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The Most Anticipated Austin Restaurant Openings, Fall 2016

Mexican, sit-down barbecue, Chinese takeout, and more

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Nadia Chaudhury is the editor of Eater Austin covering food and pop culture, as well as a photographer, writer, and frequent panel moderator and podcast guest.

While summer was surprisingly busy in Austin with a ton of openings, the beginning of a new season ushers along a fresh lineup of restaurants, bars, and breweries set to serve the city’s dining and drinking needs this fall. There are a few absolutely brand new restaurants, like the Chinese-American offerings of Old Thousand and sit-down barbecue cocktail spot Rustic East EastSide Tavern. Then there are established restaurants branching out, like Jacoby’s and Vox Table both dipping into Mexican fare, or Qui stripping away completely into simple Japanese eatery Kuneho. Plus, there are the usual leftovers from the summer.

See an impending restaurant opening missing below? Send it through the tipline. This guide will be updated throughout the season as details change and places open.


The Brewer’s Table

The Brewer's Table rendering Rendering: Kevin Stewart Architect

With an all-star team from Qui and Live Oak Brewing, the restaurant and brewery is ready to made and serve up wood-fired food and oak-fermented beer in the East Side. The first beer being tested is an amber lager, with a pop-up dinner series coming soon to preview the brew.
Location: 4715 East 5th Street, Govalle
Major Players: Jake Maddux, Ali Sabzevari, Bill Mann, Jorge Hernandez (consulting chef), Drew Durish (head brewer)
Projected Opening Date: November 2016 January 2017
All Coverage of The Brewer’s Table

Grizzelda’s

Grizzelda's/Official

From the team behind rustic Jacoby's comes an all about Mexican restaurant right across the street. The kitchen will dish out Tex-Mex and Central Mexican fare and a strong emphasis on seafood. There will be margaritas, and indoor and outdoor seating perfect for enjoying the drinks.
Location: 105 Tillery Street, Govalle
Major Players: Adam Jacoby, Kris Swift, Albert Gonzalez (executive chef), Austin Ewald (chef de cuisine)
Opening Date: November 30, 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of Grizzelda’s

Old Thousand

Old Thousand’s new home on East 11th Street Mijo’s/Facebook (restaurant); Old Thousand/Facebook (logo)

Pegged as a neighborhood Chinese-American spot, Old Thousand will dish out food that is "familiar but surprising," according to partner Benneth Cachila, which should be strong coming from chefs with Uchi backgrounds. It will cater to those who seek to dine in, or take everything home.
Location: 1000 East 11th Street, Central East Austin
Major Players: Benneth Cachila, Larry Perido, Tony Pollock, Christian Romero, James Dumapit (chef), David Baek (chef)
Opening Date: November 30, 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of Old Thousand

Rustic East EastSide Tavern

Rendering of Rustic East Rendering: Rustic East/Official

Rustic East EastSide Tavern, as it is now known after a cease and desist, is all about table service barbecue paired with quick-service cocktails. Pitmaster and chef Cade Mercer came from Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, and spent some time training with various pitmasters around town.
Location: 1510 East Cesar Chavez
Major Players: John Korioth, Matt Carter, Clarissa Alcantara, Alan Hernandez, Cade Mercer (chef)
Projected Opening Date: November 14, 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of EastSide Tavern

Brentwood Social House

Brentwood Social House/Official

Quiches, scones, savory pies, and other European-style baked goods is what Brentwood Social House is all about, after successfully raising money for the space through Kickstarter. The family-friendly cafe will also look to create an inviting space, perfect for lingering and meetings. Indulge the inner-Brit in you by booking a reservation for afternoon tea on Sundays.
Location: 1601 West Koenig Lane, Brentwood
Major Players: Suzanne Daniels, Sarah Olano
Projected Opening Date: October 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of Brentwood Social House

Eberly

The centerpiece of Eberly is a piece of history: the transplanted bar from Cedar Tavern bar in New York. The restaurant, bar, and bakery will serve contemporary American fare, cocktails, and beer for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. The name helms from Angelina Eberly, who helped keep Austin as the state's capital in 1846 with the shot of a warning cannon.
Location: 615 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker
Major Players: John Scott, Eddy Patterson, Micki Spencer, Jim Tripi (executive chef), Natalie Gazaui (pastry chef)
Projected Opening Date: Early fall 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of Eberly

El Burro

El Burro/Official

Vox Table's announced casual Mexican restaurant was finally christened with a name and impending opening date. Menu details include tacos, enchiladas, and fancy fajitas (think lobster tails).
Location: 1100 South Lamar Boulevard, Zilker
Major Players: Vincent Manguino
Projected Opening Date: Mid-September Fall 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of El Burro

