A Night At The Opry

New brasserie with classic French dishes serenades downtown Austin

Serenade features a mix of classic French and modern design, with floor to ceiling windows looking out at Lavaca Street.

Photo by Nick Barnes

A new French brasserie called Serenade is opening in Austin's 2nd Street District on Sunday, October 27. The beautiful French spot looks like a celebrity restaurant outside of the Louvre, but it won't rest on good looks. It intends to hold up to even the pickiest Austin foodie's standards.

Serenade (200 Lavaca St.) will serve a daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with brunch on weekends. Dishes will include French classics like duck confit with a variety of locally-grown root veggies, and blue crab Benedict featuring Texas Gulf crab on top of griddled corn cakes, poached eggs, and hollandaise.

The drink menu will offer classic cocktails, wines, European and local beers, and signature drinks like the Bird Nest — a spritzy cocktail with a seasonal shrub.

The Bird Nest Serenade Austin And that’s why it’s called the Bird Nest.Photo by Nick Barnes

At the helm of this kitchen is Chef Johnny Ray Stinebaugh, who has previously worked with Contigo Catering and Geraldine's, and has 14 years of additional culinary experience.

"We've crafted the restaurant to enthrall both Austin’s most distinguished visitors and most discerning foodies,” says director of food and beverage Nate McCabe in a press release. “Whether stopping by Serenade for lunch with a coworker, happy hour drinks on the patio, or a decadent dinner for date night, there’s something for everyone.”

Serenade Austin interior That's not wallpaper; it's cowhide.Photo by Nick Barnes

This posh new restaurant, fitted with high ceilings, tons of natural light, and shining marble floors, certainly fits in with its 2nd Street surroundings. And it’s not a coincidence; some of the surrounding buildings are owned by the same group, which is pouring $60 million into renovations.

Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Nashville’s Ryman Hospitality Properties, owns several hotels and venues including Nashville's famous Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, and as of 2022, Austin's ACL Live at Moody Theater. In fact, Ryman Hospitality owns the entire block, dubbed Block 21; the group bought it from Stratus Properties for a cool $260 million.

Serenade Austin tomahawk steak You know the floors are nice when you want them in the food shots.Photo by Nick Barnes

Since Ryman Hospitality owns the entire area now, it can be shaped however the group sees fit. More renovation plans are underway and will be announced in the coming weeks. Whether it’ll keep looking like Austin or more like Nashville remains to be seen.

Serenade will be open starting Sunday, October 27, from 7 am to 10 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and until 10:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays. More information is available at serenadeaustin.com.

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These 10 Valentine's Day dining specials in Austin extend the holiday

Photo from Laurel Restaurant Facebook page

The Laurel Restaurant is one of many Austin eateries offering romantic dinner specials.

Valentine's Day used to be a simple affair: boxes of chocolates, maybe a bundle of roses, and a handmade card, probably including a doily and some pink construction paper. These days, though, restaurants, hotels, and businesses have made Valentine's Day into something closer to a Valentine's Season.

But since that seems to mean plenty of delicious dining specials and extra decadent menus, we're not complaining. In fact, we've rounded up 10 of our favorite romantic and delicious dining specials for this Valentine's Day — or rather, season.

SusieCakes
January 27 to February 14, multiple locations
Between late January and Valentine's Day, SusieCakes, a beloved national bakery, will be offering several sweet specials like the classic Valentine's Day Vanilla Celebration Cake, a rich Southern Red Velvet Cake, mini Sweetheart Cakes, mini cupcake boxes, and of course, heart-shaped sugar cookies with DIY cookie decorating kits. Between February 10 and 14 you can also get the SusiePink Vanilla Celebration Cake, the Valentine's Day Vintage Cake, and special, customizable gift box combos. Just be sure you pre-order your Valentine's treats by February 13.

Mini cupcakes from SusieCakes Among many other sweet treats, SusieCakes is offering mini cupcake boxes this Valentine's season. Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Hotel ZaZa
February 7-17, 400 Lavaca St.
If bed is the only place you want to go this Valentine's Day weekend, Hotel ZaZa is making it easy for you to stay there all day with a sweet breakfast-in-bed deal. Guests who book a stay between February 7 and 17 can secure complimentary breakfast in bed for two (a $50 value) plus flower delivery to the room.

