Hill Country excursion

Historic Hill Country mansion transforms into luxe vacation getaway

The Menagerie is in its final renovation stages.

Photo by Avery Nicole

A historic Hill Country property is being transformed into a glorious getaway destination fusing elegant Victorian-style design and Texas history.

The Menagerie, located at 302 West Travis St. in Fredericksburg - just blocks from the historic downtown Main Street - is in the final stages of renovation, with the overhaul expected to be completed by summer 2023.

The property spans 9,500 square feet across 12 total units on both sides of West Travis Street: the original landmark mansion, a carriage house, a five-unit converted barn/garage, and four units in three cottage-style bungalows. The Menagerie can accommodate up to 34 guests over 14 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms.

The original mansion was built in the early 1900s as the private residence for Fredericksburg’s first mayor, and was heavily influenced by Queen Anne Victorian-style design. Property owners Nicole and Ramzi Al Rashid wanted to keep those aspects in mind when choosing a design team to renovate the house, which led them to Austin-based land design studio Twistleaf and interior designer Sarah Stacey.

“We have an excellent team of all-stars working on this project, and we’re incredibly thankful for the work Twistleaf and Sarah Stacey have put into making The Menagerie inviting, restful and lively for groups of many sizes,” Ramzi Al Rashid says in a press release.

Nicole Al Rashid says they wanted to collaborate with inspiring designers who would “elevate [their] spaces and do great work for [their] guests and the local community."

Details of the property renovation include:

New fencing and gates
A hardscape reconfiguration
LED landscape lighting
Mutabilis rose bushes and native ornamental grasses by the pool
Native Hill Country plant species
Natural color schemes

The interior design refresh will include vivid, bold colors with theatrical elements and a few modern updates for practicality. Each room on the property will feature antique furniture, eccentric wallpaper, and vintage decor that pays homage to the site’s history.

Twistleaf founder Sarah Yant says renovating a property with a rich past like The Menagerie is an "exciting opportunity" for her team.

“Nicole, Ramzi and Sarah Stacey brought expansive vision to this project, and our landscape design mirrors their excellence," she says. "We're working to improve the land with Hill Country-friendly plants and create a design that adds to the intuitiveness, circulation and comfort of the outdoor spaces. All the changes are designed to enhance the functionality and hospitality of the property.”

The Menagerie is expected to open in summer 2023. More information can be found on themenagerieatx.com.

fredericksburg Texas history travel vacation design interior design hill country

Meat News

Butcher opens at foot of Dallas' Park Cities with meats & deli sandwiches to-go

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Evan's Meat Market

A boutique butcher in Dallas has opened with a case full of meat and a little something extra.

Called Evan's Meat Market, it opened in the spring at the Shops of Highland Park at 4266 Oak Lawn Ave., next-door to upscale restaurant Sachet, where it's selling locally sourced meats as well as meal solutions to go.

"Evan" is owner Evan Meagher, a native of Louisiana who grew up in butcher shops, and for whom owning his own shop was a lifelong dream.

He's joined by Mike Lawson, head butcher and general manager, who previously worked at Georgie’s By Curtis Stone, Gemma, Sachet, and Macellaio; and manager Brer Wyant, who also worked at Georgie's, as well as Bouillon and The Village.

The shop offers beef, pork, lamb, pig, and chicken, sourced from Texas and Oklahoma, including a customer-friendly category of meats ready to be cooked sous vide and transformed into a meal, such as Cajun chicken breast, smoked pork tenderloin, chicken wings, and short ribs.

They also have a number of items pre-cooked and ready to be heated, including

Cajun gumbo
Andouille sausage made in house
Twice baked potatoes
Buttermilk biscuits $15/dozen
Bolognese sauce

There are also sides ready to heat, including mac & cheese, green beans with smoked onions, and sweet potatoes, $12-$15 for a medium-sized tray - designed to provide a quick restaurant-quality meal in 30 minutes.

They're very into their deli counter, and offer a menu of sandwiches and po'boys starring turkey, chicken salad, ham, roast beef, and pastrami. Their bread is from Langlinais Baking Company, a classic New Orleans-style French bread baker from Evan’s hometown of Lafayette, which he frequented growing up.

“Deli meat is very approachable," Lawson says. "Customers taste it and next time they're willing to try something different."

The staff’s background in service and hospitality is a big part of their success. And the education aspect is key, as customers come in to learn about the variety of products offered.

"This neighborhood is great," Wyant says. "Everybody that comes here wants to cook something, they are excited about food and share experiences later. They sometimes bring their food for us to try what they did."

The shop is open Monday-Saturday 11 am-6 pm, and Sunday 11 am-3 pm.

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