TASTEMAKER OF THE AUSTIN SCENE AND RENOWNED CHEF LARRY MCGUIRE TELLS US WHAT’S NEXT FOR MML HOSPITALITY (MMLHOSPITALITY.COM).

PHOTO BY ABIGAIL ENRIGHT

As one of Austin’s most well-known restaurant and hospitality groups, why did you open MML in Austin in 2009? I was born and raised in Austin. I started working at Texas French Bread on South Congress (now June’s) when I was 15. Austin is the best city on earth. We have been fortunate to be here as it has grown. Everyone thinks Austin was the best version of itself when they moved here, but I think it’s still getting better and more dynamic as it grows. What made the city so special needs to be protected while expanding and adding more great restaurants, dive bars, neighborhood joints and maybe a major league baseball team?!

What do you aspire to add to the community through MML? I think we try to keep one foot rooted in the spirit of Austin while the other is attempting to make the city’s restaurants, hotels, and hospitality world-class— through design, attention to detail, and quality. We want to continue to bring the best ideas from around the world to Austin.

What would you say is your signature “move” that you are excited to expand to other cities? Our places feel genuine, aren’t driven by trends, and feel timeless. We greatly emphasize the little things that make a restaurant special—lighting, music, uniforms, and simple, delicious food. Many cities need more places like that.

Where is your favorite place to hang out in ATX? Being involved with Ski Shores has been a dream come true. I’m a lake rat at heart, and my family is out there almost every weekend in the Spring, Summer and Fall. I love lake culture and what it means to Austin.

Where do you see yourself and MML in the next 10 years? MML will continue to expand and grow our concepts into other markets. We will soon add Montecito, Menlo Park, Malibu and Dallas to the Clark’s family. Sammie’s and Neighborhood Sushi are both off to great starts, and we want to expand nationally. We are extremely excited to start renovating the Aspen Mountain Chalet, our second hotel to date, opening in 2026. We are about to break ground on the Herzog & de Meuron-designed building as part of Sixth&Blanco on West 6th Street in Austin. As for me, I want to get back into the kitchen eventually and let the kids run MML.