Veronica Meewes

Austin

Writer and Editor at Freelance

professional hedonist @forbesinspector @saltandwind @foodandwine @travlandleisure @punch_drink @ChronFood @texasmonthly *opinions are my own*

Articles

OKO Brings Filipino Soul to East Austin | Listen

2 weeks ago | thelocalpalate.com | Veronica Meewes

At OKO in Austin, chef Harold Villarosa isn’t just serving Filipino food—he’s telling a story. It begins in the rice paddies of the Philippines, winds through the streets of the Bronx, sharpens in fine dining kitchens, and emerges at a place of deep cultural celebration and community. Raised in Iloilo City in the Philippines—where morning markets and freshly butchered meat from neighbors were part of daily life—Villarosa was cooking “farm-to-table” before the term existed.
Junior Borges Brings a Refresh to Juniper

2 months ago | thelocalpalate.com | Veronica Meewes |TLP's Partners |Lauren Titus

A Brazilian Heart Beats in This Italian KitchenSince opening in 2015, Juniper has consistently remained one of Austin’s top restaurants. Now, one decade in, the upscale Italian concept is getting a refresh with the arrival of acclaimed chef Junior Borges, who brings with him a unique blend of Brazilian heritage, culinary precision, and creative ambition.
Cigars in Tampa, A Snapshot

Jan 24, 2025 | thelocalpalate.com | Emily Havener |Veronica Meewes |Lia Picard

Tampa’s diverse cigar culture is steeped in historyAt the corner of North Florida Avenue and East Francis Avenue in sunny Tampa, Florida, a soaring brick cathedral has overlooked the neighborhood for nearly 120 years. For decades it served as a spiritual center for the Tampa Heights neighborhood. Now the institution worships a different deity: cigars.
Get To Know Lockhart, Texas | Listen

Jan 21, 2025 | thelocalpalate.com | Veronica Meewes

Smoked meats and small-town charm beckon in the Barbecue Capital of TexasLockhart has long been celebrated as the Barbecue Capital of Texas, a legacy that started when meat markets arose from the Chisholm Trail cattle drives of the 19th century. And while that history is still a very robust part of the town’s identity, attracting smoked meat enthusiasts from all over the world to pay homage to its famous barbecue joints, Lockhart’s culinary landscape has greatly expanded in recent years.
The Italian Boy: A First Look

Jan 10, 2025 | thelocalpalate.com | Tate Jacaruso |Erin Murray |Brittany Furbee |Veronica Meewes

A Q&A with Anthony Marini of The Pass and his latest concept, The Italian Boy (After Dark)In early 2024 a car crashed into The Pass, a deli and market in downtown Charleston and a beloved lunch spot for both locals and visitors. After many months of takeout and delivery only, The Pass has not only reopened their dining room for lunch but also debuted a new dinner concept, The Italian Boy (After Dark), in the same space.
Meet Boerne, Texas | Listen

Dec 26, 2024 | thelocalpalate.com | Veronica Meewes

Find German heritage, excellent Mexican cuisine, and hidden antiques in this Central Texas town Boerne, a hamlet located just 30 minutes northwest of San Antonio, is a major draw for visitors enjoying the Hill Country, with its natural beauty (including two limestone caverns), rich German heritage, and historic main street (called the Hill Country Mile) lined with antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques.
Lillian’s Petite Market & Eatery: A First Look

Dec 4, 2024 | thelocalpalate.com | Amber Chase |Erin Murray |Brittany Furbee |Veronica Meewes

In February of 2024, patrons of Harold’s Cabin were devastated to hear of its pending closure, prompting one Cannonborough-Elliotborough resident to take matters into her own hands. Heather Greene sent a letter to the former owners of the Harold’s Cabin space expressing her intent to revive, refresh, and renew the space into a communal hub she would later call Lillian’s Petite Market & Eatery.
Armour House: A First Look

Nov 8, 2024 | thelocalpalate.com | Amber Chase |Erin Murray |Brittany Furbee |Veronica Meewes

This November, a former meat processing facility in historic downtown Birmingham is getting new chops. The Armour & Co. building was originally completed in 1911, and has been revitalized to host Armour House and Pogo, a sophisticated dining experience and speakeasy that pay homage to the building’s history while bracing Birmingham for its newest take on fine dining.
La Cave: A First Look

Oct 10, 2024 | thelocalpalate.com | Amber Chase |Erin Murray |Brittany Furbee |Veronica Meewes

Charleston’s Parisian mainstay, Félix Cocktails et Cuisine, will launch their latest concept, La Cave, translated from French meaning “the cellar” on October 17. Nestled next door, La Cave is an intimate sipping lounge where guests can share curated small plates, sip exclusive French wines, and choose from top shelf whiskeys and cordials. Patrons are ushered through a tunnel from the lively Félix dining room into La Cave, for a slower, elevated, and natural reprieve from the bustle of King Street.
ChòpnBlọk, Houston's First Fast-Casual West African Spot

Oct 9, 2024 | thelocalpalate.com | Erin Murray |Brittany Furbee |Veronica Meewes

The road to Houston’s first fast-casual West African was paved with community & intentionOpe Amosu spent his childhood bouncing between Houston, where he was raised, London, where he was born, and Nigeria, where his parents and extended family are from. And no matter where they were, they were eating rice at home. “I would ask for fast food on my way home from school, and nine times out of 10, I got denied because the saying was ‘there’s already rice at home,’” he says.