Your Vacation Awaits

Luxe Austin Hill Country resort unveils stunning $150 million transformation

Following a two-year, $150 million renovation, the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is poised to relaunch this May — and you’ll want to get a reservation on the books once you see what's in store.

The luxury resort — only 20 minutes from downtown Austin — now features seven different dining options, a 13,000-square-foot Mokara world-class spa (spa-cation, anyone?), and many more amenities for an essential Hill Country getaway.

Each of the newly designed 493 guest rooms were upgraded with inspiration from the surrounding Texas Hill Country. Floor-to-ceiling windows give guests stunning views of the lush and natural beauty of the property, and all décor and furnishings were selected to bring the outdoors in. An impressive art collection references the land, too. Pieces include hand painted hill country landscape on tree stump rounds, a firefly light installation, a “stag” foraged from Barton Creek Greenbelt materials by local artist Emily Blincoe, and even a natural wood carving of Austin's idyllic Barton Springs itself.

To accommodate a growing demand for events, the resort now boasts almost 80,000 square feet of meetings space, including a new 14,500-square-foot ballroom, a pavilion with retractable windows, and two outdoor event lawns.

Golfers, meanwhile, have their pick of four different championship courses, like the 72-par Fazio Canyons, which features 7,153-yards of scenic views designed by the legendary Tom Fazio. Those who prefer watching golf to playing can settle into a ledge lounger at the infinity pool — one of the three brand-new pools at the resort — overlooking the award-winning course.

And then, of course, there’s the food. Guests can look forward to indulging in fine wines and large-cut steaks at Bob’s Steak & Chop House or dine "garden to table" style at Blind Salamander Kitchen & Bar.

For more casual poolside fare, Nopales, inspired by Latin American flavors, will offer dishes like ceviche and asado, plus creative cocktails. Golfers can head to Crenshaw's Bar & Eatery for a beer or a bite before tee-time or grab a seat at Jim Bob's Lobby Lounge to watch the sun set post-round. Adjacent to the lobby, Velvet Joe's Coffee House and Artisan Wares is perfect for those grab-and-go moments, and for a sit-down start to the day, Texas Spice will offer daily homestyle breakfast.

Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa is now accepting reservations for stays starting May 5, 2019, via the website or at 512-329-4000. Your vacation awaits.

Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa will reopen in May with three splashy new pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the Austin Hill Country.

Exterior rendering of Omni Barton Creek Resot

Courtesy of Omni Barton Creek

Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa will reopen in May with three splashy new pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the Austin Hill Country.

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This week in gluttony

These are the 6 must-indulge events at the 2023 Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival

Photo by Nancy Farrar

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The most delicious four days in Fort Worth begin Thursday, March 30 with the start of the annual Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival. It's such a big deal that we are devoting this week's Best Food and Drink Events feature to the multi-day culinary extravaganza.

With six sip-and-stroll tasting events showcasing more than 100 local chefs, restaurants, bartenders, and food artisans, the festival mostly takes place along 13 acres at the Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork under pop-up tents and huge shades trees. (There’s just one rogue event elsewhere at Whiskey Ranch.) Live music, chic seating areas, tasting bars, and plenty of photo ops combine to create one of the most talked-about weekends of the year.

It's also good way to preview food and beverages nominated for CultureMap Tastemaker Awards; these events will no doubt leave you wanting another helping at the awards ceremony and signature tasting event on April 27.

Produced by the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation, the festival is more than a good time – proceeds raise funds for local grant programs and scholarships for culinary students in Fort Worth. To date, the non-profit has raised more than $325,000 for the cause.

After a pandemic-related two-year hiatus, the festival returned in its full format last year and welcomed more than 7,000 hungry foodies. Organizers have expanded the experience this year to welcome even more attendees, but folks aren’t sleeping on their chance to indulge. Two of the six signature events are already sold out, and Weekender passes (which allow access to the entire festival) and early entry tickets to all events are also long gone.

So, act fast to get in on the feeding frenzy. Limited general admission tickets remain for just four of the following six events. Here are details on all of them:

Tacos + Tequila
Thursday, March 30, 8-10 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 7 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Attendees who’ve already snagged their ticket can plan for a pairing that never disappoints. There’ll be 18 chefs and 12 tequila vendors sharing their tastiest creations at this festival kick-off event. Try tacos from Calisience, Guapo Taco, Mesero, and Toro Toro, along with dishes from unexpected participants like Dusty Biscuit Beignets and FunkyTown Donuts & Drafts. Find the full list here. This event has sold out.

The Main Event
Friday, March 31, 6:30-9 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 5:30 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
This grand affair is the festival’s showcase event. Ticketholders should arrive hungry and thirsty for more than 100 wines, craft beers, and spirits to pair with dishes from 27 chefs, restaurateurs, and food artisans. Participants include some of Fort Worth’s most iconic restaurants, like Bonnell’s, Fitzgerald, Michaels Cuisine, Reata, Shinjuku Station, Ellerbe Fine Foods, and newcomers like The Beast & Co. Find the full list here. This event has sold out.

Night Market
Friday, March 31, 9-11 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 8 pm)
Whiskey Ranch
Formerly called Nite Bites, this reimagined event will let guests experience global flavors, with influence from Mumbai to Mexico City, under the Texas stars in a street food market setting. It will feature bites and beverages from 27 chefs and mixologists. Cocktails will be crafted with TX Whiskey, and craft beer and wine will also be available. Participants include Malai Kitchen, Coco Shrimp, Clay Pigeon Food & Drink, Tributary Café, and Lonesome Dove Western Bistro. Find the full list here. Tickets are $65, and early entry is sold out.

Rise + Dine
Saturday, April 1, 11 am–2 pm
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Wake up and smell the best of Fort Worth’s brunch scene. Indulge in classic morning favorites to seafood dishes paired with cocktails, coffee, craft beer, and of course, lots of bubbly. Twenty restaurants and food artisans will participate, including Pearl Snap Kolaches, Brewed, Café Modern, 3rd Street Market, Avoca Coffee Roasters, and Three Danes Baking Company. Find the full list here. Tickets are $85.

Burgers, Brews + Blues
Saturday, April 1, 6-9 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 5 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Thirteen chefs will grill their best burgers in slider form for celebrity judges and guests to select their favorite. Participating burger joints include JD’s Hamburgers, Fred’s Texas Café, Rodeo Goat, and Tommy’s Burgers. Find the full list here. This event is also for beer lovers – local craft brewers from near and far will pour samples of their best selections to also be judged by guests. Take it all in while enjoying live blues under the shade trees. Tickets are $85, and early entry is sold out.

Ring of Fire: A Next-Level Cookout
Sunday, April 2, 2-5 pm (early entry ticketholders may arrive at 1 pm)
Heart of the Ranch at Clearfork
Here’s what happens when you gather the best pitmasters in Fort Worth and let them loose with live fire: the ultimate backyard barbecue. Guests can plan for both traditional and unexpected smoked dishes from participants like Smoke-A-Holics BBQ, Panther City BBQ, Brix Barbecue, Heim Barbecue, Olmos BBQ, Cousins BBQ, 225 BBQ, BBQ on the Brazos, Dayne’s Craft Barbecue, Hurtado BBQ, The Original Black’s Barbecue, and more. Also look for The Babes of Que, an onsite activation during the event featuring women in the world of barbecue. Babes of Que podcast host Betina Miller will be joined by Cecilia Guerrero and Kimberly Ovalle of Goldee’s Barbecue, among other leading lady pitmasters. Tickets are $85, and early entry is sold out.

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