Mediterranean Eatery Aba Set To Open In South Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Chicago-based Aba will open in Austin by next spring, officials announced on Wednesday.

The company's entry into the local market along Music Lane represents the first restaurant to open in Texas for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises of Chicago, officials noted. The concept was created by Executive Partner and Divisional President Marc Jacobs and Chef Partner CJ Jacobson.

“Lettuce Entertain You is excited to open its first restaurant in Austin,” R.J. Melman, president of Lettuce Entertain You, said in a prepared statement. “Austin is such a great food city, and we can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Aba's entry adds to the growing tenant mix at Music Lane located at 1011 and 1009 South Congress Ave., consisting of two three-story buildings and one four-story building. All the structures are less than 60 feet tall, and were designed by the Austin office of Lake|Flato Architects. The development has 163,000 square feet of leasable space that will include 25 retail, office, and restaurant tenants once fully leased, officials said.

Related story: Developing Music Lane In Austin Adds Tenants Ahead Of Opening

Officials described how Aba’s menu pays homage to Chef CJ’s roots in California, incorporating a lighter style of cooking with influences from the Mediterranean including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. Signature dishes include Crispy Short Rib Hummus, Muhammara, Jerusalem Bagel with Labneh, Char-Grilled Lamb Chops, and Skirt Steak Shawarma. The bar program is crafted by Lead Mixologist Liz Pearce and showcases rare Mediterranean-inspired wines and spirits.

“Austin has always been a favorite travel destination of mine,” Lettuce Entertain You Executive Partner and Divisional President, Marc Jacobs, said in a prepared statement. “We’re thrilled to bring Aba’s style of cooking to the city’s growing food and drink community.”

Since opening in Chicago’s historic Fulton Market District in June 2018, Aba has been named one of “Chicago’s Best New Restaurants” by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine, one of the “Most Beautiful Chicago Restaurants” by Eater Chicago, and was a nominee for Boutique Design’s “Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design.”

For more information, visit www.abarestaurants.com or www.leye.com and follow on Instagram and Twitter and Facebook.

About Lettuce Entertain You

Lettuce Entertain You was founded in 1971, and is one of the largest privately held multi-concept restaurant groups in the country with more than 130 restaurants and 60 concepts nationwide ranging from fast casual to Michelin-star fine dining. For more information, visit www.leye.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook.