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Nilda de la Llata, El Sol y La Luna
Nilda de la Llata is co- owner of El Sol Y La Luna Restaurant and Bar on Sixth Street. Originally from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, she immigrated to Brownsville, Texas, at age 10. Nilda has called Austin home for the last 25 years. Nilda’s interest in the arts and live music led her to pursue the idea of having music, art and culture all under the same roof and the opportunity to provide a rounded experience when visiting her restaurant.
Her business won the award for best food and beverage last September through the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to her community includes donations to many local nonprofits and school organizations, including The Nobelity Project, Safe Place, YMCA, the Austin Children’s Shelter, El Buen Samaritano, Caritas, American Gateways and La Pena. Nilda served on the board of Mexi-Arte Museum for eight years with two of those eight as the chair of the board.
El Sol Y La Luna opened in the SoCo area next to the Austin Motel in 1995 and moved to its current location in March 2009. Nilda lives with her partner, Blanca Alvarado, and their their dogs, Soli, Luna, Candy and Dulce.
If you go to a happy hour, which bar will you go to? What will you order?
If I can get away for a Happy Hour, I like going to Continental Club to enjoy a very cold import beer and listen to the sounds of the most magnificent singer Toni Price and her Hippy Hour every Tuesday afternoon. It’s a magical experience.
What¹s your favorite Austin band aside from who you will see this weekend?
I really have quite a few: Son y No Son, Cerronato, Mary Welch y Los Curanderos, Gina Chavez, Patricia Vonne, Toni Price, Adam Ahrens, Atash, Los Pinkys, Alejandro Escobedo, Frenatica, Foco Rojo, Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, Vallejo, Myrna Cabello, The Brew, Ritmo 3, 2 Rock, Shelly King, Del Castillo, Doyle Bramhall, Gary P.Nunn, Larry Lang and the Lonely Knights.
What is your favorite venue to watch a show?
In the past, I would say Continental Club for Dale Watson was lots of fun and lots of dancing. Cactus Café to see Carrie Rodriguez with Chip Taylor. What a show! That was a couple of years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. (She also points out that El Sol Y La Luna features a variety of talent: Atash, The Flying Balalaika Brothers, Olive Rajamani, Tish Hinojosa, Patricia Vonne, Pilar Andujar, Son Y No Son, or Antone’s.)
Where will you go for late night eats after your night out?
We are simple folks and all I need for good food at 3 in the morning is a juicy Whataburger with pickled jalapenos.
Where can we find you when you are craving BBQ?
The Green Mesquite for the combo plate with ribs and brisket and the decadent peach cobbler a
la mode.
Where can we find you when you are craving Tex-Mex?
Hula Hut’s on Lake Austin. A day by the water and the appetizers are good with a Top Shelf Margarita.
Where can we find you grabbing a margarita?
El Sol Y La Luna Hibiscus Mint Skinny Organic Margarita made with 3 Generaciones Silver
Tequila, fresh squeezed lime juice, organic agave. Our Organic Hibiscus Mint Tea is imported from Egypt through Nile Valley Herbs. In triple digit heat you can’t get any cooler or better tasting than that.
If you go to the lake, what will you do and which lake will you go to?
Lady Bird Lake, for walks and bike riding. We live directly across the street from the lake on IH-35 and Riverside intersection so we get a most beautiful view of our skyline and lake and take advantage of our proximity.
What is your favorite place to get brunch?
In all honesty, I tend to get up SO late on Sunday, that Sunday brunch is not in my dictionary, but
there are many wonderful places, such as Sweetish Hill, Manuels, Trudy’s, my place. The list is endless.
What is your favorite outdoor spot to enjoy a sunny Saturday?
Guerrero State Park which is the continuation of Lady Bird Lake past the dam on Pleasant Valley Road. It’s good birdwatching and great hiking. It’s lovely and still very natural. I hope we keep it that way.
If you have a dog, where is your favorite place to take your dog?
Not a dog, but four girl dogs. Soli, Luna, Candy and Dulce love love love Red Bud Isle. They come home after running, playing and swimming and they are so exhausted that they just crash. We love it as well. Sometimes the dog park across the street from our place at Riverside and 35/Travis Heights is all we can do when time is limited. It’s nice to socialize with other dogs in a much smaller area, but still very nice for their running and ball catching. There is not any swimming there though because there isn’t any water.
What trails will you hit this weekend?
It’s a little to hot right now, but on cooler days I really like Lady Bird Lake trails and Guerrero
State Park…it’s just so convenient.
What¹s your one “must-do” for visitors to Austin?
I can’t name just one, so I’ll say the Austin Bat Colony, our Sixth Street Entertainment District, SoCo for eateries, and shopping, and The Oasis at sunset on Sundays with The Brew playing salsa dance music.
If you’re in need of a little pampering, where will you go? What do you recommend having done?
I will call my massage therapist Steve Clinansmith with SXS Rest Massage for a full body work. The best hands in Austin and a gem of a person. He’s very knowledgeable and professional.
If you’re having a date night, what romantic spot will you go to and what will you order?
My partner and I enjoy special evenings at The Clay Pit. I like a bottle of red medium bodied wine paired with the lamb appetizer and the mussels with garlic naan bread. It’s hard to beat that.
I also like Eddie V’s and on Lakeway. There is a new restaurant, Santa Catarinas, that is the bomb. It’s exquisite and beautiful, has a nice atmosphere, great food, great wines and good people.
What¹s Austin¹s best-kept secret?
Oliver Rajamani. He is a multi-talented genius that is an amazing performer that plays at least nine instruments. His voice is mesmerizing. From the first day I heard him, I still can’t get enough.
How will you end your Austin weekend?
I’ll catch a film At Alamo Drafthouse with pizza and beer with friends.
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