Here, there, and everywhere, the state’s eateries are bustling again like never before. Leave it to our editors Lance Avery Morgan (Austin), Cynthia Smoot (Dallas), Jake Gaines (Houston), and Alexandra del Lago (San Antonio), to recommend the cuisine and beverage hot spots to capture your fancy.
AUSTIN
WAX-ING POETICALLY
At Wax Myrtle’s, the restaurant and bar in the new Thompson Hotel downtown, is the hip, poolside place to be served up Mediterranean appetizers and entrees. Just a block from Lady Bird Lake, it promises to be the in place to be seen this summer.
At WaxMyrtles.com.
TIKI TATSU-YA
An immersive experience that transports travelers to an island paradise? Count us in to enjoy this Disneyesque Pirates of the Caribbean-vibe venue that dishes out creative interpretations of Tiki drinks alongside a food menu that blends Polynesian and Japanese influences.
At TikiTatsuYa.com.
LIKE IN THE OLD COUNTRY
Escape the ordinary and celebrate the historical German culture of Central Texas at Koko’s Bavarian on Austin’s East Side. The brewery is an oasis of beer and brats housed in an old warehouse building featuring a 400-seat outdoor Biergarten. Some of the specialties include house-made sausages and schnitzels, as well as Belgian-style fries.
DALLAS/FORT WORTH
CIAO BELLA
Recently opened at The Star in Frisco, Lombardi Cucina Italiana is the latest concept from restaurateur Alberto Lombardi. It has the feel of an alfresco villa in Italy surrounded by olive trees, Italian marble, and Venetian chandeliers. The menu celebrates authentic Italian cuisine with a modern touch that is produced daily in an open-style pasta laboratorio.
FRENCH TWIST
Toussaint Brasserie is an approachably chic French-inspired restaurant and bar located in what was the historic Tower Petroleum Building (now the Renaissance Saint Elm Dallas Downtown Hotel). The brasserie serves as a relaxing dining destination serving a menu rooted in French and Asian flavors. At ToussaintDallas.com.
HOWDY, ‘PARDNER
Rodeo Bar is a modern Texas tavern adjacent to the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas. Guests enjoy a classic Texas-vibe paired with original 80s neon beer bar lights, vintage rodeo posters, and original rodeo memorabilia while noshing on burgers, chips and queso, and sandwiches. The basement’s Back Room offers billiards, darts, and you can get your groove on under a disco ball or relax on comfy sofas while listening to music from the jukebox.
At Adolphus.com.
HOUSTON
NORDIC FLAIR
Golfstrømmen at POST HTX Food Market shows Texas what Nordic cuisine is all about. Chef Christopher Haatuft, dubbed the punk chef godfather of Neo-Fjordic cuisine, brings not only a fresh seafood menu with his Nordic bent but will also sell fresh Gulf seafood.
At PostHTX.com.
BAR DELUXE
The Old Hollywood vibe, reinforced by a vintage backdrop in this 1930 Spanish-Mediterranean-style bar, makes the new Clarkwood the happening spot to be. Its thoughtfully curated black and white seating vignettes include banquettes, tables, and lounge areas that add to the relaxed glam.
At ClarkwoodHTX.com.
GREEN WITH ENVY
The new Insta-worthy Garden Oaks eatery is an all-day café that features extremely healthy fare like sandwiches, salads, coffee drinks, and more. We love the beet and goat cheese toast, as well as strawberry and creme fraiche as part of their garden-fresh menu selections.
At Sunday-Press.com.
SAN ANTONIO
SIGNATURE DISH
At the La Cantera Resort & Spa, the award-winning destination set atop the highest elevation point in San Antonio, you’ll find its restaurant, Signature. Led by San Antonio local John Carpenter as executive chef, the team includes Executive Sous Chef Jaime Torres and Pastry Chef Stéphane Leopoldo. They provide a wide selection of contemporary interpretations of classic dishes.
FAMILY STYLE
The English translation of nonna is grandmother. However, it has a deeper meaning that evokes images of matriarchs passing down generations of recipes and hosting big gatherings to bring the family together. Here, at Nonna in the Fairmount Hotel, you’ll find savory, comfort food dishes perfect for anyone to love.
At NonnaSA.com.
AMALFI? AMAZING.
Inspired by Italy’s impossibly beautiful Amalfi Coast, Allora brings a bright taste of Italian seafood and pasta to the city. Discover this intimate spot at the Pearl and experience the fresh flavors and scenic spaces while reveling in San Antonio’s modern coastal restaurant and bar.
At AlloraPearl.com.