The Austin Club, the city’s oldest private club

Last night, our friends the Lowrys invited us to dinner at The Austin Club. They’re members of this exclusive place in downtown Austin; it’s on 9th Street, a block from Congress Avenue and near the Texas State Capitol, for obvious reasons I’ll explain later. As the link shows, it used to be the Millet Opera House until they took it over in 1981. The meal and experience was most impressive. The place is like something out of those movies on TCM when the characters (crime bosses, politicians, rich people, etc.) would meet at the Stork Club to have dinner and they’d be waited on by Black servants. The Lowrys told us, not long ago, elderly Black gentlemen used to be the primary staff members so it gave the place a very antebellum atmosphere; it definitely contradicted Austin’s more Liberal reputation.

The meal was an excellent, multi-course affair with an emphasis on presentation and the proper portioning. This was real fine dining contrary to the standard American stuff-yourself-until-you-burst kind. Somara also learned how to prepare this type of cuisine at culinary school too so I’m sure she was taking mental notes. The service matched the nature of the food and club. Overall, a fun indulgent evening everyone should have a chance to experience.

Other than the main dining room, the building contains numerous private dining rooms, private party rooms, one huge ballroom upstairs (we could hear the band playing during our meal but it wasn’t intrusive) and lastly, private meeting rooms. For better or for worse (usually worse with Texas politics), the legislature’s actual business takes place here with the lobbyists. To give you an idea which camp the Austin Club is in, you’ll see a huge portrait of the current Bush in the lobby (good thing I ate before I saw it). Despite that eyesore, I am glad the Lowrys invited us to share this meal, time and opportunity with them. In closing though, I must give a quick disclaimer to you readers, visitors and friends to let you know that the Lowrys are super generous, nice people (they’re my friend Ethan’s parents) who are not Republicans, Busheviks or friends of the status quo.