The July Hit List: Kinfolk, Seoulju, Eldorado Cafe, and More

What do you do when it’s been over 100 degrees for a month straight? Descend below street level and have a martini, of course. Located in the basement of Moonshine Grill, Kinfolk has an atmosphere that feels simultaneously exclusive and welcoming — a mix many establishments strive for but few achieve. You can order from the extensive spirits list and cocktail menu, or get a custom beverage tailored to your preferences, all of which will likely come with a helping of cocktail history. Tip: If you’re feeling social, book your Resy at the community table.

The next time you’re craving comfort food, roll up to Granny’s Tacos. Known for generous portions and fresh tortillas, this East 7th staple is a must-try for anyone who identifies as a breakfast taco lover. If you’ve already had the classic egg-and-cheese breakfast taco, go for the fan-favorite chilaquiles taco, served with corn chips and your choice of sauce; the shrimp taco with Granny’s Dressing; or the sweet-and-savory al pastor.

Find more info here.

Thanks to food columnist Eric Kim, certain culinary-obsessed corners of the Internet — which many of you likely frequent — can’t stop talking about budae jjigae, a stew from the Korean War that combines army rations like hot dogs, Spam, and American cheese with kimchi, gochugaru, and ramen noodles. Seoulju makes an excellent version of it. Of course, they’re best known for their Korean-style double-fried chicken, which you can douse in sauces ranging from garlic Parmesan to Korean sweet chile. Wash it all down with some soju — or a soju-rita, if you’re feeling especially Texan.

Find more info here.

If you haven’t had brunch at Two Hands, it’s worth finding out what all the hype is about. With four locations in NYC, the bright and breezy Australian café (finally!) opened its doors in Austin in fall 2020. The menu includes favorites like the smashed avocado toast with pickled shallots, pepitas, and an optional poached egg, as well as Texas-inspired additions such as the carnitas-style lamb shoulder torta with blackened jalapeño salsa and lime mayo. Don’t forget to complement your meal with something from the beverage list, which offers a veritable rainbow of options, from an adventurous purple taro latte to a refreshing cold-pressed green juice.

It’s all in the name: At the heart of Emmer & Rye is a love of grains — particularly less well-known grains, like emmer wheat. The restaurant bases its menu on seasonal ingredient hauls, so their offerings change daily, but you can usually get an order of the signature cacio e pepe, made with durum wheat spaghetti and chällerhocker cheese. The culinary influences are varied, with dishes from halloumi with kale and chile oil to Texas wagyu with kimchi. Go with a friend (or three) and order family-style so you can taste as much as possible.

Péché is known for being Austin’s first absinthe bar, but their creative cocktail menu has something for everyone — even if your go-to order is, say, a peanut butter milkshake spiked with bourbon. You could go for dinner to enjoy rich and comforting French food like classic French onion soup, steak tartare, and a croque madame. Alternatively, stop by for some after-dinner fries and oysters, washed down with a Death in the Afternoon (which, we can confirm, tastes just as good in the evening). 

Sometimes you just want some Tex-Mex comfort food — and once you’ve visited Eldorado Cafe, that “sometimes” will become “often.” At this local favorite, the salsa is complimentary and the guacamole is perfectly seasoned. Sip a margarita while you mull over whether you’re more in the mood for enchiladas or tacos, knowing that there are no wrong answers. Some current favorites include Rene’s Awesome Enchiladas, filled with tender short ribs; and the crispy tacos, which feel like they came from a kids’ menu, in the best way.

When you take a bite of Sammataro pizza, you might forget for just a moment that you’re not in Brooklyn. From the flavorful New York-style crusts to the shower of fresh basil leaves, their pies nod to NYC institutions like Lucali — and they do it all in a trailer decked out with a custom pizza oven. Try the Supreme Pie, topped with sausage, pepperoni (the good kind that curls up into little cups), shallot, and mushroom, or opt for a classic pie, which can be customized with your choice of toppings (the garlic, shallot, and Calabrian chile combo is not to be missed).

Find more info here.

There are few better ways to set the tone for your day than with a cheese board at Tiny Boxwoods. Go at lunchtime to enjoy the calm, light-flooded atmosphere and choose from classic but well-executed options like Caesar salad, a roasted-vegetable grain bowl, and a BLT with heirloom tomatoes. Brunch and dinner are also available, as is seating on their picturesque patio. No Tiny Boxwoods meal is complete without their signature chocolate chip cookie, which you can order a la mode in the restaurant or take to go from the Milk & Cookies stand next door.

The latest restaurant from MML Hospitality (the prolific group behind popular spots like Perla’s, Elizabeth Street Café, and Sammie’s), Pecan Square Café serves up a seasonal menu inspired by the flavors of California, the Mediterranean, and Texas. In July, that looks like summer melon with Hungarian wax chile and mint, goat-milk ricotta ravioli with sweet corn, and steak with anchovy butter and salsa verde. The cocktail menu is equally summer-appropriate, featuring drinks like the Sabata, with watermelon-infused sotol, and the Café Spritz, which is like an Aperol Spritz but with a custom-flavored aperitif.

Call 512-265-1612 for reservations.