East Side Chinese Spot Old Thousand Will Dish Out Snow Ice and Cocktails

Old Thousand, East Side’s anticipated Chinese spot, is gearing up for a November opening date. The casual Chinese restaurant will include a cocktail bar from former Uchi beverage director Dhal Smith. This'll include offerings like the Fo Shizi', which is a persimmon drink with whiskey and Lillet Blanc.

So far, the menu for dinner and takeout focuses on familiar Chinese dishes, like Chinese broccoli, clay pot (with roasted meats, duck egg, mushrooms, and baby bok choy, ready to be mixed with jasmine rice), crispy noodles, Szechuan cod, and sesame balls. For dessert, there will be snow ice with unexpected flavors, like the vegan-friendly Almond Joy with a bunch of coconut, cocoa nibs, and toasted almond crumble.

The food comes from chefs James Dumapit (formerly of Uchiko) and David Baek (formerly of Uchi and Thai Kun). Weekend dim sum will come at a later date.

For inspiration, the SMGB Hospitality team, which oversees the restaurant, put together a music playlist, which they believe creates the "ultimate house party" vibe Old Thousand will have. The songs includes picks from A Tribe Called Quest, Violent Femmes, Stevie Wonder, Talking Heads, Run D.M.C. Rolling Stones, and much more.

Floral wallpaper will line the restaurant, which will be filled with a large heritage oak bar meant to look like a Chinese apothecary, booths, banquettes, and intimate tables. It’ll fit 85 people.

The address on 11th Street used to be the home of Tex-Mex restaurant Mijo's.

• Old Thousand Will Unleash Chinese Fare in Central East Austin [EATX]
• The Most Anticipated Austin Restaurant Openings, Fall 2016 [EATX]