Sway, the award-winning Thai restaurant by hospitality group New Waterloo, will open its second location at Domain NORTHSIDE on April 30. Building on the success of its original location in South Austin, the new opening will pull inspiration from the commonly used Thai phrase, “Same Same but Different.” Sway Domain NORTHSIDE will not stray from its popular menu of modern Thai cuisine, and will offer the same dishes that garnered the brand’s acclaim to the diversity of guests who enjoy the upscale shopping and dining experiences offered at the Domain NORTHSIDE. Sway will initially open for dinner service, and will expand to offer lunch and brunch in summer 2018.
Sway South 1st opened in December 2012 and quickly became a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Specializing in Australian-style, modern Thai cuisine served in a communal setting, the restaurant has received numerous accolades, including ‘50 Best New Restaurants in America’ by Bon Appétit Magazine in 2013.
Sway Domain NORTHSIDE will be helmed by Chef de Cuisine Stacey Jones. A graduate of Escoffier, Jones joined the Sway South 1st team as a pastry line cook in March 2014 and was promoted to sous chef in September 2015. Sway’s Corporate Executive Chef Charles Schlienger will also oversee the menu and its offerings.
“Chef de Cuisine Stacey Jones has continuously raised the bar at Sway,” says Chef Schlienger. “Evolving Sway’s menu and shaping South Austin’s fine dining landscape with her at the original location has been a great honor, and we’re excited to have Chef Jones take the lead in bringing the concept to life in North Austin.”
Sway Domain NORTHSIDE’s menu will feature signature dishes such as the son in law, tiger cry, prawn miange, and more. Special to the North Austin location will be à la carte moo sway, a Thai-style pork shoulder that serves 2-3 guests.
Sway’s recently launched cocktail program will also be available at the new location, including specialty cocktails such as the monk water, made with vodka, lime, cucumber and seasonal fruit; an extensive beer, wine and sake list; plus housemade drinking vinegars and sodas.
The new Sway dining room will feature the same communal tables and basket-like light fixtures as its original location, as well as an open kitchen and window ledge with bar seating. At the forefront of the restaurant is a 20-seat bar, plus high top tables for group happy hours and tastings. Patio dining is also available, with seating surrounded by custom planters and foliage to create an oasis alongside the bustling Rock Rose Avenue.
“The design of Sway Domain NORTHSIDE carries a lot over from the original location, with elements like the mahogany tables and warm colors that exemplify the brand,” says Melanie Raines, New Waterloo’s Director of Design. “It’s a much bigger space, giving us room to do more and take things to the next level. For example, the knitted beam at the South 1st location was translated into an 18-foot textile art piece that will go into the new dining room. It’s same same but different.”
Like its counterpart, the NORTHSIDE location was designed by Austin-based Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and is marked with a neon lotus flower sign. Endeavor Real Estate Group developed and manages Domain NORTHSIDE, the third and final phase of the Domain. Sway will be located at 11501 Rock Rose Avenue, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78758.
