When I say that Zoé Tong has big DGAF energy, I don’t mean that the chefs are careless or the front-of-house staff is negligent. Quite the opposite, in fact. But this new Chinese-ish restaurant on Barton Springs Road makes the risky choice to break with any and all easy definitions, to play around with influences and inspirations, and to focus on one central theme: the pursuit of fun.

These days, you can spy cowboy boots—sturdy and crafted in leather of all shades—on the streets of NYC, LA, and even as far afield as London and Paris. Originally designed for cowhands, ranchers, and rodeo riders, the footwear has a long history in Texas and other parts of the American West. But like a lot of workwear styles, cowboy boots are also currently trending for the fashion cognoscenti. Lately, the utilitarian and regionally specific footwear is a regular sight at fashion weeks, red carpet events, and on Instagram feeds. Ask Texas bootmakers, though, and they'll insist the cowboy boot’s stylish rise to fame—yes, even before Beyoncé’s hit country song—makes perfect sense.

When it comes to off-the-wall drinks that are just weird enough to work, no one does them better than TikTokers. When the platform responsible for recent trends like onion water and Parmesan Espresso Martinis mixes wellness claims into cocktail recipes, the results can be…well…iffy, to say the least. While most good-for-you viral beverages lean in a non-alcoholic direction—hey there, Sleepy Girl Mocktail—some TikTokers and brands have started playing around with boozy libations that include nutritional supplements. One of the most notable examples of this rising trend is the "collagen cocktail," or an alcoholic drink with collagen powder or liquid collagen added to the mix.

Crème brûlée is one of those desserts you think can only be eaten at a fancy restaurant or when you're enjoying a catered dinner at a special event. But that's simply not true. With just five ingredients, it's easy enough to make this French dessert at home—yes, even with the broiled sugar topping. We'll explain.

“Supper club.” It’s a phrase that evokes a hospitality era from yesteryear, but in a conveniently unspecific way. Restaurant concepts with retro vibes and nostalgic references do well these days, and “supper club” conjures up a certain level of midcentury coziness and a whiff of exclusivity. The nuts and bolts of its definition can easily take a backseat to a pretty setting, a hearty yet slightly elevated menu, and a collection of classic cocktails, all of which are present and accounted for at the Statesman, a New American “supper club” that opens in Downtown Austin on January 19.

If you have a friend or family member on your gift list who loves to whip up a fresh batch of old fashioneds , who has very strong opinions about glassware styles and cocktail shaker design, and who wants to keep building their mixology knowledge and skills, then we’ve got just the roundup for you. These 35 items represent the latest and greatest bar-related gifts, all sure to keep your aspiring beverage maestro well-equipped and inspired.

It’s no secret that Chef Tyson Cole knows how to make a major impression on Austin’s dining scene. His iconic sushi restaurant Uchi regularly ranks among Austin’s most critically celebrated eateries, his more casual spot Uchiko is a happy hour all-star, and Loro (his collab with fellow Austin legend Aaron Franklin) attracts enthusiastic crowds on a daily basis. That’s why we were so excited to learn that Cole planned to open an Austin location of Uchiba, his stylish Dallas cocktail bar.

There's an undeniable Instagramminess to Proud Mary, the airy Australia-inspired cafe tucked right off of South Lamar Boulevard. Blond wood, succulents, floods of natural light, neutral tones – Proud Mary has such an on-trend aesthetic that it feels easy to dismiss it as a see-and-be-seen spot for aspiring influencers and "cool kids." But to judge Proud Mary purely on its photo-friendly looks would be a mistake.

Central Texas is considered an iconic barbecue destination for good reason, but when it comes to specific communities upholding all things smoked meats, the town of Lockhart — located just 30 miles from Austin — commands particular respect. Known as the “barbecue capital of Texas,” the superlative feels well-earned given that Lockhart is home to decades-old staples like Kreuz Market (which opened in 1900), Black’s BBQ (1932), and Smitty’s Market (1948). But, in recent years, Lockhart has proven that it doesn’t want to rest on its smokehouse laurels. Due to rising costs in Texas’s large cities (*cough* Austin *cough*), people reevaluating their priorities during the pandemic, and the allure of a small town with serious charm, Lockhart is growing in size and its food scene is following suit. There’s been a remarkable rise in new food and beverage businesses in Lockhart’s downtown business district — with exciting spots like Commerce Cafe, Old Pal Texas Tavern, Little Trouble, Best Little Wine & Books, and Barbs B Q all emerging since the start of the pandemic — and trends show no sign of slowing.

