Brian Malarkey, star of ABC’s new reality series, “The Taste,” and “Top Chef” finalist, along with hospitality visionary James Brennan, will soon be introducing Austin to their wildly successful restaurant, Searsucker, named the 2nd “Hottest New Restaurant” in the country by OpenTable users in 2011. Slated to open in April 2013, Searsucker, which will be located in Austin’s burgeoning warehouse district, will offer locals a menu of New American Classic cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails, craft beer and thoughtfully selected wines from all around the world.
The Austin launch marks the third Searsucker to open in under three years from Enlightened Hospitality Group (EHGRP), the San Diego-based hospitality-development company founded by Malarkey and Brennan in 2009.Searsucker San Diego was the first restaurant to open under EHGRP, with four other unique dining concepts launching shortly after.In winter 2012, EHGRP opened its second Searsucker in Scottsdale – their first restaurant to launch outside of the San Diego market.Opening to much fanfare, EHGRP was confident that Searsucker, a restaurant praised for its menu of approachable and unpretentious dishes paired with an environment that encourages guests to hang out and mingle long after dinner is over, was ready to head further west – specifically to Texas and more pointedly, Austin.
Brennan and Malarkey have coined and trademarked a concept called the “Fabric of Social Dining,” a culinary experience that has quickly exploded in traction and popularity.The social dining experience offers guests exceptional dishes, uniquely crafted cocktails and fun, upbeat music. In plain terms, Brennan and Malarkey aim to make their guests feel as if they were attending a thoughtfully planned dinner party with close friends and family rather than simply dining out.Combining James’ impressive nightlife experience with Brian’s mastery in the kitchen, the end result is an ultimate dinner party in a public setting.
Searsucker’s menu showcases Executive Chef Malarkey’s laid-back approach to food and dining, featuring a re-imagined twist on classic new American dishes, with everything from comfort dishes made with unexpected ingredients, to lighter coastal fare where the star of the dish is the quality of the proteins and produce rather than a complicated preparation.Divided into categories like, Bites,’ Smalls,’ Greens,’ Ocean,’ Ranch’ and Farm,’ the menu is both serious and fun. Specialties include a Citrus Marinated Airline Breast Chicken with Crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Frank’s Hot Sauce Buerre Blanc, the Tongue and Cheek with Agave, Fresco and Cactus, the Baconaise and Ribeye Tomahawk with Cognac and Horseradish and Chef Malarkey’s signature Chicken and Waffles.Craft brews and artisanal cocktails help in complementing the menu, which is sustainable and house-made.
Located at 415 Colorado Street, Searsucker will serve lunch during the week, dinner daily, and brunch on Sundays with a late night menu and fun upbeat music playing until 2 a.m. on weekends.
www.searsucker.com
posted by Anna Nguyen
04/03/2013
