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Austin’s Top Chef Competitor to Open Mexican Eatery on Rainey

September 5, 2023June 1, 2021 by Robbie Polk

Austin’s Top Chef Competitor

to Open Mexican Eatery on Rainey

For a taste of the Yucatan, head to Rainey Street District, run by an Austin-based top chef.

Chef Gabe Erales, currently the 18th season contestant of Bravo’s top chef and master of Mexican cuisine, will open his first restaurant – a Mexican-inspired restaurant called Bacalar, which draws influence from different regions of the Yucatan peninsula where Erales has his family .

Bacalar, slated to open next fall, will anchor the ground floor of 44 East Ave Residences, the sleek skyscraper currently under construction on the shores of Lady Bird Lake.

Bacalar is a partnership between Erales and Austin-based owner and CEO of Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors, Kevin Burns, and the company’s lead designer, Merrill Alley. Burns and Alley, who recently launched Urbanspace’s first hospitality concept, Codependent Cocktails and Coffee in the Seaholm District, bought the first floor retail space at 44 East Ave and sought out Erales for the new restaurant partnership.

“I’m very excited to partner with Urbanspace as my relationship with Kevin and Merrill have shown me their true potential in developing projects that are not only unique and exciting, but also a milestone for the Austin community.” says Erales. “I’ve been a close friend of Merrill and her family for 10 years. During this time we exchanged our professional passions, dreams and goals and at the same time witnessed our professional growth. I knew that one day we could create something special together. “

Erales’ previous cooking stints in Austin include chef work at downtown Comedor and local favorite Dai Due Taqueria.

Although the new restaurant’s menu is still under development, the concept is based on Erales’ family memories of Bacalar, the historic and stunning Mexican lakeside town north of Belize, including its good experiences with local flavors and cuisine. Bacalar will also draw on the concept of “La Milpa”, with Erales emphasizing the personal relationships with the farmers he sources from and the ingredients he will highlight in his dishes. And you can bet the menu features odes to traditional Mexican corn and chilli, two of the chef-selected ingredients.

“We love working with passionate, talented people, and Gabe really is the best of the best,” says Burns. “His attention to detail in the preparation of his dishes matches the attention to detail we bring to the environments we create. This concept is about creating an appealing and harmonious setting in which Gabe’s talent takes center stage. “

While fans of Erales’ food will have to wait about a year to dine at Bacalar, they can catch him at Top Chef, the high-stakes culinary competition that airs Thursday night on Bravo.

Story taken from Dailyaustinnews.com

Urbanspace Favs | Easter Brunch 2021 ATX Dining Guide

May 24, 2021March 31, 2021 by Robbie Polk

Easter Brunch 2021: ATX Dining Guide

Photo from: Abarestaurants.com — *Photo from: Jeffreys of Austin*

If you’re looking to celebrate Easter out of the house this year, Austin has a ton of great options to choose from. Check out these Urbanspace Favs for some delicious food and continue to support local this holiday weekend!

Jeffrey’s: Treat yourself to a 4-course brunch on Easter Sunday. The special occasion menu highlights include foie gras, wood-fired lamb chops, spring pea and new potato salad and a dobos torte. Reservations available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 4. (1204 west lynn st, 78703)

Olive & June: Enjoy Easter brunch on the picturesque patio at Olive & June. Their special holiday menu features deviled eggs, a brioche cinnamon roll, eggs benedict, Tuscan home fries and a classic carrot cake. (3411 glenview ave, 78703)

South Congress Cafe: South Congress Cafe is serving up all of your brunch favorites this Easter Sunday! Enjoy tunes from an onsite DJ from 12-3 p.m. while sipping on your favorite cocktail or mimosa before ordering a delicious entree, like the shortrib hash or carrot cake French toast. (1600 south congress avenue, 78704)

Fleming’s: Itching to go out? Dress in your Easter best end enjoy a decadent 3-course meal, featuring a hand-cut filet mignon paired with crab stuffed shrimp or lobster tail scampi. Open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. (320 east 2nd st, 78701)

Juniper: Juniper will host brunch on Easter Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arrive hungry to enjoy their prix-fixe menu that includes fresh pastries, some classic Juniper dishes and fun Italian brunch items, like breakfast lasagna. (2400 east cesar chavez, 78702)

Urbanspace Favs | Top 5 Breweries in ATX

May 24, 2021February 24, 2021 by Robbie Polk

Urbanspace’s Top 5 Breweries in ATX

Photo from: Eater Austin — *Photo From: Eater Austin*

Austin is full of craft beer, and the city’s expansive brewery scene offers plenty of opportunity to get your drink on. With St. Patrick’s day coming up on Wednesday, March 17th, what better way to celebrate than with a beer in hand. Check out the list below for Urbanspace’s fav ATX breweries to hit up.

