The Bonneville in Austin
Chris Hurley & Jennifer Costello spearhead The Bonneville and give Austin a taste of American Spirited Contemporary Cuisine.
Last week I was able to sit down with Chris Hurley & Jennifer Costello, the husband & wife team behind Austin’s new second district restaurant, The Bonneville. The couple, originally from Boston & Canada respectively; studied, trained and met while living in Boston. They worked in the culinary circuit for over a decade while dreaming about creating their own concept one day. When the chance occurred, they left the Northeast and made their move to Austin to start their own restaurant.
With an American Spirit inspiration in mind, The Bonneville name stems from the Bonneville Salt Flats, an established frontier explored in the 1830s, where reinvention was sought and boundaries challenged. Like the flats, The Bonneville restaurant reflects its natural aesthetic, executing a new take on familiar food, to achieve a classic yet contemporary culinary style.
Chris and Jenn’s concept is to take the hallmarks of fine dining and bring them down to a local feel. Their priority is to get the nicest quality and locally sourced ingredients and combining that with a scene that evokes a casual but quality dining experience. Their hope is that regulars will find The Bonneville as their place and that people will always feel welcome to come sit at the bar alone or enjoy dinner with a crowd. Either way, their hope is that The Bonneville will be a place to enjoy fine dining quality pared with reasonable prices.
From the moment you walk in the door, you’re overcome with a stunning open aired loft- like interior space, with beautiful salty blue painted walls, pale sandy accents adorning the pillars, comfortable dining settings lining the windows and walls, and a stunning bar welcoming all guests. And that bar is the perfect place to have a cocktail or stay for a while.
The natural light that pours in on three sides of the restaurant fills the space beautifully, allowing diners to see the hustle & bustle of downtown Austin as well as the beauty of Town Lake. It also allows for passerby to peek inside and see the feast on the tables. The architecture and interiors are simple, yet unique. And you could say the same about the food.
The Bonneville’s culinary style is a reinvention of classic cuisine: food that is familiar but refashioned in a slightly unexpected way. In a sea of Tex-Mex and steak houses in the downtown Austin area, The Bonneville offers a contemporary menu that has a wide range of choices
The menu is full of choices with everything from Local Fried Green Tomato with Gilled Peaches & House-made Basil-Black Petter Burrata; to Chicken “Under a Brick”, with Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad; or their Local IO Ranch Slow Braised Lamb Shank, Ricotta Gnudi, & Summer Vegetables in a Lavendar Brodo.
And don’t forget the dessert : Salted Carmel Chocolate Tart; Sticky Toffee Pudding with Bourbon Caramel; or the Summer Pavalova with Seasoned Fruit & Champagne Float. You won’t leave hungry or disappointed. 
The cocktail program at The Bonneville is designed to reflect the food, keeping the drinks simple but interesting enough to make guests think twice about just which one to order. Trust me, it took a while for me to decide! Opting for the title of “bartender” instead of “mixologist,” The Bonneville bartenders do just that: tend the bar, know the cocktails and take care of its guests with approachable and proper service. Their classic cocktails are driven with a craft twist, with the talented Bar Manager Chris Dalaku at the helm. Guests can order traditional cocktails, as well as indulge in inventive signature cocktails.
The Bonneville has certainly made an impression since it’s New Years Eve opening. Stop by if you’re in Austin and be sure to meet Chris, Jenn and their wonderful team! Have a cocktail, try the special and don’t forget about their desserts, you’ll want to keep room for them! Enjoy!
The Bonneville | 202 W. Cesar Chavez | Austin, TX 78701 | 512-428-4643 | www.thebonnevilleaustin.com
Stella Dallas Talk New Pillows on CultureMap Dallas
{in the news}
I always love and celebrate my clients in the news! This morning, I’m thrilled to see Amber Frazee, owner & designer of Stella Dallas {a fabulous interior store here in Dallas} on the cover story of Culture Map Dallas! Congratulations Amber! Love seeing your success! And, I’m biased, but I love all the images they chose for the story!
Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop in Austin, Texas
Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, Keeping Austin Sweet
A few weeks ago I was in Austin photographing Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop, a fabulous bakery known for keeping Austin sweet. It’s a sugar lover paradise, a hipster’s heaven, and a true South Austin staple. With it’s bright colored benches lining the eclectic street out front, it’s tiled floors bringing to life the bakery floor and 1950′s appeal & charm, Sugar Mama’s is as much of a treat for the eyes as it is for the mouth and the nose.
