Second Bar + Kitchen

I was so very excited to go to Austin for a few days. I couldn’t wait to catch up with a friend and of course check out the great restaurants and bars I always hear about!

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Downtown

You may still see a couple large painted guitars scattered around the city. Apparently they were used to raise money for charity and have since been sold to the city. A few of them are located at the baggage claim in the airport.2017-03-28_05-14-25-01

Painted Guitars

I got a great price at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown. Located in the Financial District, it’s within walking distance to numerous bars and restaurants. It’s only a couple blocks away from lively 6th Street as well.

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Omni Hotel

The front desk staff was very nice and I was able to check in early. I booked the Deluxe Room with a King bed. I had a corner room on a high floor. I also received little perks with the Omni Select Guest loyalty program – bottled water, a newspaper, juice and tea delivered to my room every morning, and complimentary wi-fi.

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Deluxe King Room

Shortly after settling into my room, I walked around to find a place for lunch. My first meal in a new city always excites me! I came upon Second Bar + Kitchen located only a couple blocks from the hotel.

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Lunch

It was a nice and sophisticated setting. People were just about to get out of work, so there were only a few people when I walked in.

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I grabbed a seat at the bar and was more than ready for a drink and bite to eat. All the beer currently on tap was written on the chalkboard above and Mall Rats was playing on the television. I liked this place already.

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Bar

I looked over the cocktail menu and went with the Green River.

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Cocktail Menu

The cocktail was made with vodka, green chartreuse, basil, grapefruit, and lime. It was light and refreshing.

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Green River

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The snacks and pizzas sounded good, but I just went straight for a full lunch menu item. The SBK French Dip sandwich had short rib, crispy onions, and gruyere cheese with a side of red wine au jus and horseradish aioli.

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SBK French Dip

It came with a side of crispy gaufrette (wafer) potato chips and horseradish pickles.

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Gaufrette Potato Chips

The shredded short rib was fairly tasty and the bread was soft. It was a bit drier than other French dips I’ve had before though. It may be due to the small shreds of meat instead of the large slices you usually get. I spread on some horseradish aioli and a dip in the red wine au jus helped – a bit messy, but good.

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Short Rib, Crispy Onions, Gruyere

I couldn’t leave without trying a local beer, so I also had the Oasis Metamodern IPA. It’s brewed by Oasis Texas Brewing Company in Austin. You know how I love my IPAs!

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Oasis Metamodern IPA

Lunch was good and filling. I walked back towards the hotel and stopped at the Royal Blue Grocery. The small grocery store offers freshly prepared sandwiches and snacks, as well as a variety of artisanal goodies, beer, juice, and ice cream.

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Royal Blue Grocery

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Artisanal Ice Cream

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Topo Chico


Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 827-2750

Website

Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
700 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-3700

Website

Royal Blue Grocery
609 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-5888

Website

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