Hi Sign Brewing: Hi Sign Brewing is just a stone’s throw from the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Their shaded outdoor space has picnic tables and hammocks that are made for watching the planes flying overhead. While this is one of Austin’s newer breweries, Hi Sign has grown their lineup of core beers into an expansive menu that continues to offer more unique variants on classic styles. (1201 bastrop hwy, 78742)

Zilker Brewing Company and Taproom: This industrial taproom showcases every aspect of their brewing process. What makes Zilker Brewing different from breweries is that they have seltzer here, and Spicy Boys Chicken is parked out front with their Asian-inspired fried chicken wings. (1701 e. 6th st, 78702)

The ABGB: Austin Beer Garden and Brewery, just off South Lamar, has literally everything you could want in a brewpub. And that’s exactly why they continue to win awards that acknowledge them as one of the best brewpubs in the country. Here you’re treated to spectacular live music on a stage that beautifully shows off the brewing equipment. Order some of the delicious pizza and salad to pair with The ABGB’s numerous award-winning beers. (1305 w oltorf st, 78704)

Austin Beerworks: The iconic can-only brewery hosts tasting hours, as well as pint nights, with the brewery’s Can-tina truck on site. The taproom serves from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 12 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 to 10 p.m. on Sunday. (3001 industrial terrace, 78758)

Lazarus Brewing Company: Lazarus Brewing Company is right in the middle of East Austin’s popular Sixth Street district, but you’ll be able to spot the brewery by its bright teal exterior. Lazarus Brewing is constantly experimenting and brewing the most-underrepresented styles of beer. You might hear that often, but really, this is a brewery that will make you excited about craft beer. Lazarus opens early every morning for coffee and breakfast tacos and stays open late for craft beer and more tacos. (1902 e 6th st, 78702)

Urbanspace Favs | Valentine’s Day 2021 ATX Takeout Guide

May 24, 2021February 2, 2021 by Robbie Polk

Valentine’s Day 2021: ATX Takeout Guide

While Valentine’s Day has always been an excuse for a fancy dinner and night out on the town, this year in the midst of a pandemic people are encouraged to order in and stay home. Luckily, Austin’s list of restaurants offering takeout remains abundant allowing us all to enjoy the luxury of 5 star restaurant cuisine from our own homes. From American to Mediterranean, Urbanspace has got you covered on the top Valentine’s Day meals in Austin this year.

34th Street Cafe: The American restaurant is offering two prix fixe menus that come with a bottle of rosé. The four-course meal with smoked beef tenderloin is $135 and the five-course one with hot smoked salmon is $120, both for two people. (1005 w 34th st, 78705)

Aba: The Austin location of the Chicago restaurant is offering two-person to-go dinners. There are options to add on wine, cocktails, dishes for children, and even a plant from local shop Tropic of Capricorn. The price is $119.95 for two people. (1011 south congress avenue, 78704)

Dai Due: The butcher shop/restaurant is putting together four-course single-serving meals for Valentine’s Day. There’s a wild game package and a vegetarian-friendly one, plus options to add the cookie box and bottles of wine. The wild game package for one person is $82; vegetable package for one person is $72. (2406 manor road, 78722)

The Carillon: The campus restaurant is offering a four-course meal, featuring breads (including a ciabatta or baguette from Easy Tiger), spreads, salads, entrees, and desserts. $140 for two people. (1900 university avenue, 78705)

Salt & Time: The butcher shop put together a bunch of meal kits (with two different two-person prix fixe meal with steaks) and raw meat specials. Steak prix meals are $200 or $225 for the dry-aged option; meats per pound and other goods range from $10 to $20. (1912 east seventh street, 78702)

Urbanspace Favs | Top 5 ATX Happy Hours

May 24, 2021January 8, 2021 by Robbie Polk

Top 5 ATX Happy Hours

Austin’s best happy hours make it easy to unwind after work or enjoy a drink with friends before dinner. Check out the list below for Urbanspace’s favorite ATX happy hours to attend.

Codependent Cocktails + Coffee: Seaholm District’s hottest new hangout spot and the Brain Child of our very own Kevin Burns and Merrill Alley, Codependent is a conceptual coffee and cocktail bar inspired by Italian luxury, aperitivo culture and the belief that beautiful design should be enjoyed by all. Enjoy a charcuterie board alongside a glass of wine or rotating cocktail on the patio Monday-Friday from 4-6PM. Happy hour includes $10 rotating cocktails, $5 off wine-by-the-glass, $5 off charcuterie boards, and 5 bites for $5. (301 west ave #110, 78701)

Jeffrey’s: Want to try Jeffrey’s, but not up for dropping the serious serious bucks required? The happy hour menu features half-off appetizers and $2 off drinks at the bar. It runs all night on Monday, and then from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. (1204 west lynn, 78703)

North Italia: The Italian restaurant chain’s happy hour includes half-off wine bottles and $10 pizzas from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (500 w 2nd st. #120, 78701)

La Condesa: All cocktails are half-off during the Mexican restaurant’s happy hour, which runs from 5 to 7 p.m. on the weekdays. Plus there are marked-down snacks like quesadillas, nachos, and tacos al pastor. It’s available in the bar area of the downtown restaurant. (400a w 2nd st, 78701)

Better Half Coffee & Cocktails: The West 5th Street cafe’s happy hour features excellent $5 cheeseburgers, $3 cans of beer, and $5 glasses of sangria from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Then there’s a late night happy hour with $5 draft cocktails and $2 Pearl beers, from 9 p.m. until close Tuesday through Sunday too. (406 walsh st, 78703)