Austin has become a hot spot for new restaurants and Bullfight has been one of the most highly anticipated. It’s the newest project from Shawn Cirkiel, the restauranteur behind Parkside, Olive and June, and The Backspace.
Thankfully I signed up for the email list, so when they sent out an email yesterday around 3pm saying they were excited to announce the opening, I quickly made a reservation through Open Table.
The space is warm and exciting with no hint of residing on Airport Boulevard once you’re inside. Designed my Michael Hsu, the tile-work and minimal meets natural aesthetic is a home run.
We started with crispy squid and bacalao fritters. They were each wrapped in paper and inserted into a raised piece of wood that also held the sauces. Super fun!
Next we had grilled octopus with pickled carrot, fennel, and radish. The octopus was cooked consummately and the salad had a nice refreshing crunch. I had no idea I liked fennel so much!
We then moved on to the tortilla with summer squash blossoms and sheep’s cheese. My husband ate this one, as I can’t have sheep cheese. He’s a big fan of the Spanish tortilla in all its forms and was enthusiastic about this iteration.
While he enjoyed his tortilla, I had urchin roe (and unknown glorious flavors) on bread. On the menu, this dish has butter in it. I asked our waitstaff if the chef could make it without butter since I’m allergic.
I have respect for those who decline to do such things, but I have even more respect, as well as gratitude for a chef who takes this request as a fun challenge. I was delightfully surprised the chef seemed enthusiastic to create something for me in a similar fashion. It was delicious and had a nice touch of lemon to it. I savored it and didn’t share!
Since I can actually digest goat cheese (so confusing, I know), we finished off with a dessert of Garrotxa and Ibores goat cheeses. The plate came with figs and golden raisins as well as a thin, crispy bread.
My $9 glass of Priorot paired wonderfully with each dish I had. I rarely find a wine by the glass that I am excited about for under $12. Aces!
While I was composing this post, my husband called me on his way home and asked if I wanted to try to make happy hour at Bullfight tonight. With it being only a mile from our house, I know this will become a regular spot for us.
Welcome to the neighborhood, Bullfight!
May your journey be your muse,
Rachel
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