Putting Down Roots

Pioneering new restaurant brings an all-plant menu to Austin's fine dining scene

Even though committing to a fully vegan diet is a serious endeavor, the lifestyle's top food destinations are overwhelmingly casual — in Austin, anyway. A vegan food truck and deli paradise, the city is also used to some high-quality vegan dishes in even the most unexpected places. But oh, how the (dining) tables have turned.

Fabrik, a fine dining concept that serves only plant-based products, is making a unique effort among Austin restaurants by bringing the two worlds together with total commitment. There's no super-ethical workarounds; It's all plants. Even more surprising, it'll open in East Austin (1701 E. Martin Luther King Blvd.), with a soft opening on August 3 and full, public service starting August 10.

The inspirations aren't as obvious as India and Ethiopia, either. Fabrik pulls its flavors from Japanese, Nordic, and Italian cuisine; three cultures known for carefully treated vegetables, but also very culturally significant meats and fish.

The former two inspirations supply the minimalist interior design executed by co-owner Silas Wallerstein, while the third likely ties into the restaurant's interest in comfort food. (Executive chef-owner Je Wheeler also has some experience in Italian food thanks to her past work at Austin's Juniper.)

Using these flavor profiles as guides, the seasonal menu follows the rhythms set by natural suppliers as well as the restaurant's own "hydroponic gardens, foraged finds, and artisanal imports," according to a release.

The sustainability goes beyond the plant-based choices, including waste-minimizing techniques like turning cooking scraps into their own menu items or repurposing them for later dishes. Handmade items will include "pasta, bread, tofu, vegan cheeses, infused oils, vinegars, and more."

Starting with the summer menu, three dishes make the influence of the listed inspiration cuisines abundantly clear: "parsnip cappelletti with miso butter, caramelized yeast, and Szechwan; confit potato with smoked crème fraîche and wakame caviar; and sour cherry cheesecake with poached cherries and tonka bean panna cotta."

“Our vision for Fabrik was a crossover of fine dining with the warmth of a mom-and-pop restaurant," said Wheeler in the release. "We are independently owned and operated, and have really put love into every detail."

She continued, "Our goal is to channel our passion for plant-based cuisine and our sustainable ethos into a dining experience that can excite not just those who are plant-based, but also those who are interested in more sustainable dining or are looking to enjoy a unique fine dining experience in an intimate space."

If "mom-and-pop calls" to mind watching a parent cook from the table, diners may be able to mentally reframe two common practices in fine dining: the tiny room only invites 16 guests in two seatings per night, and Chef Wheeler will be present throughout, working in the attached kitchen.

The plant-based menu will be complimented with vegan, biodynamic, and organic wine pairings, as well as saké and nonalcoholic drinks. These, too, will shift to better complement the seasonal ingredients.

More information about Fabrik, including links to reserve when the restaurant is ready, is available at fabrikatx.com.

Photo courtesy of Chris Praetzel

Fabrik is taking a risk as Austin's only fine dining restaurant completely committed to plant-based foods.

openings dinner vegan

Gobble On The Go

13 Austin restaurants serving Thanksgiving feasts in 2024

Photo courtesy of Mylk Collective

Have you ever fallen in love with a picture of turkey? (Pictured: Turkey special by Walton's Fancy & Staple)

Thanksgiving is around the corner (November 28), and with it the stress of having to plan one of the most important family gatherings of the year. Not everyone has the time or skills to spend an entire day perfecting the art of cooking a turkey, or glazed ham, or figuring out what everyone likes. Thankfully there are plenty of options in Austin to make this holiday a stress-free one.

Whether Austinites want to pre-order a delicious spread to take home, don’t want to worry about baking a pie, or just want to dine out on Thanksgiving Day, these restaurants have them covered. From traditional turkey meals to vegan and vegetarian picks, Austin has options for everyone.

Here are 13 places in Austin that have Thanksgiving covered.

Pre-orders & pick-ups

District Kitchen + Cocktails
District Kitchen’s meal packages offer various options no matter your family size. For 2-4 people, choose the half turkey meal ($110). The whole turkey meal ($199) feeds 6-8 people. Both options include cheddar mashed potatoes, sourdough stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and glazed Brussels sprouts. For bigger families, the Family Feast option ($550) feeds 10-12 people and includes challah rolls, mac and cheese, butternut squash bisque, and dessert. Deadline to order is November 22 through Toast.

Walton’s Fancy & Staple
Walton’s is offering a full, traditional Thanksgiving spread that is available as a package for up to 10 people or à la carte. Options include orange and thyme-rubbed turkey breast with gravy, glazed carrots, mashed potatoes, shaved Brussels sprouts, mac and cheese, cornbread stuffing, cranberry sauce, and buttery dinner rolls. For dessert, Walton's offers 9-inch pies in the classic pumpkin, apple, buttermilk, or pecan flavors ($45). Pre-orders are available through November 25 via phone (512-542-3380) or email (catering@waltonsfancyandstaple.com).

