Flor Xakali, an ambitious new Mexican dining experience is coming to Austin, to be located at 2512 East 12th St. The restaurant will be run by Edgar Rico and Sara Mardanbigi, co-owners of the successful Austin taqueria Nixta.
“With what we’re doing, we’re taking that foundational ingredient of Mexican cuisine—corn—and take it to the next level at Flor Xakali, making food in a much more intimate setting,” chef and co-owner Edgar Rico tells What Now Austin.
“People have seen what we’ve done in a casual setting, and we want to say what we can do at the higher-end. We really believe that Mexican should be considered fine dining and represented proudly as such.”
Those unfamiliar with Rico and Mardanbigi’s work should note that they have recently been noticed and awarded at the national level, and are hoping to carry that momentum into Flor Xakali.
“We got a James Beard award last June for best emerging chef in America. I was completely floored by that news, I had no idea I’d win.”
In explaining the larger concepts inspiring the restaurant, Rico explains that Xakali means home in the Zapotec language and Flor is his mother’s name.
“When you add the two words, it comes out to: Flor is home. We want this to be reflected in our atmosphere. We want you to feel comfortable.”
Depending on construction, permitting, and all the many other variables of a soon-to-open restaurant, the pair hope to debut sometime in mid-spring.
