Best U.S. Food Cities, New Spot for Tea, and More A.M. Intel

- Food Republic published a list of the U.S.’s best food cities, ranked in tiers, and Houstonians are not happy. Austin, however, secured a spot in the second tier along with Nashville, Charleston, Portland, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

- Revelry Kitchen + Bar is kicking off Sunday brunch service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting December 18. Try the honey maple bourbon chicken lollipop wing and waffles.

- It’s tea time at Goodall’s Kitchen. The bistro now offers a weekend tea service from 3 to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. $25 for adults and $15 for those 12 years old and under. Reservations are required with a minimum of 48-hours notice.

- Austin Way turned to some of Austin's top sommeliers for holiday wine recommendations.

- Friends & Allies Brewing is opening a tasting room on Springdale Road in January and plans to begin releasing cans of Friends & Allies beer in March, reported Community Impact.

- Timeout published its picks for the 15 best tacos in the U.S. just in time for holiday travel season. The fried avocado taco at Torchy’s was Austin’s only appearance on the list.

- Chronicle spotlighted local tastemakers and entrepreneurs expanding Austin’s food offerings with flavors far beyond U.S borders.

- Cuvee Coffee’s Black & Blue nitro cold brew in cans is now available in all Whole Foods Market locations throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Previously it was only available throughout Texas and the tri-state area.

- Raise a glass—Austin Eastciders won the Gold Medal at the 2016 U.S. Open Cider Championship in the Fruit Cider category.

- The Architect's Newspaper took a look at how two Austin-based studios—Sanders Architecture and Cravotta Interiors—designed the restaurant Juniper to bring the energy from the kitchen into the dining area. As a result, the kitchen is viewed as a “culinary stage” where guests can watch chef Nicholas Yanes and team prepare dishes and drinks.

- The owners of Guero’s Taco Bar are adding a three-story 34-room hotel behind the restaurant. Currently named Kimber Modern SoCo, it will include retail and event space, according to The Statesman.