New restaurant seeks to appeal to broad crowd

Reunion Grille hopes to reinvent the term "family-friendly" by creating a restaurant with a quality menu and top-notch entertainment options.

Co-owner Jason Schnurr considered his own experience as a husband and father when creating the concept for Reunion Grille, which opened June 4. Immediately upon entering through the restaurant's back gate, the line between family and fun is represented by a row of decorative bricks that separate the children's playscape area from the outdoor concert venue.

Traditionally known for his downtown Austin restaurants and bars, Schnurr said he and his three co-developers—his father, Greg; landowner Richard Blount and investor Allen Gilmer—sought to create a suburban, family-friendly destination that would be attractive to Cedar Park residents without forgetting what made Schnurr and his partners successful at Cedar Street Courtyard and Malaga Tapas and Bar, among other establishments.

"My life changed, so when we talked about doing another venture, we already had a lot of eggs in the downtown Austin basket," he said. "Our concept here really replicates our lifestyle now."

Schnurr, an Austin native, said he has watched the area morph into a booming metropolis and, while there is a strong urban culture that exists downtown, he said, similar options should be available where people actually live and raise their families.

Reunion Grille features regional specialties with a gourmet twist, Schnurr said. There is also a full drink menu and two bars—one indoors and one next to the outdoor stage. The restaurant will host live entertainment each weekend and eventually throughout the week, he said.

"We strived to create a unique place you wouldn't find in a strip [mall]," he said.

The New Hope Drive location, although surrounded by relatively undeveloped land, is positioned near the Cedar Park Center and a slew of other anticipated projects.

"We saw [this location] and knew right away this was it," he said. "We feel like we're pretty well-situated."

1501 E. New Hope Drive, Mon.–Sun. 11 a.m.–11 p.m., 528-5644, www.reuniongrille.com