Coming Soon: Casa Fina, Austin’s New Spanish Tapas Bar From the Il Brutto Team

Craving the fresh seafood tapas, crispy-bottomed paella and herbaceous gin and tonics of Spain? A forthcoming tapas bar from Il Brutto chef Erind Halilaj and operating partner Charity Sadoy promises to bring the conviviality of Spain to the Zilker neighborhood in September.

When Halilaj and Sadoy decided to start their own project, they wanted to open something markedly different from the large dining room of their East Sixth Street employer. They envisioned a small, cozy European-style neighborhood spot, with tables close enough together that diners could eye what’s on their neighbor’s plate and ask them about it.

“Restaurants and bars are places where you meet people. You don’t necessarily just go for food and drinks,” Halilaj said in an interview. “I think the whole industry is going in that direction.”

After a few years of searching, the pair found the perfect location in the former House Wine space at 408 Josephine St. Though Halilaj grew up in Italy and has been cooking Italian food most of his life, he decided Spanish food would be the right direction for the restaurant.

“Nothing compares to Italy,” he said in an interview. “But Spanish people live better — they are more relaxed and food is a bridge to connect people.”

They named the restaurant Casa Fina — “the fine house” — a nod to their elegant vision for the space and a playful echo of Josephine Street, or Josefina in Spanish.

The menu at Casa Fina

Halilaj is excited to showcase fresh seafood on the menu, including anchovies, which he concedes Spain does better than Italy, and octopus, alongside less common dishes like razor clams and sweetbreads. He has also perfected his paella with socarrat, the golden, crispy layer of rice that forms at the bottom of the pan. Vegetable dishes include a lion’s mane milanesa and eggplant-based samfaina, while desserts include crema catalana and manchego helado. Halilaj will start with dinner, and he hopes to expand to brunch and lunch.

Sadoy is in charge of the wine list, which focuses solely on different regions of Spain, as well as the cocktail menu, which will feature gin and tonics, vermouths and sherries.

“Spanish wine is at the price point where you get something really good for an affordable price,” Sadoy said in an interview. “So I think that will make it easier to get people to try things that are not as familiar right out of the gate. Then eventually, they’ll know to come here for interesting Spanish wine.”

The former wine bar has received a significant upgrade, with heightened ceilings, ample light, natural wood and a new patio featuring an octopus mural by artist and Il Brutto co-worker Holly Prinz. Diners can walk in and grab a seat at the bar counter, which faces hand-painted wine-colored tiles, or make a reservation for the wraparound banquette seating. The layout is designed to encourage connection.

Halilaj hopes the restaurant can serve as a gathering place for both young and old.

“I feel like in Europe people start having real fun after 35,” he said. “I want to see all ages here — this is a cool place that can be fun for many people.”

Come September, Josephine Street will have its own little corner of Spain, where neighbors can pull up a stool, order a glass of something unfamiliar and let Casa Fina do the introducing.

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