Easy Tiger Roars on Seventh, Simona's Coffee Supercharges the Colton House Hotel, Tiff's Got a Brand New Treat, You Could Win A Herd of Cattle, FFS, and More

Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s culinary scene in the second week of April, as wrangled from numerous PR releases, official posts, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings …

Simona's Coffee + Cocktails supercharges the Colton House Hotel

First, some mellow feline news! We mean, that Easy Tiger empire of bread and brews and pastries and general foodie excellence – those adroit doughmeisters who’ve donated more than 40,000 loaves to local food banks during this pandemic crapola – they’ll be opening the doors at their new Eastside location for the first time – well, more fully and with a greater, like, flourish, for the first time – on Mon., April 19th. Never mind mourning the old Sixth Street digs, this new venue (at 1501 E. Seventh) will rival even the Linc’s big Tiger for welcoming vibe and sheer loungeability …

And, not that the above-referenced Tiger can’t handle righteous klobasnekery, but you know the Chronicle’s Evan Rodriguez has a Guide to Kolaches in Austin right here for you, jah? And, tangentially, Andrew Turner has glossed three smol and hyperlocal grocery stores for your consideration …

Speaking of local stores with exceptional merchandise, Goodstock by Nolan Ryan, that Far North Austin (okay: Round Rock) bastion of butchery and more, has an online shop filled with all manner of culinary staples and accompaniments – including their newest release, the Goodstock “No Fuss BBQ Rub,” just the thing for all you ambitious grill-at-homers in these here parts …

Reckon they've herd the news?

But maybe you want to cut out any middlemen whatsoever? Like, you want to have your own herd of cattle, citizen? Surprise: It may be possible. Listen: “Now in its third year, Beef on the Brazos is a unique opportunity for a chance to own a herd of cattle. From April 15 until June 30, $50 raffle tickets are available and only 2000 will be sold to win 20 F1 Braford heifers with an estimated value near $20,000, subject to market price at the time of the sale.” Seriously, is this an awesome raffle, or what? Those odds aren’t too damned discouraging, are they? And, bonus, all proceeds from the raffle benefit the nonprofit Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation.

You think Simona’s Coffee + Cocktails, that new indoor/outdoor bar and patio located in SoCo’s Colton House Hotel (2510 S. Congress) is elegant AF and highest-quality all by itself? Wrong. We mean, sure, the secluded oasis is its own well-discovered hideaway, and that expansive patio is designed around three 80-year-old live oak trees, and the second-floor lounge is what we’d certainly rent for guest-impressing events … but the venue’s partners are what’s raising our most appreciative eyebrow: A bar menu that features tipples from Deep Eddy, Still Austin, Treaty Oak, and more. (And Violet Crown! Can you imagine having some of that acclaimed Emerald absinthe of theirs in this setting?) Of course the beverage program boasts an array of local wines and beers to choose from, too, though the coffee comes from St. Louis’ Coma Coffee. And the deli spread of sandwiches, salads and wraps? Is catered by 2dine4 and Moonlight Bakery, and so: Wow, yes. “But, Brenner, what about breakfast tacos?” you say. “A place in Austin doesn’t offer good breakfast tacos,” you say, “then fuck ’em.” And we concur. But Simona’s breakfast tacos are supplied fresh each morning by Tacodeli, see, so try to eat while you’re busy grinning with gustatory joy. (That Jess Special with a dollop of Salsa Doña, right? Mmmmmm.) Recommendation: Next time you’re on that stretch of South Congress, check this place out …

Mother’s Day isn’t that far away – and we’re gathering a plethora of recos for you, even as you read these words – but right now here’s just one hot Dia de la Madre tip for those planning to treat the dear lady right: Juliet Italian Kitchen, that popular South Austin eatery, has opened its newest iteration in the Arboretum. And if Dan Wilkins’ wine-and-pasta-forward restaurant, with its tantalizing array of classic dishes (like 17-layer lasagna) and its seasonal cocktails, in that tree-shaded location isn’t a can’t-fail Mother’s Day choice, then we don’t know what is …

Oh, Tiff's Treats, you are ... irresistible.

Speaking of Mother’s Day, you know how Tiff’s Treats, the folks who delivery the most delectable cookies (still warm from the oven) all over town – you know how they’ve embarked on a let's-have-Tiff’s-Treats-all-over-the-country sort of gambit, right? Going, eventually, all national and so on? We imagine that’s at least partly the reason behind this news: Tiff’s first new cookie flavor in five years. "We want to continuously be innovative with our menu and add new items we know our customers will love," says Tiff’s co-founder Tiffany Chen. "We created our Double Chocolate Chip cookie based on the success of other chocolate-based cookies we've offered as flavors of the week,” she says – and this latest treat becomes the first ever chocolate-based cookie on Tiff’s permanent menu. Reckon it’s on our menu, too, as soon as we finish placing an order; but can even this Good New Thing hope to match chef Wes Dills' 4-C Cookie? Stay tuned, as we have them battle it out in our palate’s drool-flooded arena …

[Note to self: Maybe make the next metaphor a little less gross, mmmkay?]

Hendrick’s Gin, anyone? But that sterling expression of the juniper berry is only one of the 90-plus varieties of gin from around the world that are available in ARRIVE Austin’s open-air lounge atop the trendy hotel’s roof at 1813 E. Sixth. Ah, what’s the name of the newly re-opened venue again? The bar with all the gin? Damn, it’s right there on the tip of our tipple-tickled tongue, but – oh yeah: Gin Bar! In there among the East Sixth amalgam of Vixen’s Wedding, Lefty’s, and Cartel Coffee, it’s Gin Bar …

Haven’t even tried the stuff yet, but we wanted to let you know that Sisterdale Distilling Co., a new distillery in the Texas Hill Country, now has a Straight Bourbon Whiskey available at more than 150 retail shops across the state of Texas.

Also, we – what's that? You want a small, separate round-up devoted to booze news? Who loves ya, baby?

And, finally, are you looking for a fun happy hour to close out the week? Luck Springs, Austin’s newest line of sparkling hard lemonade and teas, has joined with the snack-and-beverage-delivery army of GoPuff to host a block party with free drinks, ice cream, and live music, ready to rock you into relaxation at Bandit Cafe (706 N. Lamar) on Fri., April 16, 4-8pm …

Now y’all be safe out there, eat as well and tip as big as you can, and watch out for those ’ronas …