Opening Alert
Sultry new concept slides into prime East Austin restaurant space
Editor's note: Ophelia opened quietly during the last weekend in February.
When East Austin restaurant Mettle closed unexpectedly in January, Dunlap ATX teased a new restaurant for the prime spot on Calles Street. The wait is over: Sultry restaurant Ophelia opens in the space in late February.
Billed as the "daughter of Lustre Pearl," the new restaurant is helmed by Chef Lynzy Moran of Austin's popular Baton Creole food truck. Expect a Cajun-focused menu from Moran, who was featured by CultureMap for her flavorful work.
"The menu is a culinary interpretation of my experiences," said Moran in a press release. "It's classics, but Cajunfied — kicked up a notch."
These "Cajunfied" classics include chicken-fried frog legs and waffles, Abita beer-braised pork and beignets, crawfish and grits, and boudin grilled cheese. As far as drinks go, unique twists on hurricanes, sazeracs, and daiquiris are just a few of the cocktails on the lineup.
"[Ophelia is] the kind of place where you can eat a good meal at a decent price," said Bridget Dunlap, founder of Dunlap ATX. "The kind of place where you can melt your blues away and be revived."
Sips and eats will be served in a "sultry space" with old-school vibes and red velvet curtains. Blues fans will note the alters to female music icons like Etta James, Nina Simone, and Janis Joplin.
Ophelia will launch with dinner service; lunch and brunch offerings are soon to follow. Opening hours are Monday through Thursday from 4 to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 to midnight, and Sunday from 3 to 9 pm.
Baton Creole is currently closed for renovations but will reopen on Wednesday, February 24.