Bill’s Oyster is coming out of its shell – Meet the Team Behind the 2nd Street District’s popular restaurant
Oysters in Autumn? – Bill’s Oyster is the premier destination for seafood in the 2nd Street District
Introducing the Team Behind Bill’s Oyster
Discover the Food at Bill’s Oyster – from elevated seafood to one mean cheeseburger
Satisfy your raw bar craving at Bill’s Oyster no matter the season
We may be well past summer. But regardless of the season, nothing's stopping Bill’s Oyster from becoming the premiere destination for seafood in the 2nd Street District. Raw oysters in Autumn? Yes, you heard us right. If it was a bold man that first ate an oyster –as Jonathan Swift is purported to have said – then Bill’s Oyster is the epitome of laid-back boldness. Since its opening last May, the restaurant has attracted the 2nd Street District locals and out-of-town travelers alike who are curious to see how Austin’s seafood scene stacks up. We’d say: it’s pretty darn good! But more on that later.
An Austinite, a New Yorker, and an Orleanian walk into an oyster bar
The first thing that strikes you about Bill’s Oyster is the elegantly retro decor, from the green and white tiled entrance to the teal-upholstered barstools and the Art Moderne bar, with the backlit bottles and adjoining mirrors framed by a rounded arch of ceramic tiles. When executive chef Daniel Berg first saw the 1200 sq ft jewel box space on 205 West 3rd Street, he knew it was the perfect spot for a small oyster bar. The location also comes with a banquette and an outdoor seating area.
Inspired by the classic oyster bars of Berg’s childhood in New York City, Bill’s Oyster mixes its East Coast heritage with a strong pinch of Cajun and Creole flavor straight from Berg’s beloved French Quarter (where co-founder Dylan Salisbury hails from). Berg teamed up with co-founders Stewart Jarmon and Salisbury to bring this Big Easy twist on an East Coast tradition to the heart of downtown Austin. While Jarmon is a lifelong Austenite and a graduate of the Escuela de Gastronomía Mexicana in Mexico City, Berg cut his teeth under Andrew Carmellini, Daniel Boloud, and Eric Ripert in the Big Apple.
But make no mistake. Despite their impressive pedigree, the team at Bill’s Oyster aims for the spot to be a decidedly unpretentious seafood hangout for the 2nd Street District locals. To welcome the triple threat to the neighborhood, we put together the following video with answers to your questions about the past, present, and future of Bill’s Oyster.
Owner, Stewart Jarmon and Executive Chef & Owner, Chef Daniel Berg
Elevated Seafood, Gulf Inspired Classics,
and One Mean Cheeseburger
Now for the food. It ranges from elevated takes on traditional seafood fare (Yellowfin Tuna Tartare, Crab BLT, Fried Oysters with truffled honey) to Gulf-inspired classics (Shrimp & Grits, Banana Foster, King Crab Lettuce Wrap) and then the downright decadent (Mozzarella Sticks & Caviar, Champagne & Fries). But the real winner is the humble cheeseburger, hands down the hottest item on the menu.
One mean cheeseburger – the Bill’s Burger
Pair any of these dishes with an ice-cold martini or the Chris Owens cocktail – Bill’s Oyster smoky and sour take on a mezcal margarita. Or consider slurping down any of the six varieties of East Coast oysters for your culinary equivalent of a cold plunge.
Bill’s Oyster is the perfect location for any event, whether you’re looking for a booze-filled lunch meeting, some after-hours cocktails, or a casual dinner with friends. And that’s just how Berg, Jarmon, and Salisbury like it.
For brunch, Bill’s Oyster rounds out the menu with a few NOLA-inspired takes on breakfast staples – see the Crab Cake Benedict – every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm. Bill’s Oyster happy hour runs every day from 3pm-5pm, with $3 raw oysters, $4 beers, $10 martinis, and 20% off bottled wine.
The world is your oyster at Bill’s Oyster
Bill’s Oyster is truly the best of both worlds. It’s a casually elegant eatery that wears its sophistication on its sleeve. It’s an ode to the heyday of the classic oyster bars of New York City, with just the right amount of NOLA flair to set it apart from the competition. It caters to the residents of the 2nd Street District, while serving as a terrific option for visitors lodging in one the area’s many hotels. At Bill’s Oyster, you’re encouraged to satisfy your raw seafood cravings no matter what the temperature is. So have your oyster and slurp it down too!
For more info on The 2nd Street District and all it has to offer, check out our website and explore!