The JW Marriott hotel opened its doors downtown today, and for a block-busting high rise, it's remarkably open to the street. In addition to the walk-up burger bar, the new Corner restaurant features a wraparound patio on Congress and an outdoor bar, complete with fireplace. The patio is so spacious that several passersby used the center as a sidewalk.
The Marriott adds three restaurants total to downtown Austin: Osteria Pronto, specializing in "regional Italian," casual and Texas-influenced Corner, and Burger Bar, which is exactly what it sounds like. Additionally, there is a massive lobby bar and a Starbucks with swank seating on the second floor. The patio-curious should check it out before the whole space is awash in lanyards during SXSW.
