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Photo by Alan Lessig

Austin wears its love of art on its walls. Some of the city’s best-known sites are murals, but it’s hard to get all the context just by walking around. A three-part PBS docuseries breaks down some of the city’s “most inspiring murals,” giving viewers a deeper understanding of Austin’s history and providing a handy itinerary for an art-led tour.

Although locals will certainly recognize some of the murals — the Wonder Woman piece on Cesar Chavez is one of the hardest to miss in the whole city — many will illuminate pockets of the city with less traffic. Some of the works are private, so the only chance to see them may be through film.

Muraling Austin, which premieres on March 24, goes beyond artistic inspiration to include information about the organizations that commissioned them, as well as the social causes the art supports.

“We are excited to launch a series that celebrates the phenomenal public art in Austin,” said the show’s executive producer and founder of Nelda Studios Nelda Buckman in a press release. Before creating Muraling Austin, the studio has worked with site-specific material from a Broadway tour (The Prom) to Austin’s Boggy Creek Greenbelt (“Ghost Line X”).

“As supporters of Austin’s creative community, we were drawn to the incredible and moving stories behind these murals and the artists who created them,” she continued. “There’s no better partner for this project than Austin PBS, a highly respected community voice that has reflected the pulse of Austin for over 60 years.”

Along with Wonder Woman, some of the featured murals honor real women like Frida Kahlo andAngela Davis, and mark important historical developments such as the 19th Amendment and the triumphs of the Austin Black Senators baseball team, a minor league, all-Black team playing as early as 1908.

The 30-minute episodes adhere to their own themes: “Pride of Place,” on March 24, is about “community change makers” here and across the country, a theme that is central to the series but especially built out in this episode. “Women Rising,” on March 31st, marks notable women in several fields — the arts, activism, spirituality, and the intersection of all three — plus the artists who relate to them. “Big, Bright & Bold,” on April 7, takes a more aesthetic focus, which highlights not just the painted images, but the architecture they enhance.

"Through feedback and listening, we know our viewers are very interested in Austin’s art and culture, which is why Austin PBS is so excited to bring Muraling Austin to broadcast and streaming audiences,” said Chief Content Officer Sara Robertson. “Our community is full of stories that deserve to be told, and we rely on storytellers like Nelda Studios to help us achieve that mission.”

Featured works and artists are as follows:

  • The Beauty of Liberty and Equality (SandraChevrier, Shepard Fairey)
  • Protectors of Red Bluff (Ruben Esquivel)
  • The Pillars Project: Our History Our Trail (Samara Barks, Amado Castillo III, Chroma Collective, Will Hatch Crosby, Ruben Esquivel, Anabel Gómez, Sadé Channell Lawson, Armando Martinez, Raymond “Rage” Mendoza, J. Muzacz, Carmen Rangel, Kendrick Rudolph, Reji Thomas, Serena Tijerina,Lakeem Wilson)
  • Reconnect Yourself (NIZ)
  • Viva la Vida (ULOANG)
  • It’s Okay Not to Be Okay (Sadé Channell Lawson)
  • Paradise Found (Zuzu)
  • Virtual Hike (SoledadFernandez-Whitechurch)
  • Where The Wildflowers Grow (DAAS)

More information about Muraling Austin is available at muralingaustin.com. The show will air on Austin PBS at 7:30 pm on March 24 and 31, and April 7.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Texas' best restaurants and bars reign at 2023 Tastemaker Awards

HATS OFF TO TEXAS

It’s another one for CultureMap’s history books, folks. Our statewide journey to recognize some of the best chefs, restaurants, and more in 2023 has finally come to a close.

The series kicked off April 13 with our sold-out Houston Tastemakers at Silver Street Studios, then we moved to Cowtown for our Fort Worth event on April 27. The Texas culinary tour steered us to our Metroplex neighbors in Dallas at the Fashion Industry Gallery on May 4. From there, we took a drive to the Hill Country for Austin’s evening festivities at Fair Market on May 11, then concluded our journey with our second-ever fête in San Antonio on May 18.

