Just got back from a work trip to Austin and Dallas, Texas. I gotta admit, Texas is much better than I expected, but also less than I expected in certain aspects.
I landed in Austin on Tuesday evening and was picked up by Peter in his relatively new, white Honda Accord. We were both hungry so we decided to immediately grab some Tex-Mex food at Guero's. This place, as well as South Congress, really got me into the local scene of good food, good looking people, and cheap eats, and all with this cool, low-key vibe. I had Queso for the first time, but this was no ordinary Queso. This Queso had chorizo and green onions in it. Amazingly good with the tortillas and freshly made chips. My dinner consisted of chicken and steak tacos. Both were tasty, but I got sort of full from the Queso.
Another really cool thing on South Congress was the "Trailer Eateries". This is a little trailer park, but the trailers were actually walk up restaurant-trailers with such places as Hey Cupcake! and The Mighty Cone! (yes, both places have exclamation points in their names). We didn't stop here as most of them looked closed for the evening. Our night, however, did not end at Guero's.. I got a quick tour of all the greatness known simply as 6th Street. Say "6th Street" anywhere in Texas, and probably anywhere west of the Mississippi, and people immediately know what you're talking about. The blocks on and around 6th contain something like 250 bars and music venues.. Wild! 6th (East of Congress, that is) has many of the bars, while the Red River District has some of the most well known music venues. I think this East 6th area is often referred to as "Dirty 6th". As you head West on 6th and cross Congress, 6th becomes a little more foo-foo. A little nicer bars, furniture stores, and a crazy Whole Foods supermarket. I say "super" because that thing took up a whole downtown city block! I was told this is the corporate headquarters as well, so it makes sense.
We ended the night at this amazingly cool bar called Lustre Pearl. Oh. My. God. This place was frickin cool. Wish I had the chance to see it on a weekend night. This was Tuesday. It still had a really cool vibe... Chill. Cheap drinks. Fun people. Ping Pong. Hoola Hoops. This place was a converted home that must have been built in the late 1800's or early 1900's. It had that old home charm, but was a bar with full indoor and outdoor areas to hang out. Really cool. Really hot. The neighborhood, though, is weird. House across the street is boarded up. A couple houses down is a beautiful example of the original architecture. Then empty lots with overgrown weeds, grass, dirt, and some abandoned vehicles. In San Francisco, realtors might call this an "up and coming neighborhood".. (sarcasm).. And then... Lustre's sister location, more upscale bar- Clive Bar. We just went to see it because it opened a couple months ago, but wow! I am impressed! Clean. Streamlined. Comfortable. Warm. This is a place, along with Lustre, I would definitely take people visiting, or looking for something different. Similar formula as Lustre with Indoor and Outdoor areas, built from a converted, old house, but you can feel the dial move from casual to "pop your collar". It's interesting because Clive doesn't feel pretentious or overdone, but you can feel the simple opulence around you. From the white, leather bar stools to the clever Patron tequila bottle chandeliers, Clive does a great job making you feel special being there. I just hope the neighborhood finds its identity. Seems like its at a crossroads of high rise condos, old school beautiful homes, run down lots, boarded up homes, and these two bars. I guess we'll see in the near future since I plan on making a visit to Austin at least once per year.
