Dining Out Sustainably: Parkside

I typically avoid Sixth Street like the plague. It's a little too loud, a little too crowded, just a little too Sixth Street.  When I heard about Parkside, I was skeptical that one of Austin's best restaurants could be in the middle of all the Sixth Street mayhem.

But from the moment you step in the door, you realize that Parkside is a fine dining oasis in the middle of all the partying chaos.  The menu offers everything from the freshest seafood on their raw bar to luscious savory dishes featuring the finest in Texas lamb, beef or rabbit.  Chef Shawn Cirkiel's training in French kitchens shines through in the detail and care taken with every dish - even the fried okra.

It's a little difficult to describe the experience at Parkside.  You can have a very casual meal with the fried egg sandwich and fried okra or you can order some of the most refined, delicately prepared crudo you have ever tasted.  It's perplexing, but it all tastes so good that you don't care.  I'm, of course, particularly fond of their locally sourced items and am always delighted when the menu features rabbit.

The weekday Happy Hour menu from 5-7 offers a half price bar menu and drink specials making dinner at Parkside a treat that you can enjoy on almost any budget.  During Austin Restaurant Week (September 19-22 and 26-29), you can also enjoy Parkside's prix fixe menu - 3 courses for $35.  Sounds like a great reason to head to Sixth Street to me!