Cheese, Charcuterie Delivery Venture To Open North Austin Eatery

AUSTIN, TX — Locally based Spread & Co., a gourmet cheese and charcuterie delivery service, is opening a restaurant in the Rosedale neighborhood this fall, officials announced this week.

The company's first brick-and-mortar location at 1601 W. 38th St. will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will serve breakfast and lunch fare, with gourmet cheese and other locally sourced items as the centerpiece of the menu, officials explained.

The husband-and-wife venture will offer he brand’s signature cheese and charcuterie boards for purchase on-site and online, with pickup at the restaurant as a new option in addition to delivery. Carefully selected cheese by the ounce, housemade jams, pickles, dips and bread, and unique gifts for food lovers will also be available for purchase at the shop.

Founder Rosemary Ewald has been operating Spread & Co. as a cheese board delivery service since 2016, according to a press advisory. "Stemming from her love of making homemade jams and pickles and pairing them with cheeses at home, Rosemary took those passions and created the picnic-ready delivery service that’s been growing in popularity ever since," officials said. Austin Ewald, former head chef at Grizzelda’s and chef de cuisine at Jacoby’s prior to that, joined his wife in the Spread & Co. venture in early 2019 to help make their cheese-centric restaurant dreams a reality.

“I love working and interacting with guests and being creative with the orders, and Austin is amazing at running a kitchen and is an incredibly talented chef so we’re thrilled to be taking on this venture together,” Rosemary Ewald said in a prepared statement. “Cheese and wine can often be intimidating, and we want to create an inclusive, fun space where guests feel comfortable asking questions and leave having tried something new.”

The Spread & Co. restaurant will offer a relaxed atmosphere with counter service so guests can grab and go or enjoy their selections in the space’s intimate setting, officials said. The menu offers an assortment of sweet and savory options for breakfast and lunch, including breakfast items such as avocado toast with breakfast radish, a jammy egg, pistachio dukkah on sourdough bread, a homemade “Spamwich” with pork terrine, strawberry jam, and five-year cheddar on a sourdough doughnut; and brioche doughnuts with house-fried brioche, cinnamon, cardamom, raw sugar, house jam, and cultured butter.

The Ewalds said they hope to make the gourmet cheeses they source approachable by creating fun menu offerings such as parmesan cones filled with cured meats, rotating soft serve, and specialty sandwiches, such as their Monger’s Grilled Cheese and their Patty Boi Melt with double smash patties, raclette cheese, pickled mustard seed, butter lettuce, pickled cucumbers, and caramelized onions on toasted milk bread; and fresh salads, such as the Persimmon and Brie with roasted persimmon, Red Hawk brie, roasted walnut, mixed greens, and beet vinegar. Smaller sides, like pimento cheese with pickles or a hummus plate with olives and flatbreads, can be purchased a la carte.

In addition to their cheese-focused apps, entrees, and treats, guests can also enjoy a selection of classic coffee drinks like cappuccinos and drip coffee, or choose from select lunch wines, like a prosecco on tap or wines by the bottle, that pair perfectly with the variety of Spread & Co. offerings. House-made jams, pickles, dips, and some breads can be purchased individually or included in the brand’s signature cheese and meat boards, which will also be available for purchase and pick up at the restaurant, officials said.

In addition to their cheese and meat classics, Spread & Co. will offer dessert boards with an assortment of chocolates, sweets, jams, and more, along with a rotating selection of baked goods. Gluten-free bread and cheese will be available upon request, sourced from local artisans and chefs when able.

“Cheese and house-made bread will be at the heart of everything we do,” Spread & Co. restaurant co-owner Austin Ewald said. “Our cheese and charcuterie selection will always be rotating, with a focus on domestic and local selections. Thoughtful purveying and minimal waste is an absolute goal.”

The new restaurant will be taking over space once occupied by Russell’s Bistro, transforming the space into an inviting, comfortable environment while incorporating fun and charming design aspects. Though the architecture and structural design of the space will remain intact, the Ewalds said they are taking the interior redesign process largely upon themselves along with local interior designer, CHU Interiors. To complement the overall aesthetics of the cafe, a custom wallpaper design by local artist Claire Ferguson will be erected in the dining room, officials added.

The 1,824-square-foot space will include bar seating, a cozy corner with couches, and banquette window seating as different options for guests. Globe pendant lights, wall sconces, and a large statement pendant will light up the restaurant, complete with a variety of plants and repurposed vintage and thrift items, adding character to the quaint, yet contemporary space.

The Ewalds also will offer catering service for everything from office lunches and corporate events to get-togethers and celebrations. The catering menu, with details on how to order and additional information, will be posted on the Spread & Co. website in the coming weeks. Until then, customers can still order the signature cheese boards online. The restaurant will open for breakfast and lunch to start, with plans for integrating dinner in the future, with various classes and host events also planned.

ABOUT SPREAD & CO.

SPREAD & CO. was founded in 2016 by Rosemary Ewald as a gourmet cheese and charcuterie delivery company offering homemade jams, pickles, dips, and bread alongside a variety of cheese and meats. In 2019, Rosemary and her husband Austin opened the first SPREAD & CO. brick-and-mortar location at 1601 W. 38th St., Unit 1 in Austin, Texas. Open from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, the restaurant offers approachable breakfast and lunch fare with gourmet cheese and other quality, sourced items at the forefront of the menu.

The signature SPREAD & CO. cheese and charcuterie boards are available for purchase on-site or online. Carefully selected cheese by the ounce, housemade jams, pickles, dips, bread, and unique gifts for food lovers are also available for purchase at the restaurant. For more information on SPREAD & CO. and restaurant updates, please visit http://www.spreadandco.com and follow SPREAD & CO. on social media at @spreadandco.