Urbanspace Hospitality Opens New Full-Service Restaurant, Bacalar, in Partnership with Gabe Erales
Experience the Yucatán at Urbanspace Hospitality’s newest full-service concept, Bacalar. Located near the heart of Austin’s vibrant Rainey Street district, the restaurant was created in partnership with Chef/Partner Gabe Erales, a Top Chef winner. Erales brings his own unique culinary style to Bacalar, which is inspired by his Mexican heritage and his travels throughout Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. More than just a system of agriculture, the concept of la milpa comprises the complex interactions & personal relationships between farmers, the crops, and the land. The food of Bacalar emulates this philosophy inspired by the coastal and interior regions of the Yucatan peninsula from which Chef Gabe’s family originates. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of dishes that are not typically found in other Austin restaurants. This makes Bacalar a great option for people who are looking for something different. Chef Gabe Erales is a talented chef with a passion for creating delicious and authentic food. His dishes are artfully presented and packed with flavor. Bacalar offers the best fine dining experience.
Bacalar was designed by Urbanspace’s Development + Interiors Principal Merrill Alley and features two bars, two patios, a lounge, and a private dining room, with thoughtful design elements inspired by nature and the rich Maya culture of the Yucatán. Bacalar utilizes vernacular design to keep the space authentic while also remaining modern. The totem is both a physical and spiritual centerpiece of Bacalar’s design, representing a visual expression of the landscape and culture that inspired the restaurant’s cuisine. The base of the totem prominently features the most important crop in Maya agriculture: maize. Not only a staple food in the Mayan diet, corn also played a significant role in religion, culture, and the economy. Taken as a whole, the totem signifies abundance, fertility, and the natural world’s connection to the divine.
“At Urbanspace, our expertise is in acquiring and developing best-in-class real estate while being passionate about building communities in the spaces we own and develop,” says Urbanspace CEO/Founder Kevin Burns. “With the genuine care that Chef Gabe and his team have for the Austin community, we know that Bacalar will be a wonderful addition to our city’s adored Rainey Street.”
Bacalar is located at the base of 44 East Ave, and reservations are now live! Hours are Sunday-Wednesday 5-10pm and Thursday-Saturday 5-11pm! Walkins are welcome, but if you would like to make a reservation or take a look at Bacalar’s menu click here.