Domain hot spot rebrands to draw in diners

When Austin Cake Ball Kitchen & Bar opened in December 2011 in The Domain, not many customers knew it was a locally owned restaurant with appetizers and small plates, co-owner Ben May said.

May and his business partner, Stacey Bridges, rebranded the restaurant as Copper Restaurant & Dessert Lounge in late March, a decision that not only incorporated the restaurant's existing penny-tiled walls and bathroom floors, but also Bridges' copper-colored hair.

"We think this new brand will be a lot more clear," May said. "It's going to draw in more people. It's meant for ladies, but their significant others won't mind coming."

May and Bridges opened the original Austin Cake Ball on Burnet Road five years ago and had planned on a second location that offered more than their signature cake balls.

"We had always talked about having a fun, smaller bites, dessert restaurant that focused on local and fun ingredients," May said.

The menu includes shareable plates and desserts such as peanut butter pie and the Hot Mess, a concoction of a chocolate brownie, a tart cherry reduction and Mexican Vanilla ice cream from Amy's Ice Creams. Diners can still order cake balls individually or by the half dozen or dozen.

Copper is just one of a handful of locally owned restaurants in The Domain and is tucked between California Pizza Kitchen and Ben Bridge Jeweler.

"It's a nice alternative to some of the larger chains," May said. "Many of the smaller guys don't get this kind of opportunity."

Cake balls, $2.95 for one

• Vanilla bean: Vanilla bean and almond
• Chocolate: Callebaut cocoa and a blend of espresso and coffee
• Salted caramel: Fleur de sel vanilla bean caramel and sea salt
• Red velvet: Sweet cream buttermilk and sherry vinegar
• Strawberry: Sweet cream, wild strawberries and cream cheese

Cocktails, $8–$10

• Vesper: Cinco vodka, gin, Lillet and lemon twist
• Cosmo:naut: Veev acai liqueur, vodka, Cointreau, blood orange and cranberry
• Candy Girl: Pinnacle cotton candy vodka, brut champagne and homespun cotton candy (pictured)
• Lychee Lee: Soho lychee liqueur, champagne, gin and edible orchids

Snacks and bites

• Smash fries with thyme salt and orange aioli ($8)
• Grilled cheese fingers and tomato bisque ($8, pictured)
• Fried goat cheese balls served with Round Rock Honey ($7)
• Truffled deviled eggs with white truffle oil and roasted red pepper aioli ($6)
• Cheese and charcuterie board ($22)

Small plates

• Crabcake fritters ($9, pictured)
• Elgin sausage plate with artisan garlic and jalapeo cheddar sausages ($10)
• Pork belly and goat cheese flatbread with pickled shiitake mushrooms and honey balsamic reduction ($11)
• Smoked beef tenderloin served with roasted potatoes and mushrooms ($13)
• Chicken and mushroom crepes ($8)

3401 Esperanza Crossing, Ste. 104, 512-215-3633, www.copperaustin.com, Twitter: @copperaustin

Hours:

• Mon.–Thu. 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Sun. noon–7 p.m.