Gruene Texas

5 Stars

Gruene Texas

Texas Clay Festival 2013 - Gruene, TX

Gruene Texas (pronounced Green) has it all.  I love this little town.  There is so much to do here that makes me happy, happy, happy.  This weekend we made our "I've-stopped-counting" trip to Gruene to attend the annual Texas Clay Festival.  I blogged earlier about this festival.  I always go with a of couple things I want to buy.  This year, I bought three pieces.  I bought a platter to place candles in that sits on my fireplace hearth, a beautiful green & blue bowl for K to display his garden harvest and another pumpkin for Halloween that will be A's when he moves out of the house someday. <sniff, sniff>  I had my eye on a half a dozen other items, but if I would have purchased them all there'd be no reason to go back again next year.  

The Gristmill

After we made the first pass through the festival, we made our way over to the Gristmill for lunch.  The weather was absolutely perfect.  I didn't mind the wait as I listened to the guitar singer belt out some country classics and we waiting under the shade trees for our name to be written on the big chalkboard.  Our Texas-sized lunch was just as yummy as every other time we've made a visit.  I'm so glad this place takes an hour+ to get to or I'd be visiting it every single weekend.  I love this place that much.  I think Gruene has got to be one of my all time favorite small Texas towns.

Waiting for our name to make the chalkboard

Open air seating at the Gristmill

Our day in Gruene ended with our usual family tradition....a stop at the Gruene Toy Store followed by a homemade smoothie from the shop next door.

The Gristmill Restaurant

4 Stars

The Gristmill Restaurant epitomizes the classic saying that "everything is bigger in Texas!"  I love the Gristmill for this reason and so much more.  

The multi-level open-air building sits on a tract of land overlooking the Guadalupe River.  The front yard is shaded by large trees with a smattering of benches & picnic tables for waiting.  Expect a bit of a wait especially if you visit during the Texas Clay Festival or Gruene Market Days.  But, you can pass the time sipping on your favorite adult beverage ordered from the outdoor bar.  You'll know it's your turn to be seated when your name is called and crossed off of the very large outdoor chalkboard.  On busy days, you can also pass the time by listening to some live country music.

Once your name is called, make note of the pathway from the entrance to your table.  The building is a large structure with lots of connecting rooms.  It's a maze.  There's no air conditioning in the building.  So, ask to sit by a window if there's a breeze or under a fan if there isn't.  (Insider's Tip:  If you're sitting inside and can't stand the heat any longer, make a break for the restroom.  They are air conditioned!)  If the weather is nice, make it a point to sit outside.  There's plenty of outdoor seating under more shade trees & glimpses of the river.  Dining outside will make for an amazing experience.

Dining alfresco at the Gristmill (Oct 2011)

Food portions are BIG...like Texas.  You'll likely see people ordering the foot high stack of thick onion rings....no kidding...they really are stacked about a foot high.  I've never tried them simply because I've never dined with enough people to eat them but, they look yummy.  Most everything on the menu is good.  My favorite item is the fried shrimp.  It's enough to split between two people because...let's say it all together...everything is bigger in Texas!  

The food really isn't the reason I like the Gristmill.  I love this place for the ambiance, charming building, friendly college-age wait staff & small Texas town atmosphere.  If you're in Gruene, (or even New Braunfels for that matter) this place is a must see (& eat).  You won't be disappointed.

Texas Clay Festival

5 Stars

...otherwise known as the Greune Pottery Festival to me.

This is one of the first festivals I went to after moving back to Austin.  Greune is a quaint little town just outside of New Braunfels.  It's about an hours drive south of Austin.  The Texas Clay Festival occurs every October and it's FREE.  The weather has cooled off a bit by this time of the year and it seems that everyone is looking for opportunities to spend time outside.  This festival is filled with original art work.  Some pieces are functional serving dishes and other pieces are simply art.  One of my favorite artists is Mary Fischer.  She makes miniature houses that look like they are made from pieces of metal.  I want one, but they're pricey.

Cups from TX Clay Festival

Every year I buy at least one piece.  The first year I bought a cup that we used as a toothbrush holder in my kids bathroom.  We also found a planter that we use to store napkins on our kitchen table.  The second year, I bought cups for my bathroom.  I also bought a small bowl to collect my husband's cherry tomatoes from his garden.  The kids found a pumpkin they liked and it's become one of our annual Halloween decorations.  This year, I'm going to be on the lookout for a platter to hold 3-4 large candles...and maybe one of Mary's houses.  

There are a few demonstration areas on the festival grounds.

Napkin Holder

 There's one where kids can mold clay and another that demonstrates the art of firing or painting and things like that.  The festival is situated in the heart of downtown Gruene.  We eat lunch at the Gristmill before or after shopping for pottery.  If we've got the energy, we also walk through the local shops and always make a stop at the Gruene Toy Store.  The kids never fail to find a toy they can't live without.  The store carries items that you won't likely find in other toy stores.  We usually end the day with an ice cream or smoothie from the shop near the toy store before making the drive home.  And if we've still got any energy left after all of the shopping and walking and eating, we'll make a stop at Buc-ees on I35 right outside of town.  Ah...Buc-eeeeeeeee's...that deserves it's own post!