Swift's Attic Team To Open New Modern Chinese Restaurant Wu Chow In Late 2014

C.K. Chin and Mat Clouser. [Photo: Patrick Michels/EATX]

The team behind the popular Swift's Attic have announced plans to open a second concept late next year. The new restaurant, Wu Chow, will "draw inspiration from all Chinese provinces" and intends to focus on "fresh, crisp and healthful preparations" of modern Chinese dishes.

Manager and co-owner C.K. Chin notes in the press release that the concept is personal: Chin still has family in China and comments that the menu will "build on some of my family's recipes and incorporate what's currently happening in progressive Chinese cuisine today." Executive chef and co-owner Mat Clouser and pastry chef Callie Speer will both be involved with the project, and will do a "nationwide search for culinary candidates with a strong background in the Asian genre."

Among the highlights of the Wu Chow news: the restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating, will face Republic Park, and intends to offer lunch, dinner, late-night, and take out options. There will also be weekend Dim Sum. Swift Attic's Jeff Hammett will helm the cocktail program. While the restaurant's launch will certainly take some time, it will eventually fill a longstanding shortcoming in the 78701 zip code. Wu Chow does not appear to have any social media presence as of yet, but interested diners can follow Chin, Clouser, or Swift's Attic to stay updated on progress.

SWIFT'S ATTIC TEAM ANNOUNCES NEW RESTAURANT: WU CHOW
Chinese Restaurant Set to Open Late 2014

AUSTIN, TX (December 2013) – The team that developed Swift's Attic has a second restaurant concept in progress that will bring renditions of authentic modern Chinese cuisine to Austin, TX in late 2014. Drawing inspiration from all Chinese provinces with an emphasis on fresh, crisp and healthful preparations, Wu Chow will offer both inside and outside dining options in a warm and inviting space facing Republic Park on the ground level of the new IBC tower, currently under construction in the West 6th Street District.

"We saw an opportunity to create a modern yet authentic Chinese restaurant that builds on some of my family's recipes and incorporates what's currently happening in progressive Chinese cuisine today," says C.K. Chin, General Manager and co-owner at Wu Chow, who still has family in China.

"We will focus on locally sourced product that will play an integral role in a diverse menu covering lunch, dinner, take-out and late night dining, as well as Dim Sum on the weekends," says Executive Chef and co-owner Mat Clouser. "This also kicks off our nationwide search for culinary candidates with a strong background in the Asian genre."

"We're staying faithful to our affinity for an understated elegance and want to create a space that evokes Asian style but isn't dominated by it. We want a balance of comfort and refinement in both the environment and the service similar to what we have achieved at Swift's Attic," says Stuart Thomajan, Managing Partner and co-owner.

In addition to the above, other members of the Swift's Attic team are being tapped to bring Wu Chow to life, including Callie Speer, Food & Wine's People's Best New Pastry Chef nominee; Jeff Hammett who will develop Wu Chow's inventive cocktail program; and Cody Budua and Sam Hovland who will develop the beer and wine programs.

Located at 500 West 5th Street, Wu Chow will be open for dinner seven nights a week, lunch Monday through Friday and Dim Sum on Saturday and Sunday.

-- Tom Thornton