Plus, 30 great happy hour deals in Austin.
 
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62º | Partly cloudy | 11% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 6:01 p.m.
 

🍽️ From plate to great

Ramen del Barrio, Bufalina, and six other Austin restaurants nominated for a James Beard Award
A plate of food with chicken on a banana leaf, a green herby sauce and vegetables.
Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph’s modern Caribbean cuisine earned him a nomination for “Best Chef” in the 2024 James Beard Awards. | Photo by @alexeatsndrinks
Roll out the red carpet, food lovers (and watch the crumbs).

The semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards — one of the culinary world’s most prestigious prizes — were announced yesterday, and Austin stars are shining bright.

You’ll find eight local chefs up for an award based on excellence and other factors like commitment to the community.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 3, when the finalists will be announced, and also for Monday, June 10, when a ceremony in Chicago will reveal the winners.

Until then, here’s a breakdown of this year’s semifinalists.

A close-up image of meat sliced on a cutting board.

Mum Foods’ craft meats earned chef Geoff Ellis a spot as one of this year’s James Beard semifinalists.

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Photo from @mumfoodsatx

Best Chef
  • Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Canje | Bristol-Joseph’s Caribbean flavors have been turning heads since Canje opened in 2021. In fact, the chef was also nominated in this category last year.
  • Geoff Ellis of Mum Foods Smokehouse & Delicatessen | Ellis’ deli on Manor Road serves humanely raised, Akaushi beef sourced from Texas farmers, and makes every menu item from scratch.
  • Joseph Gomez of Con Todo | Try Gomez’s incredible tacos and tostadas at Celis Brewery, and don’t miss out on the brunch options.
  • Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel of Birdie’s | This lauded wine bar and restaurant already has a slew of awards under its belt and is known for long lines out the door come dinnertime.
  • Fermín Núñez of Suerte | Núñez’s restaurant Suerte was also James Beard-nominated last year for its expansive list of mezcal, raicilla, sotol, and other liquors.
A box with pastries and sweets inside.

Mariela Camacho’s treats are as sweet as can be.

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Photo provided by Comadre Panadería

Best New Restaurant
  • Ramen del Barrio | The new Japanese-Mexican fusion restaurant inside Hana World Market serves slow-cooked carnitas inside thick, decadent broth.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
  • Mariela Camacho of Comadre Panadería | This is the second year in a row Camacho has been nominated for her delicious pan, cakes, and pastries.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
  • Bufalina | The pizza spot’s 24-page wine list is expertly curated to pair with any of the restaurant’s well-loved dishes.
Asked

What other Austin restaurant, bar, or food truck deserves a James Beard Award?
This year’s James Beard nominees are delicious, but we also want to hear about your tastes. Are there restaurants or local chefs you think deserve some more love?
Let us know
Events
Thursday, Jan. 25
  • The American Presidency: Pivotal Elections | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 4 p.m. | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin | Free | Dig into some of the most important presidential elections in American history — this week’s lecture features Abraham Lincoln scholar Edward Achorn.
Friday, Jan. 26
  • “The Little Mermaid” | Friday, Jan. 26-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | The Whisenhunt at ZACH Theatre, 202 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin | $22-$38 | Watch the beloved fairy tale come to life onstage.
  • Noah Reid | Friday, Jan. 26 | 8 p.m. | The Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave., Austin | $40-$60 | Reid’s “Everything’s Fine” tour will include special guest Wyatt C. Louis.
Saturday, Jan. 27
  • Poolside Power Yoga Pop Up | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 12-1:15 p.m. | Cambria Downtown Austin, 68 East Ave., Austin | $30 | Unwind with a flow by the pool, followed by mocktails and live music.
Sunday, Jan. 28
  • Omakase Vinyl | Sunday, Jan. 28 | Times vary | Equipment Room, 1101 Music Lane, Austin | $50 | This guided listening experience includes a welcome cocktail, a listen-through of Herbie Hancock’s “Inventions & Dimensions,” and a discussion about the music.
Monday, Jan. 29
  • Houston vs. Texas Men’s Basketball | Monday, Jan. 29 | 8 p.m. | The Moody Center, 2001 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $54-$603 | It’s a showdown of Texas teams at this Monday night game.
Events calendar here
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Shop

Don’t be part of this 80%
ThriveMarket_01.22.24.jpg
Never wait in line at a supermarket again with a Thrive Market membership. | Photo by Thrive Market
80% of Americans are anticipated to abandon their New Year’s resolutions by the end of this month due to life’s unavoidable disruptions.

