Thank you, Knotty Deck and Bar, for inviting the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance to try your food! While I did receive some complimentary treats, all opinions are my own. Now, let’s get to it!
The Austin Food Bloggers Alliance Happy Hour this month took me to The Knotty Deck and Bar, inside Marriott’s Renaissance Hotel at The Arboretum.
The interior is beautiful, but where The Knotty Deck and Bar really stands out is their patio. According to their website, it’s “one of the best patio’s in Austin” and I would agree. On the patio you’ll find swinging chairs, tables, and a large fire pit that you can pull stools up to. The view looks out onto a calm and peaceful greenbelt, far as the eye can see.
For their food, “they specialize in locally sourced farm-to-table fare, featuring American classics infused with true Texas flair.” Chef DeGweck has traveled throughout the U.S., Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America learning about authentic local flavors and traditions associated with food. His diverse experience leads to seasonally rotating dishes to keep things fresh, new, and local. Two of my favorite items: wild boar spare ribs and the jalapeño corn bread. The ribs were shockingly tasty – so many spices and mixes of flavors and textures. Then, as a rule, I do not like jalapeno corn bread. When I want corn bread, I want that traditional corn bread taste. However! I was amazed at how delicious this jalapeno corn bread was – definitely the best I’ve had in Austin so far. It was dessert-like, it was so good.
It quickly became obvious that The Knotty Deck and Bar takes their drinks seriously. They created several drinks for us to try – some one the menu, others not. We tried a tequila Manhattan and WOAH. One and you’d be done. So good, so strong. Probably too strong for me, but hey, no one likes a weak drink! My favorite drink was “Thyme for Whiskey” (see how they garnished it?!). Not only was presentation spot on, the drink was delicious. It’s made with Swift Single Malt Whiskey (Swift Distillery is local: Dripping Springs!), lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white (to give it the cloudiness), apple bitters, and thyme.
Overall, I feel like this place would be a fun date spot. Nice interior, no hassle with parking, unique, romantic patio bar with fire pit and view to take away the awkwardness of sitting across from someone you’re still trying to get to know, and an excellent, extensive drink menu. Of course, if you’re staying at the Renaissance Hotel, then it’s a no brainer – this is your dinner spot.
I got to check out The Knotty Deck and Bar thanks to an Austin Food Bloggers Alliance happy hour! Thanks #AFBA for setting up yet another wonderful #AFBAHH.
