Paul Qui's Otoko Headlines South Congress Hotel's New Restaurant Push

Construction on the highly anticipated South Congress Hotel is moving along quickly, putting it on track for an early September opening. The hotel is run by New Waterloo, the hospitality company formerly known as Violet Crown, which includes Jesse Herman. The hotel’s various restaurants includes Paul Qui’s latest venture in fine dining with Otoko. Elsewhere in the hotel, executive chef Michael Paley will oversee two other restaurants with Chicago pastry chef Amanda Rockman. Read on for more details about the new eateries.

The biggest name to the hotel is Qui and Otoko, the tiny counter-only Japanese restaurant. The omakase menu will focus on Tokyo-style sushi and Kyoto-style seasonal kaiseki, weaving sushi and cooked dishes. Chef Yoshi Okai, from East Side King’s Hole in the Wall spot, will be joining him. Like Qui’s flagship restaurant, Otoko will use ticketing system Tock for required reservations for the 12-seat restaurant. Meals are expected to cost around $150.

[Rendering: Central Standard/Official]

Patio fans should stalk out bar and grill Central Standard’s wrap-around outdoor space that will look onto South Congress Avenue. The restaurant’s open kitchen will serve chopped Texas Wagyu steak, shaved prime rib sandwich, cinnamon sugar doughnuts, and more. There’s also a wood-fired oven, raw bar, private dining room, and wine cellar.

Café No Se will serve California-inspired fare, with menu items like egg white omelettes, sticky lamb ribs, and chocolate peanut butter nutter flan tart with yellow curry. It will be open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night, and brunch. The cafe will also service the lobby lounge.

[Rendering: Cafe No Se/Official]

Juice and coffee bar Mañana will offer house-made pre-packaged juices, coffee, and snacks. Ice cream truck Stephen F. Frostin’ will also take up residency at the hotel.

The hotel will be open in early September, but the restaurants will debut in phases. Café No Se will premiere in early September, followed by Central Standard in mid- or late September, Otoko in early October, and ending with Mañana in late October.