WORDS BY MONIQUE THREADGILL
INTERO CHEFS DEBUT NEW RESTAURANT POETA
Photo by Chase Daniel
We have an exciting addition to Austin’s vibrant culinary scene with Poeta, the latest venture from award-winning chefs Krystal Craig and Ian Thurwachter of Intero fame. Nestled in the heart of East Austin inside the Frances Modern Inn, Poeta is poised to become the go-to hotspot for those seeking an unforgettable dining experience that seamlessly blends innovation with a nod to tradition.
With a menu inspired by Italian hospitality, Poeta crafts dishes that balance tradition and innovation and encompass a range of dishes fit for any meal. You’ll find dishes ranging from spins on classics, including breakfast and brunch menu items such as eggs Benedict with gnocco fritto, prosciutto and bearnaise; to brasato panino with provolone, peperonata and roasted garlic; and dinner favorites like gnocchi with braised lamb and tomato butter or risotto with bone marrow, grilled greens and salsa verde.
Poeta’s design has a vintage and modern charm that is a nod to the classic Italian cafe aesthetic — making it an ideal spot for everything from casual brunches to special occasions.
“Poeta, meaning ‘poet’ in Italian, embodies the sentiment and comfort behind the cuisine and ambiance we’re creating,” says Craig, co-founder and managing chef. “As with a good poem, our goal is to develop a nostalgic notion for people to visit again and again over time from experiences of warm hospitality.”
Experience this eatery at 1123 East 11th Street or online at poetarestaurant.com.
AUSTHENTICO MOVES TO NEW LOCATION
Photo Courtesy of Austhentico
Soon after opening in June 2023, Austhentico’s food truck quickly gained a devoted following. The food truck recently relocated to Menchaca and is now situated next to South Austin Beer Garden, which offers easy accessibility and ample free parking.
Austhentico is a culinary journey that transports customers to the heart of traditional tastes from Spain. You can indulge in their signature dishes that showcase a commitment to quality and authentic Spanish cuisine, including paellas, gourmet sandwiches, and tapas, while also offering vegan options.
Chef Luis Felez says, “Our food truck has organically maintained a 5-star rating, a testament to our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.” With a commitment to excellence and a passion for authenticity, Austhentico is sure to become a beloved fixture in South Austin’s vibrant dining scene.
Visit their new location at 10630 Menchaca Rd. or order online at austhentico.com.
SUZI’S CHINESE RETURNS TO BRENTWOOD
Photo Courtesy of Suzi’s Chinese
Renowned chef Suzi Yi emerges from retirement, rekindling the flames of flavor with the resurrection of her beloved restaurant, Suzi’s Chinese, nestled in the heart of the Brentwood neighborhood.
Yi has long been an icon in the culinary scene. After a well-deserved hiatus, she’s back with a renewed passion to tantalize taste buds and create memorable dining experiences. From hand-pulled noodles to aromatic stir-fries, each dish reflects her dedication to quality ingredients and culinary creativity. On the menu are classic Chinese American favorites like Kung Pao chicken, orange beef, fried rice and shrimp with garlic sauce.
The restaurant’s warm and inviting ambiance, combined with Yi’s personal touch, invites patrons to savor not just the food, but the essence of a dining experience curated with love and expertise.
Don’t miss the chance to be part of this delicious revival at 4805 Burnet Rd. or online at suzischinese.com.
NADC BURGER DEBUTS FIRST BRICK-AND-MORTAR LOCATION
Photo Courtesy of NADC
East Austin’s culinary landscape recently got a juicy upgrade with the opening of NADC Burger — or Not a Damn Chance Burger. This restaurant is not your average burger joint. Its founders, a dynamic duo with a passion for pushing culinary boundaries, have crafted a menu that challenges traditional notions of what a burger should be.
This popular cheeseburger concept from Phillip Frankland Lee (also of Sushi by Scratch Restaurants and Pasta Bar) and professional skateboarder Neen Williams first opened as a walk-up window at Idle Hands on Rainey Street. The new location on East 6th is now the flagship as it is the restaurant’s first standalone location with their own bar and cocktail program, plus both indoor and outdoor seating.
NADC’s commitment to perfection is evident in every bite, with handcrafted burgers that redefine the art of grilling. The menu offers one style of burger — a 1/3 pound of premium Texas Wagyu beef seasoned with NADC spices, American cheese, secret sauce, onions and pickles, plus fries. The fries are fried in premium Texas Wagyu fat with the option to order “Beast Mode,” which adds cheese, pickles, jalapeños, special sauce and seasoning.
Whether you’re a local looking for a new favorite spot or a visitor eager to taste the cutting edge of Austin’s food scene, NADC Burger promises a dining experience like no other.
Check out NADC Burger at 1007 East 6th St. or on Insta @nadcburger.
WOLF AND WHEAT SERVES UP SWEETS IN EAST AUSTIN
Photo Courtesy of Chad Wadsworth
Indulge your sweet tooth at chef Margarita Kallas-Lee’s newly opened Wolf and Wheat bakery and commissary in East Austin. Kallas-Lee is also the co-owner and chef of both Michelin-starred Sushi by Scratch Restaurants and Pasta Bar. Wolf and Wheat is her first dessert shop and commissary.
