Raising the Bar
Beyond the Typical Bar Fare
Words Abby L. Johnson | Photos Ashley Haguewood
Chef Fermin Nunez, the mind behind the menu of arguably two of Austin’s most celebrated restaurants, Suerte and Este, elevates the traditional happy hour from a discount margarita and snack to an experience that leaves a sophisticated mark on tastebuds.
Bar Toti, a modest building just a stone’s throw away from Mexican seafood restaurant Este, first opened its doors as an intimate event venue, though it quickly became clear that the space was the perfect location to bring a new concept to life. Chef Fermin and his team saw an opportunity to flex their creative muscles in a different style, bringing Austinites a menu that is simultaneously restrained and unambiguously ambitious.
Inspired by the pub culture of France and Spain, the space itself is designed to facilitate connection. Bar Toti features a large communal center table and several cozy tabletops nestled along the sides. The open kitchen is the focal point, allowing guests to watch as their food is prepared. Despite the name, there is no actual bar seating, so patrons should be prepared to sit face-to-face or join the conversation of new friends.
“The bistro-style cooking in France is not necessarily French food. It’s food that’s coming from small kitchens in a casual environment, and it’s the produce that’s available dictating what’s on the menu,” says Fermin. He has taken this style to heart in creating an array of dishes that showcase flavors from multiple culinary traditions. Offerings range from baba ganoush to ratatouille to tortilla de patata, a Spanish-style omelet of sorts.
Notably, the team utilizes produce grown in the on-site garden to keep the menu seasonal and fresh. A salad of rotating produce exemplifies this commitment to using accessible ingredients. “The creativity of the team is what I’m excited about right now. [Our sous chef and our chef de cuisine] take a lot of the lead on the things that are rotating. Those are the dishes that I’m most excited about; the ones that I don’t create myself,” shares Fermin.
Though Bar Toti leans heavily into European influence, of course the menu is not without a touch of chef’s personal flair for familiar Mexican flavors. La Smashburgesa is a traditional Mexican street food-style hamburger. It features a well-balanced blend of customary toppings like American cheese, escabeche relish, chipotle mayo, and of course, the griddled ham that brings it all home.
Dine Happily
Bar Toti has an exceptional happy hour everyday, but Mondays brighten up the week with all day deals. Get $2 off a cocktail or wine of your choice and a half price burger to start the week off right.
Contact:
2113 Manor Rd.
bartoti.com
@bartotiatx