Owner Olivia O’Neal and her wonderful team are friendly and knowledgeable , offering service from the moment you walk in the door. Don’t be scared by a long line out the door – their cupcakes, whoopie-pies, cookies and more are worth the wait. Amidst all of the tempting, exotic pastries, the employee behind the counter, I would highly recommended the Cinnamon Carrot Cake cupcake … after all, it did win first place in ‘Sugar Mama’s Carrot Cake Contest’. Clearly an easy choice in my book. (I mean, I did have carrot cake at my wedding!)
This pastry is moist and heavy thanks to its golden raisins, Texas pecans, pineapple, organic carrots, and vanilla cream cheese frosting. However, I understand if vegetables in your cake aren’t your first choice (I have many friends who would squish their noses at that thought!), SO, another fabulous standout is the Black and Tan cupcake. It will be easy to make a toast with this baked good as it is composed with Guinness Stout and Irish Cream liqueur.
Sugar Mama cares for all it’s patrons, and so for those with allergies and alternative diets as well, so they have created an extensive menu for vegans. The Cookie Sandwich is a double-vegan-whammy with vegan buttercream frosting cradled between two dark, incredibly moist, chocolate chip vegan cookies. {Vegan Cookies!!!}
Luckily for the others, just as Sugar Mama values its vegan clientele, they also cater to their sugar addicts. So don’t worry. You can get your gluten loaded, sugar loaded, dairy loaded and chocolate loaded treats as well! The most creative menu item is The Frosting Shot, a small cup filled with different flavors of sweet icing. Yes, please.
Needless to say, Olivia and her team are dedicated to serving up fantastic treats for all kinds of sugar lovers (and vegan lovers). Be sure to stop into their South First bakery in Austin and enjoy the amazing items they have! Enjoy!
To enjoy the feature on The Spoon Feeds, visit here! http://thespoonfeeds.com/sugar-mamas-bakeshop-austin-tx-olivia-oneal/
Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop || 1905 S 1st St Suite A || Austin, TX 78704 || 512-448-3727
www.sugarmamasbakeshop.com
Velvet Taco {Dallas, Texas}
Come Early, Eat Late at Velvet Taco : Serving Fresh Tacos, Street Corn, & Cold Beers to Dallas
A few weeks ago I was able to sit down with John Franke and Josh Garcia at Velvet Taco. Josh and John are some of the amazing talent that runs this incredibly delicious taco join off Dallas’s trendy Knox Henderson neighborhood.
Lunch at Velvet Taco is one crazy, wonderful thing. Prepare yourself for the line out the door, wrapping around the old diner looking building, around the cactus, and into the parking lot. For real. Luckily, Velvet Taco knows this rush, this crowd and the speed to match it! And this, accompanying the food, is what keeps the businessmen, neighboring creatives and urban eaters from being scared… and coming back!
And then there is late night at Velvet Taco, which is a whole other thing. Josh, head chef, along with John, operating manager, know a thing or two about late night diners. Come 2 am, those long lines will feel identical to the noon lines. Except this time, they will be filled with concert junkies, college bar hoppers and those with late night munchies.
You’ll thank me (if you haven’t been going already!) but be sure to stop in for great food and people watching alike! The fresh taco’s, the cold local beers, and the hot street corn are just a few of the things that keep people coming back. Trust me. And enjoy this sneak peek from the shoot!
Velvet Taco || 3012 N Henderson Ave || Dallas, TX 75206 || 214-823-8358
www.velvettaco.com
Village Baking Co. & Clint Cooper || Dallas, Texas
French Boulangerie Opens in the Heart of Dallas.
Last week I posted an editorial story on The Spoon Feeds {a national food blog featuring restaurtans, chefs and food stories in cities across America} here. But in case you missed the feature, I’d love to introduce you to your next favorite little bakery in Dallas :: Village Baking Co.! {Oh the thought it it makes me happy!}
Village Baking Co. was a dream of Clint & Kim Cooper’s in San Francisco a decade ago. With the completion of baking school and the hope to bring a classic French Boulangerie to Texas, Kim & Clint moved to Dallas and began baking breads and pastries. For the last eight years they have been providing local Farmers Markets and Dallas restaurants with fresh baked breads and pastries.
Last fall, Village Baking Co. opened it’s doors, it’s kitchen, and it’s front patio as a retail location accessible to locals- as a place to come together, enjoy fresh pastries and coffee, and a way for the Cooper’s to get to know their community.
