Chefs at Burger Bar prepare snack size cheeseburgers and vanilla ice cream. Burger Bar opened Feb. 13 outside of JW Marriott.[/caption]Three restaurants in the JW Marriott Austin hotel opened to patrons Feb. 13, each with its own flare and flavors.
Osteria Pronto offers flavors from northern Italy with a twist, said Executive Chef Juan Martinez, who oversees all three restaurants and special dining events hosted inside the JW Marriott. The Italian restaurant is flooded with natural light and feels open and modern with black, white and silver decor.
The menu features Italian staples, such as pasta and pizza, along with many seafood options. Dishes range from $10 to $34.
Corner incorporates flavors from various corners of Texas into one menu, said Jennifer Etzkin, the restaurant's executive chef. The menu includes comfort food, such as zucchini bread, sweet treats, such as squash cake, and other items including tacos, sandwiches and ribs.
Corner also has 16 local beers on tap which will be reconsidered every month. Dishes range from $6 to $32.
The third restaurant introduced by JW Marriott is located outside the hotel along downtown Congress Avenue. Burger Bar sells hamburgers, turkey burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries and shakes to passing patrons. Menu items range from $1.95 to $6.25.
OTHER IMPACTS:
NOW OPEN—The latest project from Max Moreland, who co-owns the bar Mean Eyed Cat, opened Feb. 12 at 1902-B E. Martin Luther King Blvd. The Wheel, a bicycle-themed bar, offers seasonal cocktail drink specials. Patrons can also order sandwiches from neighbor Austin Daily Press to accompany drink choices.
COMING SOON—New restaurant Sala & Betty opened at the former Stallion Grill, 5201 Airport Blvd. Owners Terry and Teresa Wilson will open the drive-thru Feb. 23 and phase in menu options, with the full lineup available March 9. The menu will include breakfast, lunch and dinner options, such as salads, sandwiches, shrimp and grits, sirloins and paleo options for what Teresa calls off-beat, American-style dining. She has worked in Austin restaurants for decades, including positions at Italian restaurant Basil. She also opened her own restaurant Aquarelle, which closed in 2011. 512-645-0214.
COMING SOON—Chefs Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki will open Launderette on Feb. 19. Launderette will take over the former home of Kleen Wash at 2115 Holly St.Menu items includes wine, cocktails, fried oysters, charred octopus, hanger steak, an array of vegetables and more.
COMING SOON—Bun Belly will open in early March with a menu full of chef-driven, seasonal Vietnamese cuisine. The restaurant opens in the former Your Mom's Burger Bar space at 5001 Airport Blvd. About 50 to 60 seats will be available to patrons with local beer, wine and sake cocktails also available. In about four months, a nearby building will open to become the restaurants commercial kitchen and bakery, General Manager Melissa Hale said. 512-358-4101.
CLOSINGS—Uncorked Tasting Room and Wine Bar closed in January for undisclosed reasons. Founder Ron White started the business at 900 E. Seventh St. after leaving the information technology world.
