Ask us about Catering Your Holiday Event.
let’s talk!
events@parksideprojects.com
Ask us about Catering Your Holiday Event.
let’s talk!
events@parksideprojects.com
info@parksideprojects.com
512.729.0050
2900 e 12th St.
Austin, TX 78702
Shawn Cirkiel is a visionary chef and restauranteur whose creativity has made him a pillar in Austin’s culinary landscape. After earning his degree from the Culinary Institute of America, Shawn honed his skills at acclaimed kitchens like Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley and Café Boulud in New York City, where he cultivated a passion for ingredient-driven cuisine and refined technique. Returning to Austin, he quickly made a name for himself as the youngest five-star chef in the city at Jean-Luc’s Bistro before launching his own ventures.
Over the past two decades, he’s created beloved establishments like parkside – Austin’s first gastropub, bringing innovative yet approachable dining to historic 6th Street. Parkside’s success led to the backspace – one of the city’s first Neapolitan pizzerias directly behind parkside; and Olive & June – a Southern Italian eatery inspired by family traditions, where house-made pastas and Italian wine take center stage. Each establishment highlights Shawn’s dedication to sourcing local, seasonal ingredients and creating spaces that are as inviting as they are inventive.
Beyond his restaurants, Shawn is deeply committed to Austin’s community and sustainable food initiatives, through programs with Highland Park Elementary developing healthy-eating, exercise and gardening with the local youth. Shawn is also on the board of the Pecan Street Association, working to preserve Austin’s historic Sixth Street district. Shawn’s work has been featured in Eater Austin, Wine Spectator, Tribeza, Bon Appétit, Southern Living, and more, but his dedication to quality and community impact is what truly defines his legacy with Parkside Projects.
Director of Operations
Tara Davies brings a unique background and extensive experience in hospitality to her role for Parkside Projects. Growing up on military bases worldwide, she developed adaptability and passion for creating meaningful connections. Davies’ love for creativity and guest experience led her to Austin’s cocktail scene, honing her skills in bar management and craft cocktail development. In 2014, Davies joined Parkside Projects at the store-level, where her talent for innovative, locally-sourced ingredients quickly distinguished her from the rest. Her commitment to quality, guest experience, and attention-to-detail are the foundation of her leadership style, overseeing all Parkside Projects locations with a focus in the beverage and bar programs. Davies is the driving force in back-end operations that support the group’s success such as managing staff training, handbook development, payroll, and more. Everyday, Davies uses her craft for unique guest experiences to lead and inspire her staff to do more. Davies cocktails have earned accolades such as “Best of Austin” in Zagat, reflecting her impact on Austin’s vibrant scene.
Director of Strategy & Growth
Amanda Powell brings over a decade of experience in hospitality and strategic development to her role in Parkside Projects. A native of Northern New Jersey, Amanda began her hospitality career in Philadelphia at STARR Restaurant Group. In 2012, after earning her Bachelor’s in PR and Advertising with a focus in special events, Powell moved to Austin and joined Parkside Projects. Leveraging her strategic insights and client relationships, Powell secured a multitude of high-profile events for SXSW, ACL and more. Through her leadership role on the Parkside Projects team, Powell has driven over $35 million in revenue. While also establishing trusted partnerships with many large clients, such as C3 Management, Red Velvet Events, and Czarnowski Collective. Today, Powell oversees multiple teams and locations, operating events from 10 to 10,000, and the daily processes of event teams, with a focus on the growth and impact at Parkside Projects.
Executive Chef
Justin Rupp oversees culinary operations at all Parkside Projects locations as Executive Chef. Over the years, Rupp has been instrumental in shaping the culinary direction for Parkside Projects, from the rustic, wood-fired flavors at the backspace to the Italian-inspired dining experience at Olive & June. Rupp’s expertise lies in recipe development, creating and refining standard operating procedures, and transforming ideas from concept to plate. With his meticulous approach, he ensure each brand delivers a consistent, high-quality experience that stays true to its identity. Rupp manages a team of over 200, fostering efficient systems and a dedication to culinary integrity. Through Rupp’s leadership, each Parkside Projects concept delivers a thoughtful and authentic dining experience, aligned with his commitment to culinary integrity and innovation.
