Southern Fare
Much anticipated Olamaie set to open, bring Southern cuisine to downtown Austin
When Olamaie started hosting pop up dinners last summer, diners raved about its farm-to-table Southern fare. Originally slated to open a brick-and-mortar in Winter 2013, Olamaie has finally announced that it will be opening on Tuesday, August 26.
Located in an 83-year-old space at 1610 San Antonio St., the restaurant will feature a rotating menu of specials based on seasonal availability, sourcing ingredients from local farmers such as Boggy Creek Farm and Springdale Farm.
Open for dinner service Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 pm to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 pm to 11 pm, Olamaie will also host a lounge area where folks can order from a menu stocked with American wines, specialty craft beers and modern twists on old Southern cocktails.
Named for four generations of matriarchs, Olamaie is about tradition and celebration of the South. Both the chefs and the Texas-based design firm Staffelbach channeled the history of these women while designing the concept for the restaurant. "[The Olamaie women] each possess an acceptance of others, unending patience, boundless love, and soulful allegiance to food," explains the restaurant's website.
At the helm of this dining delight are Michael Fojtasek and Grae Nonas, Olamaie's Culinary Institute of America educated co-executive chefs. The duo, along with an expertly trained front of house staff including General Manager Ben Hickerson, hopes to elevate Southern cuisine beyond its comfort food reputation.
We're sure all four Olamaies would approve.