The Early Word on Sizzling Boiler Nine Bar + Grill

Boiler Nine Bar + Grill, La Corsha Hospitality Group’s ambitious brainchild, made its debut last month in the revamped Seaholm Power Plant. Executive chef Jason Stude’s menu centers on wood-fired fare from brisket to striped bass to root vegetables, with a more casual menu of American classics like Frito pie and burgers available on the rooftop. Read on for the early word on the four-story, three-concept (main restaurant and rooftop bar and cocktail den) hot spot.

The food — Tasting Table included Boiler Nine on its must-try list stating that "the impressive wood-fired grill leaves its (literal) marks throughout the menu, even on dessert with a griddled banana cake." Claudia Alarcon with CultureMap added to the praise calling the food "original, playful, and extremely well executed." Yelper Luci H. summed it up as a "a small, yet powerful menu."

Not sure what to get? A Taste of Koko blogger Jane Ko pointed to the fried rice and grains salad—featuring farro, white and wild rice, smoked mushroom, ginger, citrus, and mint—as the best thing she ate recently and her favorite of the dishes she tried.

The drinks — Expect cocktails from the ‘60s and ‘70s, thanks to beverage and bar director Jason Stevens, who "does not disappoint" confirmed Zagat’s Veronica Meewes. There’s a surprising wine list from wine director Paula Rester, whom Alarcon declared, "focuses on boutique labels and varietals seldom seen in Austin." Meanwhile, frozen libations are bright and refreshing.

The environment — The contemporary makeover of the industrial space makes it a blend of new Austin style and old Austin history, according to KGSR’s Chris Mosser. Enjoy multiple floors from the light-filled restaurant to the roof deck, which offers expansive views of Austin, to the subterranean cocktail lounge, which Mosser designated as a "perfect dark, private space for an intimate encounter."

The overall experience — While some Yelpers flagged the high prices, Tasting Table described Boiler Nine as the result of years of work and well worth the wait.

• Inside Boiler Nine Bar + Grill’s Three Levels of Wood-Fire Fare and Cocktails [EATX]
• Now Open: The Bakery at Fat Rice, Halal Guys L.A. and More [Tasting Table]
• Highly anticipated Boiler Nine transforms Seaholm into Austin's hottest new restaurant [Culturemap Austin]
• First Look At Boiler Nine + Grill at Seaholm Power Plant [A Taste of Koko]
• First Look: Boiler Nine Bar & Grill in Seaholm Power Plant [Zagat]
• Mosser Morning Recap - Monday July 18 [KGSR]