Meet some of the newest businesses in the Lake Travis/Westlake area and find out what makes their place unique. We will highlight more impacts in the next issue that will be in homes Aug. 13. For now, here are three new spots for residents to enjoy.

Proof and Cooper


After nearly a year of renovations, Proof and Cooper opened July 4 in the former site of Bert and Ernie’s General Store, 18710 Hamilton Pool Road, Spicewood. The owners of the bar and grill, including Jeremy Murray, also created The Blackheart whiskey bar, 86 Rainey Street, Austin.

Proof and Cooper grows many of their own vegetables in their garden. Proof and Cooper grows many of their own vegetables in their garden.[/caption]

Chef Russell Dougherty, from Little Barrel and Brown, joined the team to produce a menu focused on southern picnic-style dishes including fried chicken, bison sausage and deviled eggs.

The first floor holds the restaurants while the second floor will soon house a whiskey library—including 200-300 whiskeys—and locker system, Murray said. He said he also expects both a whiskey club and a dinner club onsite to open in late September or early October. Specially prepared dinners and whiskey pairings will be available by reservation, he said.

For now, Murray said the whiskey bar has a “small but solid selection [of whiskeys] downstairs.”

“We’re also doing tons of infusions, lots of experimental stuff that we’ve really enjoyed,” he said. “We’ve tried everything from blueberry mango to habanero peach whiskeys. It’s great to come out here to something that feels like it’s more from the heart.”

No phone. www.facebook.com/proofandcooper

Tea2Go


Tea2Go plans are under city review and the tea shop will potentially open by October in the Trails at 620 shopping center, 8300 N. RR 620, Bldg. G, Ste. 300, Austin, said vice president Taylor Logan.

The business started in Amarillo in late 2013 and now has 18 tea shops with nearly two dozen across the nation opening soon, she said.

Tea2Go offers free Wi-Fi, lounge areas, laptop bar and meeting areas as well as more than 120 flavors of tea to drink onsite or take home, including herbal, green, oolong, rooibos, and fruit. The Trails at 620 Tea2Go location will also have a drive-through and outdoor seating area, she said.

Logan said Tea2Go hopes to partner with a local bakery to serve pastries and other small food offerings.

“Our stores are community driven and we try to partner with as many local businesses as possible to make a local impact,” she said. “This will be the first Austin area store with many more planned.”

806-340-3282. www.tea2go.us

Cheesecake Factory


Austin’s second Cheesecake Factory restaurant will open Aug. 25 in Barton Creek Square Mall, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., Ste. G02B, Austin. The eatery’s menu changes twice yearly but typically features hamburgers, steak, pasta, chicken, fish, salads, sandwiches and more than 50 cheesecakes and desserts. The new location will have more than 10,000 square feet of dining area, seating up to 240 guests.

www.thecheesecakefactory.com