Photo by Emilie Lutostanski

Restaurant offers updated homestyle favorites

The second location of The League Kitchen & Tavern opened in Avery Ranch in November, following the success of owners Creed Ford and Tony Ciola at the original Lakeway restaurant.

Ciola said in 2014, he and Ford wanted to continue bringing an elevated dining experience to a relatively suburban market.

"For us, it's about being ingrained in people's lifestyles and being able to establish better relationships with the customers because you are in their backyard," Ciola said.

The restaurant's ambience was designed to echo a Prohibition-Era pub with a variety of draft and microbrewed beers such as the Independence Stash IPA, international wines and special cocktails such as the Moscow Mule, which contains vodka, Maine Root Ginger Brew and freshly squeezed lime served in a copper mug.

The brunch menu is served on weekends starting at 10:30 a.m. Diners can choose items such as classic or chef's special eggs Benedict, country egg casserole and a build-your-own omelet option.

The lunch and dinner menu includes appetizers such as bacon-wrapped shrimp and grits, meatloaf bites and truffled macaroni and cheese. Ford said popular entres include the Fat Tire Fish and Chips, the chicken-fried pork chop and whole-cut salmon.

Much of the food served at The League is meant to remind guests of homestyle comfort foods but with a modern and elevated twist, Ford said. Weekend specials offer chefs an opportunity to be creative.

"We wanted to create a chef-inspired, reputable experience where people can come back and know what to expect. But with our specials like the Burger of the Week, we let chefs go nuts on that," Ford said. "We are trying to create an urban experience out here without the drive. On Friday and Saturday night, our specials are up there with the best restaurants in town."

Ford said in 2014, The League hopes to introduce a Chef's Dinner series at the Avery Ranch restaurant, for which guests could pay a flat rate to sample a five-course meal created by an executive chef and paired with speciality drinks.

The League Kitchen & Tavern, 10526 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 401, Austin, 512-366-5627, www.leaguelakeway.com, Hours: Mon.–Thu. 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sat. 10:30 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sun. 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m.