CULINARY ALL-STARS

With an impressive roster of star chefs and headliner festivals, it’s surprising that Austin doesn’t have a food hall. Leave it to ELM Restaurant Group, the team behind Easy Tiger and Irene’s, to mix up the menu. Later this year, the capital will welcome Fareground, set to open in a contemporary urban plaza in the heart of downtown. “The food hall will showcase the brightest representatives of the local dining scene... [to] appeal to Austinites in search of a good meal and present visitors with a microcosm of the city’s top dining experiences,” says Bob Gillett, co-founder of ELM. Stop by Contigo Fareground for a burger on a housemade challah bun or the Dai Due Taquería for wild boar chorizo tacos. At Ni-Komé, a concept by the chefs at Komé Sushi Kitchen, you’ll find nigiri and roll pairings, as well as rich bowls of ramen. Head over to Henbit & Honeybit—little sister to Emmer & Rye—for a seasonal ice cream treat. If you want to wrap things up with a savory last bite, order a cheese board at Antonelli’s Cheese Shop, an outpost of the Hyde Park favorite.