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A few words to describe APT 115 are unique, creative and delicious.
Long associated as just a wine bar, APT 115 has reintroduced themselves as a restaurant and still a wine bar, with new talented Texas-based chef Charles Zhuo at the helm.
Zhuo prepares locally-inspired, Michelin-level dishes like cauliflower fondue, jamon tastings, pork belly stew and more, from nothing more than portable stove top burners and a few other minimal cooking tools. Zhuo hails from popular Austin watering holes, Barley Swine and Tatsu-ya.
Enjoy the vibes of APT 115 as the owner, local musician Joe Pannenbacker, plays his vinyl record collection, in this one of a kind, funky, intimate setting.
The chef’s tasting menu changes often, so it is always a surprise, but our experience included eclectic, Asian-inspired dishes such as a serving of Sea Urchin on cornbread with Jamon.
The appetizer consisted of summer vegetables, presented in a very natural way, adorned across a model of a wooden log, with butterfly shaped crunchies on top. Luckily, they even accommodated a vegetarian chef’s tasting, including “Lion’s mane Mushroom Ssam” served with kimchi, a unique watermelon salad, eggplant, “Chestnut Mushroom Cassoulet” and more dishes that are rare to find elsewhere.
My personal favorite course was one of the desserts, which came in an intricately-designed wooden box which you had to unlock with a special key. This was so fun, and the dessert inside was delicious chocolate decadence.
Photo Gracie Watt.
The chef’s tasting has about nine courses, including dessert, so come hungry and leave satisfied. Since the menu changes often, the wine pairings do as well. We received an array of wines from France to New York to Italy, right back home to Texas. Each was special and delicious, and paired well with the course.
The Chef’s Tasting Menu is $105 per person, $155 with wine pairing, and $205 with the Bespoke wine pairing. If you do not want to opt for the Chef’s Tasting Menu with wine, APT 115 also offers a la carte options, cheese, jamon, and a little bit of beer and cider.
Upon entering APT 115, you can tell that wine is important, as they have an entire wall of wine selections with a library-style sliding ladder. The decor of this place is also very special, as they have unique wallpapers, comfortable and intimate seating, and plenty of books and knick-knacks for the “apartment” feel – which you will notice will be incorporated into the presentation of the meals as well. Even the bathroom feels like a work of art!
Photo Gracie Watt.
As mentioned, wine is at the root of this restaurant, as their full wine list is 46 pages with over 400 labels spanning all six continents that produce wine. Almost everything they have is small production and low intervention. The best way to view the wine list is to just go and see for yourself.
The menu changes daily, so you can stop by, call, or text, to see what is new at 737-333-0780. Their hours are 5pm-Midnight for the wine bar 7 days a week, and 5pm-10pm for dinner hours on Wednesday-Sunday.
Photo Gracie Watt.
The building is located on the 1st floor of the 7East complex, hence the name, next to the leasing office. We would suggest making a reservation as capacity is 30 seated inside for this intimate space.
APT 115 has limited free parking in the 7East parking garage. You may park anywhere in the garage. Spaces will be designated with either a retail or visitor parking sign. Unmarked spaces are open for use. If you park inside the gate, after 8 pm a staff member will have to let you inside the gated area to retrieve your car.
In addition there is free parking next door at the Chase Bank after 6 pm, as well as across the street at the former gas station. Robert T Martinez Jr St also has free street parking, in addition to numerous metered parking spaces in the nearby vicinity.
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Cover photo Gracie Watt
Gracie Watt is the Editorial Assistant at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, with a degree in Journalism. Watt is also a Lifestyle Producer at NBC-affiliate KXAN’s Studio 512. When she’s not writing, Watt enjoys singing, playing the guitar and doing volunteer work.
