Restaurant Report: Augie’s Mussel House

Augie’s Mussel House has something for everyone. Whether you’re craving apps, a salad, something really hearty, a crisp beer, or a cool cocktail, you’ll find it at the newest restaurant on King Street. It lives up to its name as a house of mussels — more on that later.When the weather’s nice, you can enjoy a lunch break or a warm evening on the picture-perfect patio while people-watching on King Street. When a game’s on, head inside to watch it in their upstairs seating area, which delivers an inviting sports bar feel. You can also play board games at long tables that channel a European beer hall. While you’re there, take a look at the renderings for how cool the first floor bar will look when they’re finished with it.We attended a soft opening of the restaurant last week and savored cocktails, watermelon salad, incredible salt and vinegar French fries, and, of course, mussels. Named after the patron saint of brewers, Saint Augustine, Augie’s officially opened to the public that past Wednesday and provided us with a superb new space for food and drinks. The extensive beer selection includes all manner of ales, as well as IPAs, gose, porters, and ciders (two highlights, in our eyes, include Austin Eastciders’s Pineapple Cider and a Stiegl Grapefruit Radler — perfect for a summer day), while a particularly delightful choice on their list of creative cocktails includes gin, Campari, and a really pretty shift from pale pink to fuchsia (highly Instagram-able).If you’re a mussels fan, behold Augie’s long list of mussels by the half pound. The Provencal mussels are classic and delicious, while there are also unique choices like Thai Green Curry and Buffalo Style. If you haven’t tried mussels before, this is your chance, as these chefs are experts.If you’re not a fan, try the Short Smoked Salmon, Hot Chicken (served on a waffle bun), or the Pork Confit instead.Augie’s is brought to us by the team behind Mason Social in Old Town’s Parker-Gray district and offers the same refined yet casual vibe that Common Plate Hospitality gets so right. Go and see for yourself! It opens at 11am for lunch.