Dinner party

Elegant supper club nods to bygone era in charming Texas Hill Country setting

Chops are among the steakhouse fare at RR 12.

Photo by White Light Exposure

With its darling shops, charming wineries, and breathtaking Hill Country vistas, Wimberley has long been a choice destination for day trips. Now a group of locals is giving concrete-weary Texans another reason to visit: a dining destination in the town's square.

Inspired by the elegant supper clubs of the '30s and '40s, RR 12 Supper Club quietly began serving on July 19. Now the restaurant has geared up to provide the grace of the bygone era.

"When my wife, Kimmie, and I moved to Wimberley, we had a dream of bringing a supper club to our little bit of heaven," executive chef and co-owner Mark Grimes explains via a release. "When living in the Midwest, supper clubs were our favorite places to dine."

The mood envelops as soon as guests arrive. After entering the restored bungalow amidst a thicket of wild oak trees, guests can dine in a moody sunken lounge or a sparkling dining room. Along with Grimes and Kimmie Dunlay, partners Phil and Peggy Collins outfitted the space with leather furnishings, velvet upholstery, and brass fixtures to match the indulgent fare.

As executive chef, hospitality veteran Grimes focuses on classic cuisine updated with contemporary flourishes. Dinner begins with a complimentary relish tray, a nod to the largesse of supper club tradition. Starters include Parker House rolls; escargot en croute; and a seafood tower with oysters, lobster, king crab legs, and more.

Mains keep the luxe theme going with steakhouse mainstays like wagyu filets or chops. Guests can also nosh on a trio of fresh pastas and specialties such as coq au vin, whole branzino with leek soubise, and Moulard duck with risotto and a coffee demi-glace. With so many riches, dessert stays relatively straightforward, though the 14K chocolate pot de crème does add a bit of glamor.

No supper club experience would be complete without a few libations. In addition to serving a curated wine and beer list, RR 12 classic cocktails like Hemingway daiquiris and Last Words. The drink offerings, however, are not without a few flights of fancy. An otherwise New Orleans regulation Vieux Carré is tea-smoked, and the creamy Grasshopper of ladies who lunch gets a jolt of herbal Chartreuse.

Though the drinks are stiff, RR 12 works to provide service that is anything but.

"No expense has been spared in creating a luxurious environment and bringing together the very best chefs, bartenders, servers, and support people to make the entire dining experience unique and memorable.," says Phil Collins. "Members can expect to be remembered by name, to make new friends in the community, and to look forward to sharing this grand experience with their family and friends."

Though members of the supper club get considerable perks, like wine and food credits and complimentary drinks on members-only Tuesdays, RR 12 also extends its welcome to Wimberley's many weekend warriors. The community at large can get a taste Wednesday through Thursday from 4:30-10 pm and Friday through Saturday from 4:30-11 pm.

Chops are among the steakhouse fare at RR 12.

Photo by White Light Exposure

Chops are among the steakhouse fare at RR 12.

Park News

Texas agency acquires 1,100 acres for new state park in Hill Country

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department/tpwd.texas.gov

The new park will be across the river from Colorado Bend State Park (pictured).

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has acquired a new patch of land that they plan to use to create a new state park. According to a release, the agency has acquired 1,100 acres on the border of Burnet County and Lampasas County, 90 miles northwest of Austin — joining a prior acquisition of 2,020 acres made in January, and helping to push the state park into the realm of reality.

The 1,100 acres are located across from the existing Colorado Bend State Park, on the other side of the Colorado River. Within the land are a mile and a half of Yancey Creek (which is about four miles long and empties into the Colorado River), limestone bluffs, and several natural springs.

Before this second purchase had been made, the park was only a proposition. Now, TPWD and specifically chairman Jeff Hildebrand of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission are referring to the 3,000-acre state park as a reality.

Funds for the purchase came from a one-time funding appropriation as well as sporting goods sales taxes.

Development of the state park will come from a different source: a $1 billion, voter-approved Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. The fund was created in 2023 and has also led to purchases doubling the size of Enchanted Rock Natural State Area near Fredericksburg.

“I’d like to thank our incredible team for their hard work in not only acquiring these properties, but also the recent additions at Enchanted Rock and the purchase of Lake Colorado City State Park,” said TPWD executive director David Yoskowitz in the release. “The voters of Texas also deserve a huge thank you for saying ‘yes’ to the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which will make the development of this park possible.”

TPWD has been gathering input from the public about what types of recreational opportunities they'd like to see. According to the release, the next step is using the input to develop a plan. Considerations also include habitat protection and conservation of the natural springs in the area. The land is also 10 miles upstream from Lake Buchanan, further informing the possibilities.

"This acquisition will give visitors access to the Colorado River, a beautiful creek and the diverse landscapes that are featured across the property," said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. "We look forward to generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views of the unique post oak woodland and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property."

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