new steakhouse in town
Famous BOA Steakhouse opening first Texas location in downtown Austin
This brand new restaurant coming to downtown Austin is all about the meat. BOA Steakhouse is carving its way into its first-ever Texas location set to open Monday, June 3.
The steakhouse concept, led by award-winning Innovative Dining Group (IDG), was made popular due to its signature 40-day dry aged New York strip steak and its A5 Japanese Wagyu. The swanky interior and artsy plating has also drawn celebrities and influencers.
The new restaurant, a sister to Austin's recently opened Sushi Roku, will be located in an 8,000-square-foot space at the corner of 300 W. Sixth St. and Lavaca.
Longtime Austinite and acclaimed chef James Flowers – who has extensive experience leading restaurants at The Four Seasons, the Austin Proper Hotel, and Hopfields – will be the driving force behind the kitchen at BOA.
Though steak is this restaurant's claim to fame, guests will be able to savor delicious starters and raw bar delicacies like the roasted wagyu bone marrow, smoked steak tartare, and a king crab ceviche. Select pasta entrees will also be available, such as the lobster bolognese featuring hand cut fresh spaghetti, San Marzano tomatoes, and topped with fresh basil; or the tagiatelle of asparagus with pistachio, basil, and whipped goat cheese.
If a guest's main goal is to enjoy one of the signature steak offerings, those can be accompanied by delectable (and shareable) side dishes like the grilled lamb lollipops with spiced labneh and pomegranate molasses. Austin's vegetarians won't be left in the dust, as BOA will provide delicious meat-free options like a mushroom "Wellington" with spinach and beurre rouge.
In addition to overseeing the restaurant's regular menu, Chef Flowers will also be charged with providing some Austin-exclusive flair. New dishes that will only be available at the Austin location include a pork belly confit, a corn crème brulee, and tallow steak fries.
Austin-exclusive menu items include the pork belly confit with roasted cauliflower and topped with a perfectly fried egg. Photo by Richard Casteel, courtesy of IDG
BOA Steakhouse meals can be complemented with one of their signature cocktail offerings; Guests can also pick from the sweeping wine list – curated by Tony Scholtzhauer – or enjoy a refreshing craft beer from local breweries Austin Eastciders, Live Oak Brewing Co., or Austin Beerworks.
No meal is complete without a mouthwatering dessert, of which BOA will have several, including the goat cheese baklava and a carrot cake with cream cheese mousse.
IDG currently operates three other BOA Steakhouse locations in California: West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Manhattan Beach.
In a release, IDG partner and co-founder Philip Cummins said the company sought out Austin as its first non-California expansion after Sushi Roku's success.
"Though Texas is synonymous with steaks, we look forward to sharing our imaginative spin on steakhouse favorites, all within a beautifully designed space with exceptional hospitality that is perfect for an intimate date night or a blowout celebration,” said IDG co-founder Lee Maen.
The dimly lit dining area contains rift cut oak and blackened steel built-in furniture, gray felt ceiling fixtures, and tropical plants.Photo by Richard Casteel, courtesy of IDG
The main dining room can comfortably seat 185 guests across the 8,000-square-foot space, and a private dining room can host 50 additional guests, according to the release.
Once open, BOA Steakhouse's operating hours will be Sundays through Thursdays from 5-10 pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 5-11 pm. Guests can park in the garage ($25) with an entrance on Lavaca north of West Sixth Street, or they can take advantage of the restaurant's valet service ($13) or find street parking.
Reservations can be made starting Friday, May 24, via BOA Steakhouse's website, and walk-ins are welcome when available. OpenTable reservations are scheduled to launch in June.