Kuneho

Bonjwing Lee

After being charged with assault, Paul Qui returned to revamp his flagship and namesake restaurant completely into Kuneho, the Tagalog word for "rabbit." He plans on refocusing the kitchen to serve simple Japanese bites like sushi. Accompanying the switcheroo is cocktail bar Rabbit Hole.
Location: 1600 East 6th Street
Major Players: Paul Qui
Projected Opening Date: November Late fall 2016 Winter 2017
All Coverage of Kuneho

Pizzeria Sorellina

Pizzeria Sorellina Apis/Official

The Spicewood restaurant pizza venture is coming soon, with pies topped with n'duja sausage, mushrooms, smoked kale, and other small bites, cheese, and charcuterie. Preview the goods during Sorellina’s pop-up at Bufalina on Monday, September 26, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: 23526 Highway 71 West, Spicewood
Major Players: Taylor Hall, Adam Brick
Projected Opening Date: Fall 2016 Winter 2017
All Coverage of Pizzeria Sorellina

Veggie Heaven

Veggie Heaven/Official

Stacy Chen reawakened her mother’s beloved campus favorite vegetarian restaurant as a vegan-only spot in a new location, creating the works: ramen, burgers, tacos. Bonus: the beloved Protein 2000 is coming back.
Location: 1611 West 5th Street, Clarksville
Major Players: Stacy Chen
Projected Opening Date: Early September Fall 2016 Winter 2017
All Coverage of Veggie Heaven

DeSano Pizza Bakery

DeSano/Official

The essential Nashville pizzeria is making its way into Austin, firing up Neapolitan pies made with Italian ingredients. The dedication to Italy extends to its beers, wines, and other drinks. The Texas location will feature four wood-fired ovens.
Location: 8000 Burnet Road, North Shoal Creek
Major Players: Jimmy Fitzgerald
Projected Opening Date: September 26, 2016 October 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of DeSano Pizza Bakery

Baby Greens

Fans of the once-gone salad spot can rejoice soon when Baby Greens comes back in full force, dishing out those familiar mixed greens, and a little more. Diners can take advantage of the al fresco seating, double-lane drive-thru, walk-up windows, and enjoy the community garden.
Location: 1508 West Anderson Lane, Wooten
Major Players: Sharon Mays
Projected Opening Date: Fall 2016
Status: Now open
All Coverage of Baby Greens

Salt Traders Coastal Cooking

Jack Gilmore's first non-Jack Allen's Kitchen restaurant shines the spotlight on seafood, offering a raw bar, chowder fries, seafood Cobb salad, and lobster rolls. For drinks, expect breezy offerings like frozen margaritas and coconut mojitos..
Location: 2850 North Interstate Highway 35, Round Rock
Major Players: Jack Gilmore, Tom Kaam, Chris Ten Eyck (executive chef), David Toby (beverage director)
Projected Opening Date: Early fall
Status: Now open
All Coverage of Salt Traders Coastal Cooking

Also tracking:

— Iconic Green Pastures got a sprucing courtesy of La Corsha Hospitality Group, and the new digs will be unveiled sometime this fall winter 2017.

— Austin's favorite jam maker Confituras is opening up a cafe and shop this October winter on South Lamar, with those lovable spreadables, coffee, fruit sodas, tea, and grab-and-go lunch and breakfast items. It’ll also host pop-up dinners and events.

— Conveyor belt sushi makes its way to Austin when Kula Revolving Sushi expands to the city, alongside with Asian supermarket and food court 99 Ranch, which will open later. Update: Kula will open in February 2017.

— Local sandwich shop Austin Daily Press is expanding with a second location with a bakery, indoor seating, and a slight reangling on Tex-Mex fare with its new location on East Cesar Chavez in November. Status: It'll open in early 2017.

— While El Chipiron, the Spanish tapas restaurant on the corner of South Lamar and Manchaca, had been delayed, it’s looking to start plating out pinchos and plates in early October. Every drink served (there’s an emphasis on gin and tonics) will come with a free tapa. Update: The opening has been postponed to sometime this fall winter.

In & Out’s Austin-area takeover is going strong, with the opening of the Tech Ridge drive-thru in about a month, followed by the campus one on Guadalupe in a few months after. Status: Tech Ridge is open, Guadalupe is now open.

— On the heels of Second Bar + Kitchen’s Domain debut in the Archer Hotel, the original downtown location’s takeover of departed sibling Congress will be completed in October in the winter. Cocktail fans, this means that Bar Congress will reopen, too.

— The shuttered Dallas Nightclub will become The Local Post under the eyes of Union Venture Group (the business behind the Rock Rose block of bars), becoming a neighborhood spot with food and drink sometime in late fall in the winter.

