East Austin's culinary scene is about to get a fresh twist with the upcoming opening of a new modern American Italian restaurant and rooftop bar. Named Casa Bianca and Bar Alcina, these additions aim to inject a dose of "weirdo-Italian" cocktail vibes into the city's food and drink menu. Set to make its debut on April 12, Casa Bianca will be situated at the former venue of EastSide Tavern at 1510 East Cesar Chavez Street. This spot, according to Eater Austin, is expected to also feature raw bars and handmade pastas alongside seafood and vegetable dishes.
At Casa Bianca, diners can to expect to explore a menu that blends modern American and Italian cuisines, created by co-owner and executive chef Joseph Zoccoli. His passion for Italian flavors is poised to present Austinites with a new take on familiar classics. Beverage director Richard Thomas will be pairing this with a distinctive selection of cocktails. "Our goal is to play around with classic Italian cocktails," Thomas told Eater Austin, referencing drinks like negronis and martinis that are all set to get a unique twist.
The two-deck establishment is not only focused on providing a range of indulgent eats but also aims to become a destination for those looking to unwind with a drink in hand. Bar Alcina, the rooftop bar, will offer a casual atmosphere complete with an abbreviated food menu, frozen drinks, tapped wine, and draft cocktails, as reported by The Austin American Statesman. The renovation of the spot was designed by Magic Architecture, delivering a "modern Texan with art deco" feel to the space, completely transforming the original EastSide Tavern aesthetic.
Zoccoli, whose culinary roots extend to a nine-year tenure with Hai Hospitality, is no stranger to the Austin dining scene. Before embarking on this new entrepreneurial venture, he gained recognition for his pop-up series Che Cazzo and was notably the chef de cuisine at the acclaimed Japanese restaurant Uchi. Operating from Wednesday to Sunday starting at 4 pm, Casa Bianca is setting out to offer a taste of Italy with a Texan kick in an area known for its varied Italian cuisine, joining spots like Bufalina and Il Brutto. Guests can begin to book their very own slice of this modern American-Italian experience come April, with a limited-service opening day, according to information from Eater Austin.
For those eager to keep up with the latest updates and sneak peeks of what's to be expected, Casa Bianca maintains an online presence at casabiancaatx.com and on Instagram at @casabiancaatx, as noted on their The Austin American Statesman profile. With the east side of the city fast becoming a foodie haven, this novel establishment is poised to serve both the tastes and the ambiance that Austinites seek.
