I’m always excited when a new restaurant is opening in Austin, as it means a new place to eat, growth for the City of Austin, and the ever-expanding of Austin’s food community as a whole.  The latest unveiling this last week was Easy Tiger Bakery and Beer Garden from the 24Diner Group/Chef Andrew Curren (of Top Chef Texas fame and was named FOOD & WINES The People’s Best New Chef Southwest).

What first struck me about Easy Tiger is the amazing job the team did on reconfiguring the existing space they moved into on East 6th street (previously occupied by Habana Cuban Restaurant).  Situated on Waller Creek, Easy Tiger has struck gold with such a location for easy casual dining and a beer garden – It will certainly draw a crowd, as it did for the preview!  With decor that hearkens back to the mid 1930’s, you are immediately drawn in by the fresh-baked artisan breads and coffee bar, along with an open view of the kitchen through the glass window menu wall.  Heading down stairs the space immediately opens up to a plethora of seating (inside & out) and a bar that is serving up 22+ craft beers on tap. They’ve even retained the stage out back, so I’d anticipate some great local music throughout the summer and fall.

The bake shop/cafe upstairs will be open from 7 am to 2 am, and the beer garden downstairs will be open from 11 am to 2 am.  Easy Tiger will feature artisan breads including baguettes, croissants, pretzels and locally roasted coffee.  Adding housemade meats to the menu which include sausages, corned beef, pastrami and more than 22+ local/boutique draft beers, they’ve got a little something to appease everyone’s appetite.

While I was unable to taste any of the bites served the night of the preview due to it not being gluten-free, I did get to sample some wine and the excellent customer service which started from when I walked in the door until I left – including an offer to walk me out to my car to ensure my safety (impressive).   The Easy Tiger group is working on some vegetarian and gluten-free options.  I will be excited to try these options out in the near future, as I am a regular at 24Diner and Andrew Curren has his eye on what it means to be gluten-free and is always ever-expanding the gluten-free menu at 24Diner, so I am hoping to say the same about East Tiger in the future.

Wishing this fun & fantastic group huge success with their new venture – Slow down and stay awhile enjoying everything Easy Tiger has to offer!