A Taste of Persia Arrives in Far South Austin
In a delightful partnership that brings together cocktails and world cuisine, Daisy Lounge, a new cocktail bar located in Far South Austin, has officially opened its doors to patrons. Not only will this new venture serve a variety of delectable cocktails and light bites, but it will also host Roya, a standout Persian food pop-up, within the same space.
Introducing Daisy Lounge and Roya
The brains behind Daisy Lounge are none other than the parent company Silk Road Hospitality, co-founded by chef Amir Hajimaleki and his brother, Ali Hajimaleki, the team responsible for well-known local establishments such as District Kitchen + Cocktails and Keepers. The new bar is situated in the open space that connects these two restaurants, located at 5701 West Slaughter Lane near the Circle C Ranch.
The ground floor of Daisy Lounge is the main focus of the cocktail bar, where a list of carefully curated cocktails and a selection of smaller dishes will be available. The second floor of the premises will serve as a site for Roya, the Persian pop-up restaurant.
A Temporary Home for Roya
Amir Hajimaleki started Roya as a pop-up back in 2018, with the long-term goal of eventually opening it as a full-fledged restaurant. This ambition still stands, and Roya will reside in Daisy Lounge’s 12-person space on a monthly rotation. The pop-up proudly presents a variety of Iranian delicacies inspired by Hajimaleki’s own heritage, including royal eggs (a creative take on eggs Benedict), kebabs, and Persian herbed rice among others.
Both Delights and Delicacies at Daisy’s
At Daisy Lounge, beverages are expertly crafted by Patrick Nikel. Patrons can anticipate both classic cocktail options and house special drinks, including the eponymous Daisy cocktail. Not to be left behind, the food offering, albeit small, presents an intriguing array of snacks and appetizers, including a few Iranian recipes. Traditional Zeytoon Parvardeh, a mixture of marinated Castelvetrano olives, walnuts, pomegranate, and herbs, is one of the highlights of the menu.
What’s in the Name?
Daisy, as the name suggests, is a homage to the Hajimalekis’ grandmother’s favorite flower. The brothers have personally designed this space, which features a beautiful dark green color scheme, floral wallpapers, gold details, and bookshelves that add to its inviting ambiance.
An Addition to the Silk Road Portfolio
The original District Kitchen + Cocktails made its mark in 2013 at another West Slaughter Lane location in Far South Austin. This was followed by Oasthouse in northwest Austin in 2015, a second District Kitchen in North Shoal Creek in 2018, and then Shortie’s in North Shoal Creek in 2020. Their latest venture, seafood restaurant Keepers, was established in June 2021 with Oasthouse’s second location opening in December 2021.
Visiting Daisy Lounge
Daisy Lounge will be open from 5 p.m. to midnight from Thursday to Saturday. Indoor dine-in services are available and reservations can be made online, offering Austin locals and visitors a unique blend of cocktails and Persian food in the heart of South Austin.