The 2023 Tastemaker Awards honor the state’s most innovative culinary pioneers, allowing nominated chefs and restaurants to showcase their talents for guests before announcing the winners during a live ceremony.

Guests sampled chefs’ specialty bites and imbibed a variety of creative cocktails or mocktails, with a few Topo Chicos sprinkled in throughout the evening. But as always, our nominees and winners are the main focus of our program and are the reason we can bring these celebrations to life.

Nominees are brought forth by a panel of previous Tastemaker winners and CultureMap editors. While the panel choses a majority of the winners, the winner of Best New Restaurant is determined by our readers in an online, bracket-style tournament.

Without further ado, let’s meet our 2023 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards winners, listed by city:

Austin:

  • Restaurant of the Year: Birdie’s
  • Chef of the Year: Amanda Turner, Olamaie
  • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Joaquin Ceballos, Este
  • Pastry Chef of the Year: Mariela Camacho, Comadre Panadería
  • Bar of the Year: Nickel City
  • Bartender of the Year: Erin Ashford, Olamaie
  • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Nixta Taqueria
  • Wine Program of the Year: Bufalina
  • Brewery of the Year: Lazarus Brewing Co.
  • Best Burger: Dai Due
  • Best New Restaurant: Maie Day

Houston:

\u200bChef Amanda Turner of Olamaie
Photo courtesy of Olamaie

Chef Amanda Turner of Olamaie is Austin's 2023 Chef of the Year.

  • Restaurant of the Year: Bludorn
  • Chef of the Year: Mark Clayton, Squable
  • Bar of the Year: Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar and Spirit Lounge
  • Best New Restaurant: Aiko
  • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó
  • Pastry Chef of the Year: Shawn Gawle, Goodnight Hospitality
  • Bartender of the Year: Kristine Nguyen, Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar
  • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Craft Pita
  • Wine Program of the Year: Nancy’s Hustle
  • Best Pop-Up: Khói Barbecue
  • Best Burger: Burger Bodega

Fort Worth:

  • Restaurant of the Year: Fitzgerald
  • Chef of the Year: Juan Ramón Cárdenas, Don Artemio
  • Bar of the Year: Birdie’s Social Club
  • Best New Restaurant: Calisience
  • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Angel Fuentes, Guapo Taco
  • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Cafe Bella
  • Best Burger: Dayne’s Craft Barbecue
  • Best Brewery: Martin House Brewing Company

Dallas:

  • Restaurant of the Year: Shoyo
  • Chef of the Year: Junior Borges, Meridian
  • Bar of the Year: Lounge Here
  • Best New Restaurant: Quarter Acre
  • Rising Star Chef of the Year: Mike Matis, Fearing’s
  • Pastry Chef of the Year: Maricsa Trejo, La Casita Bakeshop
  • Bartender of the Year: Haley Merritt, Midnight Rambler
  • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: El Rincon del Maiz
  • Wine Program of the Year: Pappas Bros.
  • Best Burger: Wulf Burger
  • Brewery of the Year: Manhattan Project Beer Co.

San Antonio:

  • Restaurant of the Year: Carriqui
  • Chef of the Year: Robbie Nowlin, Allora, Arrosta
  • Bar of the Year: Amor Eterno
  • Brewery of the Year: Künstler Brewing
  • Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: The Magpie
  • Pastry Chef of the Year: Sofia Tejeda, Hotel Emma
  • Best Burger: Last Place Burger
  • Best New Restaurant: Reese Bros BBQ

New photo ID cards help the city's vulnerable populations access the Austin Public Library

Library Card

The Austin Public Library's enhanced library cards have been a success since they were launched in early May. Over 550 cards have been given out since the launch, mostly benefitting Austin's vulnerable communities.

