Last time we were in Austin, we had apps and cocktails on the deck of the previous incarnation of Perla's. If I recall correctly, the menu was Asian and marginal, and the cocktails were good but overpriced. But what I really loved about the spot was the outdoor deck, the vibe, people watching, and the massive oak trees that shaded us form the brutal Texas afternoon sun.
Now Perla's has taken over the space and enhanced the deck and ditched the trendy Asian cuisine for Gulf seafood and an oyster bar. While the raw oysters are mainly from Massachusetts and Maine, I would try a Gulf Fried Oyster Po-Boy and a double order of Fried Okra. I've noticed a recent uptick in upscale, yet down-home, raw bar-type establishments opening up around the USA. The Asian-influenced dining trend that started earlier this decade seems like it might be waning, and the raw bar is ready to take its place.
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