Brandon Watson
CultureMap Austin
Austin, TX, United States
Contact Brandon
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Brandon:
First Mexican hard aguas frescas brand splashes into 200 H-E-B stores across Texas
Texans take their aguas frescas seriously. Look at the controversy when TikToker Gracie Norton called the beloved drink “spa water.” Still, locals are not likely to argue should one want to throw in a little booze.Now entrepreneur Hugo Martinez has taken beloved Mexican flavors out of vitroleros and into cans with Picadas, a line of hard aguas frescas. Each can combines real fruit juice with… → Read More
Acclaimed Texas winemaker uplifts Burnet with new vineyard and tasting room
One of Texas’ most acclaimed winemakers is stomping on new grounds. William Chris Wine Company has announced the opening of a new vineyard and tasting room on a gorgeous 78-acre property in Burnet.William Chris founders Chris Brundrett and Andrew Sides purchased the property, formerly named Hoover Valley, in 2021 from a private owner. The rebranded Uplift Vineyard hired the vineyard team and… → Read More
Modern Korean eatery carves out new culinary direction with superstar Austin chef
As Austin's food scene evolves, it increasingly takes on the ephemeral whims of fashion. Food trends buzz by in a hummingbird's flutter, leaving diners little time to savor the nuances of what has come before. So, it is refreshing when a restaurant allows its creative team space to evolve gently. → Read More
Twin Liquors pops the cap on sizzling Dollar Sale deals in Austin
SXSW is approaching; gorgeous spring weather is here; and spring break is just around the corner. The spring social calendar will soon overflow, and Austinites will need a lot of booze. → Read More
Texas' beloved H-E-B reclaims top spot in annual survey of best U.S. grocers
Shawn Mendes and Camillo Cabello called it quits. The word “cheugy” became a thing. Addison Rae got a Netflix deal. Lots of bummer things happened in 2021. But for Texans, no greater indignity was suffered than H-E-B falling behind Amazon on dunnhumby’s Top U.S. Grocery Retailers list. → Read More
H-E-B reclaims top spot in annual survey of best U.S. grocers
Shawn Mendes and Camillo Cabello called it quits. The word “cheugy” became a thing. Addison Rae got a Netflix deal. Lots of bummer things happened in 2021. But for Texans, no greater indignity was suffered than H-E-B falling behind Amazon on dunnhumby’s Top U.S. Grocery Retailers list. → Read More
Texas chef bags appearance on Guy Fieri's Guy's Grocery Games
Flavortown may be more of a concept than an exact set of coordinates. But on May 24, the pin will be firmly set in Texas as San Antonio's Braunda Smith becomes the latest local chef to compete in Guy’s Grocery Games. → Read More
11 festive Austin restaurants for dining out on Christmas Day
The pressure starts building months before the big day. Culinary magazines roll out spreads of towering croquembouches, TikTok explodes with easy Christmas dinner hacks, and grocery stores roll out recipes for their costliest cuts of meat. There's no place like home for the holidays, after all. What → Read More
Elegant supper club nods to bygone era in charming Texas Hill Country setting
With its darling shops, charming wineries, and breathtaking Hill Country vistas, Wimberley has long been a choice destination for day trips. Now a group of locals is giving concrete-weary Texans ... → Read More
Elegant supper club nods to bygone era in charming Hill Country setting
With its darling shops, charming wineries, and breathtaking Hill Country vistas, Wimberley has long been a choice destination for day trips. Now a group of locals is giving concrete-weary Austinites ... → Read More
East Austin brunch favorite delivers the goods to San Antonio
It looks like San Antonio’s hospitality scene will have to get used to seeing more Austin faces. After luring Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group to town to open Ladino and ... → Read More
Hot tamale shop from San Antonio unwraps first Austin location
As any Texan will tell you, it’s not the holidays without tamales. So one couldn’t ask for a better time for one of San Antonio’s most popular tamale shops to ... → Read More
Acclaimed Austin restaurant group grills up expansion to San Antonio
As Austin’s restaurant scene continues to rebound from the hardships of the pandemic and thrive in its tenacious growth, one of the city’s most acclaimed hospitality groups is heading south, ... → Read More
Favorite Austin burger chain moves forward with first drive-thru in Georgetown
The rhythms of daily life may have come to a grinding halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, but at least one local restaurant group is moving forward with pl → Read More
6 things to know in Austin food right now: Lobster truck anchors new brick-and-mortar
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup ... → Read More
7 things to know in Austin food right now: Famed Hill Country barbecue spot burns out
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of ... → Read More
Where to eat in Austin right now: 8 tried-and-true restaurants for classic cuisine
If the rate of Austin restaurant closures over the past few years has taught locals anything, it’s that one can’t take anything for granted. Those classic eateries you’ve been meaning ... → Read More
7 things to know in Austin food right now: Splendid new ice cream shop bowls over South Congree
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup ... → Read More
6 things to know in Austin food right now: Casual cafe swoops into trendy downtown hotel
Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup ... → Read More
North Austin racks up new entertainment center with bowling and bumper cars
A Dallas-based group is hoping to bowl Austin over with its signature combination of state-of-the-art games and chef-inspired cuisine. Pinstack, a popular metroplex entertainment concept with locations in Plano, Las ... → Read More