Parkside Projects not only represents Chef Shawn Cirkiel’s collection of unique restaurants and his original Parkside, but pays homage to the Parkside Projects in the Bronx, where his father grew up. From humble beginnings, Austin native, Shawn Cirkiel has created from scratch several unique restaurants that are still all very similar. Each of our restaurants are defined by a commitment making simple, ingredient-driven dishes and making everything in house with local ingredients or the best ingredients we can find. But that is only half of our reputation. Shawn Cirkiel, a cook by trade, values friendliness and detailed service above all else. You’ll find this warmth and consistency in all of our restaurants and pairs perfectly with Shawn’s genuine food.
Parkside Projects offers private dining experiences at all 3 of its unique restaurant concepts. From intimate private dining rooms to entire restaurant buyouts we are available to host any and all of your upcoming special occasions. Parkside. The Backspace, and 800 Congress offer settings in the heart of downtown Austin. Indoor/outdoor neighborhood options can be found at Olive & June.
Contact our Events Team to begin planning your event today!
Chef’s weekly rotating family style menu, featuring seasonal antipasti, pasta & entrée courses.
$38 per guest.
Children under 12, gratis!
Follow Parkside Projects & sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss our upcoming events!
Parkside Projects has helped shape the Austin dining scene for over two decades, bringing together excellent hospitality, sustainability and culinary innovation. Founded by Chef Shawn Cirkiel, the group is committed to seamless, efficient operations to create thriving restaurants and event spaces.
We are a testament to sustainable growth, built entirely by staff and the systems perfected in each restaurant. Cirkiel’s love and respect for food are the inspiration behind the resume, it is the people he’s developed and the systems they implement that have led to growth without diluting the experience. Any chef will agree a key metric of success is when a restaurant operates well, regardless of whether the chef is on-site. This how a restaurant successfully grows, and this is what Chef Cirkiel and his team have mastered.
All this diversity is fueled by commonality in food and operation. Chef Cirkiel adheres to strict yet basic cuisine standards at each of his restaurants: the ingredients are local, the recipes are made in-house and, most importantly, the dishes are uncomplicated. Ingredient-driven means every dish highlights three or four ingredients, sourced and prepared at their best. Where some see the achievement in an entree with 15 components, Chef Cirkiel sees the beauty in perfectly seared chicken or potato gnocchi cooked not a second too long. This simplicity breeds efficiency and perfection.
Shawn Cirkiel and the Parkside Projects team have developed systems and business philosophies that have been tested, proven, and exemplified by our current concepts. Collaboration and consulting – whether building something from scratch or making a project more efficient or more fun – have been a part of our identity and success since the beginning. Parkside Projects’ passions include:
For press inquires contact press@parksideprojects.com.
At Parkside Projects, our principle is to hire quality over quantity. Many of our staff have been with us more than a few years and many since the beginning of their restaurant careers. As a great source of pride, many of our managers and chefs began their careers with us. As well, other members have also become leaders of some of the best restaurants across Austin.
While we love to promote from within, we love meeting new people to grow our Parkside Projects family. Experience is important, but passion and hard work are fundamental. Please email us your resume and tell us about yourself at careers@parksideprojects.com.
First opened in 2008 on historic 6th street, Austin native Chef Shawn Cirkiel pays homage to his family with Parkside, named for the housing project in the Bronx where his father grew up. Before “farm-to-table,” “house made,” and casual but elevated service became the calling cards of Austin, Parkside has now set the standard for downtown dining for the better part of a decade. Parkside, our original and our flagship restaurant, is best known for its extensive raw bar and its superior selection of oysters from around the country. Patrons of Parkside feel at home a suit or sandals, where a seasonal menu of locally sourced proteins and produce come together in form of a beautiful lamb entrée or our awarding winning cheeseburger. Not to be overlooked, Parkside’s acclaimed pastry chefs make dessert anything but an afterthought. Austin’s original gastropub, Parkside continues to gain affection from tourists and locals alike, and its ingredient driven menu and consistent service are the foundation for every one of chef Cirkiel’s restaurant since.
