Fox 7 News- Dining Out with Rob Balon - Péché

Friday, July 21st, 2009

Watch the video here.

Located on 4th in the building that used to house Malaga, Peche is the brainchild of former Cedar St. GM Rob Pate. His vision of a true Austin cocktail bar with complementary cuisine has evolved into a place that is sophisticated yet eminently approachable. Can you tell I like it? New chef Jason Dodge, late of Vespaio, has taken over the reins and has implemented the classic philosophy of European cooking: less is more. And does this ever work at Peche. Consider the Pommes Frittes, crispy and tasty, easily the equal of Hyde Park's famous fries, and served with a killer aioli. They stand alone in their flavor and the compelling complexity of their texture. And the Pork Belly Confit evokes memories of Cibo's master chef Will Packwood. The first bite, and be careful to mix in the fig mostarda and fresh chiles, just explodes with flavor. The sublime tenderness of this dish is quite something to taste.

The entrees are about what you might expect to find in a restaurant of this style.But that's only by desgination. Flavor is an entirely separate matter. the Barley Risotto is a great example of that. as summer squash and a dash of chevre are blended in to give this great balance and riveting tastes. And the barley works beautifully to round it all out. And then there's another classic: The New York Strip with pommes frittes and marchand du vin sauce. The sauce which features heavy doses of fresh butter and natural jus wakes up the steak like Rip van Winkle being aroused from a 20-year slumber. And consider the Seared Diver Scallops with brown whipped butter potatoes [a guilty pleasure of mine] and of course hericot vert in a subtle veal jus.I dare you to take one bite, albeit a nibble, and tell me you do not like it. The beauty of a place like Peche is that it works well for happy hour, and it works equally well for late night. And there is no one in the city!

Who knows Absinthe like Rob Pate? He's introduced me to a world of libations that existed in the mid 19th century. And here they are pairing beautifully with the menu items of today. I've enjoyed Pernod, with the flavors of anise and fennel, and run the gamut to a lemoncello coctail with Tito's vodka. Got a question? Rob will make a recommendation. Got a palate? Then you need to head over to Peche as soon as possible.- Rob Balon, Fox 7 News

 It might be one of the best true cocktail bars in Austin.  –Austin American Statesman

 …with a proprietor who definitely knows his way around the world of food and drink, sojourning in Provence whenever he can get there.  I hardly drink, but they have drinks I love (the meloncello with homemade lemoncello) and I would not mind sampling all their long list of specialty drinks … Drinking and cigars aside, they have wonderful food.  – golocalaustin.com

 In Austin, it's hard to find quality French fare at low prices, but Péché may now be here to fill that void. With a menu of rich and savory dishes all under 20 bucks, and touting the claim as Austin's first absinthe bar, Péché is definitely worth the trip. – austinist.com