"Loved the atmosphere … food was good …definitely would go back…” wrote a friend when I queried about her recent visit to the new restaurant, Second Bar + Kitchen. And after several visits of my own, I couldn’t have said it better myself. Second Bar + Kitchen is one of three new eateries opened by ex-Driskill super chef David Bull in the swanky Austonian high-rise. The adjoining spaces are named after the street each fronts: Second is a casual bistro, Congress is a fine dining venue and Bar Congress is an intimate lounge. Each has its own distinctive feel and menu, even though they share a kitchen, executive chef and management team.

Second offers something that downtown Austin desperately needed: a gathering spot with multiple uses. It’s a place to meet clients for lunch, colleagues for drinks, dates for dinner or friends for nightcaps and snacks. The clientele reflects Second’s broad-ranging appeal and even Austonian residents are showing signs of Cheers familiarity, coming down from their luxury lairs to claim their perches like Norm and Cliff. The menu offers a little bit of everything, and many items come with an optional luxury ingredient ‘upgrade’ for a nominal charge. For starters, Chicken Fried Olives were stuffed with pimento cheese. Avocado Fundido was a gooey mixture of Asadero cheese and chorizo. Black Truffle Pommes Frites were dusted with pecorino, served with truffle aioli and offered with a decadent side of seared foie gras. The Petite Green Salad, topped with green beans, white beans and a zingy Clementine-mustard vinaigrette, was fresh and bright, while the Arugula and Butter Lettuce salad was over-dressed. A sophisticated twist on Bacon and Eggs featured crisp pork belly, a poached egg, braised escarole and salsa verde.

Tender homemade Pappardelle suffered from inharmonious toppings, although the rabbit confit add-on was a winner. Rotisserie Chicken Pizza was pleasant, but the Pizza Bianco wasn’t elevated by the optional addition of flavorless veal meatballs. At Second, the bar is the star, with cocktail veterans like Adam Bryan from East Side Showroom and Billy Hanky from The Good Knight at the helm. The beer and wine list is thoughtful and extensive. And taking a page from some of the hottest wine bars in California and Europe, Second offers house wines on tap, allowing for fresh, high-quality, value wines served by the glass or liter. It’s wonderful to have Chef Bull back in Austin and making us happy at Second. As my friend so aptly put it, I loved the atmosphere, the food was good and I’ll definitely go back.