Named after the grandmothers of chef Shawn and his wife, Olive & June opened in 2012 with an emphasis on making every pasta, as many as 12 different kinds, in house daily. If this doesn’t make Olive & June unique enough, the 3 story building is enveloped by a 200 year old oak tree with 4 different dining areas inside and out. Olive & June has the largest and most diverse selection of Italian wine, Amari, and Grappa in the city, but to central Austin’s regulars it’s equally well known for its formal yet friendly service, a hallmark of all Shawn Cirkiel restaurants. Celebrating the cuisine and culture of Southern Italy, expect to see new menu features daily focusing on fresh vegetables, pasta, and its famous piccoli piatti where everything is meant to be shared.
7co is a Parkside Project’s newest venture. A full-service event venue (with a large outdoor space!) located in the heart of East Austin at 7th and Comal. The unique private event space is perfect for corporate events, weddings, rehearsal dinners and other special occasions. The property spans an entire city block boasting high end interior finishes, a stunning 15,000 sq. ft. outdoor space and a 1000 sq. ft. terrace with its own fountain. This new venue allows for a fully customized event lending itself to many different styles.
Parkside Projects’ first venture outside of restaurants is found in event venue 800 Congress. Named after the location’s physical address, 800 Congress is downtown Austin’s newest event venue located on historic Congress Avenue. With an open, industrial feel and views of the Paramount Theatre and the Capitol it is the event destination of ‘No-Co’ (North Congress). Venue features include original exposed brick & foundation walls, projector with 200” projection screen, state of the art sound system, & VIP room with private entrance. A truly versatile space, 800 Congress is a blank slate for creating the downtown Austin event you’ve been waiting for.
The newest venture from Chef Shawn Cirkiel’s Parkside Projects, Jugo is the new healthy, grab-n-go destination in downtown Austin. Opened in March 2017, the fast casual spot offers fresh-pressed juices and smoothies made with a variety of local, organic and seasonal ingredients. JUGO also serves a selection of freshly made and packaged to-go items, in addition to sandwiches, salads, protein packs and lighter snacks. Ideal for locals on their way to work or visitors enjoying historic downtown Austin, JUGO is the reliable and healthy go-to option.
An E-Gift Card is the perfect gift for those “hard to buy for” people on your shopping list. Your friends, family and co-workers will be delighted to receive it!
Building upon the philosophy of food and hospitality that has made Parkside a standard for downtown dining, Shawn Cirkiel opened Olive & June in 2012. Excited by the opportunity to be just a few minutes north of downtown near family and friends, Olive & June focuses on Southern Italian and is named after he and his wife’s grandmothers.
Olive & June highlights a long list of superlatives including as many as 12 different pastas made in house daily, the most comprehensive list of Amari and Grappa, original Italian influenced cocktails, and the largest and most diverse Italian wine list in the city curated by beverage director and advanced sommelier Paul Ozbirn. Parkside Projects’ executive pastry chef Erica Waksmunski, also responsible for all pasta and bread production, rounds out Olive & June’s unique menu with outstanding desserts.
Shawn’s dedication to sourcing local, finding the best ingredients, and making everything in house continue to be a theme, but at Olive & June they are appreciated in a beautiful 3 story building surrounding a 200 year old oak tree. The atmosphere is as casual as Austin, but the service and attention to detail makes Olive & June a perfect spot for a weekly haunt or a special occasion.
