Thursday, April 7, 2011

Iconic Ski Shores Café Reveals Extensive Renovations & New Menu Just In Time for Summer


Iconic Ski Shores Café Reveals Extensive Renovations, New Menu Additions and
Upgraded Service: Restaurant Features Casual Lakeside Dining
Year-Round and Family Fun Just Down the Road

(April 7, 2011) Austin, TX — Fun in the sun and relaxed lakeside dining are on the menu this summer and year-round at the recently remodeled Ski Shores Café, the 57-year-old iconic Lake Austin family restaurant and bar. Over the course of a full year, Ski Shores received extensive indoor and outdoor renovations, added parking and boat slips, as well as tasty menu additions and a new specialty cocktail menu, making Ski Shores Café the ideal in-town getaway for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Located just off City Park Road south of Austin’s famous 360 Bridge, Ski Shores Café opened in 1954, and, thanks to its great-tasting food, laid-back atmosphere and perfect lakeside spot, it quickly became a prime restaurant destination. Recently taken over by longtime Ski Shores fans Rick Engel and Mark Turner of Austin’s Restaurant Freedom, Ski Shores Café spent most of 2010 undergoing a widespread restoration and countless upgrades that appeal to all diners while still maintaining the sun-soaked charm and character of this symbolic eatery.

The revamped Ski Shores Café now boasts expansive outdoor accommodations, including added deck seating and a shady covered palapa ideal for casual lakeside events and private gatherings. The giant playscape will enthrall the kids while Mom and Dad kick back, sip on a cool beverage from the full bar, catch a game on the big-screen TVs, or enjoy live music performed from Ski Shores’ new and improved outdoor stage. Previously offering only counter service, Ski Shores is now a full-service restaurant, so families can relax and enjoy the scenery and amenities while the wait staff handles all orders. Other outdoor upgrades include lush new landscaping, additional parking and added boat slips that make it easy to step off the lake and into the restaurant for a quick afternoon bite or an entire evening of dining while enjoying the lake atmosphere. Ski Shores’ interior has also been entirely remodeled, now offering plenty of dining space in a cozy, beach-style environment, with more arcade games for the kids, and indoor TVs so diners never have to miss their favorite sporting events.

The menu at Ski Shores Café, which includes daily and weekly specials, is just as iconic as this captivating establishment. The menu still features longtime favorites like the Border Burger ($9.25), a third-of-a-pound, fresh-cut Ski Shores original hamburger topped with cheese, mayo, grilled onions, jalapenos and fresh guacamole; the infamous Scooter Burger ($11.50), two third-of-a-pound grilled patties topped with cheese, mayo, jalapenos and veggies; and Ski Shores’ legendary 14- and 16-inch pizzas ($13 – $21) like The Wakeboard, a meat-lovers’ pie covered with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, Italian sausage and hamburger; and The Hydrilla, the veggie delight pie topped with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions, green peppers, diced garlic, and green and black olives.

From appetizers and burgers, to tacos, pizzas and dessert, Ski Shores’ updated menu has something to please every taste. Some new classics and Austin staples include the Fish Tacos ($9.25), grilled fish fillets in warm flour tortillas with red cabbage, tomatoes, cheese and a fresh remoulade sauce, and served with chips and salsa; Catfish and Shrimp Baskets ($9.95 – $15.50), featuring fresh, hand-breaded catfish and/or shrimp served with hush puppies, French fries or coleslaw and Ski Shores’ homemade cocktail and tartar sauce; the light, refreshing Ceviche ($9.95) served with tortilla chips; and the Garden Fresh Salad with Grilled Chicken ($10.25), a “fave on the lake,” dish of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, cucumbers, carrots, a sprinkle of cheese, topped with grilled chicken breast and served with a choice of dressing. The new kids’ menu ($3.99 – 5.99) features all-time classics like Chicken Tenders, Grilled Cheese, Corndog Bites, Cheese Quesadillas, and PB&J, all served with a drink and a choice of fries, coleslaw or chips. Kids will also love Ski Shores’ dessert menu, including delicious Funnel Cakes.

On Friday Family Nights at Ski Shores, families can gather around the fire pit at sunset, enjoy some free gooey S’mores and take in a family-friendly movie. And on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., families can enjoy Ski Shores’ brunch menu ($5.99 to $10.99), featuring a variety of Texas breakfast favorites like Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs; Migas; Breakfast Tacos served with a side of chips and salsa; Texas Toast-style French Toast; as well as Breakfast Sandwiches; Three-Egg Omelettes served with a choice of crispy hash browns, toast or fresh fruit; and an array of kids’ plates. Also available during brunch is a selection of Mimosas, Bloody Marys and Sangria.

