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New Barton Springs Restaurant
West Austin lakeside restaurant Ski Shores Cafe is taking over the vacant Barton Springs space that used to belong to Irish pub Darcy’s Donkey. The second location is expected to open sometime in the spring, with the same American/Texas menu (think burgers, queso, breakfast tacos, drinks, shots, etc.), as well as a game room.
After eight months of service, Darcy’s closed in June 2019 citing “persistently underperforming sales.” Before that, the 1608 Barton Springs Road address housed a location of mini-chain Austin Java, which had been open since 1995.
Ski Founder Marion Fowler opened the original restaurants at 2905 Pearce Road in 1954 to service his rental cabin business in the area, as Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe (the name changed in 2010). The restaurant is only open if the temperature is 60 degrees or above and if it isn’t raining.
Franklin Barbecue Supper Club
Central East Austin restaurant Franklin Barbecue is hosting a one-night-only supper club, benefitting the Austin Food & Wine Alliance. The dinner is meant to imbue “the nostalgia of a ’60s Midwestern supper club” with “a classic steakhouse menu.” This means wedge salads and a meat platter with dry-aged beef, plus cocktails courtesy of Drink.Well’s Jessica Sanders. Reservations come with signed copies of pitmaster Aaron Franklin’s steak cookbook too.
It takes place on Sunday, February 16 at 6 p.m. at the restaurant on 900 East 11th Street. In order to win the chance to buy one of the 24 seats, which costs $199.99, people have to enter an online lottery before Friday, February 7 at midnight. The dinner is part of the Austin Food & Wine Alliance’s wine and dine series this year.
Franklin’s Pits
Speaking of Franklin: those who preordered pits from the pitmaster’s new side business — Franklin Barbecue Pits — will finally see the steel contraptions starting this spring.
Barbecue Biscuit Sandwiches
New-school South Austin barbecue truck LeRoy & Lewis is teaming up with fast-casual Cherrywood spot Bird Bird Biscuit to create barbecue biscuit sandwiches every weekend this month. The sandwich available at the biscuit shop will come only with brisket, while the iteration at the trailer can feature any smoked meat, all for $12. Two dollars from every sandwich sold will go towards the Austin Food & Wine Alliance.
New Hill Country Brewery
There’s a new brewery in the Hill Country: Beerburg Brewing. The brewery is making three beers: an IPA, pale ale, and amber ale, plus its taproom is serving guest beers from Real Ale, Redhorn, and Live Oak, among others. Food-wise, there are tacos, sliders, sandwiches, and salads, as well as pickled or kimchi eggs. Its hours on 13476 Fitzhugh Road are 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and then noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
