Restaurant/Bar 1618 Asian Fusion Opens In South Austin

AUSTIN, TX — The Asian restaurant and bar 1618 Asian Fusion is now open on East Riverside.

The family-owned and operated concept located below the AMLI South Shore at 1618 E. Riverside Blvd. was created by a husband-and-wife duo who recently traveled across Asia for research and development to create the overall theme and menu of the new eatery.

In a culinary exploration of Asia’s diverse food landscape, Kevin and Lynn Tran created the new eatery offering high-quality Asian fusion in a sleek, thoughtfully designed space. The family-owned and operated Asian restaurant aims to provide Austin food lovers with a unique, affordable option for enjoying Asian cuisine and culture, officials said in a press advisory.

"Drawing inspiration from the bright, bold, diverse foods Kevin Le and Lynn Tran experienced while traveling throughout Asia, 1618’s menu spans the continent — transporting its guests across the globe through the flavors of Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Singaporean, and Southeast Asian cuisine," officials described. Centered around high-quality yet affordably priced food, 1618’s eclectic menu is divided into five main sections: appetizers, noodle soups, entrées “from the sky,” entrées “from the land,” and entrées “from the sea," officials added.

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That culinary philosophy manifests itself with staple dishes such as Pad Thai, Vietnamese Pho, and Green Chicken Curry are available alongside more inventive options, like Saigon-Grilled Lamb Chop, Spicy Banana Leaf-Steamed Salmon, and Lobster in Singaporean chili sauce. In addition to their main menu, 1618 offers a kids menu of Pho Chicken, Sesame Chicken, or Fried Chicken with a choice of milk or orange juice for just $8.

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Perfectly complementing its food menu, restaurant officials added, 1618’s beverage menu offers a variety of specialty Asian-inspired cocktails and house wines. For only $6 each, guests can choose from the following signature drinks: the fruity Tropical Asian made with tequila, triple sec, mango, and chili salt; the refreshing Secretini made with vodka, lychee, and cucumber juice; and the Pink Coco made with gin, coconut, raspberry, and lime juice. Available as a rosé, red blend, or chardonnay, the house wine costs only $5 a glass. Its non-alcoholic beverage options include authentic, hard-to-find drinks, including Egg Yolk Coffee.

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Officials noted 1618’s space was designed to create "...a calming, Zen-like environment for guests to relax and enjoy their dining or imbibing experience in. Wood elements, live greenery, and clean lines add to a minimalist, stylish dining room that exudes a comfortable yet elegant feel. The main focal point of the dining room is a beautiful, wooden structure reminiscent of a waterfall, which dramatically sweeps across the entire ceiling and down a wall."

1618 Asian Fusion interior offers "a calming, Zen-like environment" for guests, officials tell Patch. Courtesy image.

Just a short walk from Lady Bird Lake, the 6,000 square-foot space features a main dining room and bar area in addition to a spacious outdoor dining area that will be opening in the coming weeks. Additionally, the restaurant’s front waiting lounge includes a fireplace and a small gift shop featuring unique items from across Asia. The restaurant has a capacity of approximately 200 in its dining room, eight at its bar, and 30 on the outdoor patio, officials said.

Commonly referred to as the “Angel Number” or “Golden Ratio,” 1618 Asian Fusion borrows its name from a number that, throughout history, has held special meaning to the mathematical, cultural and religious worlds. In Asian culture, the individual numbers represent new beginnings and people, balance and living a harmonious life, and growth and infinity. These elements have a combined meaning of “we are lucky to have a family that will grow together,” perfectly representing the vision of the 1618 team, who hope to grow together with their restaurant guests over the years.

1618 Asian Fusion is located inside the AMLI South Shore Building at 1618 E. Riverside Blvd. With expanded hours coming soon, 1618 is currently open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is ample complimentary parking available in the AMLI South Shore Building’s parking garage.

"Stay tuned as the team will be announcing details surrounding their grand opening party, as well as expanded menu items and bar programming in the coming weeks," officials offered tantalizingly. Follow along for more news and events on Facebook at @1618AsianFusion, as well as on Instagram at @1618asianfusion.

ABOUT 1618 ASIAN FUSION

A culinary exploration of Asia’s diverse food landscape, 1618 Asian Fusion serves affordable, high-quality fusion in a unique, thoughtfully designed space. Focusing on the bright, bold, diverse flavors of Asia, 1618’s menu spans the continent - offering diners a taste of Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Singaporean and Southeast Asian food. Boasting a calming, Zen-like environment, the 6,000 square-foot space features wood elements, live greenery, and clean lines creating a minimalist, stylish dining room that exudes a comfortable yet elegant feel.

1618 Asian Fusion is located inside the AMLI South Shore Building, 1618 E.Riverside Blvd., Austin, Texas 78741. With hours expanded hours coming soon, 1618 is currently open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.1618asianfusion.com or contact (512) 462-9999. 1618 Asian Fusion can be found on Facebook at @1618AsianFusion, as well as on Instagram at @1618asianfusion.