Austinites love an immersive experience, whether it’s slipping into a velvet-draped mezcaleria straight out of Mexico City, relaxing in a chic Parisian-inspired cafe, or sliding into the booth at a New York–style diner. With the arrival of Austin Oyster Co.’s new brick-and-mortar space, diners can explore the New England coast, where the raw bar rules and the lobster roll is king. The area’s famed raw bar culture is what founder Brendan Yancy and partner and general manager Drew Ahumada have recreated in a stylish bungalow in the heart of the East Side.
“We wanted to open a true East Coast raw bar with very intentional sourcing, with a vibe and aesthetic pulled from the best East Coast raw bars we love spending time in,” says Yancy, an entrepreneur with a tech background who launched the business as a pop-up during the pandemic. While restaurants struggled with COVID restrictions, Yancy’s mobile setup gave him the flexibility to cater socially distanced outdoor events, building strong relationships with suppliers and cultivating a significant local fanbase. “While these were less-than-ideal circumstances, we had the creative freedom to jump into the market and give people something to see and do and took advantage of [that] opportunity.”
The business was so successful that they secured spots at high-profile events including ACL Fest and Luck Reunion. “People kept asking ‘Where’s the restaurant?’” says Yancy, so they began to plan for one in their second year. Making the space authentically Northeastern—with sustainably sourced oyster varieties and gently nautical interior centered around the raw bar action—was essential. “It took time to put intention into the space, but what really gets us going is the sourcing: working directly with farmers,” Ahumada says. “We can call them and add things to the menu that no one else has because of these relationships.”
The fresh oyster menu rotates depending on availability, but guests can expect up to eight Northeastern varieties, each labelled with its location of origin, and staff are primed to answer questions on flavor and texture. From a subtle Schoodic offering a light brininess with notes of kelp and seaweed to Damariscotta River’s soft, buttery Blackstone Point, the raw bar pops with fresh flavors, ready to broaden locals’ oyster palates.
The meaty, rich, gelatinous scallop tostada is a must try, gleaming with a generous slick of aji chili oil plus bright tomato and creamy avocado, while the lobster roll oozes juicy hunks of sweet, succulent tender meat wrapped in lightly toasted buttered brioche with just the right level of crunch. Enhance the flavors of the seafood with Kait Fleming’s thoughtful cocktail menu: The subtly viscous, lip-tingling Briny Martini served in an elegant engraved Nick & Nora glass is a perfect pairing for the raw bar, while the complex White Lotus’ lemongrass, lime leaf, ginger, and coconut fusion makes for an exceptional complement to a lobster roll. Get ready to be transported.