Birdie's

"Every so often, Birdie’s will swap in a few different flavors and versions of this dessert, but it always starts with a base of soft serve and a topping of citrus and olive oil. It’s soft and creamy, with a fruity bitterness from the oil that ties everything together. Pair it with a glass of dessert wine for the full experience, or just enjoy it for the delicious little treat that it is." - nicolai mccrary

"Birdie’s is a natural wine bar and restaurant on East 12th Street that’s 90% patio. They don’t take reservations, which means there are sometimes long lines, but you can order a glass of wine (or two) to keep you company while you wait. We’re big fans of the pasta here, but we also like to go to Birdie’s to try new and fun wines. Around a dozen wines are available by the glass, ranging from $13-$16, with a wide variety that includes skin-contact orange wines, sparkling pinot noir from Austria, and Basque ​​Txakolinas. They all work surprisingly well when the weather hits triple digits. The bottle list is pretty long, and to show that they don’t take it all too seriously, they give their wines one-word descriptions of the wine like “zippy,” “sassy,” “precise,” “punk rock,” “uncomplicated,” and “cheeky,”" - nicolai mccrary, raphael brion

"Need a patio for a nice date night out? The no-reservations counter-service wine restaurant in Chestnut has received nods from Michelin, the James Beard Awards (for excellent food and beverage service), and Eater Austin for its excellent pastas, salads, and bistro fare that prioritizes locally sourced ingredients. The patio out back has seating options for groups, intimate dates, or solo evenings out. Get there early to avoid the line." - Erin Russell

"A fine-dining, counter-service restaurant in East Austin, managed by Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel, combining their culinary and sommeliers expertise." - Brittany Britto Garley

"An Austin restaurant with Arjav Ezekiel nominated for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service." - Courtney E. Smith