Loro Asian Smokehouse & Bar
For a deliciously fun spin on Thanksgiving, try Loro’s Thanksgiving package featuring the dishes we all know and love, infused with Asian flavors. It includes smoked turkey breast, turkey and sage gravy miso, confit marble potatoes, toasted brioche stuffing, yuzu and peach cobbler, and more. This package feeds 4-6 people ($190). Prefer just the protein? Order the smoked turkey breast and miso gravy ($65) by itself. Pre-orders are open until November 24 at loroeats.com.

Loro Thanksgiving spread Smoked turkey from Loro puts both Texan and Asian twists on the traditional spread.Photo courtesy of Loro

Central Market
Central Market’s chef-prepared meals never fail, and its Thanksgiving options are ideal for those looking for a convenient and affordable option. There are six meal options to choose from, like the traditional oven-roasted turkey meal ($149.99) serving 6-8 people, which includes cornbread dressing, whipped potatoes, green beans, turkey gravy, and cranberry sauce. Or, choose hickory smoked ham or beef tenderloin as a protein instead. Vegetarian meal options are also available. Online ordering is open until November 25 at centralmarket.com.

Mr. Natural
No need to miss out on traditional Thanksgiving if you are vegan or vegetarian. Mr. Natural is offering a Thanksgiving feast that includes seitan turkey, green beans with almonds, gravy, dinner rolls, cornbread dressing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Choose from a family feast for up to 6 people ($157.25), dinner for two ($57.25), or individual plates ($23). À la carte seitan turkey is also available. Pre-order by November 23 at mrnaturalatx.com.

Desserts

Mañana
If you'd rather watch a bake-off than participate in one, pre-ordering dessert is the way to go. Mañana’s holiday pie lineup includes caramel apple, spiced pumpkin, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie. You can also order classic vanilla and toasted cinnamon ice cream pints, and homemade whipped cream to pair with your pie. Pre-orders are available now until November 22 through Toast.

Gati’s Ice Cream
Special diet or dietary restrictions are covered at Gati’s, which will be offering gluten-free desserts and vegan ice cream options for Thanksgiving. Choose from classic pie offerings such as apple, pumpkin, and pecan. For cakes, there are a variety of options such as the pumpkin bundt cake with chocolate or a pumpkin roll with cream cheese. Or, add a pint of a seasonal ice cream flavor. Online pre-orders are available until November 17 at gatiicecream.com.

SusieCakes
Famous bakery chain SusieCakes is offering a wide variety of sweet treats to pre-order for Thanksgiving. Options include the spiced pumpkin cupcakes, assorted cupcakes that say "thankful" in frosting, pumpkin cheesecake, cranberry orange cake (available in two sizes), and turkey-shaped sugar cookies. DIY kits add fun for the entire family. Pre-orders are open until November 23 at susiecakes.com.

SusieCakes Thanksgiving treats SusieCakes is ready to make the cutest things on the table.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Dine in on Thanksgiving Day

Carpenters Hall
Gather with loved ones at Carpenters Hall for a family-style feast. Each guest receives mulled cider, butternut squash soup, and Brussels sprouts to start plus pumpkin pie for dessert. Options ($45 - $77 per person) include smoked turkey breast and stuffed turkey leg with cranberry sauce, spiced pork loin with hot honey glaze, wagyu ribeye with black truffle jus, poached cod loin with lemon butter sauce, or a vegetarian spread with black truffle jus along with an assortment of sides. Reservations required via Resy.

Acre 41
If your ideal Thanksgiving starts with lunch, consider Acre41’s Thanksgiving feast, available starting at 11 am. The special menu ($75) features slow-roasted turkey breast with traditional sage stuffing and cranberry sauce, plus Texas jalapeño mac and cheese, roasted baby carrots, and mashed potatoes. For dessert, patrons can enjoy a caramel pecan pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Reservations are available on OpenTable.

Crú
Crú’s Italian-inspired Thanksgiving special returns this year with a 3-course menu at both Austin locations. Some of the options include lobster and saffron risotto, roasted turkey, pan-seared salmon, pumpkin ricotta tortellini, buttery rolls, and jalapeño cornbread, plus pumpkin cheesecake or apple pie for dessert. The Thanksgiving dinner ($55 per adult, $28 for children under 12) will be available starting at noon. Reservations available at cruwinebar.com.

Truluck's
Truluck’s is offering a special Thanksgiving dinner at both of the seafood restaurant's Austin locations, but reservations only remain at the downtown location. While patrons can also enjoy the signature seafood dishes, there will be a 3-course holiday feast ($29 per child, $59 per adult) including a herb-roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry apple compote, along with the choice of pumpkin cheesecake or carrot cake for dessert. Wine and bourbon pairings are also available for an additional cost. Reserve online at trulucks.com.

Yamas
Enjoy a taste of Greece on Thanksgiving Day at Yamas. This local and family-run restaurant will be offering a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu inspired by Greek flavors. Options include turkey with herb stuffing, greek salad, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy and cranberry sauce, garlic parmesan carrots, homemade cornbread, and pumpkin pie. The regular menu will also be available all day. Reserve on OpenTable.

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