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Tony Montero said he never expected Uchi to do takeout orders, but they'll stick with it even after the restaurant reopens. (Karen Brooks Harper)
If someone had asked Tony Montero two months ago if his restaurant group's award-winning upscale eatery, Uchi Austin, would be serving its sushi dishes to go, he would have said no.
"That's not really us," said Montero, chief executive officer of Hai Hospitality, which operates Uchi restaurants in Austin, Houston, Dallas and Denver.
<p>But Uchi—like nearly 4,000 <a data-linked-post="2645620249" href="https://austonia.com/austin-restaurants-are-waiting-for-federal-relief-will-it-come-in-time" target="_blank">other restaurants in Austin</a>—has had to adapt its epicurean identity after closing in-house dining to suppress the spread of coronavirus. </p><p>Suddenly, the artistry and elegance that helped define owner/chef Tyson Cole's Uchi, which opened in 2003 and has received national acclaim for its cuisine and presentation, was being served up in to-go containers in the parking lot. </p><p>It was a 180-degree turn, surprising in its appeal to fine-dining customers, and particularly for Montero, whose job it is to maintain brand identity as well as experiential quality in the Hai group of seven restaurants.</p><p>But, as Montero said, "the word of the year now is 'pivot.'"</p><p>"We're seeing comments from guests … raving about having this private, intimate Uchi experience in their home, which has been amazing to see," Montero said.</p><p>In addition to the Uchi restaurants, Hai also operates Loro, a more casual Asian smokehouse, as well as Uchiko in Austin and Uchiba in Dallas. Plans to open a Dallas Loro this October are delayed, but still on, he said.Those that didn't serve to-go before will continue even after the crisis passes, he said.</p><p>It's among many changes afoot for the Hai restaurants in this pandemic-era restaurant culture. </p><p>Uchi's menu is now defined by what's available from Texas and the East and West coasts, after restrictions and supply issues shut down daily fish shipments, such as their black snapper, from Japan in March, Montero said.</p><p>"I'd never designed a restaurant that was trying to put in less seating," he said.</p><p>The Uchi restaurants and Loro secured funding through the Paycheck Protection Program, kept much of the staff on full time, and kept all employees on health insurance, Montero said.</p><p>The company is "doing fine," he said, "for now."</p><p>"But it's going to be a battle for everybody," he said, particularly with projections that most people won't dine out in the first few months out of health-related and economic concerns.</p><p>Austin has witnessed <a data-linked-post="2645742784" href="https://austonia.com/magnolia-cafe-to-close-lake-austin-location" target="_blank">iconic</a> <a data-linked-post="2645768403" href="https://austonia.com/Coronavirus/threadgills-lamar-will-close-permanently" target="_blank">restaurants</a> fail due to the shutdown, and the reverberations are felt throughout the restaurateur community, Montero said.</p><p>"It has been incredibly sad to see great places, and someone's life work, suddenly close," he said. </p><p>Predictions by some experts that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/1-in-5-restaurants-could-close-due-to-coronavirus-ubs-2020-4" target="_blank">20% of restaurants </a>may close are worrying, Montero said, but the dining-out culture won't die. </p><p>"There's going to be a vibrant restaurant community on the other side," he said.</p>
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The Nov. 3 election promises high turnout.
The upcoming Nov. 3 election is set to be a historic one—in Austin and around the country.
The Travis County Clerk's office expects as many as 100,000 voters will apply for a mail-in ballot by the Oct. 23 deadline, and it has already received nearly double the number of applications it did for the 2016 general election.
"It is most definitely COVID," County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir told Austonia earlier this month. "People are afraid to come inside."
Ahead of Election Day, we've rounded up key dates to remember, a guide to voting by mail and some background on the major races at the local, state and federal levels.