— Many breweries are coming to Austin. First, there’s Austin’s St. Elmo, soft opening in October November with a taproom full of beers, coffee, and Southeast Asian food trailer Soursop, found within The Yard (not to be confused with the nearby St. Elmo Public Market) on Saint Elmo Road. Then there is Idle Vine out in Pflugerville, debuting in late October with a taproom. Lastly, Sud’s Monkey Brewing is ambitiously aiming for an early fall opening on Circle Drive. Statuses: St. Elmo is now open.

— Downtown’s booze boom continues with Belgian beer bar Mort Subite, soft opening in September serving drinks from the country and elsewhere in Europe. Keep an eye out for bottle sabering, available for special occasions. Status: Now open.

— Find waffles, coffees, and swinging seats when Factory opens very soon on West Anderson Lane. Status: Now open.

— 27/7 cupcake vending machine? The dream will become a reality when Sprinkles opens in Domain Northside in November winter. Alongside the vending machine, the bakery will dish out cupcake sundaes, shakes, and cupcake ice cream sandwiches.

A Clockwork Orange-inspired bar is coming to East 12th Street with the eventual opening of Moloko, with a very surreal vibe and cocktail menu to match. Status: Now open.

— Vegan gastropub Beer Plant, focusing only on plant-based food and drink, is coming oh so soon this fall. Status: Now open.

— Dive bar Horseshoe Lounge’s rebirth on East Riverside is still pending, but hey, there’s a liquor license now.

— The revamp of Hudson on the Bend, under new ownership, will be brought to light in October, flashing a wine cellar and expanded patio, plus mostly the same menu. Status: Now open.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar gets bigger with its third Austin-based expansion in the Triangle, opening on Monday, September 19. Status: Now open.

— As part of the Hilton Austin’s renovations, the first of two new restaurants, Cannon + Belle, will open in mid- to late October under chef Peter Maffei (of the hotel’s shuttered Finn & Porter) with Texas eats and drinks. Status: Now open. The second, Austin Taco Project, will follow.

— Italian surges on with Red Ash from the original founders of Eddie V's, opening in mid-September in downtown Austin with pastas, a full bar, and more. Status: Now open.

— Fast casual Mediterranean is still in the works for campus with Mezze Me with meaty shawarmas, falalfel, and more, coming this October winter.

— Also heading to the Domain Northside is California chain Paul Martin’s American Grill, opening in October with familiar fare. Status: Now open.

— Nordstrom restaurant Bazille debuts with the rest of the upscale department store in the Domain Northside on Friday, September 30. Status: Now open.

— Icenhauer’s downtown bar Sellers took over Castro’s Warehouse on West 4th Street, turning the space into a cocktail bar with a lot of drinks with a ’70s basement lounge vibe, opening in mid-October. Status: Now open.

— Healthy chain Flower Child joins the party in Rock Rose in late fall, doling out fast casual customizable eats like grain bowls, salads, and wraps. The expansion comes via Sam Fox, who is helming Culinary Dropout (see below), as well as True Food Kitchen in Seaholm and North Italia). Status: Now open.

— Rock Rose gets another gastropub with the expansion of Culinary Dropout this fall, with the usual fare and drink. Status: Now open.

— Dual Italian restaurants Gatto Nero and Enoteca Gattino were supposed to open on East 6th Street. this spring The opening is unknown at this point.

Winter 2016/2017: B.D. Riley, Brewtorium, Bonhomie, Chez Nada, Employees Only, Feral Tuna Brewing, Flemish Fox Brewery, Greater Goods, Halcyon, Home Slice (North Loop expansion), JT Youngblood’s, Lick Honest Ice Creams, Modern Market (downtown expansion), Native, Oddwood Ales, P. Terry’s (Lake Creek Parkway expansion), Pitchfork Pretty, Stella Public House, Stone House Coffee Bar, Sway (Rock Rose and West Lake Hill expansions), Taco Bell Cantina, Velvet Taco, Vigilante

Rest of 2017: 24 Diner (Rock Rose expansion), De Rigueur, Easy Tiger (Linc expansion), Fareground, Peli Peli, Tiny Boxwoods, Unknown Hai Hospitality project, Yoshi Kitchen

2018: East Austin Hotel, El Chilito (Manchaca expansion), St. Elmo Public Market, Unknown McGuire Moorman Hospitality projects (within Austin Proper)

Unknown: Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, Halal Guys, Hi Sign Brewing, Jugo, Kamala Gardens Brewery, Lazarus Brewing, Odelay and the Upper East Side, Second Bar + Kitchen (Austin Bergstrom International Airport expansion), STK Rebel, Unknown Chameleon Group project, Unknown Grae Nonas project, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Yuyo

Lead image of Austin by Roschetzky Productions/Shutterstock

Veggie Heaven [Closed]

1914 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705 (512) 457-1013 Visit Website

Pizzeria Sorellina

23526 State Highway 71, , TX 78669 (737) 222-6061 Visit Website
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