Here’s the thing: social media rules our modern world, and more restaurants than ever are designed to be “insta-worthy” spaces. It’s pretty smart, if you think about it: if the restaurant is completely instagram-able, diners will share photos of the space (floors/walls/murals/art in addition to the food), and the restaurant gets an endless stream of free marketing.
The problem with this is when a restaurant depends solely on the charm factor but can’t hold its own in the food department. I went to several restaurants in 2018 (I’m thinking of three off the top of my head, but I’m sure there are more if I really stopped to think about it) that were gorgeous, but the food was blah.
The new bar concept from Peached Tortilla, Bar Peached, is designed to be photographed. (I mean, can we just pause for a moment and appreciate that fireplace with rainbow wood? One of the prettiest I’ve ever seen!)
Thankfully, chef Eric Silverstein, whose Asian fusion cookbook is being released this May, is no rookie in the Austin restaurant scene. He’s been serving Asian and Southern-inspired cuisine since 2010, first from his food truck, and then from his North Austin brick-and-mortar, and now from his new bar-focused restaurant concept in Clarksville, Bar Peached.Â
Yes, the space was designed for instagram (and I’ve got no problem with that! I’d rather dine in a beautiful space than an ugly one…), but the food and cocktails are also satisfying, delicious, and don’t depend on looks alone to survive. This is food that I’ll be craving again and again and I’m SO excited to share some photos with you!
I mean…this space is BEAUTIFUL. I’m not a huge selfie person (I think I’ve got a grand total of two on my entire instagram feed), but even I had to pause to take a #bathroomselfie. Â That wallpaper!! Swoon…
^ KYOTO KISS $13: gin, raspberry, yuzu, shishito, egg white
^ CONFIT DUCK FOLDIES $13: MOZZARELLA, CUCUMBER, TAMARIND HOISIN, CILANTRO, SLICED ONIONS
^ MAPO BOLOGNESE $15: five spice pork, whipped tofu, sichuan peppercorn, wheat chow fun
^ PESTO UDON $13:Â ume plum and thai basil pesto, peanuts, dragon salt
^ FRIED FISH $14:Â panko encrusted whitefish, herb salad, cilantro chimichurri, sriracha mayo, lime
^ BIRTHDAY CAKE KOREAN BINGSU $12:Â cake ice cream, birthday cake, whipped cream, mochi, sprinkles, celebratory candle
photo by Austin Food Magazine
If you want to check out the space and enjoy some discounted bites and drinks, stop by from 4-6:30 for their social hour! They’ve got $6 draft cocktails and wine, $5 bites, and $5 beer, available at the bar and patio only.
Bar Peached
WEBSITE | 1315 W 6th St
Love the food at Bar Peached but I have to disagree with the design. I was there on a Wednesday at 7 – it was packed which is a great sign for a new place – but the sound level was strasopheric. It is clear you were there when it was a bit more empty. You could not even have a simple conversation it was that loud. The space plays more like a bar (hence the name) than a restaurant. Unlike Carpenter’s Hall (also a great bar space) which took great care to muffle the sound and create a nice atmosphere Bar Peached needs to alleviate the near jetway level sound problem.
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