A Quick Dining Tour of the Heart of the Warehouse District: 4th Street
Ironically, the restaurants that pioneered the emergence of Austin’s Warehouse district, Gilligan’s and Mezzaluna, no longer exist. But the area has continued to attract a number of diverse and interesting restaurants. Let’s take a quick walk down 4th St. and look at some of the attractions.
219 West
This elegant little bar and restaurant has become a perennial favorite down at 4th and Lavaca. The food is designed to be paired with a variety of wines, beers, and spirits and it all works for me. The Sliders are absolutely delicious and come in a number of styles. Likewise the Grilled Lamb Chops and the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. And the happy hours are well, flat out happy. Check out the entire menu at 219west.com.
Fado
So lass, it’s a touch of bonnie Ireland that you’re cravin’? Well, Fado delivers the goods. The food is vintage and its generally quite good. The Shepherd’s Pie is probably the best rendition of this dish in the city. The Corned Beef and Cabbage Boxty (a potato wrap) is also a blast: I love the Bangers and Mash and the All-Day Irish Breakfast (two eggs, Irish sausages, rashers, black and white pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes and pan-fried potato bread).
It’s got every kind of Irish and English beer you can imagine and one can usually wrestle up a good game of darts as well. Social atmosphere is a lot of fun as well. fadoirishpub.com.
Péché
Rob Pate’s homage to adult dining and drinking is packing them in. The restaurant is cocktail-centric and Pate has reintroduced such classics as Absinthe, and even a deconstructed Sazerac, one of America’s oldest and most classic cocktails. The mood here is very congenial and the food, by chef Jason Dodge is consistently engaging. The Pan Seared Sea Scallops are a treat and the Seared Grimaud Duck Breast should not be overlooked either. And the Pommes Frittes are irresistible: crunchy and crispy and flat-out tasty. pecheaustin.com.
M Two
This is the new restaurant that is opening at the site of the former Saba. I’ve only had a chance for an initial sampling but so far, so good. The menu is short, but that’s a positive. I like a chef who knows what he likes and focuses on that. And that describes Mat Clouter who has cooked at many other fine restaurants in Austin. Joe Reynolds is the owner and I’m looking forward to working my way through the rest of this nifty little menu. m2atx.com.
Truluck’s
At the corner of 4th and Colorado, Truluck’s was one of the earlier restaurants in the area. The Stone Crab is still their specialty and deservedly so. I also love their Alaskan King Crab. Not only is it tender but they pick it out of the shells for you: a nice touch. Reach for your melted butter and you’re ready to go. The Niman ranch is a great example of the beef genre as well.
Still a good date restaurant, and they’ve survived the departure of Chef Johnny Carrino (yes, that Johnny Carrino). The wine list is impeccable and the bar scene is fun as well. trulucks.com.
Spaghetti Warehouse
For parents who want a reasonable place to take the kids (we took ours there many times), this place is fun and it works. The pasta dishes aren’t spectacular by any means, but they are reasonably tasty (if not a bit plodding). Again, this is much better dining for families with kids under 12. By no means would I recommend taking a date or your significant other there. But it works for what it’s designed to be. meatballs.com.
Imperia
Just around the corner from 4th on Colorado, Imperia has diligently tried to be the Austin version of the storied Tao restaurants in New York City and Las Vegas. (The top two grossing independent restaurants in the country.) They haven’t managed to make the “vibe dining” concept work as well in Austin as it does in the other cities. But the food is still damned good. New Chef George Thomas is a good as they come and the Edamame Dumplings and the Short Rib remain at the top of my list. Sushi Chef Tatsu San has added a delicious extra dimension to the restaurant. His Maki are nothing short of sensational. One of my favorite places to dine in the area. imperia-austin.com.