Mark your calendars
<ul><li>Last day to register to vote: Monday, Oct. 5<ul><li>Travis County residents can fill out a voter registration application <u><a href="https://travis.go2gov.net/voterreg/vexpress/registration.do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a></u> or find out if they are registered <a href="https://www.votetravis.com/vexpress/display.do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>here</u></a>.</li></ul></li><li>Early voting: Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Friday, Oct. 30<ul><li>Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. You can find a list of Travis County early voting locations below: </li></ul></li></ul><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=17x85RnH1fkaaaH7GW091vVUYKsYOwKsq" width="640" height="480"></iframe><ul><li>Last day to apply for a mail-in ballot: Friday, Oct. 23 (applications must be received by this date)<ul><li>You can find more information about how to apply for a mail-in ballot below.</li></ul></li><li>Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3<ul><li>Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. You can find a list of Travis County Election Day polling locations below:</li></ul></li></ul><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=147fzT86_S0ldCJmm3XsBmRv8SOEvsdok" width="640" height="480"></iframe>
How to apply for a mail-in ballot
<p>In Texas, only certain voters are eligible to vote by mail. They include: people who are 65 years or older; out of the country during the entire election period; sick or disabled; in jail.</p><p>Eligible voters must apply for a mail-in ballot by Friday, Oct. 23. The application form, which can be found <a href="https://countyclerk.traviscountytx.gov/images/pre/pdf_tc_elections_ABBM_2018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>here</u></a>, must be mailed to the following address and received by that date.</p><p>Dana DeBeauvoir<br>Travis County Clerk - Elections Division<br>P.O. Box 149325<br>Austin, TX 78714</p><p>Given the <a href="https://austonia.com/vote-by-mail-challenges" target="_self"><u>turmoil at the U.S. Postal Service</u></a>, DeBeauvoir recommends eligible voters who wish to vote by mail submit their applications as soon as they can.</p><p>Once you receive your mail-in ballot, fill it out per the instructions and return it. It must be postmarked by or on Election Day and received the following business day. </p><p>Voters who wish to hand-deliver their mail-in ballot can do so at four drive-thru locations starting Thursday, Oct. 1. Voters can only hand-deliver their own ballot and must present an acceptable form of ID.</p><ul><li>5501 Airport Blvd. (use the tax office's drive-thru payment lanes)</li><li>700 Lavaca St. (at either the Lavaca or Guadalupe entrance to the parking garage)</li><li>1010 Lavaca St. (enter the parking lot from W. 11th St. between Guadalupe and Lavaca streets)</li></ul><div>The hours for these locations are as follows:</div><ul><li>Thursday, Oct. 1 to Monday, Oct. 12: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.</li><li>Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 1: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m.</li><li>Monday, Nov. 2: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.</li><li>Tuesday, Nov. 3: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.</li></ul><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDQ0NjY1My9vcmlnaW4uanBnIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1Nzg2MzI0Nn0.8t3qtL-7eVF-q58CjbHbHpB2VzDjmgfbnyWVmM9aPqU/img.jpg?width=1200&coordinates=0%2C1442%2C0%2C1057&height=800" id="cf79a" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="c3fa3b83962ea2d96f827907f03e8180" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot in Texas is Fri., Oct. 23. Unlike most states, Texas only allows voters who meet certain eligibility requirements to vote by mail.
(Pexels)
Races to watch
<p><em>President </em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">President Donald Trump faces off against Democratic candidate Joe Biden. The last time a Democratic candidate won in Texas was <a href="https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-general-election-ballot/?_ga=2.65352878.1438238273.1601300916-1550764229.1583782951" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>in 1976</u></a>, when Jimmy Carter was on the ballot. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">According to <a href="https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/blog/texas-2020-presidential-poll-tracker" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>a poll tracker</u></a> compiled by the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, Trump is favored to win Texas in three of four polls conducted this month. The fourth poll predicts a tie. </p> <p><em>U.S. Senate</em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Three-term incumbent Sen. John Cornyn is seeking his fourth term against combat veteran and self-described "badass" MJ Hegar. Cornyn has vastly outraised Hegar, but Democrats are hopeful that <a href="https://austonia.com/john-cornyn-mj-hegar-texas-senate-race" target="_self"><u>their candidate can win</u></a>.</p> <p><em>U.S. House</em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Travis County is <a href="https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/docs/19R0036_116th_Congressional_Tabloid_2020_06_02.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>spliced into five congressional districts</u></a>, three of which the Texas Tribune has identified as <a href="https://apps.texastribune.org/features/2020/texas-general-election-ballot/?_ga=2.65352878.1438238273.1601300916-1550764229.1583782951" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>"races to watch"</u></a> this November. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">U.S. House District 10 incumbent Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, faces Democratic candidate Mike Siegel. U.S. House District 21 incumbent Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, faces Democrat, and former gubernatorial candidate, Wendy Davis. And U.S. House District 25 incumbent Rep. Roger WIlliams, R-Austin, faces Democratic candidate Julie Oliver. </p> <p><em>Texas Senate</em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Travis County is represented by <a href="https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/docs/19R0036_86th_Senate_Tabloid_2020_07_31.