It’s that time of year again, when everyone flocks south for an Austin acronym. Yep, SXSW. And since one cannot subsist solely on promo snacks and good vibes, we thought we’d provide a quintet of new places to eat and drink. You’re on your own for sleeping arrangements.
The regular: Clive Bar, a Rainey Street pioneer and the maker of many stiff drinks.
The rookie: Just-opened Half Step, which is plying you full of daiquiris at the
stainless-steel bar indoors, and serving up kegged cocktails at the second bar out back. Yeah, you’ll do
fine here.
The regular: The escargot-and-steak-frites-wielding date spot that is Justine’s
Brasserie.
The rookie: Eden East, a picnic-table-and-prix-fixe situation located right on top of
Springdale Farm. Bring a comely bassist who appreciates a good five-course meal. Or a very liberal BYOB
policy.
The regular: 24 Diner, which, yep: it’s a 24-hour diner.
The rookie: Licha’s Cantina, the just-opened Mexico City small-plates spot serving tacos
al pastor and shrimp mole until 2am. If you’re still hungry after that, well, there’s always 24 Diner.
The regular: The sprawling patio. The Bloody Marys. The beef-tongue hash. There’s a
reason Contigo draws big brunch crowds.
The rookie: No Va. They’re doing magical Sunday things here. Things involving bread
pudding french toast and milk punch. Don’t worry, it’s spiked.
The regular: Jeffrey’s, the longtime bastion of fine dining that closed after more than
35 years in business.
The rookie: Jeffrey’s, the longtime bastion of fine dining that reopened last year under
new management. Expect bone-in ribeyes, piles of caviar and rolling martini carts. No, you can’t drive the
cart.
