208 West Fourth Street
Austin, Texas
512.459-9669
www.pecheaustin.com
Austin is a pretty laid back town. As we approach fall, I have yet to wear heels outside of my office this year. Even then, it is only because my corporate oppressor demands it. One thing I sometimes lament is my closet full of quasi-scandalous and towering heels that rarely see the light of day…or dark of night for that matter. I often feel torn in regards to my footwear, because while I treasure the comfort of flats and sandals I am still a girl’s girl to the core and sometimes want those four-inch stilettos. Moving here from a much bigger city means acclimating to this wardrobe change.; however, once in a while I find an occasion or place just right to breathe new life into my dying soles. Péché is just such a place. With an enormous university and a couple of truly fantastic music festivals, we have no shortage of bars. What we do lack is a true cocktail bar. Until now.
Péché has a distinctly European feel, with the pompousness intact. Yes, I said it. Seriously though, this does happen to be the only absinthe bar in Austin. With French, Austrian and Swiss varieties, you won’t lose interest. Prepared traditionally, the presentation alone is entertaining. Especially when you have a bartender that is the spitting image (in face and voice) of Nathan Lane. Mouse Hunt anyone? Hell yes. Among my favorite drinks are the Bees Knees, a marriage of gin, honey and fresh lemon and the house specialty: the Devil’s Cocktail; gin with cayenne pepper and fresh jalapeno juice. Sipping these libations all made me feel like being in a movie. You know, the kind of movie where the girl throws her drink in her two-timing boyfriend’s face. I have always wanted to do that.
I happened to visit Péché with my gay boyfriend and his visiting sister. She was pure Dallas. Big, blonde hair and an even bigger diamond ring. Unfortunately, she did not appreciate the European fare. The small portions really pissed her off, to the point that she actually asked our waiter if, “we were being punk’d?” True story.
At any rate, we enjoyed a gorgeous duck breast salad with peaches, clamshell mushrooms, arugula and aged balsamic in addition to a nice local tomato salad. With our millionth round of drinks we ordered the chef’s charcuterie. This made me feel so fancy I did almost toss my drink in my gay boyfriend’s face. Almost. The pork rillette was rich and the duck mousse was so smooth, it tasted almost fluffy. A spicy beef sausage and fish escabeche rounded out the board. I also loved that the dessert menu only included a cheese plate and duck egg gelato. Cheese and ice cream. That’s it. Did this place read my mind?
After sampling absinthe and cocktails it was pretty challenging to teeter home with my temporary height. But the hangover was totally worth the handcrafted drinks, delightful food and super classy company. Totally.
by Phyllis Anastasia Gasper
[Photos: Michael Paolini]
