Photos: Emma Way/Axios
Warmack, a new Asian restaurant and bar, soft opened in the former Pint Central space in Plaza Midwood this week.
What to expect: The space looks completely different than it did in 2019 when Pint Central closed — it’s grown up with velvet-backed chairs, a robust cocktail program with crystal-clear ice, and a sleek concrete bar top.
Menu: Owner James Nguyen, who’s also behind QC Social Lounge in Uptown, and executive chef Nobuaki Ishikawa categorize the menu as “Asian comfort food.” Many of the menu items are nods to dishes they grew up with. Nguyen, who’s Vietnamese, points to the shrimp crisps and Vietnamese slaw. “It’s simple, but delicious,” he says.
Ishikawa, who’s Japanese, highlights the yakisoba, a stir fry egg noodle dish. On the menu, you’ll see a note that says “Dedicated to Mrs. Ishikawa,” Nobuaki’s mom.
Pastry chef Leckvong Tran’s desserts are like works of art.
Other dishes include:
- Double-fried chicken wings (8 pieces for $14).
- Banh mi – pork or tofu ($11).
- Fuzzy’s braised pork bowl ($18) – slow-brasied pork belly, Vietnamese slaw, picked watermelon, rice.
- Warmack salmon “donburi” ($24) – grilled Scottish salmon and brussels sprouts over rice and topped with fried shallots, garlic and red ginger.
- Gyudon ($24) – marinated beef tenderloin, sautéed onions, shiitake mushroom and asparagus over rice.
- Operating partner Stephen Tandy says the bao buns are also a must-try. They come with a variety of fillings such as vegan, chicken katsu and pork.
Warmack salmon “donburi”
Matcha cheesecake
Cocktails: Speciality cocktails start at $11.
- WARgarita ($11) – tequila, elder flower liquer, agave syrup, lime juice, muddled cucumber and fresh sweet peppers.
- Wetworks ($13) – honeysuckle vodka, pineapple rum, apple cider, herbs and an apple garnish.
- Calle Machete ($13) – mezcal, amaro, Aperol sweet bitters and hopped grapefruit bitters.
Hours: Warmack will be open every day at 5pm (11 pm close during the pandemic, 2am after that). Eventually, it’ll add brunch on weekends.
Location: The exact address is 1226 Central Avenue in Plaza Midwood.
Here’s a closer look around:
Wetworks ($13) – honeysuckle vodka, pineapple rum, apple cider, herbs and an apple garnish.
Covered and cozy back patio area.
