THE AUSTIN PROPER
Staycations are my jam. I adore being a tourist in my own city, especially since Austin, Texas boasts some pretty rad architecture, impeccable design, and awesome food options….it would be a shame to just sleep and dine at home all the time.
For our 20th anniversary, my husband and I spent an evening at the newly opened Austin Proper Hotel. It was opening weekend, so I felt extra special and privileged and stuff. If you think the entrance is magical, wait until you see what is inside.
THE ATMOSPHERE
I’m gonna go ahead and let the photos speak for themselves, here. But truly, it was like walking through an art piece. I audibly gasped as soon as I walked in. Go visit.
As a photographer, I found this place to be an absolute dream. Kelly Wearstler did an absolutely impeccable job at designing it…and.the.LIGHT. THE LIGHT. Holy mother of God the LIGHT. My husband and I happened to check in right at golden hour and the views did not disappoint.
Pictured Left: Dirty Tito’s Martini, up ;)
Pictured above: English Pea & Feta, Birds Eye Chili, Mint, Toasted Pine Nuts —-swapped the pita for veggie crudites for a gluten free option (but their pitas are insanely amazingly good. I caved and had a bite or 3.)
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
THE FOOD @ PEACOCK MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
I’m not even embarrassed to admit that I didn’t take any photos of our evening dining experience at Peacock (the brilliant Mediterranean restaurant spearheaded by Larry McGuire and the McGuire Moorman Hospitality team). The in-room dining pictured above is provided by Peacock though, and that (Note: I have been back 2 more times with our next reservation scheduled for next week since our first visit here. It’s that good.)
This food was absolutely to-die-for. Please bear in mind that not only are my husband and I pathetically restricted on what we can and cannot eat due to our autoimmune plagues, but we’re also self-proclaimed food snobs. I know, I know, not exactly the couple you want to invite to your dinner party, are we? ;) THAT SAID— I was WILDLY impressed with the menu options at first….and then it was topped by the food when it swiftly arrived.
We ordered, and I HIGHLY recommend:
Potato & herb latkes (pictured above)
Saffron rice (MY FAVORITE. We went back 3 days later just for the rice)
Roasted chicken tajine.
On our next visit, we went with our exact order from the first round, adding in the Chicken Kebabs, a decision that I did not regret in the slightest.