Clint and Kim’s core value has remained the focus since the beginning for Village Baking Co: to bring French style baking to Dallas and educating people about quality bread. Clint is committed to using the freshest, local ingredients, while avoiding all chemicals and preservatives in everything he makes. His eggs, butter and natural yeast starter is all locally sourced. In fact Clint uses natural yeast that he himself cultivated and grew in California over nine years ago. While the breads consistency, texture, flavors and look change daily due to the weather and ingredients used, one thing remains the same daily, and that is the quality of the bread, plus the amazing taste, smell and experience that occur each time you step into the Village Baking Co.
On any given day, Village Baking Co provides 10 different pastries and 6 fresh breads, and on the weekend those numbers almost double. This year they are now selling breads at 10 different local farmers markets in the DFW metroplex on Saturdays and their retail space is open 7 days a week from 7:30am to 3pm.
Clint and Kim’s dream of being the local French boulangerie in Dallas is a reality. Village Baking Co. has already become a favorite in the community. And if you really want to know my favorite: it’s the Meyer Lemon + Rosemary loaf. It’s amazing. Take it to your next dinner party, you won’t be sorry! Enjoy!!
Village Baking Co. || 5531 E. University Blvd|| Dallas, TX 75206|| 214.951.9077 www.villagebakingco.com
This week Art House Dallas celebrated community, creativity and connection by bringing in musical talents, O, Loveland and Page CXVI for an evening of Stories & Songs.The concept behind Stories & Songs was to integrate and incorporate excellent songwriting and storytelling, as well as to provide a way to introduce people to the vision of Art House. Art House Dallas follows in the footsteps of Art House America and they are continuing the mission of equipping individuals to live imaginative and meaningful lives. Since the official launch in October of 2010, Art House Dallas hosts multiple events every month to equip the creative community both personally and professionally. In 2014, Art House Dallas will provide a physical location for artists to connect and create together.
Thank you to All Saints Dallas for the beautiful location to host the event at and all your friends who provided desserts. And thank you to CedarWood Roasting Co. for providing the coffee. Enjoy some images from the event!
Jessica & Lee | Grand Cane, LA | Wedding Celebration
This summer has been filled sweet friends, sweet memories and sweet opportunities for photography other than food & commercial work! Last weekend, I was fortunate enough to be one of the 13 people who witnessed Lee & Jessica’s wedding vows and celebration down in Louisiana. And it was such a joy. I feel so incredibly honored! Enjoy a sneak peek of the sweet couple and their intimate and wonderful wedding. xoxo Jess & Lee. So grateful to call you friends, so thankful to capture your day! 
Leah & Jonathan | Engagements | Dallas, TX
I can’t ever say it enough: When I get to work with friends it’s the absolute best! I love the work I do commercially – but food doesn’t usually hold a history and memories like working with old friends . SO in the times when I work with friends, it’s even more rewarding and sentimental to me! This weekend I got to celebrate with my long time friends, Leah & Jonathan on their engagement! We spent the evening photographing, laughing, playing and celebrating around Dallas. Enjoy some of my favorites of this beautiful couple, inside and out. And to you both, L & J, I am SO happy for you two. Enjoy! xoxo
The Hospitality Sweet | Meghan Adams | Dallas, Texas
MEGHAN ADAMS IS MAKING DALLAS SWEETER ONE CUPCAKE AT A TIME!
It was a pleasure to sit down with Meghan Adams and Hope Duffy of The Hospitality Sweet last month and interview them for The Spoon Feeds. The Hospitality Sweet is Dallas’s newest and sweetest bakery in downtown, catering to urban residents, corporate businessmen, college coed’s, neighborhood moms and artists alike!
The entire feature and article can be enjoyed at The Spoon Feeds Dallas {http://thespoonfeeds.com/the-hospitality-sweet-dallas-tx-meghan-adams/} here! Enjoy and stop in to see Meghan, Hope and their talented team!
And to learn more about The Spoon Feeds or to have your establishment featured on the blog visit us at www.thespoonfeeds.com
The Hospitality Sweet
400 North Ervay | Suite 175
Dallas, TX 75201
Café | 214.999.6704
Weddings & Catering | 214.717.8092
www.thehospitalitysweet.com
Maternity Photography :: Holly & Bradley :: Dallas
White Rock Lake Maternity Photoshoot
Every now and then, I get the opportunity to work with dear friends and am able to photograph personal and wonderful projects! Sunday night I was able to photograph, Holly & Bradley, who are expecting their first little one next month! Holly is stunning. Absolutely stunning! Her style, her ease, her grace and her laugh is just infectious! Not to mention, Bradley is the perfect balance and encouragement. 
I cannot wait to meet their little man in July! Thank you Bradley & Holly! Enjoy!
claire mccormack photography | texas food photographer 