Halcyon Days at Holiday

Fine Dining under a Casual Facade

Words Meher Qazilbash | Photos Baptiste Depois

Started by three restaurant savants, this small-scale eatery couples a refined and delicious menu with a beautiful space, creating an ideal location for lounging and making memories with friends.

When Holiday co-owners Erin Ashford, John DiCicco, and executive chef Peter Klein decided to start their own restaurant and cocktail concept, they wanted to create the sort of place they would frequent. For them, that meant prioritizing simplicity, flavor, and beauty. 

The trio met in 2015 during their shared time at Olamaie. Erin served as the beverage director and cocktail expert, and John and Peter worked as station partners on the kitchen’s hotline. John coined the idea to open this concept during the pandemic, anticipating a comeback in the industry post-lockdown. Already serving as the co-owner of Kinda Tropical for two years, he wanted to begin this project with the help of his good friends: Erin and Peter, who both happened to be award-winning experts in the industry. 

Thanks to luck and timing, the team found an old auto body shop with a cheap lease, perfect for its location, spaciousness, and oversized windows. In March 2023, after a heavy facelift and intense menu experimentation, they officially opened their doors. 

The difficulties of running a restaurant together are overcome by the facility, which comes from their common vision, complementary skills, and vast knowledge. Their shared mission involves creating a comfortable and high-quality experience that speaks to the value of in-person experiences for their patrons. “We wanted to draw on the fine dining experience,” explains Chef Peter. “The same level of attentiveness but without the formality.” 

The menu reflects that combination of luxury and ease, offering elevated versions of relatable and easy-to-understand items. Familiar favorites like burgers, pasta, steak, and french fries are flawlessly cooked with fresh ingredients and possess subtle surprises. Similarly, their rotating drink menu presents cocktails executed at an expert level. Inventive yet filled with the classics, there’s an array of delicious martinis, the hallmark of their cocktail selection.

A stable feeling of relaxation is largely thanks to the aesthetics and size of the space. Arranged on a huge patio and “no reservations required” allow the establishment to operate with European pacing. The understated ambiance, brought to life with the help of Tropic of Capricorn Design, takes inspiration from vacation hubs like Marfa and Mexico City with its airiness, creamy palettes, cacti, and unique furnishings. Elegant and minimal, the design reinforces the dining experience. “We believe the biggest flex is letting the food and drinks speak for themselves,” Erin adds.

Since opening, Holiday has become a flavorful destination for Austinites. Their success results from a simple setup: a group of friends who happen to all be driven, determined, and gifted in their respective capacities.  

Imbibing Intermission: Enjoy half-off martinis every Sunday. For weekend travelers, Holiday is just under 10 minutes from the airport.