West Lake Hills restaurant readies for a second Hill Country view

The Grove, a wine bar and restaurant in West Lake Hills, is scheduled to open a Lakeway location on the remodeled site of the former Mizu Prime Steak and Sushi at 3001 RR 620 on June 1.

"The biggest change for us was tearing the sushi bar out," The Grove co-owner Beth Selbe Lasita said. She said that the dining areas will be transformed, "Grove-ing it down" with bright colors and a fresh look.

Once completed, the Lakeway establishment will house a wine bar stocking more than 150 wines in addition to beer and will be double the size of the Westlake bar, she said.

The new restaurant build out, at a cost of just less than $1 million, also includes a large retail wine area, which opens to the dining room that features a view through floor-to-ceiling windows. Tall-table seating is featured in the wine-tasting section so patrons can capture the scenery. With its outdoor heated patio, the Lakeway location will seat about 300 diners, Lasita said.

"We're making sure we capitalize on the view wherever customers are seated," Lasita said.

Michael Ortiz, head chef at The Grove Westlake for the past three years, will become the executive chef over both restaurants and be responsible for maintaining the consistent quality in the two establishments, Lasita said.

Lasita founded The Grove Westlake in 2007 with business partner Reed Clemons and will add General Manager Matt Berendt as a third co-owner for the Lakeway location. Restaurateur Clemons created Reed's Jazz and Supper Club, Mezzaluna and the Bitter End Bistro and Brewery. Lasita established Pinnacle Construction of Austin Inc., and Berendt has experience as the The Grove Westlake's wine buyer.

Not wanting "to be stuck in a corner of a strip center," Lasita said she and her partners searched for just the right spot to open The Grove's second location. Mizu closed its doors Dec. 31, and the new owners leased the 5,800-square-foot space in January.

Even with a Lola Savannah cafe on-site, owned by Lasita and Clemons, The Grove Westlake is about 1,000 square feet smaller than the planned Lakeway eatery, which will also incorporate the coffeehouse.

"We've got great food and great wine for an enjoyable dining experience," Lasita said. "And the last piece of the puzzle is the perfect location."

The Grove's Westlake Hills restaurant is located at 6317 Bee Caves Road, Austin.