UPDATE: Monkey Nest is NOT in jeopardy! The development is up against the Monkey but will not wipe the Monkey out.
Several new places have opened up since my last quick-bite post. Carve American Grille over yonder in The Grove just opened slinging chef’d up American chow. Que Divino Cocina Mexicana stealthily opened up the hill from Chinatown, a trailer-to-brick-n-mortar success story. My first visit proved promising. Yamas Greek Kitchen+Bar opened up at 5308 Balcones Drive, and it looks absolutely lovely. And I’m not sure how long it’s been there, but there’s a Pressed Juicery at 4800 Burnet Road if you are looking for a late cleanser for all those hotdogs you ate on July 4th. It appears Happy Chicks has a delivery-only side hustle called Austin Salad Company. Another surprise opening was Restaurante Rinconcito Chapin at 2931 West Anderson serving up authentic Guatemalan cuisine (review this issue). KHON Thai Kitchen by SEEDA, the replacement for SAP’s Ver Fine Thai Cuisine, is now open as well. Toy Joy has moved into 5501 Burnet Road (ye olde Karavel’s location) and brought Yummi Joy, a coffee, candy, and ice cream shop, with it.
The coming H-Mart at 5222 Burnet is still coming. Austin’s Very Own Saltt (still purposefully misspelled) is still in the process of opening. Verdad True Modern Mexican is still under construction with a promised late-summer opening. Tikka Shack Indian Grub at 2438 West Anderson opens August 25th. Taco Shack closed its outpost on Spicewood Springs, but the new drive-thru is now open at 1508 West Anderson. Sadly, Monkey Nest’s days appear numbered, at least at its current location; all that dozin’-n’-developin’ in Austin these days has that property (and its neighbors) in its crossblades.
I wrote this column for the Allandale Neighbor.
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