Austin Bar, Restaurant & Retail News

[Bblasa]

Interesting I thought that tower was dead I don’t think we have heard on it since like 2021
Wonder how true the rumors are
I wish 506 west would resurface

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Bblasa

Interesting I thought that tower was dead I don’t think we have heard on it since like 2021
Wonder how true the rumors are
I wish 506 west would resurface

That project (701 W. 6th) had a re-submitted site plan in 2023 after the original one expired. But the re-submitted site plan hasn't had an update since February.

[gillynova]

Idk if there's a Instagram code to post videos but there is a new All You Can Eat sushi spot!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_LkX...RlODBiNWFlZA==

[Urbannizer]

A restaurant coming to 71 Rainey

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/TABS/Sear...TABS2024026581

[Bblasa]

Is 71 Rainey the food trucks?

[The ATX]

Originally Posted by Bblasa

Is 71 Rainey the food trucks?

yes

[uhhh_idk]

Michelin's Texas guide was revealed tonight, Austin had 7 restaurants receive one Michelin star:

• Barley Swine
• Craft Omakase
• Hestia
• Olamaie
• Interstellar BBQ
• La Barbecue
• LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue

Full Austin list of Michelin restaurants and awards can be found here: https://austin.culturemap.com/news/r...n-stars-texas/

I'm surprised Austin received more stars than the other Texas cities - pretty cool stuff. No restaurants in Texas received more than one Michelin start, though the Commodore Perry hotel did receive 2 Michelin Keys

[gillynova]

I was surprised with the amount of Michelin star spots here too. I only really know the BBQ spots and Hestia but now I'll try them all!

[urbancore]

Originally Posted by gillynova

I was surprised with the amount of Michelin star spots here too. I only really know the BBQ spots and Hestia but now I'll try them all!

Hestia and Olamaie are both amazing.

Surprised that Jefferey's didn't make the cut. I believe it is a 2 star for sure.

[GoldenBoot]

Originally Posted by urbancore

Hestia and Olamaie are both amazing.

Surprised that Jefferey's didn't make the cut. I believe it is a 2 star for sure.

Jefferey's is good. However, IMHO, it's not as good as it used to be. It is listed as "Michelin Recommended" in their most current guide.

To be considered a Michelin two-star restaurant, one must be in the Top 30 or so restaurants in the U.S. (top ~400 in the world). Sadly, Jefferey's is not.

Michelin did not honor any Texas restaurant with one of their coveted two or three-stars.



By the numbers (as of last month):

-Michelin One-Star restaurants in the world - 2290 (207 in US)
-Michelin Two-Star restaurants in the world - 414 (33 in US)
-Michelin Three-Star restaurants in the world - 146 (13 in US)

[FrankLloydLeft]

Since they dropped the list, I've been curious if they weigh these places against the global restaurant scene or if they consider them only within the boundaries set for the list.

I think who did and didn't make it lends to be more of a list of restaurants that succeed when compared globally and not locally, but I don't know if that's an aspect of how they consider who to recommend, if at all. I know their official rules are along the lines of just the food, but surely that means they're not weighing it as " good [ cuisine] for [location]." For example, if they gave a star to a cajun restaurant in Japan, it would be because of its excellent cajun food, period. Not that it's great Cajun for being in Japan.

Which would explain perceived snubs that others mention like Uchi or Canje.

[GoldenBoot]

I was shocked (in a good way)! Austin has 7 of the 15 Michelin Starred restaurants in all of Texas!

It also led the way with the other levels of recommendation from Michelin. This now provides proof of how good Austin's dining scene is.

[MichaelB]

So glad the Michelin Folks finally caught up to Austin.! About time!

[rayfes]

Originally Posted by MichaelB

So glad the Michelin Folks finally caught up to Austin.! About time!

I'm glad they came but it should be known that we gave them $2.7M to make it happen:

https://austin.eater.com/24289997/te...st-predictions


Texas state and city tourism boards have agreed to pay Michelin for the guide’s Texas presence for the next three years from 2024 through 2026. Here’s how much each agency paid:

Travel Texas: $450,000 per year for three years for a total of $1,350,000
Visit Austin: $90,000 per year for three years (using the city’s hotel occupancy tax) for a total of $270,000
Houston: $90,000 per year for three years per Eater Houston for a total of $270,000
Dallas: $90,000 per year for three years for a total of $270,000
Fort Worth: $90,000 per year for three years per the Fort Worth Report for a total of $270,000
San Antonio: $90,000 per year for three years per the San Antonio Current for a total of $270,000
Total costs of Michelin Texas for three years: $2,700,000

[MichaelB]

Originally Posted by rayfes

I'm glad they came but it should be known that we gave them $2.7M to make it happen:

https://austin.eater.com/24289997/te...st-predictions


Texas state and city tourism boards have agreed to pay Michelin for the guide’s Texas presence for the next three years from 2024 through 2026. Here’s how much each agency paid:

Travel Texas: $450,000 per year for three years for a total of $1,350,000
Visit Austin: $90,000 per year for three years (using the city’s hotel occupancy tax) for a total of $270,000
Houston: $90,000 per year for three years per Eater Houston for a total of $270,000
Dallas: $90,000 per year for three years for a total of $270,000
Fort Worth: $90,000 per year for three years per the Fort Worth Report for a total of $270,000
San Antonio: $90,000 per year for three years per the San Antonio Current for a total of $270,000
Total costs of Michelin Texas for three years: $2,700,000

yikes... and ouch. All that and I will have a harder time getting into my fav places. Rats.

[SproutingTowers]

Originally Posted by rayfes

I'm glad they came but it should be known that we gave them $2.7M to make it happen:

https://austin.eater.com/24289997/te...st-predictions


Texas state and city tourism boards have agreed to pay Michelin for the guide’s Texas presence for the next three years from 2024 through 2026. Here’s how much each agency paid:

Travel Texas: $450,000 per year for three years for a total of $1,350,000
Visit Austin: $90,000 per year for three years (using the city’s hotel occupancy tax) for a total of $270,000
Houston: $90,000 per year for three years per Eater Houston for a total of $270,000
Dallas: $90,000 per year for three years for a total of $270,000
Fort Worth: $90,000 per year for three years per the Fort Worth Report for a total of $270,000
San Antonio: $90,000 per year for three years per the San Antonio Current for a total of $270,000
Total costs of Michelin Texas for three years: $2,700,000

Money probably used to pay for travel costs for all the Michelin employees to go around Texas tasting food and rate their experience. Hotels aren't cheap especially the ones in the running for a star.

[ILUVSAT]

Originally Posted by SproutingTowers

Money probably used to pay for travel costs for all the Michelin employees to go around Texas tasting food and rate their experience. Hotels aren't cheap especially the ones in the running for a star.

^^^This.

It's how the game works.

[Urbannizer]

Icenhauer’s at 83 Rainey will closing November 24th

https://www.instagram.com/p/DChnh0tJ...Bic3BmenNybHli

[lonewolf]

2.7m for the publicity and recognition is relatively a bargain

[gillynova]

Originally Posted by lonewolf

2.7m for the publicity and recognition is relatively a bargain

Agreed. All the restaurants that got named got a lot of traction right after too. I'm sure there's huge Michelin fans all over the WORLD that will be traveling to try everything that is listed in each city too.

$2.7mil in 3 years is a HUGE bargain to bring in more tourism for the whole state