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French-Texan bistro Le Calamar opens in Austin this week

The new restaurant from the Underdog team opens Thursday, May 29 with charcoal-cooked cuts, a pastry program, and happy hour martinis.

May 28, 2025 •

Morgan O’Neal

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A plated dish of sliced medium-rare sirloin flap topped with blistered shishito peppers and drizzled with a rich brown sauce, served on a cream-colored plate with black trim. In the background, a square slice of bread topped with finely chopped herbs sits on a matching plate next to a glass of red wine. — Fans of now-closed restaurant Underdog didn’t have to wait long for its replacement.

Le Calamar, a new venture from the team behind Underdog, will take over the shuttered Korean restaurant‘s South 1st Street space on Thursday, May 29.

Here’s what to know before booking a reservation.

Dubbed “a Texan perspective on the modern French bistro,” the new restaurant’s menu features starters like oysters charentaise, main courses like grilled trout, and a daily selection of charcoal-cooked cuts.

Seating at Le Calamar includes 12 seats at the bar + tables in the moody dining room and on the outdoor patio.

Boozy beverages

Curated by acclaimed sommelier Richard Hargreave, Le Calamar’s wine list boasts French, Mexican, and Texas bottles from independent growers. Cocktails fall into three main categories: martinis, Manhattans, and mezcals.

A toasted meringue dessert with a spiked, golden-brown pattern is artfully plated on a cream-colored dish with black trim, set atop a larger matching plate with a linen napkin and silver spoon. A glass of amber-colored drink sits to the side on a dark wooden table. — Le Calamar’s pastry program will highlight desserts made with local produce.

Happy hour

Enjoy $10 martinis, $3 St. Elmo Carl’s, and daily specials + bar snacks from 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily. The late-night happy hour features the same deals from 10 to 11 p.m. on Thursdays and from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

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