34th Street Café Gives Local Diners Something to Smile About

34th Street Café Gives Local Diners Something to Smile About with New Weekday Happy Hour:
Neighborhood Favorite adds Inspired Menu Items, Welcomes Return of Lounge 34

(August 25, 2009) Austin, TX - 34th Street Café, a longtime favorite for a sophisticated yet casual dining experience, is giving Austinites another reason to celebrate good food and great wine all day long. Beginning September 8, 34th Street Café will extend dinnertime hours on Fridays and Saturdays, and add weekday happy-hour specials from 4 to 7 p.m. Featured happy-hour specials include half-priced appetizers such as 34th Street Café's delectable homemade pizzas, and a variety of tempting cheese and charcuterie plates. Happy hour wine and beer specials will change daily and may include specialty wine cocktails, half-price wines by the glass and deals on select beers. Happy-hour specials and café menus will be available on the restaurant's newly redesigned website, which launches in early September.

In addition to the new happy hour, 34th Street Café continues to offer its chef-inspired, three-course prix fixe dinners ($24) on Mondays and Tuesdays, which include either a seafood or steak entrée and a glass of wine. The restaurant's daily menu has also seen a few chef-driven changes. Austin diners have always applauded Chef Justin "Raif" Raiford's innovative and cutting-edge cooking style, and his newest menu creations are sure to be no exception. Drawing from his experience in international cooking and his love of spices and fusion cuisine, Chef Raif has cooked up some new recipes for the appetizer menu. New dishes include P.E.I. Mussels ($12) cooked in white wine and served with chervil, shallots, garlic chips and grilled bread; Ahi Tuna Tartare ($12) in a lemon-basil oil and served with sea salt, tapenade and toasted focaccia; and Pan-Fried Frog Legs ($9) served over roasted sunchoke puree, a delicate combination of saffron and Jerusalem artichokes.

The café's newly updated wine menu also shines with many refreshing and popular summer wines such as Monticello "Verdemar" Spanish Albarino, Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina from Italy, and the in vogue Domaine du Houchart dry rosé from France.

Lunch and dinnertime aren't the only opportunities to revel in 34th Street Café's excellent food, wine and ambience. Beginning Saturday, September 26 and throughout the autumn season, 34th Street Café will bring back its wildly successful Lounge 34. Evoking the characteristics of a comfortable yet chic after-hours club, Lounge 34 will feature specialty wines and delicious gourmet snacks that can't be found at any other late-night hot spot in Austin. Offering a truly unique and stylish vibe, Lounge 34 events begin at 10:30 p.m., with local DJs entertaining guests into the night. An onsite photographer will also be on hand to capture the most memorable and captivating moments of the evening.

34th Street Café is located at 1005 W. 34th St. The café is open for lunch service Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and for dinner service from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The new happy-hour menu specials are available Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. For more information about 34th Street Café & Catering, or the new hours, new menu items or Lounge 34 events, call (512) 371-3400, or visit www.34thStreetCafe.com.