with, and celebrate, Neighbourhood Cafe, a Belfast-based business that excels in the coffee space. Their commitment to excellence aligns with our own, and we are delighted to collaborate as we expand our footprint in the U.S.”

The new Austin location will feature signature drinks such as the piccolo split and iced tiramisu, paired with several popular brunch dishes including the popular eggs benny, burrata toast, and housemade granola. Neighbourhood co-founder Oisin McEvoy will source single-origin coffee from San Francisco-based Andytown Coffee for both the café and the bar, integrating the café’s coffee program into the bar’s beverage menu in collaboration with Dead Rabbit’s director of beverage Aidan Bowie. The result will be a range of coffee-based cocktails for both establishments, including the Dead Rabbit’s acclaimed Irish coffee.

And the collaboration won’t stop at design and culinary elements, either: In addition to serving as a daytime café, Neighbourhood will host monthly programming and special evening events, as curated by Dead Rabbit’s director of music Liam Craig.

While the Dead Rabbit officially opens its doors on July 4, Neighbourhood (204 East 6th,) is yet to set a specific date until later this month. Keep an eye out on thedeadrabbit.com or follow the Dead Rabbit and Neighbourhood Café on Instagram for more information.

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Grocery news haul

Grocery service Farmhouse Delivery returns to Austin with fun surprise

Courtesy photo

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After suddenly halting its operations in May, grocery service Farmhouse Delivery is on its way back, with an extra surprise for Austin: a new storefront.

Known for offering locally prepared foods and produce from small Central Texas farms, the subscription-based service emailed its loyal customers on Monday, November 18, to share the relaunch news and outline its plans for the future.

“We’ve missed you and are beyond grateful for your patience as we’ve been hard at work planning the next chapter of Farmhouse Delivery,” the newsletter reads. “Soon, you’ll once again have fresh, local food delivered straight to your doorstep[.]”

Farmhouse Delivery is aiming for a December date to resume deliveries, they say. They've used the intervening six months to not only revamp their existing business model, but to expand their offerings.

The biggest surprise in the newsletter was a revelation of plans for a new storefront in Austin, blending a cozy farmer’s market vibe with what they call “the best parts of your favorite grocer — where you can discover fresh foods, refill on essentials, connect with other members on sustainable living, and, of course, [shop] our best local products — all in innovative, reusable packaging.”

The email did not divulge details for the location or timing of the storefront project.

The company also plans to introduce a new membership model with exclusive benefits such as sneak peeks of new products and promotions.

Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Farmhouse also announced that it’s working toward a completely plastic-free delivery:

“Expect to see your favorite items in sustainable packaging, with rewards for returning and reusing Farmhouse materials. Together, let’s reduce waste and make sustainable choices the coolest thing to do.”

The newsletter invited customers to complete a survey to help shape the ongoing Farmhouse experience. There, customers can indicate their desired delivery day (or days) and the factors that influence that preference (meal planning, work schedule, etc.), as well as specific products they would like to see in future deliveries.

Survey participants can also designate their preferred price point for memberships and the most appealing benefits from a long list, including free deliveries, additional delivery days, free products, members-only cooking classes, exclusive content, and more.

Neither the newsletter nor the Farmhouse website announced a specific date for relaunching, but returning and new customers can keep an eye on the website and social media for further details.

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