"The demand has been overwhelming," Austin City Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes (District 2) said.

The pilot program was started to help underserved communities get a photo ID. It's especially helpful for immigrants who recently entered the U.S, those who may not have a birth certificate. and those who are experiencing homelessness.

"These are populations that are most served by the enhanced library card," Fuentes said. "But it's available to anyone and everyone who's interested."

The City of Austin is already accepting the library cards as a valid form of ID. Fuentes said the City is also in conversations with Central Health, Capital Metro, and Credit Union about accepting the cards as valid forms of ID.

"It's about making services more accessible and easier to get to," she said.

Another benefit of having an enhanced card is it can be used the same as a standard library card to check out books, hotspots, laptops, and more.

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Read the full story and watch the video at KVUE.com.

Upscale Greek restaurant brings coastal cooking to a stunning interior in West Austin

All Greek to Me

Austin and Greece don't have tons in common, but that's why husband and wife team Hristos and Roxie Nikolakos wanted to bring a slice of the islands over with them. Yamas (stylized YAMAS) brings the "Aegean blue" to the Lone Star State (5308 Balcones Dr.) this June 23, carrying with it traditional Greek cooking and an upscale coastal interior.

Hristos Nikolakos is chasing a big dream: He wants to "own the only authentic Greek restaurant that [is] up to par with the food from back home." Since this venture came out of hosting at home, it sounds like he has a shot. Although Austin does have more homey Greek restaurants than glittering modern eateries in our downtown acropolis, there is certainly a gap in upscale Greek food after the sudden disappearance of Simi Estiatorio, whose owner allegedly skipped town.

Ingredients come first in this plan, either locally sourced or imported from the homeland. The menu promises a "culinary journey across Greece's diverse regions," all prepared with traditional techniques by Chef Dimitrios Kelesoglou. The third-generation chef previously headed culinary efforts at Nisi, the Mediterranean restaurant at the Hilton Long Island in Huntington, New York.

Diners will enjoy this meticulousness in a variety of distinctly Greek dishes, like fried feta with sesame, honey, and walnuts; a grilled octopus salad with lentils, tomatoes, scallions, and dill; and several meat dishes featuring lamb, cod, and lobster. These things paired with orzo, horta, and lemon sound light and refreshing, although the full menu has not been finalized yet. Pair them with wines from Greece and America, plus beer and craft cocktails. Be sure to say "Yamas" — cheers in Greek — before sipping.

Even if the food turns out to be excellent, visitors will likely remember the space first. Like any great Greek restaurant, Yamas is almost entirely white with cerulean accents, and made unique from surrounding buildings with its wall niches housing Greek art and artefacts. Everything was designed by the couple and executed by Greek TX, Hristos' building company.

The cozy bench seating encircling the dining space gives it the air of a beach resort, even though the West-Central neighborhood is decidedly landlocked. Murals by Cabo-based artist Aurora Covarrubias include a giant octopus and Medusa, bringing a living Greek spirit to the space, which could otherwise appear museum-like.

"At Yamas, we aim to transport our guests to the coasts of Greece through rich flavors, warm hospitality, and cherished traditions," said Roxie Nikolakos in a press release. "We want to create an inviting space where everyone feels like family and can forge lasting connections over Greek cuisine that is so close to our hearts and heritage.”

Yamas is starting operation with limited hours from 4 pm to midnight every day of the week. Soon it will expand to brunch service on the weekends, and lunch service from 11 am to 3 pm. A soft launch on June 10 invites a limited number of guests for a preview during the two weeks before the official public opening. Call 512-243-7499 to reserve.

More information about Yamas is available at yamasatx.com. The restaurant is hiring "front and back of house professionals" with career days on May 30 and 31, from noon to 5 pm. Apply in-person at Yamas for an interview "on the spot."

Yamas interior

Photo courtesy of Yamas

Yamas opens in West-Central Austin on June 23.