Fortunately, Thrive Market simplifies the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, with:
  • Discounts: Shop food and products for up to 30% less than traditional grocers
  • Perks: Snag 30% off your order when you become a member
  • Gifts: Receive a complimentary gift, valued up to $60, upon joining
  • Free shipping: Spend $49+ and get groceries delivered for free
Join Thrive Market for 30% off
News Notes
Stat
  • Austin’s median rent fell by 12.5% from December 2022 to December 2023, according to data from Rent.com. With median rent clocking in at $1,985 last month, the Capital City saw the second-largest decline in the country, surpassed only by Salt Lake City.
Number
  • $855,340. That’s how much Austin Energy will receive from the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program, a fund geared toward supporting commercial energy efficiency. Austin Energy plans to use the money to reduce energy use and cut back on emissions. (KXAN)
Now Open
  • The 17-story citizenM hotel opened Downtown this week, marketing its modern spaces and 344 rooms as “affordable luxury.” Guests can enjoy a rooftop pool, plentiful art, a “living room” for relaxing and working, a retail space, and a 24/7 dining area. Check out the new digs. (CultureMap Austin)
Coming Soon
  • RSRV, a wine bar at 3415 E. Seventh St., will open this March. The Gatsby-styled bar, pronounced “reserve,” will offer Old and New World wines, nonalcoholic drinks, beer, and a small bites menu. (Eater Austin)
Festival
  • The Black Keys, Flyana Boss, and Bootsy Collins joined the list of showcasing artists performing at this year’s SXSW Music Festival. See the full lineup.
Tech
  • Although it may feel like the Cybertruck launched just yesterday, Tesla may be eyeing a new mass-market EV product. The vehicles, codenamed “Redwood,” could launch by mid-2025. (Reuters)
Biz
  • Fierce Whiskers will distribute its whiskeys through RNDC starting next month, with aiming to sell its products in nearly 500 retail stories and ~350 on-premise locations by the end of this year. The change is part of an ongoing effort to expand the brand’s presence in Texas and the US. (Austin Business Journal)
Home
  • Perfect for a cleaner, healthier home: this extra-large maple cutting board, which is BPA and phthalate-free and conditioned with beeswax, flaxseed, and lemon oil.*
 
Drink

🍸 Let the fun be-gin

Happy hour deals in Austin
A pink cocktail in a wine glass with the Better Half logo — a broken heart — sits on a table in front of the Better Half patio, which is full of trees and people eating in the background.
Better Half draft cocktails are $6 during reverse happy hour. | Photo by ATXtoday
We’re raising a glass and toasting to local sip-worthy spots shaking things up in the happy hour department.

Without further ado, here are 30 places with amazing drink specials around the Capital City.

Garbo’s | Tuesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Draft cocktails are 50% off at this local lobster chain — don’t miss the specials on wine, draft beer, and small bites, too.

Vic & Al’s | Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | Stop by after work for some delicious $6 gumbo, $4 beignets, $2.50 corn dogs, and discounted drinks.

Yamas Greek Kitchen + Bar | Monday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. | Sip on $7 spritzes and $5 Yamas shots as this new happy hour, which also offers 50% off select eats

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails | Daily, 9 p.m.-Close | Draft cocktails are made fresh every day and cost just $6 at this spot’s reverse happy hour.
26 more happy hours
The Buy

The Buy 1.25.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Your new favorite water bottle: the Owala Travel Tumbler. It combines the best of Stanley’s viral tumbler with Owala’s smart design. We’re liking colors “Bunny Hop” and “Foggy Tide.”
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
I’m in the middle of a major playlist clean-out and update, so I’m in need of some great music recommendations. Send me who you’re listening to lately — bonus points if they’re local.
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