Special offer

Cookbook Bar & Cafe ~ "Foodie" Friday 8/24

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

Did you ever spend time checking out a good book in the library? I know now you can go on-line and click you have a book in your cart but this library on W. Cesar Chavez St. is definitely a place to 'check out'. Why not take some time this week-end and grab a bite to eat while browsing the new Austin Central Public Library, it's amazing, way more than just books.  Come in out of the heat, relax and cool down while finding some delicious recipes and food to tempt your taste-buds in one of its venues!

 

 COOKBOOK BAR & CAFÉ                http://www.cookbookatx.com/

The Cookbook Bar & Café is counter service only and is located in the Austin Central Public Library.  It is the home of the Virginia B. Wood Memorial Cookbook Collection. Virginia was a 5th generation Austinite, an Austin Chronicle food editor, food critic and a champion of Austin food culture.  

In the library, you have access to 500 cookbooks and many Texas cookbooks and authors along with at least 3 editions of the Joy of Cooking. The interior of the restaurant is a calming space with shades of white, browns and blues that is complemented by locally sourced white oak, steel & millwork by a variety of local artisans.  The large windows let in a lot of natural lighting and there's a shady patio with a steady breeze. A bonus is on the rooftop where there's a coffee cart with drip coffee, pastries and more with amazing views of the city of Austin .

What makes The Cookbook so unique is their seasonal menu curated by Chef Drew Curren, taking timeless classics from cookbooks by famous chefs across the country. They offer a variety of styles and incorporate both organic & farm to table. Their specials come directly from cookbook publications of local chefs and touring authors and Cookbook also hosts cooking demos in the library.  They carry the library theme over to the full bar that includes footnoted literary themed cocktails. There's also craft beers, regional wines and a hot beverage service with top of the line espresso and teas.

A sampling of their menu....On the Breakfast menu (served all day) there's PB & J French Toast - a home plate peanut butter with blueberry jam and maple syrup from Betty Crocker's New Cookbook...there's the Farmer's Breakfast Grilled Cheese with eggs, potatoes, bacon, chive butter and cheddar in sourdough from The Grilled Cheese Kitchen by Heidi Gibson.  

 

From the Forward menu there's Mushrooms, Garlic, Shallots w/lemon ricotta from Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi...Artichoke Fritters w/Preserved Lemon Aioli from Shaya by Alon Shaya...and...Lamb Meatballs in tomato, pine nut & onion ragout from Little Foods of the Mediterranean by Clifford A. Wright.

 

On the Sandwiches & Mains menu there's a Turkey Waldorf Sandwich from Emeril's Kicked Up Sandwiches by Emeril Lagasse...a Shrimp BLT from A Great American Cook by Jonathan Waxman...and...Chicken Pot Pie from Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller.  The Afterward menu has a Chocolate Hazelnut Tart from Les Halles Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain...and...Rice Pudding, Strawberries & Spiced Hibiscus Syrup from Baking Chez Moi by Dorie Greenspan.

 

So, take some time to walk through this beautiful library and grab a bite to eat while enjoying our beautiful city.

Photos courtesy of Bill and Fran Virun....Visually Attractive Photography

 Dorie’s Past Picks:

Aug 10   Aug 3    Jul 27    Jul 20  July 13    July 6    June 29    June 22    June 15   June 8    June 1    May 25    May18  May 11   May 4    April 27    April 20    April 13   April 6    March 23    March 16    March 9   March 2    Feb. 23    Feb.16    Feb. 9    Feb 2    Jan. 26    Jan.19    Jan.12    Jan 5    Dec 29   Dec 22   Dec 15   Dec 8    Dec 1   Nov 24  Nov 17   Nov 10    Nov 3   Oct. 27    Oct. 20    Oct. 13    Oct.6    Sep 29    Sep 22   Sep 15    Sep 8    Sep 1    Aug25    Aug 18   Aug 11    Aug 4    July 28    July 21    July 14 July 7    June 30     June 23    June 16   June 9   June 2    May 26    May 19    May 12  

 

You can also follow my pins on Pinterest..

As always, local events and information are brought to you as a courtesy of Dorie Dillard, Coldwell Banker United REALTORS, your NW Austin Real Estate Consultant.  Watch for future Dorie picks for Austin dining experiences!

If you are considering the sale or purchase of a NW Austin home, I would love the opportunity to earn your business and exceed your expectations!

Search for homes in NW Austin

 

Posted by

(512) 750-6899
CALL OR TEXT

EMAIL ME

My ActiveRain Blog

ReloAustin.com
Austin Real Estate Website

CanyonCreekNews.com
Canyon Creek Neighborhood

I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Comments (16)

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Dorie. I really think this place sounds wonderful. I would love to go and check out the cookbooks too.

Aug 24, 2018 04:59 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Dorie. What a great way to get people to the library, bribe them with good food! Enjoy your day!

Aug 24, 2018 05:01 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Sheila Anderson : I know you would enjoy it!

Hi Wayne Martin : There is so much to see this is way more than a mere Library! I'll have to create a separate post on just what all the new Austin Central Library has to offer.

Aug 24, 2018 05:10 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Dorie, for continuing your excellent Foodie Friday blog series.

Aug 24, 2018 05:35 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Oh my, this is so much more than just a library Dorie. I enjoy my snacks and I'm sure many others do too!

Aug 24, 2018 05:40 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Dorie... love the name of this place and sounds like I would love the entire vibe here!

Aug 24, 2018 07:21 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good morning Dorie - that is a destination restaurant for me since I love cooking.  Will Hamm would love it too and Endre Barath, Jr. could add more books to his collection

Aug 24, 2018 07:21 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Dorie,

Looks like a really fun place...I have my mother's old Betty Crocker Cookbook, and I thought Betty had passed away...LOL A

Aug 24, 2018 07:56 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I think if my Son knew there was such a thing as PB&J french toast he would make me put him on a plane.

Aug 24, 2018 08:12 AM
Anita Clark
Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA
Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Dorie: What a unique concept. I would have to visit and try out something from their organic selections.

Aug 24, 2018 09:30 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I haven't been to the library in a very long time, even though there is a pretty nice one near me.

Aug 24, 2018 10:37 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow, I would be there everyday for lunch and see a cookbook and copy some recipes.

 

Aug 24, 2018 12:27 PM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Dorie, this would be heaven for me and indeed Grant Schneider  knows me well glad he pinged me so I would not miss this Endre

Aug 24, 2018 12:28 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Dorie - what a "novel" idea that has certainly been a "best seller" in many areas of the country. 

Aug 24, 2018 01:08 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dorie- I'm used to Austin having unique restaurants but this one sounds like it could outdo even the others. I'll take the grilled cheese breakfast. 

Aug 24, 2018 06:20 PM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Sooo many unique offerings makes a menu choice difficult !

Aug 25, 2018 10:47 AM