Austin Where to Eat - H 2014
This story first appeared in the March 14 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
WHERE TO STAY
A historic mansion-turned-modern hotel, the 47-room, 10-suite Hotel Ella (1900 Rio Grande St., from $249 a night) opened in the fall after a $5 million renovation and sits in the heart of Austin. The crown jewel is its four mansion lofts on the third floor, each featuring a unique design. Inside the hotel is Goodall’s Kitchen & Bar, offering the best from Texas purveyors. — Brandon Kirby
STORY: SXSW Events Not to Miss
HOW TO ESCAPE
If you need a break from the SXSW circus, try Pedernales Falls State Park (2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City) and scramble along a 3,000-foot-long incline of layered limestone. Also hit up Austin’s Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo (Travis County Exposition Center, 7311 Decker Lane) and take in cow-milking demonstrations or the Swifty Swine Pig Races. — Jeff Salamon
HOW TO GET AROUND
Austin riders can now use the Uber cab services as of March 6. Uberblack, pedicabs and a number of free promotional uberX cars will be available at SXSW. For a two-wheel option, Rocket Electrics (1608 E. Riverside Drive) rents electric bikes. The social network Tagged is sponsoring invite-only limo and town-car pickups from the airport, and Catch a Chevy will pick up for free those who tweet #ChevySXSW with their location. — Natalie Jarvey
WHERE TO EAT
Barbecue is everywhere in Austin. Standing in line at Franklin Barbecue (900 E. 11th St.) is a new rite of passage for any aficionado. Micklethwait Craft Meats (1309 Rosewood Ave.) offers award-winning beef ribs, and John Mueller Meat Co. (2500 E. 6th St.) serves up fare that has made it a Central Texas meat mecca. — Virginia B. Wood
