Just following its one year anniversary, laV Restaurant & Wine Bar in East Austin, Texas, debuts its outdoor walking gardens and special event space: Jardins de laV. Situated directly to the east of the restaurant just steps from the outdoor patio, the large outdoor area features several large box garden plots that provide produce and herbs for many of the restaurants’ seasonal dishes. As the weather warms, the space will play to host to an ongoing series of laV-presented events such as movie screenings, wine tastings, and ‘picnic style’ dining. Jardins de laV is also available for special events from intimate garden parties and chef’s tastings to large-scale cocktail parties and even weddings.
The restaurant known for its award-winning, all-female team offers a robust wine list. Since opening a year ago, laV has generated a lot of attention for its impressive 7000-plus bottle wine list with something for every palate and price range, as well as signature dishes like the roasted chicken for two. The 220-person capacity afforded by the restaurant and its beautiful outdoor patio can be upped for special events with the additional 8,000 square feet from Jardins de laV, accommodating up to 500 for a sit down dinner and 600 for standing events.
“laV’s beautiful design details make it an ideal destination for special events. We take calls often from guests wanting to use the space for their private events,” says general manager, Jamie Wagner Rounsavall. “While we’ve been flattered by the interest, it’s important that we can accommodate our regular customers and even those visiting laV for dinner for the very first time. We are thrilled to now have Jardins de laV, not only as a special events space but also as a place to welcome our community in a more causal way. “
Reprising the dishes such as the popular sweet potato doughnut holes, corned beef tongue sandwich with pickled cabbage and mustard seed, executive chef Allison Jenkins and her team will cater to crowds’ hunger during laV’s special garden events. Those dishes, along with other small bites, will come out of the popular Say laV food trailer, which will act as the mobile kitchen for the garden guests while the restaurant operates at its normal capacity for dinner service. Austinites first became familiar with Say laV in 2013, where it debuted as a precursor to laV during construction at the Austin Food & Wine Festival. From there it opened for lunch and dinner just a stone’s throw from where the restaurant now stands.
Beginning this spring, laV will begin hosting bi-weekly events in the Jardins de laV space. From themed movie nights complete with truffle popcorn and other bites from Say laV complete with blanket-side wine service, to outdoor Chef’s Tasting Garden Dinners.