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>four members of the state Senate</u></a>, two of whom are up for reelection this November. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">District 21 State Sen. Judith Zaffrini, D-Laredo, will face Republican candidate Frank Pomeroy, and District 24 State Sen. Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, will face Democratic candidate Clayton Tucker. </p> <p><em>Texas House</em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Travis County is represented by <a href="https://redistricting.capitol.texas.gov/docs/19R0036_86th_House_Tabloid_2020_02_06.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>five members of the state House</u></a>. One of those members, District 47 incumbent Rep. Vikki Goodwin, D-Austin, faces Republican challenger Justin Berry, in a race that the Tribune calls a "GOP target."</p> <p><em>Travis County Commissioners Court </em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Three of the five seats that make up the Travis County Commissioners Court are up this November.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Democrat Andy Brown and Republican Michael Lovins will compete for the position of county judge in a special election after Sarah Eckhardt resigned less than two years into her second term to run for state senator. Both candidates were selected by their respective political parties <a href="https://austonia.com/travis-county-judge-2020-election" target="_self"><u>rather than local voters</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">The county judge serves as chief executive of the county and oversees the Commissioners Court. The office functions similarly to that of a city's mayor. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Precinct 1 Commissioner Jeffrey Travillion, a Democrat, will run against Republican candidate Solomon Arcoven. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Precinct 3 Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, the sole Republican on the court, is not running for reelection. Democrat Ann Howard will face off against Republican Becky Bray for his seat. </p> <p><em>Austin City Council </em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Half of City Council's 10 seats are up for election this November. Twenty candidates have thrown their hats in the ring. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Council seats are nonpartisan, although all current members are affiliated with the Democratic party. You can find out which district you live in <a href="https://www.austintexas.gov/GIS/CouncilDistrictMap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><u>here</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">District 2 Council Member Delia Garza will vacate her seat to serve as Travis County attorney. Four candidates—David Chincanchan, Vanessa Fuentes, Casey Ramos and Alex Strenger—are running to replace her. You can read more about them <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-city-council-seats-up-for-election/district-2" target="_self"><u>here</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">District 4 Council Member Greg Casar faces two competitors, Louis C. Herrin III and Ramesses II Setepenre. You can read more about the candidates <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-city-council-seats-up-for-election/district-4" target="_self"><u>here</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">District 6 Council Member Jimmy Flannigan is running for reelection against Deedra Harrison, Mackenzie Kelly and Dr. Jennifer Musthaler. You can read more about them <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-city-council-seats-up-for-election/district-6" target="_self"><u>here</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool faces one opponent, Morgan Witt. You can read more about the race <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-city-council-seats-up-for-election/district-7" target="_self"><u>here</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">The most crowded race is in District 10, where incumbent Alison Alter faces six other candidates: Ben Easton, Belinda Greene, Pooja Sethi, Robert Thomas, Noel Tristan and Jennifer Virden. You can read more about the field <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-city-council-seats-up-for-election/district-10" target="_self"><u>here</u></a>. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Elected members will be tasked with rewriting the city's <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-land-use-code-rewrite" target="_self"><u>land use code</u></a>, considering <a href="https://austonia.com/austin-unanimously-passes-4-1b-budget-that-includes-5-percent-cut-to-police-budget-with-promises-for-more-reports" target="_self"><u>further cuts to the Austin Police Department's budge</u></a>t and, if voters approve Proposition A, implementing <a href="https://austonia.com/project-connect-austin" target="_self"><u>the $7.1 billion Project Connect transit plan</u></a>. </p> <p><em>Propositions </em></p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">There are two local mobility propositions on the November ballot. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Proposition A gives voters the chance to approve a permanent 8.75-cent increase to the city's property tax rate to pay for and maintain Project Connect, a proposed $7.1 billion, 15-year overhaul of Austin's transit system. </p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">Proposition B allows voters to opt into a $460 million active mobility bond, with funding going toward sidewalks, urban trails, bikeways and Vision Zero, a campaign to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.</p> <p style="margin-left: 20px;">You can read more about these propositions—including their ballot language, who supports and opposes the measures and the tax impact—<a href="https://austonia.com/austin-propositions" target="_self"><u>here</u></a>.</p><p><em></em><strong><em>Want to continue staying informed with all things Austin? 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