La Popular’s tres leches cake is piled high with a torched meringue and topped with caramel. | Photo courtesy La Popular
It’s time to work up an appetite, because Austin Restaurant Weeks is right around the corner.
From Friday, Aug. 30 to Sunday, Sept. 15, dozens of restaurants, bars, and bakeries will offer prix-fixe menus — $20 for lunch + brunch and $40-$60 for dinner — and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Central Texas Food Bank.
Here are a few deals to dig into.
Lunch
The Dirdie Birdie | $20 | Enjoy a round of mini golf (included in the price) at this Austin-themed indoor course, plus your choice of the “Birdie Bites” boneless wings or Bavarian pretzel sticks.
Laurel | $30-$60 | Get a taste of the Italian coast with the choice of an antipasti, like “Nonna’s Meatballs,” and an entrée like the “Fungus Amungus,” with roasted mushrooms and pesto. You can also get a $60 dinner menu in the evening.
Dinner
Bar Peached | $40 | Serving a fusion of Asian comfort food and Texas flavors, Bar Peached will serve three courses including Japchae noodles, summer chicken, and a mango peach sundae.
La Popular | $40 | Patrons can try some of the signature dishes from this restaurant (which is based in Mexico City), like the queso fundido, chicken mole enchiladas, the churros with dulce de leche, and cactus pear + pomegranate agua fresca.
El Raval | $60 | This Spanish tapas bar will offer a four course meal (plus paella and dessert) including options like hamachi ceviche, Iberico ham + chicken fritters, adobo calamari, and Basque cheesecake.
Special menus
Cinful Sweets | $28 | If you’ve got a sweet tooth, indulge in choices including a chocolate marshmallow, Black Forest ice cream cookie cake, and a tiramisu dessert bar.
Nômadé Cocina | $60 | Have your choice of crudo, appetizer, entrée, and dessert from this lauded restaurant that focuses on upscale wood-fired cuisine.
Java and Jokes | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 4 p.m. | Sunset Strip Comedy & Entertainment | Cost of purchase | Drink a cup of joe and practice your jokes at this stand-up comedy event in the heart of Downtown Austin.
Sierra Ferrell | Thursday, Aug. 22 | 7 p.m. | Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater | $110-$300 | It’s not just “In Dreams” — the singer-songwriter will perform the “Shoot For the Moon” tour in Austin.
Friday, Aug. 23
Gambler Days 2024 | Friday, Aug. 23-Sunday, Aug. 25 | Times vary | The Moody Center | $27-$126 | Catch three days of bull-riding fun with the Austin Gamblers.
Y’all Means All (Shorts You Don’t Mess With) | Friday, Aug. 23 | 9:45-11:15 p.m. | Galaxy Theatres Austin | $15 | Grab your popcorn and watch shorts made by four Texas film makers.
Saturday, Aug. 24
Abbey Lights Up COTA Gala | Saturday, Aug. 24 | 5-10 p.m. | Circuit of the Americas | $325 | Enjoy culinary delights, live music, and prizes for auction for a cause with local celebrity Chet Garner.
Sunday, Aug. 25
COME DANCE 2024 | Sunday, Aug. 25 | 1-6 p.m. | Ballet Austin | Free with RSVP | Dance your heart out and experience a variety of dance classes at Ballet Austin for free.
Plan Ahead
Green Day | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 6:30 p.m. | Germania Insurance Amphitheater | $75-$220 | The band behind “American Idiot” will bring Rancid and The Linda Lindas to Austin on the “Saviors” tour.
Host up to 40 guests at The Graeber by Lodgewell, a stunning downtown venue with a private pool, modern kitchen, and lush outdoor spaces. | Photo provided by RestauRent
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Despite the recent heatwave, Austin is poised to weather far fewer days above 105º compared to last year. By this time in 2023, there had been 36 days above 105º, but so far in 2024, there have only been two. (KVUE)
Development
The Austin-to-Manor Trail, a 5.5-mile trail beginning at Austin’s Daffan Lane and ending at Manor’s Ben E. Fisher Park, will open this Saturday, Aug. 24. The trail will follow the future Green Line of Project Connect and joins with the Southern Walnut Creek Trail. (KXAN)
Announced
Don’t talk to us until we’ve had our Desnudo coffee. The local coffee trailer has a new location at Fareground (111 Congress Ave.) and will be open today through at least December. Stop by for a brown sugar miso latte and a brown butter chocolate chip cookie.
Sports
Longhorn-stamped burgers, baked mac and cheese, and bread pudding, oh my. Football fans can expect a different menu — inspired by the team’s rival — at each game at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium this season. Think crawfish boils for LSU and alligator for University of Florida. (KXAN)
Ranked
Austin is the No. 5 best city in the world — and best in the US — for nightlife, according to Time Out. Joining the ranks of cities like Rio de Janeiro and Berlin, Austin was praised for its array of events, buzzing streets, and great places to dance.
Try This
The 38th annual AIA Austin Homes Tour is Saturday, Oct. 26-Sunday, Oct. 27, showcasing eight innovative homes built or renovated by local architecture firms. Tickets for the self-guided tour are on sale now, ranging $10-$125.
Pets
We love our four-legged friends here in ATX. When it comes to hounds, the Bernese Mountain Dog is the favorite breed across Texas (as well as California and Florida), according to a report from Forbes.
Listen
As we head into the 2024 football season, which Houston Texans player has made the most of their spot in the NFL? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Houston Texans with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Festival
Mark your calendars: The 35th annual Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival is returning this fall. Attendees can expect live performances from various artists across three stages, food vendors, a carnival, and more from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13 in historic downtown Conroe. Let’s get this party started.*
Health
Did you hear that? Most hearing aids have one processor. These bad boys have two. They process speech and noise separately, so speech gets clearer and crisper. No wonder 385,000+ customers love them.*
Step into our office — er, the salsa aisle at H-E-B. | Photo by ATXtoday
No taco, bowl of chips, or burrito is complete without the perfect salsa. Luckily, that’s easy to find in ATX.
Try some of these local salsas + hot sauces that can be purchased near you.
El Patio | H-E-B, Central Market, and more | Available in medium, hot, and habanero, this salsa is made from a family recipe that hasn’t been altered since 1954. Pro tip: try El Patio’s restaurant at 2938 Guadalupe St.
Yellowbird | H-E-B, Central Market, and more | Whether you like classic flavors like sriracha and habanero or small batch creations like garlic shiitake and plum reaper, Yellowbird keeps your mouth watering.
Jaime’s Spanish Village | Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, and more | Austinites have enjoyed this award-winning salsa (both green and red) since 1931.
Austin Chile Co. | Whole Foods, Central Market, and more | Founded by brothers Hector and Jerry, this brand uses Hatch chile, and also sells queso + bean dip.
Salsa is very important to me, and I’m always looking for a new one to try. El Patio salsa has altered my brain chemistry — I went through an entire jar by myself last week.
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