Keep your ACL wristband on this weekend so you can get a 20% off discount when you try Skipjack Oyster. | Photos by ATXtoday
If seafood is your preferred type of food, this new Downtown restaurant is your oyster.
Skipjack Oyster opened this month on the ground floor of The Westin Austin on East 5th Street. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy a delicious upscale meal — here are ATXtoday’s recommendations.
The fruity, creamy “Wade Into the Atlantic” cocktail is one of the best drinks I’ve ever had.
The martini service is stunningly Instagrammable and sure to impress guests.
The fresh crab hush puppies came highly recommended by staff and have plenty of meat inside.
The raw bar offers an array of options, but the specialty is the highly curated oysters (which you can also get baked).
After a few appetizers, the entrees are great for sharing. We recommend the shrimp + grits.
The restaurant has two specials to celebrate its opening: 20% off tabs with a valid ACL wristband this weekend and 50% off bubbles by the glass all month.
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Taco Flats owner Simon Madera tapped former Valentina’s Tex Mex pitmaster Miguel Vidal to work at his new venture, Churchrow Tejas Barbecue. The restaurant, which is slated to open later this month in north Austin, will serve counter-service tacos + barbecue, plus offer a full bar program led by La Holly beverage director Caleb Chial.
Number
$1 billion. That’s how much Base Power raised — marking the largest venture capital funding round in Austin history. The local home battery energy startup, which was co-founded by Zach Dell (son of Michael Dell), is also poised to move its factory into the Downtown former Statesman campus. (Austin Business Journal)
Outdoors
Bluebonnet season is about six months away, meaning if you want to see the State Flower of Texas pop up in your yard next spring, now is the time to plant them. Head to your local library branch or the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to source some seeds. (KXAN)
Arts
Next time you visit the Austin airport, look out for its newest art installation: “Convergence.” The piece, designed by Austin artists at Beili Liu Studio, looks like hundreds of red leaves or birds floating down from the ceiling. (CultureMap)
Gallery
ACL Festival-goers got creative with their totems this year — we’re talking inflatable gummy bears, Labubus, Kermit the Frog dripping in Supreme, the Driving Crooner, and many more. Check out these fun sights from Weekend One. (CultureMap)
Ranked
Lake Austin Spa Resort is the No.1 “Best Destination Spa” in the US for the second year in a row, and No. 6 in the world, according to Condé Nast Traveler. Psst — all of the ingredients for the spa’s products are grown or harvested on the grounds.
Opening
Velvet Taco debuted a new north Austin location in the former Flyrite Chicken space on Burnet Road. The restaurant, which is known for its vegan queso option, also has three more nearby locations Downtown, at Domain NORTHSIDE, and in Round Rock. (Community Impact)
List
Working parents, you’re in the right place. A study by CoworkingCafe named Austin the No. 15 best city in the US for working folks with kids, thanks to its high share of remote jobs, green spaces, and public schools.
Sports
Texas has a big game against its rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, this weekend. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Longhorns with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Wellness
Texans with chronic pain are now eligible for medical cannabis prescriptions — and they can connect with doctors from home. Texas Original offers telemedicine consults, statewide delivery, and 20% off first orders, with rewards for returning patients. See if you qualify under the expanded Compassionate Use Program.†‡*
Hydrow’s Fall Sale brings immersive rowing workouts all from the comfort of your own home. Train like a pro and save big — use code NOTES to enjoy $600 off Origin, $200 off Wave, or $100 off Arc.*
Jobs
“The process is super easy and far more cost-effective than using a recruiter.” That’s what one business owner said about hiring through our Job Board. See for yourself — post your open positions for free.
Austin-based delivery company Favor is offering free pedicab rides to ACL Festival this weekend. If you want to save yourself some walking, all you have to do is find a Favor-branded Austin Pedicab Company ride during these times:
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I would love nothing more than for San Antonio real estate agent Trenton Miller to come do a speed tour of an Austin home, because he is endlessly entertaining. Personally, I’m not in the market for a new home, but I happily suggest that he visits one of ICON’s 3D-printed abodes.
