First Floor Restaurants

Three New Spots to Eat and Drink at The Austonian

Congress, Second Bar + Kitchen and Bar Congress share a corner of our building, a team and a kitchen, and they are now open on the ground floor of The Austonian.

The creative team behind all three is La Corsha Restaurant Partners, which reunites Jeff Trigger, David Bull, Scott Walker and Jeff Rhein, the key players behind the award-winning restoration of the historic Driskill Hotel. The team also worked together on The Driskill Grill, where Bull was executive chef and Walker ran the dining room and bar operation. Under Bull and Walker’s leadership, the Austin American-Statesman recognized The Driskill Grill with its “Number One Restaurant Award” for three consecutive years.

Congress offers inspired, imaginative meals in an intimate, elegant and inviting space. Open five nights a week, the prix-fixe menu uses the highest-quality local and seasonal ingredients. Executive Chef David Bull, Chef de Cuisine Rebecca Meeker and Pastry Chef Plinio Sandalio are responsible for the three-course and seven-course menus. Beverage Director June Rodil offers thoughtfully selected wine pairings as well as a comprehensive, premium wine list.

Second Bar + Kitchen is a dynamic spot that is upscale, yet comfortable and casual. With Executive Chef David Bull, Chef de Cuisine Ethan Holmes and Pastry Chef Plinio Sandalio in the kitchen, it offers small and large plates, rotisserie selections, salads, sandwiches and pizzas, and is open for lunch, happy hour, dinner and late-night cravings.

Second Bar + Kitchen also offers craft and eclectic beers; an approachable wine program featuring local, organic labels; and artisan and classic cocktails that utilize fresh fruit and juices and house-made ingredients. Beverage Director June Rodil, Bar Manger Adam Bryan and Lead Barman Billy Hankey are responsible for the stellar beverage selections.

Bar Congress is located in between Congress and Second Bar + Kitchen, and is a sophisticated artisan cocktail lounge and premium wine bar featuring a vast array of superior spirits and exclusive wines available by the glass. It has its own culinary menu, which is a combination of the two restaurants’ approaches.

Each establishment offers the highest level of service, impeccable attention to detail and focuses on quality. Scott Walker, vice president of operations, and Laura Shearer, assistant general manager will lead the front of house.

For more information on Congress, Second Bar + Kitchen or Bar Congress, please visit www.congressaustin.com or email info@congressaustin.com.

First Floor Retail - Coffee

Visit Caffe Medici

Caffé Medici, an espresso and coffee house with two Austin locations, opened a third location at The Austonian from a storefront on Congress Avenue between Second and Third Streets, serving a growing downtown population. The award-winning coffee shop opened its first store in 2006 in Austin’s Clarksville neighborhood. Caffé Medici expanded in 2008, adding a second location on “The Drag” across from the main mall of The University of Texas at Austin.

Occupying 2,200 square feet at the base of The Austonian condominium tower, the downtown location offers coffee, tea, beer, wine and light snacks. The design of the shop, which includes a mezzanine level overlooking Congress Avenue, an open storefront and a freestanding espresso bar, was created by Aaron Vollmer, AIA and Jean Pierre Trou, Associate AIA, of Runa Workshop.

For four years, Caffé Medici owner Michael Vaclav and his team of baristas have focused on elevating the art of making espresso and coffee. Managing the process of making coffee from seed to cup, Caffé Medici participates in direct trade, sourcing coffee from Spicewood, Texas-based coffee importer and roaster Cuvee Coffee. Coffee bar staff participates in regular training with a Caffé Medici macchinesti, who provides continuing education and standards training. Caffé Medici has won a “Best Coffee” Critics Award from The Austin Chronicle and the shop’s baristas have competed and won national and international awards.

More First Floor Retail

Visit BerryAustin2go

The restored façade of the historic Brown-Dumas Blacksmith shop is home to the new BerryAustin2go. Native Texan and long time Austinite, Kathy Steele, founded BerryAustin in 2009. After discovering frozen yogurt on a trip to California, Kathy fell in love with the healthy, soft serve goodness. She returned home, inspired to create her own yogurt establishment with a decidedly Austin twist.

The time was right. With two children ready for college and the encouragement of her husband, Jeff Trigger, Kathy gave birth to BerryAustin. With a background in graphic design, she combined her love of art and passion for recycling to create a truly original Austin yogurt establishment.

BerryAustin offers ten low-fat or non-fat flavors of healthy and delicious frozen yogurt that contain live and active cultures. At least one non-dairy sorbet and a no-sugar added yogurt is always available. Most yogurt flavors are gluten free and kosher as well.

BerryAustin is self-serve and pay by the ounce, offering customers an opportunity to create their own custom treat. A wide selection of available toppings is available including assorted fresh fruits and nuts as well as candy and cereal. In addition to frozen yogurt, menu items include fresh yogurt parfaits, smoothies and floats.

Recycling plays an integral part at BerryAustin, repurposing materials whenever possible. In addition to carry out paper cups, BerryAustin offers a green bowl option, which allows customers to use green bowls and metal spoons on site, which are then washed and reused.

BerryAustin offers a fun, family friendly environment offering exceptional customer service and delicious, healthy frozen yogurt for every customer – on every visit.

Visit Urban Wine + Liquor

Urban's aim is to offer the kind of knowledge and expertise you can't find in the typical wine and liquor store. As an independent wine and liquor merchant, they provide an extensive array of unique wine and spirits as well as a rational amount of industry brand staples.