Historic Paggi House on Riverside to Reopen Oct. 16th

Paggi House

It’s been a long wait for area foodies but the Paggi House is back. My first experience with this iconic restaurant (it was housed it an historic inn where General Robert E. Lee had once spent the night) goes back to 1982. It was one of Austin’s best restaurants at the time and it remained so for years until it was forced to close while a condominium project was constructed behind the restaurant. It was named after businessman and icemaker Michael Paggi who lived with his family at the inn until his death in 1911.

I took a tour of the newly remodeled Paggi House last week and I was astonished. Gone is the tiny kitchen, the flimsy chairs, and the ever present hint of antiquity. It is lush, comfortable, and boasts a much larger kitchen with an outside bar. There is increased decking outside for happy hour sipping.

And the menu, put together by Exec Chef Shane Stark, looks very inviting. Appetizers include a Butter Poached Maine Lobster, Wild Gulf Shrimp Hudson Valley Foie Gras, and Duxelle Ravioli. Main Courses include a Sweet Potato Gnocci, Lemon Sole, NY Strip and Wild Salmon.

Call 473-3700 or go to paggihouse.com.