Plus, Leona Botanical Café & Bar breaks ground.
 
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🏆 Austin food accolades

Austin restaurants earn multiple national accolades this week
A close-up photo of pasta on a white plate, sprinkled with green leaves and lemon zest.
Birdie’s earned nods from both the Global Tastemakers Awards + the James Beard Awards this week. | Photo by @mksrn
Between global food rankings and the “Oscars of Food,” Austin restaurants raked in more than half a dozen major food and beverage awards this week.

But enough with the appetizers — time for the main course.

Global Tastemakers Awards

Food & Wine Magazine’s Global Tastemakers Awards is an annual ranking of the top food and beverage talent in the world, curated and voted on by a panel of 180+ food and travel journalists.

With six recognitions, Austin was by far the most represented Texas city on the list, followed by Houston, which earned two accolades.

Starting with the big one, Austin ranked the No. 4 overall best US city for food and drinks.

That is six spots higher than last year’s No. 10 ranking, driven in part by local restaurants taking home 2023 awards for Restaurant of the Year (Birdie’s) and Best New Chef (Edgar Rico).

A close-up image of a taco.

Nixta Taqueria is known for authentically made corn tortillas and seriously delicious tacos — Chef Edgar Rico says the restaurant is “the culmination of who he is.”

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Photo via @whatnugeeats

Speaking of Birdie’s and Rico, Austin spots included on Food & Wine’s list of Top 20 Restaurants in the US were:
  • Birdie’s | No. 4
  • Nixta Taqueria | No. 17
Watertrade — the Japanese-style cocktail bar attached to OTOKO — also earned a No. 16 ranking on Food & Wine’s list of top US bars.

Houston eatery March was also featured in the list of top restaurants at No. 14, and the city’s popular cocktail bar Julep ranked No. 11 in the list of top bars.

A cocktail next to a menu on the table at Watertrade.

Watertrade’s Japanese-inspired cocktails are both creative + delicious.

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Photo by ATXtoday

James Beard Awards

It’s been a big week for Birdie’s in more ways than one.

The restaurant’s chef, Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, was also the sole Austinite to make it to the finalists round of this year’s James Beard Awards, with a nomination for Best Chef: Texas. Lockhart’s Barbs-B-Q also moved forward in the Best New Restaurant category.

Winners for the awards will be announced Monday, June 10 at a celebration in Chicago. Until then, check out our guide to every James Beard winner + semifinalist in Austin.
Asked

What Austin restaurant also deserves an award?
Let us know your favorite eats around down.
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Events
Thursday, April 4
  • Ditte Sørensen: Threads, the Elusive & Feminine | Now-Sunday, June 2 | Times vary | Unchained.Art Contemporary Gallery, 1601 E. Cesar Chavez St., Unit #101, Austin | Free | Enjoy a look at this Danish artist’s first solo exhibition and textile-forward creations.
  • Resume Review | Thursday, April 4 | 3-5 p.m. | Round Rock Public Library, 200 E. Liberty Ave., Round Rock | Free | Get some help perfecting your resume with a fresh pair of eyes.
Friday, April 5
  • Oliver Anthony | Friday, April 5 | 6-11 p.m. | Round Rock Amp, 3701 N. IH-35, Round Rock | $35 | The country artist is known for “Rich Men North of Richmond,” and “Ain’t Got a Dollar.”
  • Bob Dylan | Friday, April 5-Saturday, April 6 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $70-$879 | The folk legend and Nobel Prize winner will stop in Austin for two nights on his “Rough and Rowdy Ways” tour.
Saturday, April 6
  • Texas VegFest | Saturday, April 6 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin | Free | Thousands of Austinites can enjoy all things vegan at this springtime fest.
Plan Ahead
  • Indie Meme Film Festival | Wednesday, April 17-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Austin Film Society, 6259 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin | $60-$200 | Tune into South Asian cinema and Q+As at five days of screenings and events.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Try This

Wellness

The ultimate wellness experience awaits Austinites at Mokara Spa
Presented by an ATXtoday Partner
a rooftop pool terrace featuring pool furniture and a pool
The 13,000 sqft sanctuary draws inspiration from nearby waterways, creeks, and springs. | Photo provided by Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Dedicated to rejuvenating the mind, body + soul, Mokara Spa offers an array of signature spa treatments, salon services, and personalized wellness journeys.

Located in Omni Barton Creek Resort, the spa features its own private rooftop pool, allowing guests a unique vantage point to admire the breathtaking Texas Hill Country. They can also enjoy additional amenities like:
  • A relaxation lounge
  • Steam room
  • Sauna
  • and more
Book an appointment by calling (512) 306-5813 or via email.
Plan your visit
News Notes
Traffic
  • I-35, Hwy. 71, US 290, and US 281 are anticipated to be some of the roadways with the heaviest traffic during Monday’s total solar eclipse. TxDOT encourages travelers to practice safe driving near Austin, the airport and Del Valle, and the Hill Country. (KVUE)
Civic
  • Residential developers building projects near outdoor music venues may soon have to perform sound tests during concerts in order to inform future tenants of noise pollution. The measure was approved by Austin’s Music Commission, but has not yet been adopted by City Council. (Austin Monitor)
Coming Soon
  • The teams behind Dee Dee Thai and Veracruz All Natural broke ground on a new five-acre concept in Sunset Valley. Leona Botanical Café & Bar is slated to open early next year at 6405 Brodie Lane, and contain indoor and outdoor seating and an organic garden. (Austin American-Statesman)
Legacy
  • Pat Molak, co-founder and owner of Gruene Hall, recently died at age 76. Molak has owned the award-winning, 125-year-old Hill Country venue since 1975. Learn more about his legacy. (KVUE)
Biz
  • H-E-B may build a new grocery store in Manor. The chain — which has not confirmed the project — purchased 20 acres at the Manor Crossing retail center. (Austin Business Journal)
Trending
  • You can take the superstar out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the superstar. Beyoncé promoted her new country album “Cowboy Carter” with a nod to ATX, using images featuring sake and desserts from the Los Angeles location of Uchi. (Eater Austin)
Sports
  • What’s next for Justin Foscue? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
TEGNA
 
The Buy

The Buy 4.04.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
I’m on my second listen-through of Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” album, and I truly love all of the interludes featuring country greats (including the iconic Willie Nelson).

They remind me of listening to the local radio as a kid, back when Bobby Bones and Lunchbox still ruled the Austin airwaves.
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