clockwise from top left: image courtesy of august e's; old german bakery photo by evan prince; hill top café photo courtesy of hill top café; vaudeville photo by evan prince.
Where to Dine Founded in 1846 by Baron Otfried Hans von Meuscbach of Prussia, Fredericksburg has loyally clung to its German roots. Today, visitors can still savor authentic cuisine from east of the Rhine at notable eateries like Old German Bakery & Restaurant (225 W. Main St.) and the Altdorf Biergarten (301 W. Main St.). In addition to its flourishing German cuisine, Fredericksburg boasts a number of dynamic new eateries, founded by restaurateurs drawn to the town’s quiet charm. Artist Richard Boprae and Chef Jordan Muraglia, for example, opened Vaudeville (230 E. Main St.) last spring, a three-story concept featuring an art gallery, a home décor retail space and a French-inspired bistro downstairs. Serving classic cuisine, from creamy butternut squash bisque to braised pork belly, Vaudeville creates an indulgent dining experience in a comfortable atmosphere. “It’s a current point of view on the Hill Country,” Boprae notes. One block from Main Street, August E’s (203 E. San Antonio St.) transports diners around the world with its artfully crafted dishes and the restaurant’s famous “Thai Tuesdays,” featuring the cuisine of Chef Leu Savanh’s home country. Though August E’s takes cues from Europe and Asia, Chef Savanh’s wife and co-owner, Dawn, describes the restaurant’s culinary aesthetic as Nouveau Texas Cuisine: “We pride ourselves in sourcing the best Texas offers [and] preparing simply to let the quality of the food shine,” she says. A short drive north of Fredericksburg, former Asleep at the Wheel guitarist Johnny Nicholas and his wife, Brenda, serve up a thoughtful menu of Greek, Cajun and Texan cuisine at Hill Top Café (10661 US 87). In their eclectic roadhouse-turned-restaurant, the Nicholases carefully craft each dish—a local favorite is The Greek’s Special Tenderloin, marinated with fresh garlic and cracked pepper—with ingredients sourced from local purveyors and the restaurant’s own gardens. “We focus on farm to market food—we always have,” says Nicholas. “It’s getting trendy now, but we’ve been doing it for 30 years.”
Where to Shop On the first Friday of each month, some of Fredericksburg’s finest art galleries open their doors late into the evening, inviting visitors in for a glass of wine and artwork. As you stroll the downtown square, be sure to stop by Whistle Pik Galleries (425 E. Main St.), which features original paintings and bronzes from across the country. Nearby, InSight Gallery (214 W. Main St.) presents another award-winning collection of representational art by 50 artists, curated by Meredith Plesko and her husband, David. “When the optribeza.com
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