We’re always looking for cool concepts and interesting businesses in the Texas Hill Country and there’s one in particular that’s creating a buzz — and we mean that literally! Apis Restaurant and Apiary in Spicewood.
The husband and wife team of Chef Taylor Hall and Casie Hall had a unique vision for this rustic, yet refined restaurant that included a functional honey house.
They wanted to not only serve globally-inspired seasonal dishes, but also use locally-sourced ingredients like honey from their own hives. Hence the name of the restaurant Apis, which comes from the taxonomy of the western honeybee, Apis mellifera.
The resident bees
Located behind the restaurant towards the back of the six-acre property at Highway 71 and the Pedernales River, the Halls have 20 hives and produced 400 pounds of honey from their first harvest in November.
They are using their honey in specialty items on the menu like The Apiary, a craft cocktail featuring honeycomb infused TX Bourbon, lemon, sarsaparilla and dry curacao over ice.
The couple’s passion for beekeeping started in 2009 and after reading about Colony Collapse Disorder — a syndrome federal agencies, state departments of agriculture, universities, and private companies are researching — their passion evolved into a quest to raise healthy bees and healthy colonies.
They took classes to learn more about beekeeping and now they are able to watch their efforts make a positive impact in the way they do business. In addition to using the honey they harvest, the bees will pollinate their gardens to provide even more fresh produce for the menu.
Promoting local farmers
To further illustrate their dedication to giving you a taste of local flavor, Apis Restaurant and Apiary will begin offering a Farm Feature Dinner beginning on April 7. The three-course menu ($35 per person; $50 per person with wine pairing) will feature food from a single local farm with the goal of promoting local farmers, as well as the health and environmental benefits of eating seasonally and sustainably.
The first farm Apis will be featuring is Austin Montessori Adolescent Community at Gaines Creek Farm. Students have been learning about business and agriculture by growing and selling their produce and eggs to Apis.
In order to take their learning one step further, Apis has invited AMS students to the farm dinner, so they can experience “restaurant life” first-hand and see how the food they’ve grown will be prepared and presented.
If you’re interested checking out the “buzz” for yourself, you need to make reservations online, by phone or via email.
Apis Restaurant & Apiary
23526 Hwy 71 West
Spicewood, Texas 78669
Phone 512-436-8918
Photos courtesy of the Apis Restaurant & Apiary Facebook page.
