Homeowners in the Woods of Westlake have tremendous shopping and dining opportunities. The neighborhood is within 15 minutes or less of seven major shopping centers including the Village of Westlake, Barton Creek Square Mall, Southpark Meadows, Hill Country Galleria, Arbor Trails, Escarpment Village, and Sunset Valley Market Fair. Together, these retail centers represent almost 600 department stores, specialty shops, movie theaters, and restaurants.
Neighbors do their grocery shopping at Whole Foods Market, 10 minutes away at Arbor Trails Shopping Center, or the upscale HEB at the Village at Westlake fewer than 5 minutes from home.
An Abundance of Choices at Hill Country Galleria and Escarpment Village
The neighborhood is about 15 minutes from one of Austin’s newest shopping destinations — the Hill Country Galleria. The Hill Country Galleria boasts more than 80 department and specialty stores, boutiques, and salons; many of which are locally owned and operated. Shoppers can pick up the latest runway fashions at Fab’rik and take a relaxing break at Austin’s favorite spa, Milk + Honey. Men can check out Jos. A. Bank for casual apparel, as well as high-end tailored business attire. The center also hosts a Cinemark multiplex movie theater and a family-friendly series of concerts under the stars at the community center’s outdoor amphitheater, located adjacent to the Galleria.
Escarpment Village, Austin’s first green retail center ,features rainwater-harvesting cisterns and solar panels, as well as more than 25 shops and stores, including a “hybrid” HEB, which incorporates many of the gourmet aspects of Central Market. The center also hosts Starbucks, Oasis Day Spa, Massage Envy, Eye Tech Optometry, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Allstate Insurance, an animal hospital and Tomlinson’s Pet Supplies, among others. Escarpment Village has a number of wonderful casual restaurants including Torchy’s Tacos, Waterloo Ice House and Kerbey Lane Cafe, and dessert D’Lites, which serves 150 naturally flavored varieties of ice cream.
Traditional Fresh Sushi to Texas-Style BBQ — All in Under Five Minutes
Woods of Westlake residents enjoy some of the best sushi and Japanese food in Austin at Izumi Japanese Restaurant, a little less than five minutes from home at the Village at Westlake center. In addition to an extensive sashimi menu, the restaurant offers about 30 traditional sushi rolls and 30 delicious specialty sushi rolls. Among the specialty rolls, locals recommend the Westlake Sushi Roll — made with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, kanikama, and asparagus wrapped in cucumber with ponzu sauce. Also popular is the Volcano Roll, a California roll baked with kanikama, scallops, onions, mushrooms, and masago on top. Popular dinner options are Yakisoba, Tempura, and Katsu — panko-crusted pork, snapper, or chicken with Japanese barbeque sauce. At lunch, there are a number of bento boxes to choose from.
When residents are in the mood for something a little more traditionally Texan, Rudy’s Country Store & Barbeque is just three or four minutes down the road. Rudy’s serves some of Austin’s favorite Texas-style BBQ including great smoked sausage, ribs, turkey, and chicken — but almost everyone who loves Rudy’s recommends the uniquely irresistible brisket. And insiders know it’s not just the brisket, but the brisket ordered “extra moist.” The comforting, delicious, rich, and decadent creamed corn is another favorite of Rudy’s signature dishes. The restaurant itself is roomy, laid-back, and comfortable. Despite being very popular, the iconic eatery manages to avoid making customers stand in long lines or wait too long for their food. And for dessert, Rudy’s offers down-home banana and chocolate pudding.