Presto change-o
New casual all-day eatery sends upscale seafood spot swimming downtown
One of Austin’s favorite restaurant groups is marking the new year by pulling a switcheroo. On December 21, Chameleon Companies, the force behind Wu Chow and Swift’s Attic, announced that it was packing up its seafood eatery Guild to move to a new location.
According to a release, Guild will be closing after service on New Year’s Eve. Chameleon decided that downtown was a more fitting place for chef Sterling Riding’s upscale New American fare. A new all-day restaurant, Rosedale Kitchen & Bar (not to be confused with East Austin’s Rosewood), will be moving into the 3800 N. Lamar Blvd. address.
“When we opened last year, we wanted to be a neighborhood destination,” says Chameleon Companies owner Stuart Thomajan explains in a release. “We are excited to showcase Guild in a more intimate setting that is more in line with Sterling’s menu, and we’re excited to embrace our neighborhood intentions [with Rosedale]."
Details are scant about both projects. Since the Guild location’s lease is currently under negotiation, Chameleon did not reveal the exact address. It did divulge that Ridings and sous chef Hannah Yerby would be creating a new menu that combines new creations with some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes.
Meanwhile, Rosedale will focus on more approachable fare for breakfast. The release teased that it will offer pastry and coffee service during breakfast and then switch over to a full menu combining comfort food with healthy options like fresh juice, salads, and grain bowls for lunch and dinner. Weekend brunch will also be served.
During the transition, Chameleon has retained the entire Guild chef staff to develop the revitalized concept and has placed all other employees at its other restaurants. Both concepts are expected to be up and running by spring 2019.