Now offering a full bar, Ski Shores’ drink menu includes an array of domestic and imported beers, various wine selections, sangria and tempting specialty cocktails ($7.25 – $9) like the Colorado Gold, also known as “the best margarita on the Colorado River,” made with Sauza Hornitos Reposado, Grand Marnier, freshly squeezed lime and orange juice, and sweet and sour; the Grandstrand Lemonade, fresh lemonade mixed with Jeremiah Weed Sweet Tea Vodka and served with a lemon wedge; a Lake Austin Breeze, Cruzan Rum on the rocks with pineapple and cranberry juice, served with a lime wedge; or the classic Mexican Martini, a choice of Don Julio Anejo or Silver, or Patron Reposado or Silver, Patron Citronge liqueur and a splash of olive juice.

The historic Ski Shores Café is located at 2905 Pearce Rd., on Lake Travis. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday for breakfast at 8 a.m. and closing at 9 p.m., and Sunday for breakfast at 8 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. For more information about the iconic Ski Shores Café, the recent renovations, or the newly updated menu and full bar offerings, please call (512) 394-7511, or visit http://www.skishoresaustin.com/.



Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Easy Tiger, A New Bread and Beer Concept

Anticipation Builds for Upcoming Bake Shop & Beer Garden on East Sixth Street


AUSTIN – April 6, 2011 –The construction of the “dinosaur bone” parking lot under I-35 and April groundbreaking of the Waller Creek District Master Plan aren’t the only newsworthy items affecting downtown. Come May, be on the lookout for Easy Tiger, a new bread and beer concept at 709 E. Sixth Street. The two-story 1890s building will feature a coffee shop, artisan bakery (retail and wholesale) and sidewalk seating at street level, with a beer garden and huge outdoor patio downstairs overlooking Waller Creek.

Step to the counter and request a specialty coffee made from locally roasted beans and a pastry (hello, chocolate croissant) or sandwich (try the ham & Gruyère with whipped butter on a baguette). Get it to go or grab a seat, relax and stay awhile. Downstairs, order a soft pretzel, a variety of sausage, corned beef and pastrami and a thick slice of rye bread—all housemade. Delicacies from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop and a vast selection of craft beers provide the perfect accompaniment.

The folks behind 24 Diner are largely responsible for all this goodness, but one key new ingredient is the addition of artisan baker David Norman. David’s pedigree includes head-baking positions at Grand Central Bakery (leading artisan bakery in Pacific Northwest), TriBakery (supplying NY greats such as Tribeca Grill and Nobu), Ecce Panis (NY, NJ) and Bouley Bakery (NY). At Easy Tiger, he’ll turn out baguettes, French country levain, German-style rye, German pretzels, Danish, turnovers and more.

24 Diner’s executive chef, Andrew Curren, a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) valedictorian who worked for top New York restaurateurs Danny Meyer and Jonathan Waxman, will helm the kitchen. Drew’s devotion to the farm-to-table movement and meticulous preparation of chef-inspired comfort food at 24 helped earn him a nomination for People’s Best New Chef from Food & Wine magazine/CNN’s Eatocracy. His menu for Easy Tiger will include smoked and fresh housemade sausages, house-cured corned beef and smoked pastrami, as well as homemade krauts, relishes and peperonata.

The bar offerings will be overseen by Billy Caruso, 24 Diner’s sommelier and another graduate of the CIA. The menu will feature cocktails, a carefully edited wine list and more than 40 draft beers, including locally produced faves Real Ale and Jester King and boutique domestics such as Avery, Lagunitas and Ommegang.

24 Diner designer Veronica Koltuniak of VeroKolt (clients include Madonna and Jennifer Lopez) describes the space as “turn-of-the-century building meets end-of-the-century kitsch.” Need a visual? Roni sites The Royal Tenenbaums as inspiration.

Molly Alexander, Associate Director, Downtown Austin Alliance, says, “Easy Tiger is a game changer for East Sixth Street. The concept of bakery and beer garden provides the perfect blend of daytime and nighttime usage. This local team is helping to bridge the gap on East Sixth Street between the Entertainment District and the hip East Side and creating the nucleus for that transformation in product, community and creative spirit.”

Easy Tiger: twitter.com/EasyTigerATX, www.facebook.com/EasyTigerATX
For more information, contact: Evelyn Sher, 512.589.6596, easytigeraustx@gmail.com