By definition, a statesman is someone who does everything for the common good of the people he or she represents. This is why The Statesman owner Craig Ley says choosing the name for what’s become West Sixth Street’s hottest new supper club and cocktail lounge was easy. They aim to be of service to the community and deliver something people want.
“Austin is a Capitol city with old traditions and youthful citizens, yearning for connection,” Craig says, “The Statesman, as a restaurant and nighttime lounge, provides the perfect place to meet old friends and make new ones. We want to be the room where it happens – be it a first date, an anniversary or toasting a new business venture. We believe it will be the go-to spot for an after-dinner drink or nightcap for those looking to enjoy a cocktail with a sophisticated but whimsy vibe. And it's where you’ll want to be for brunch every weekend, with the doors between the dining room and the patio open as weather allows.”
Chef Dan Kennedy helms the kitchen serving up elevated traditional American fare. He arrived at The Statesman armed with expertise garnered working with celebrity chefs and in Michelin-starred kitchens such as with Ludo Lefebvre at Trois Mec, Justin Bogle at Avance, Bryan Voltaggio at Volt, Aaron Silverman at Little Pearl and with Top Chef winners Michael Voltaggio at Ink and Kevin Sbraga at Sbraga. Of the menu he says, “People will experience dishes which they are familiar with that are executed at a very high level. It’s fun and exciting and spins on classics." The menu will feature seafood, pastas and steaks as well as pizza and burgers and several vegan options. The menu was created in a way that people can come back multiple times in a week and always find something they’d like to eat. Chef Dan says he’s especially excited about their chicken dish prepared two ways and big enough to be shared by two people. He says, “There will be two different preparations for the one dish with one side the breast being simply roasted with a nice chicken jus and the other the thigh being prepared in a chicken parmesan style.”
There is also an elegant private dining room that fits about 40 with optional televisions for screenings, presentations or football viewing parties and don’t miss the cheeky, we dare you not to take a selfie bathrooms.
Craig says, “We hope people come here because they become regulars, the staff and I their friends and it’s where they want to be to celebrate life’s milestones, or just the fact that it’s Tuesday.”
The Statesman is open every day 4:30pm until late and for brunch Saturday and Sunday beginning at 11am. Find them at https://statesmanatx.com/ or on Instagram @statemanATX.
