Taste test: Wilhelm & Werner inside New Braunfels' historic hotel
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The view of The Faust Hotel from the restaurant entrance. Photo: Madalyn Mendoza/Axios
I recently took a trip up Interstate 35 to check out Wilhelm & Werner, the new restaurant inside The Faust Hotel.
Catch up quick: The historic spot — originally opened as the Traveler's Hotel in 1929 — reopened in downtown New Braunfels last month after an extensive renovation.
The vibe: The entire property reminded me of a mini Hotel Emma. Historic details are woven throughout, but the space still feels polished and elevated. The restaurant sits adjacent to a stunning lobby bar.
What to try: The bigoli al aragosta ($29). It's a hearty pasta dish topped with buttery, tender lobster.
- Mrs. Clay's Cake ($15), a crave-worthy combination of silky chocolate, creamy coconut, brown butter and crunchy pecans.
- A cocktail called The Little Girl on the Second Floor ($18). It reminded me of a French 75, but with elderflower and vanilla giving it a softer, more floral character. Plus, a bubble on top made for a fun experience.
Flashback: New Braunfels businessman Walter Faust Sr. opened the hotel just two weeks before the stock market crash of 1929. Despite the Great Depression and a boll weevil infestation that crippled the area's textile industry, the hotel remained open.
- By 1936, the hotel had two names: The Faust Hotel, its official title honoring its founder, and the "Honeymoon Capital of Texas," a nod to the many military couples who celebrated there before deployment during World War II.
Today, the hotel is recognized as a Texas Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Six-word review: A perfect weekend side quest stop.