The East Austin dining scene is set for a shake-up with OKO, a new Filipino restaurant slated to open its doors at the former location of Ah Sing Den, 1100 East Sixth Street. The latest culinary venture, which arrives courtesy of a partnership between Trinity Concepts and FAM Hospitality Group, will present Filipino dishes with a unique Texan twist according to Community Impact.
Helming the kitchen is Harold Villarosa, a chef with a storied resume that includes stints at highly acclaimed New York City restaurants and as a Bon Appetit video host. The menu promises to be a treat for diners seeking authentic Filipino flavors, with dishes such as kinilaw, Filipino-style ceviche, and oxtail kare—a hearty stew. According to a report by Eater Austin, the kinilaw bar will serve raw seafood marinated in zesty vinegar and citrus juices, including Texas oysters dressed in pinakurat. Filipino skewers like the leeg and manok will also grace the menu, paired with flavorful dipping sauces.
Not to be outdone by its food offerings, OKO's beverage program, overseen by Jarmel Doss, former assistant bar director of Chicago's high-end cocktail bar the Aviary, focuses heavily on a carefully curated selection of rum and gin-based cocktails. Signature drinks such as the Saturday Morning Cartoons and the large OKO scorpion bowl promise, to offer patrons a taste of the Philippines with a sophisticated spin.
"Traffic hasn’t been what it was in the past," Trinity co-owner Donny Padda told Eater Austin in June, on the decision to replace ah Sing Den with OKO. After a period of closure, the space has been reimagined punctuated by tropical patterns and symbols, courtesy of the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, paying homage to the Filipino diaspora in Hawaii. The new spot will retain the location's original charm while introducing an array of pan-Asian culinary experiences.
OKO's official opening is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, promising indoor and outdoor dining services from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. Former Ah Sing Den staff have been offered the opportunity to reapply for positions at the new establishment, ensuring a seamless transition for the local workforce as well as for diners eager for a new gastronomic destination.
