A Lake Travis rental is ideal for a group, right up until everyone comes off the boat hungry, a little sunburned and twenty-five minutes from the nearest good table. Here is how we plan the menu for a lake-house weekend outside Austin.
Boat-day lunch: have it ready before you leave
Send the boat out with a packed lunch, or have a spread waiting when it returns. A taco bar works either way: proteins, slaws, salsas and toppings that guests assemble themselves, with chips and cold drinks.
The barbecue night
This is Texas, so one night should be a smoked spread at the house: BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, pineapple coleslaw, mac & cheese and cornbread, served family-style on the patio. It feeds a large group with little fuss, and the leftovers become Sunday's sliders.
The dressed-up dinner
If the weekend marks an occasion, such as a bachelorette, a birthday or a milestone, give it one plated dinner before heading into town for Rainey Street or South Congress. We would serve bacon-wrapped filet mignon, a bright salad, truffle mashed potatoes and a chocolate flourless torte. Our private chef dinners page explains each service style.
Sunday: breakfast tacos
Set out eggs, potatoes, bacon, chorizo, cheese and salsas, with fruit and coffee, early enough for whoever has the first flight home.
Lake-house logistics
- Share the address and any gate code early, since some lake roads are slow going.
- Tell us about the grill and outdoor kitchen; they shape what we can cook.
- Plan dinner for after the boat is back and everyone has showered, usually about 90 minutes after you dock.
Lunch and brunch start at $68 a person and dinners at $57 a person, plus food. See our Austin page.
Tell us about your table
Send us the date, your guest count and the occasion. We reply the same day with menu ideas and a quote.