John & Evelyn Washburne: Side Street Hospitality (Fredericksburg, TX)

John Washburne swears that he remembers me when I visited his restaurant Otto's 7 or 8 years ago. While I'm still not quite convinced, my Otto's German Bistro memory was one of the reasons I wanted to return to Fredericksburg, TX. The town was settled in the 1800s by German immigrants and still retains a lot of German character, and Otto's was a standout on the culinary scene even then, with a focus on local sourcing, in-house charcuterie and pantry staples, and a cocktail list that would be at home in a forward-thinking Austin bar. Since my first visit, John, along with his wife Evelyn, have expanded their business footprint immensely as Side Street Hospitality, including a coffee shop, an inn and event venue, and a soon to be open Italian restaurant. Their work is at once very rooted in place without being constrained by it, and they've added a fresh, youthful quality to the town without disregarding its traditional past.