Sushi | Bar ATX
February 13-15, 2600 E. Cesar Chavez St.
In the days surrounding Valentine's Day, Sushi | Bar ATX is offering a 17-course omakase experience. This specially-curated menu includes a complimentary champagne toast upon arrival, a Valentine's Day-inspired nigiri bite, and decadent touches like caviar, truffle, and foi gras. This experience costs $225 per person, and reservations are highly recommended.

In a press release, the restaurant notes: Sushi | Bar ATX is set to relocate in the next month or so. Location may change prior to Valentine’s Day. If so, guests who have made reservations will be alerted of the change.

Arriba Abajo Rooftop Cantina
February 13-16, 506 San Jacinto Blvd.
For Austinites looking for a slightly more economical Valentine's dinner, Arriba Abajo might be the move. From February 13-16, this downtown restaurant is offering a $70 dinner for two, including braised short ribs, papas bravas, charred rapini, escabeche, chocolate mousse, and more. Reservations are encouraged.

The Loren Hotel
February 13-16, 1211 W. Riverside Dr.
This year for Valentine's Day, the Loren Hotel is offering "A Taste of Romance." This romantic package was created just for sweethearts checking into the hotel for the weekend, and includes a welcome bottle of sparkling wine and macaroons; daily breakfast at the hotel's restaurant, Nido, for two; and dinner at Nido for two. Though it's not included in this package, The Loren is also home to Milk + Honey Spa, should guests want to throw massages into the mix. Stay dates are from February 13-16, and reservations can be made now through February 16.

The rooftop at The Loren Guests can enjoy this romantic rooftop at The Loren Hotel. Photo courtesy of The Loren Hotel.

Laurel Restaurant
February 13-23, 320 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.
The Laurel Restaurant at Hotel Viata has created a veritable Valentine's Season this year, offering this romantic dinner special from February 13-23. Guests will start out with a welcome glass of prosecco, followed by a three course prix fixe meal. Menu items include a Tuscan kale salad, prime ribeye for two, and a cannoli trio for dessert. Pricing starts at $115 for two ($77 per person), plus $45 per person for wine pairings. Reservations can be made online.

Foreign & Domestic
February 14, 306 E. 53rd St.
On February 14 — the only special on our list that's one night only — Foreign & Domestic is transforming into a candlelit, romantic getaway in the heart of the North Loop neighborhood. The evening's special surf and turf menu for two includes ribeye and scallops with potato pavé, broccolini, and béarnaise ($95), plus a dessert of chocolate cake with strawberry mousse and pretzel candy ($10). The usual menu will also be available, and reservations are highly recommended.

Crú Food & Wine Bar
February 14 & 15, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, No. 104
Crú Food & Wine Bar invites guests to a special four-course dinner this Valentine's Day weekend. Menu items include lobster bisque, filet mignon, and molten chocolate cake, all for $65 per person. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.

Serenade American Brasserie
February 14 & 15, 200 Lavaca St.
On February 14 and 15, Serenade is offering a four-course prix fixe menu and special Valentine's Day cocktails in addition to the regular à la carte menu. This special menu will include curated seasonal dishes with an optional wine pairing for each course. Guests who book a Valentine's dinner will also have an automatic reservation at the Blue Room, The W's cocktail bar, for an after-dinner drink. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.

Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort
February 14-16, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd.
Throughout the weekend, the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort will be offering several special Valentine's (and Galentine's) events, including Puppies and Pilates on February 13, a 30-minute Pilates class surrounded by adoptable puppies from the Bastrop County Animal Shelter, as well as Neon Nights, a Texas Dance Hall pop-up on February 14. The resort's restaurants will also feature special menus throughout the weekend, including dishes like côte de boeuf for two, red velvet cake, and a special Strawberries and Dreams cocktail.

Cocktails at the Hyatt Lost Pines Guests can enjoy special events and menus at the Hyatt Lost Pines throughout the weekend.Photo courtesy of Hyatt Lost Pines

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