Austin eateries dazzle in Texas' first MICHELIN Star list

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Seven Austin restaurants made history this week, crowned among the first One MICHELIN Star establishments to be awarded in the Lone Star State. The inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas selection featured 15 One MICHELIN Star restaurants, among 117 restaurants named for various recognitions.

The seven Austin restaurants listed as One MICHELIN Star establishments were:

• Barley Swine: contemporary cuisine
• Craft Omakase: Japanese cuisine
• Hestia: American cuisine
• InterStellar BBQ: barbecue cuisine
• la Barbecue: barbecue cuisine
• Leroy and Lewis Barbecue: barbecue cuisine
• Olamaie: American cuisine

Several of the awarded restaurants told KXAN they are already seeing the impacts of the recognition. Hestia's team said they've seen more than a 100% increase in reservations since the announcement was made Monday evening.

With such a strong spotlight on these seven local spots, KXAN asked awarded restaurants which dishes they recommend newcomers try. Hestia's team told KXAN their dishes "find inspiration from a custom 20-ft hearth that anchors the kitchen and dining room."

"The menu allows an opportunity to explore and showcase techniques that highlight the role of fire in food," Hestia team members said. "For first-timers, we recommend the curated multi-course chef's tasting menu to be fully immersed in the Hestia experience."

Holden Fulco, general manager with InterStellar BBQ, added Wednesday marked their first day back at work following the announcement, so it remains to be seen what the impact will be on daily lines. However, the restaurant has already seen a "noticeable uptick" in preorders, with Fulco adding staff are ready to tackle that challenge.

As for newcomers to InterStellar BBQ, Fulco said first-timers tend to try the restaurant's peach tea glazed pork belly along with their smoked scalloped potatoes. Fulco added those dishes really helped "put [InterStellar] on the map, so to speak."

"They represent what we are all about at Interstellar, blending the classic with new and inventive ideas and flavors," Fulco said. "We encourage everyone who comes by to try a piece of our pork belly. Who doesn't love meat candy after all?"

LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue co-owner Lindsey LeRoy shared her excitement returning to restaurant operations following the announcement, recommending guests try a two-meat plate to really gather a sense of their barbecue for the first time. And if you're coming any time soon: Pack your appetite.

"The flat iron (sliced beef) and beef cheeks are two of my favorite options (or the smoked cauliflower burnt ends) and the kale Caesar slaw and Texas chili frito pie are two of our most popular sides," she said. "I’d recommend pairing it with a local beer like a St Elmo Carl kolsch or the frozen big red sangria."

Alongside those menu recommendations, she added LeRoy and Lewis' Anytime Eats menu is chock full of popular options, including the hog fat cornbread, L&L burger and onion rings.

Olamaie celebrated the recognition online, highlighting founder and executive chef Michael Fojtasek's dream to "put Southern cuisine on the map."

"We are so humbled, and incredibly grateful to our Austin community, farmers, guests and friends that have continued to support our work all these years," Olamaie wrote. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

la Barbecue's owner Alison Clem told KXAN they are excited and grateful to serve new and seasoned customers in the coming days, weeks and months.

"It feels unreal!!!" she said in an email to KXAN. "I am so excited and humbled by this award!! We are looking forward to feeding so many new and loyal customers."

la Barbecue offers both pick up and dine-in services, with Clem adding she recommends customers get those in quickly. As for what to order, she said there's so many incredible items on the menu, and sampling a little bit of everything is the best way to cultivate the experience.

"For people that are first timers we always recommend our brisket, sausage that we make in house daily and our amazing pork ribs," she said. "Our queso shells and cheese are not to be missed and don’t forget to add any of our pickling that we make in house."

Barley Swine team members celebrated the accomplishment with a little bit of help from AC/DC's "Black In Black," sharing this Instagram post and commenting: "Thank you everyone for all this love!! Shout out to our Barley Swine team!!!"

In a thank you post to customers and supporters Wednesday, Craft Omakase's Chef Charlie Wang said the restaurant's team opened Craft Omakase nearly a year ago out of "a passion for great food and a desire to please our guests."

"We put everything on the line to strike out on our own, and the fear of failure was very real. Our goal was never about earning accolades; it was about survival and ensuring the well-being of our family and staff," the post read in part. "To now be honored with a Michelin star feels both ironic and surreal! ???? This milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our amazing 7-member team who showed up every single day. Your passion and hard work are the heart and soul of our restaurant."