As new restaurants pop up in Austin on what seems like almost a daily basis, it can be refreshing to see something new from the familiar — like the revamped spaces of Austin's iconic Four Seasons downtown.
The major overhaul, announced in late July, transformed not only the lobby and its bar, but also Trio, the property's signature eatery. And, lucky for us, the new concepts are now open for business.
The lobby and bar area is now Live Oak, a renamed bar featuring Guadalajara-inspired dishes from executive sous chef Abril Galindo and modern cocktails from head bartender Sarah Rahl. A smart redesign of the space means that bar guests now have a much fuller view of the Four Seasons' lovely neighbor, Lady Bird Lake, which can be enjoyed from indoor lounge seats.
And, just in time for fall weather, the lounge also features an expansive new deck. We're guessing it may become your new favorite spot to watch the bats, cocktail in hand.
Meanwhile, the brand-new restaurant concept Ciclo has replaced Trio. Located in the same spot, the renovated dining room includes expanded seating and a new design, featuring shades of green and wood accents. At Ciclo, named after the Spanish word for "cycle," guests can expect a modern Texas kitchen with a Latin influence.
And with two talented chefs at the helm (Four Seasons chef de cuisine James Flowers and world-renowned chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval), plus dishes like oxtail bone marrow empanadas and hickory-smoked prime ribeye, we imagine it will be pretty tasty, too.
The most exciting news of all though might be Ciclo's daily (yep, that's right — seven days a week!) happy hour from 5-6:30 pm. It features half-priced snacks, $7 select wines by the glass, $24 select wines by the bottle, and $5 beers. And brunchers, take note: In addition to a menu that includes dishes like smoked brisket tacos and shrimp and grits, Ciclo offers 50 percent off select champagnes on Saturday mornings. We'll toast to that.
The Austin Hippie Salad appeals to more than just veggie lovers.
