After a long hiatus, a heralded staple of the Austin dining scene, Parkside, has swung open its doors once again, much to the delight of famished patrons craving its renowned New American fare and raw bar delicacies. The esteemed establishment located at 301 East Sixth Street embarked on a transformative journey in September 2022, trading its seasoned interiors for revamped premises designed by Page Paul Architectures.
The renovation was intended to be a short-lived affair concluded before the bustle of the 2023 South by Southwest (SXSW) but was snagged in the bureaucratic clogs of the city’s approval processes delaying the reopening for a total of a year and a half, during which time Parkside still managed to make its mark as a host for the European Union's SXSW events earlier this month. The new layout is said to boast sleek white oak floors and arrays of tiled motifs, ushering in new booths and a chic vestibule, while the kitchen has welcomed a wood-burning grill to its arsenal, noted a source from Austin Eater.
The menu has witnessed the sprouting of novel preparations like grilled Caesar salad and tri-tip steak with roasted garlic, marrying these newcomers with longstanding favorites such as the beloved bacon cheeseburger and the restaurant's half-off Wednesday happy hour featuring oyster platters and sparkling wines. In the culinary brigade, Chef Shawn Cirkiel is joined by Chef de Cuisine Phil Masotta, known for his tenure as executive sous chef at Lambert's Barbecue, as reported by the Austin American-Statesman.
Cirkiel, no stranger to Austin’s culinary landscape with ventures like the Neapolitan haven The Backspace under his belt, expressed a rejuvenated zeal akin, if not surpassing, the excitement he felt upon first opening Parkside's doors some 15 years ago, "We are thankful for the last 15 years, and we are excited for 15 more...We have so many great memories with our team and guests, and we are excited to share the updated space," he told the Austin American-Statesman. In a nod to continuity amidst change, guests can now plan their dinner experiences at Parkside with reservations available from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily, ensuring that the culinary legacy of this Dirty Sixth gem endures as downtown Austin continues to race through a transformative chapter of construction and renewal.