Wolf and Wheat will sell a few familiar items, like Kallas Lee’s famous sourdough that uses a 58-year-old starter and homemade cultured butter, and Sushi by Scratch Restaurant’s makrut ice cream bonbons, along with a list of rotating items such as her oolong tiramisu, made with oolong tea and magnolia blossoms; marigold ice cream sandwiches where the Mexican marigold is used to infuse the ice cream and then is layered between brown butter brioche cookies; and raspberry tres leches, which features layers of cake with fig leaf soak, raspberries and vanilla bean cream to form a potted cake.
Photo Courtesy of Chad Wadsworth
The commissary, a behind-the-scenes masterpiece, is where the magic unfolds. Guests can walk into the working kitchen and watch as all of the restaurant’s pastry and bread items are being made. They can also buy a variety of new baked goods to take home without dining in the restaurants. Guests will feel like they are walking into Kallas-Lee’s kitchen as they experience the live action of prep work, baking and new recipe testing all while picking up some fresh baked goods, desserts or a pint of ice cream.
Visit this bakery at 1009 East 6th St. or Insta @wolfandwheatatx.com.
GINA’S ON CONGRESS: WHERE PARIS MEETS ROME
Photo by Jody Horton
Gina’s On Congress takes center stage in downtown Austin, offering a menu that fuses contemporary flair with classic comfort. This French-Italian inspired bistro is the latest from restaurateur Cameron Lockley and executive chef Jason Tallent.
“My approach with the Gina’s menu was to create classic dishes that feel good for your soul and inspire you to come back,” says Tallent. “A simple half-chicken with bread pudding on a cold evening, paired with a nice glass of wine. It’s simplicity.”
Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely brunch or a sophisticated dinner, Gina’s ambiance and culinary creations are sure to leave a lasting impression. The menu features dishes that fuse influences from Paris and Rome such as steak tartare, shrimp and prosciutto, handmade pastas and mussels and frittes. Dessert selections celebrate the best of both worlds too with cannoli, dark chocolate pot de crème, affogato and limoncello sorbetto.
The turn-of-the-century building on Congress Avenue was built in the late 1800s and has been reinvented over the past century as a jail, brothel, office, saloon and restaurant (formerly La Traviata). The space has a unique charm with original brick walls and a large wooden bar with decades of history. Gina is short for Regina in Italian and translates to “Queen.” Famed Italian actress, photographer and international icon Gina Lollobrigida popularized the nickname after rocketing to fame as a queen of the Italian big screen in the 1950s and ‘60s.
Check out this eatery at 314 Congress Ave. or online at ginasoncongress.com.
AMERICAN BOTANICAL COUNCIL HOSTS HERB DAY IN MAY
Established in 1988, the Austin Botanical Council is an independent, nonprofit research and educational organization that promotes the responsible use of herbs and medicinal plants.
ABC’s headquarters off Manor Road in East Austin sits on the historic 2.5 acres of the Case Mill homestead and features more than 20 gardens. ABC will celebrate their 18th annual HerbDay on Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. which features a full day of speakers, plant walks, a plant and book sale, and is free and open to the public.
HerbDay is an international celebration of herbs and herbal products that is packed with events aimed at educating and sharing ideas about the many ways herbs bring joy and well-being into peoples’ daily lives. They celebrate the use of herbs in food, beverages, medicine, beauty products, and crafts, along with the art of growing and gardening with herbs.
Join the celebration at 6200 Manor Rd. For details on the event and more information, visit herbalgram.org.
CHICKNIC OPENS IN BEE CAVE
Chicken enthusiasts will love the family-owned-and-operated restaurant Chicknic, a unique concept that offers fast food with the quality of fine dining so that families can have an excellent alternative to fast-food chains.
From crispy fried delights to succulent grilled options, Chicknic elevates the humble chicken to gourmet heights. You can pick up a whole roast chicken meal that includes a Chicknic chicken, two sides and four freshly baked popovers. The side choices are also elevated with choices ranging from roasted beets and sweet potatoes to street-style corn chicharrones. And the Chicknic Sandwich features flower sprouts, fennel, orange supremes, pickled red onion, Chicknic Ranch, feta cheese and roasted chicken jus, all wrapped in a warm pita.
Photo by Chicknic
“Our commitment to using high quality, fresh and local ingredients has earned us the trust and loyalty of our customers since we opened,” says Alvaro Soto, one of the owners. “We make everything from scratch so our customers would know that when they served their family and friends a meal from Chicknic, they nourished them with clean, nutrient-dense, natural ingredients.”
Try this unique poultry experience at 15511 Highway 71 in Bee Cave or order online at chicknicprovisions.com.
About the Contributor
Monique Threadgill is publisher of Edible Austin, and loves to travel and explore new places, foods and cultures. She also enjoys discovering and sharing new restaurants with Edible Austin readers.
