A quick glance at the Austin skyline is revealing as to the prominence of The Austonian in downtown Austin. Overlooking Lady Bird Lake and Congress Avenue, and towering high above other buildings across the state of Texas, The Austonian is situated in the heart of the city. Zoom in a bit, and The Austonian’s significance increases further; the luxury high-rise serves as the gateway to the hip and happening 2nd Street District, and is home to some of the most celebrated downtown Austin establishments. Such a location provides Austonian residents with unprecedented access to some of the best food, drinks and atmospheres in the city. From a warm cup of coffee in the morning to a smooth night cap before bed and beyond, the ground-floor retail spaces at The Austonian are one of the many amenities residents of the building can enjoy.
Perhaps the most celebrated of The Austonian’s ground-floor retail establishments is the trio of restaurants from the minds and creativity of the La Corsha Hospitality Group – Congress, Bar Congress and Second Bar + Kitchen. Even though these spaces share a team, a kitchen and a corner of the building, they each impart and maintain their own distinctive styles and vibrancies in their small section of downtown Austin. Since opening in late 2010, the three establishments have gained local and national recognition – from the Austin American-Statesman and Texas Monthly, to Bon Appetite and Esquire – and they’ve made their mark on the downtown Austin dining scene.
If residents of The Austonian favor the at-home drinking experience or, better yet, alcohol with a view, Urban Wine + Liquor also calls the first floor of The Austonian home. The high-end Austin-based liquor store features an expertly curated selection of over 1,000 wines and spirits that range from small, locally produced items to larger, well-known brands. Owned and operated by Buckley Wineholt, Urban Wine + Liquor regularly hosts events and tastings in the space, and they offer delivery options at The Austonian, so residents of the building can sip some of the best wines available in downtown Austin from the comfort of their balcony, without having to step foot out the door.
On the opposite end of the beverage spectrum lies Caffé Medici, an Austin-based specialty coffee shop that caters to morning beverages instead of those at night. The space that opened at The Austonian in March 2011 is the third Austin location of CafféMedici and offers Austonian residents and others who live and work in the area some of the best local coffee in the city. The space is simultaneously high-end and laid back; and the glass-and-wood ensconced environment is well suited for morning relaxation over a hot French-pressed coffee and good conversation.
Last but not least, Berry Austin 2go rounds out the retail establishments at The Austonian with delicious frozen yogurt desserts. The casual, interactive space is the second Berry Austin location in Austin, offering a range of high-end self-serve yogurt flavors along with over 50 toppings for prime customization options. Additional menu items include fresh yogurt parfaits, smoothies, floats, hot beverages and fresh baked treats.
