Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s culinary scene – as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.
Yes, citizen, it’s your “Food News Buffet” for the fourth week of December.
Christmas is coming up fast, but in these plan-ahead times at your favorite altweekly, that means we’ve already got a small flock of New Year’s Eve dining options ready for your perusal online, with more added daily.
Right now, though, things are still Yuletide cheesy for a while in Austin – especially at Antonelli’s (4220 Duval), where you can order any of their party-ready cheese trays (to be picked up Christmas Eve) until midnight on Sat., Dec. 23 …
Or, if you’re looking to dine out on Christmas (and the day before!), we reckon it’s a good idea to enjoy the mouthwatering marvels at Carpenters Hall (400 Josephine), where their popular brunch menu will be enhanced with festive specials (Sun.-Mon., Dec. 24-25, 10am-3pm) and a three-course Christmas dinner (that starts off with French onion soup and ends with buttermilk chess pie, and you won’t believe what the main is) that’s available Sun.-Mon., Dec. 24-25, 5-10pm …
Even though this season’s not about being “shellfish,” heads-up to any lobster-lovers in the crowd: Garbo’s Maine Lobster on Mopac (12709 N. Mopac) will also be open for your dining pleasure – on Sun., Dec. 24, 11am-9pm and Mon., Dec. 25, 5-9pm. (Garbo’s not-so-secret dessert weapon: The key lime pie, omg!) …
Walking along SoCo a lot this time of year, are you? Window-shopping all the mercantile fanciness that tugs at your wallet like a hungry lamb seeking sorrel treats from his shepherdess? Pro tip: Fuel your perambulations with a stop at Jo’s Coffee (1300 S. Congress) and try their limited-time coconut snowball latte or Grinch matcha – it’s caffeine in flavors that’ll wow your tongue while your steps grow springier. Bonus: The holidays quaffs are available at all Jo’s locations …
Let’s see – what else, what else? Rod Machen wraps up the year with a roundup of the biggest news in Austin food in 2023 … Eric Puga shouts out the top ten beers defining Austin in 2023 … and what beloved dining places have we lost in this city this year? And what’s worth watching for in 2024? Deven Wilson gives us a bittersweet look at the changing scene right here … and, oh, you’ve been jonesing to make sushi at home, but maybe need a little in-person instruction in that culinary art? Texas Saké Co. is teaming with Classpop to show you how …
WUXTRY! Hoboken Pie, that Jersey-style pizzeria at 718 Red River, the joint that’s provided many a late-night slice for Downtown revelers at all times of the year? They’ve added sandwiches and chicken wings (bone-in and boneless) to their popular menu. Bet you’ll want to avail yourself of such new sandos as the Jersey Choppa, the Plain Jane, the Royal Pig, and more, next time you’re in the area – especially because they’re all made with Texas French Bread …
Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and resolve to be someone’s secret Santa every day of the year.
This article appears in December 22 • 2023 and December 15 • 2023.