But if you are thinking you might call and make reservations to stay at the Outpost this week....THINK AGAIN. It's probably easier to get a meeting with President Bush, than it is to get a reservation at the Outpost, during Antique Week. I feel like I won the lottery a few years ago when Andrew and I were eating at Royers one night during the show. We sat at a community table with a gal named Janice, who owns a garden shop in Phoenix. We had such a great time getting to know a fellow shop owner that I gave her a copy of our Dove's Nest cookbook, as we left that night. A year later, I took a chance and logged onto the Outpost website and put our name on the waiting list. Surprisingly Lenore recognized my name, remembering that Janice had showed her my cookbook when she returned that evening. Lenore responded almost immediately and said she just received a cancellation....I GRABBED IT and have never looked back. You don't dare check out of the Outpost without renewing your reservation for the next season.
We have stayed in several of Lenore's guesthouses over the years, but her Casita Bungalow is one of our favorites.....
CASITA BUNGALOW AT THE OUTPOST
A TRIP TO ROUND TOP IS NOT COMPLETE IF YOU DON'T EAT AT ROYERS....
Bud Royer is an institution in Round Top, Texas, and his family cafe is half the fun of going there. After spending hours in the fields, shopping for fun props and goodies for the store, or helping my husband, and his partner (RUG MAN) in Warrenton,the next town up the road....folks make their way to the town square and sit on bales of hay waiting for Bud to call their names for dinner. Even though reservations are a must, you still end up waiting out front and drinking glasses of wine or beer, on the honor system, until your name is called. A few years back Texas Monthly Magazine voted The Dove's Nest, and Royers, two of the top ten best small town restaurants in Texas. We also published our cookbooks through he same company...Favorite Recipes Press. The whole Royer clan works their tails off each night to serve hoards of people who have come to the antique show. Bud's wife Karen, daughter Tara, and sons Todd, Micah and JB help run the show.....and eating at one of Royers community tables can be the highlight of your trip...you never know who Bud is going to put you with and over the years we have made great friends with many of our nightly dining companions. Last year he sat us at the big round table with actress Mary Steenburgen. You just never know who is going to show up in Round Top, Texas...population 72, on most days, but during Antique Week, literally thousands of people come to shop at what has become the largest antique show in the country. I just can't tell ya how much fun it is...it's one of those things you have to experience to believe.
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BUD ROYER AND DAUGHTER TARA HOLDING THEIR FAMOUS PIES