Coffee shops have always been excellent venues for talented baristas to display their skills and try innovative flavor combinations. However, regarding coffee and espresso trends, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have the power to launch “viral” drinks at lightning speed. But just because a coffee beverage looks great in photos and videos doesn’t mean that baristas view it as an ideal order.

There’s no question that social media now plays a major role in the success of bars and restaurants, and TikTok and Instagram are prime environments for starting, growing, and spreading food trends. According to a group of chefs and restaurateurs from all over Austin, these eight food trends will show up as sources of inspiration for many menus throughout the autumn season.

In many ways, Key West is a barfly’s paradise. It features lax open-container policies, very late last calls, a rich history of high-profile bar regulars, including Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams, and an impressive bars-per-capita count. But because of Key West’s tropical-island vibe and popularity as a day-trip stop for cruise ships, the city’s cocktail scene is often associated with the sugar-bombed frozen piña coladas and strawberry daiquiris sold in huge plastic novelty glasses on Duval Street. In more recent years, however, local bartenders and craft distillers have made it their mission to give Key West imbibers higher-quality drink options without sacrificing the laidback energy that defines the region.

To help guide you toward summer picnic success, we asked a group of professional chefs for their top grilled cheeseburger tips, and they gladly shared some highly useful advice for first-timers and seasoned grill masters alike.

Austinites who love delicious, inventive, and homegrown food already tend to be huge fans of Nixta Taqueria, the casual East Austin restaurant where executive chef (and James Beard Award winner) Edgar Rico and his wife and co-owner Sara Mardanbigi serve lively and contemporary spins on classic Mexican dishes in a charmingly quirky space. Nixta has proudly operated under a no-reservations policy since it first opened, but they’ve now launched a dining activation for those who don’t mind planning ahead: Flor Xakali, a tasting menu experience guided by Chef Rico which features dishes inspired by Rico’s heritage and childhood.

For many Americans, cookouts and the 4th of July are linked in a totally unshakeable way. These outdoor events offer amateur pitmasters and pro barbecue chefs alike a prime opportunity to show off their grilling skills by serving up celebratory platters of burgers, hot dogs, ribs, and more to their hungry guests. That’s a big job with a lot of responsibility, so it seems logical that barbecuers will need a cold and refreshing beverage to keep them going throughout the festivities.

What exactly is "natural" wine? It's a question that I've grappled with while enjoying a glass of natural Grenache on the huge outdoor patio of LoLo wine bar and bottle shop in East Austin or a bottle of pét-nat (short for "pétillant naturel") at the sleek bar of Golden Hour in far South Austin. My wish to better understand these quirky wines led me to ask experts from all over Austin what we're really talking about when we talk about "natural wine."

Where did icehouses come from, why have they been so beloved in Texas, and what do they look like today? We consulted a group of Texan icehouse owners, restaurateurs, and historians to learn about this regional icon’s importance and what makes an icehouse a perfect stop for any Texas road trip, straight from the people who know it best.

Austin hotel restaurants are going beyond just being an easy place for guests to refuel with good food, drinks, and hospitality.

Nestled in central New York between the Catskill Mountains and Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes AVA (American viticultural area) takes its name from a collection of eleven spindly bodies of water that affect the area’s climate and terroir, turning it into a prime location for prestige winemaking. Fans of Riesling (a light and fragrant white wine originating in Germany’s Rhine Valley ) already know that the Finger Lakes is a famous hotspot for New World Riesling growth and production, but winemakers from this region have no intention of resting on that grape alone.

During the holiday cocktail season, eggnog—a "punch" made with heavy cream, milk, egg yolks, and bourbon or brandy—tends to show up everywhere, much to the delight of partygoers and barflies who love its rich texture and indulgent flavors. But if eggnog's heaviness doesn't suit your palate (or the warmer outdoor temperatures that define the holiday season in the American South), then we have a lighter alternative that's widely beloved and features many of the flavors that make eggnog so iconic: New Orleans Milk Punch.