What's New

Air service to Austin has grown with the addition of service by JetBlue (tel. 800/538-2583; www.jetblue.com).

Accomodations -- In the next couple of years, expect an increase in the number of downtown hotel rooms. Kimpton Hotels and W Hotels are planning to enter the market and build downtown luxury accommodations. The convention center is still working hard to attract larger groups but is having mixed success. Consequently, hotels in Austin aren't as dependent on convention traffic to fill them, which means you're less likely to come upon a bargain for a downtown hotel room.

The Miller-Crockett House Bed & Breakfast (112 Academy Dr.; tel. 888/441-1641; www.millercrockett.com) has been sold. The buyer plans to close the house for up to a year to do a number of improvements to the property and perhaps add a couple of cottages. This B&B sits high above Town Lake on wooded land with a great view of downtown. It merits looking into by any visitor wishing for a unique place to stay.

Dining -- In 2005 there was a rash of restaurant fires in Austin, which seems to have been pure coincidence. One of the damaged restaurants was the Cuban and Caribbean restaurant, Habana, 2728 S. Congress (tel. 512/443-4253). It moved to a downtown location at 709 E. 6th, (tel. 512/433-4252), but in mid-2006 reopened the original, with improvements in the comfort and attractiveness of the dining area. The restaurant owners say that they intend to operate both restaurants.

The Oasis, 6550 Comanche Trail, (tel. 512/266-2442), the old standard with multitiered decks high above Lake Travis, was also closed for a long time because of a fire that consumed many of the restaurants 40 decks. We're pleased to report that the restaurant (with its many decks) has reopened, with a few changes to its layout.

The big news in Austin's world of dining is the possible demise of Las Manitas, 211 Congress Ave., (tel. 512/472-9357). It may become yet another victim of progress, sharing the same fate as so many other places Austinites have held dear. The owners are in negotiations with the landlords to save both the restaurant and the day-care school that they opened next door. There have been discussions between all parties and the city council, but nothing has been resolved.

Sightseeing -- Austin's major cultural event of the year occurred with the opening of the new Blanton Museum of Art, (Martin Luther King at Congress Ave.; tel. 512/471-7324), in summer of 2006. Events were held around the clock for the entire opening weekend. It generated the kind of excitement for art that hasn't been seen here in a long time. Now the museum plans to keep the excitement up with monthly happy hours for the art crowd, and other programs that combine art with other activities such as yoga. So far, the B Scene happy hours that occur on the first Friday of the month have been well attended and fun little get-togethers for art enthusiasts.

Shopping -- There is now a new shopping district downtown. It's a two-block stretch of West Second Street that begins one block off of Congress Avenue. It boasts a lot of new stores for Austin, including clothing and interior furnishings and designs.

Also downtown, Tesoros, neighbor to Las Manitas, is in danger of having to move if construction goes ahead on building a new downtown hotel. This is one of the few remaining blocks of Congress Avenue with the old store fronts still intact.

After Dark -- Clifford Antone died. He was Austin's long-time patron of the blues and owner of Antone's, 213 W. 5th St. (tel. 512/320-8424), the club and the record label. There have been a number of tribute concerts, as his death deeply affected many in the local music scene. It appears that the club will continue operations as a venue for great blues performers, from here and elsewhere.

Another event affecting clubs in town is the advent of a smoking ban in all public areas of Austin. The ban was narrowly passed by referendum in 2005, with many club owners arguing that it would be the death of Austin's music scene. Now a judge has declared the ban illegal because of vague wording and because it is so structured as to make the club owners responsible for policing the ordinance. The city council is appealing the ruling. Until it is settled, the de facto situation has been a lot of lip service about banning smoking but no enforcement.