Shawn Cirkiel is a visionary chef and restauranteur whose creativity has made him a pillar in Austin’s culinary landscape. After earning his degree from the Culinary Institute of America, Shawn honed his skills at acclaimed kitchens like Domaine Chandon in Napa Valley and Café Boulud in New York City, where he cultivated a passion for ingredient-driven cuisine and refined technique. Returning to Austin, he quickly made a name for himself as the youngest five-star chef in the city at Jean-Luc’s Bistro before launching his own ventures.
Over the past two decades, he’s created beloved establishments like parkside – Austin’s first gastropub, bringing innovative yet approachable dining to historic 6th Street. Parkside’s success led to the backspace – one of the city’s first Neapolitan pizzerias directly behind parkside; and Olive & June – a Southern Italian eatery inspired by family traditions, where house-made pastas and Italian wine take center stage. Each establishment highlights Shawn’s dedication to sourcing local, seasonal ingredients and creating spaces that are as inviting as they are inventive.
Beyond his restaurants, Shawn is deeply committed to Austin’s community and sustainable food initiatives, through programs with Highland Park Elementary developing healthy-eating, exercise and gardening with the local youth. Shawn is also on the board of the Pecan Street Association, working to preserve Austin’s historic Sixth Street district. Shawn’s work has been featured in Eater Austin, Wine Spectator, Tribeza, Bon Appétit, Southern Living, and more, but his dedication to quality and community impact is what truly defines his legacy with Parkside Projects.
First opened in 2008 on historic 6th street, Austin native Chef Shawn Cirkiel pays homage to his family with Parkside, named for the housing project in the Bronx where his father grew up. Before “farm-to-table,” “house made,” and casual but elevated service became the calling cards of Austin, Parkside has now set the standard for downtown dining for the better part of a decade. Parkside, our original and our flagship restaurant, is best known for its extensive raw bar and its superior selection of oysters from around the country. Patrons of Parkside feel at home a suit or sandals, where a seasonal menu of locally sourced proteins and produce come together in form of a beautiful lamb entrée or our awarding winning cheeseburger. Not to be overlooked, Parkside’s acclaimed pastry chefs make dessert anything but an afterthought. Austin’s original gastropub, Parkside continues to gain affection from tourists and locals alike, and its ingredient driven menu and consistent service are the foundation for every one of chef Cirkiel’s restaurant since.
Named after the grandmothers of chef Shawn and his wife, Olive & June opened in 2012 with an emphasis on making every pasta, as many as 12 different kinds, in house daily. If this doesn’t make Olive & June unique enough, the 3 story building is enveloped by a 200 year old oak tree with 4 different dining areas inside and out. Olive & June has the largest and most diverse selection of Italian wine, Amari, and Grappa in the city, but to central Austin’s regulars it’s equally well known for its formal yet friendly service, a hallmark of all Shawn Cirkiel restaurants. Celebrating the cuisine and culture of Southern Italy, expect to see new menu features daily focusing on fresh vegetables, pasta, and its famous piccoli piatti where everything is meant to be shared.
7co is a Parkside Project’s newest venture. A full-service event venue (with a large outdoor space!) located in the heart of East Austin at 7th and Comal. The unique private event space is perfect for corporate events, weddings, rehearsal dinners and other special occasions. The property spans an entire city block boasting high end interior finishes, a stunning 15,000 sq. ft. outdoor space and a 1000 sq. ft. terrace with its own fountain. This new venue allows for a fully customized event lending itself to many different styles.
Parkside Projects’ first venture outside of restaurants is found in event venue 800 Congress. Named after the location’s physical address, 800 Congress is downtown Austin’s newest event venue located on historic Congress Avenue. With an open, industrial feel and views of the Paramount Theatre and the Capitol it is the event destination of ‘No-Co’ (North Congress). Venue features include original exposed brick & foundation walls, projector with 200” projection screen, state of the art sound system, & VIP room with private entrance. A truly versatile space, 800 Congress is a blank slate for creating the downtown Austin event you’ve been waiting for.
The newest venture from Chef Shawn Cirkiel’s Parkside Projects, Jugo is the new healthy, grab-n-go destination in downtown Austin. Opened in March 2017, the fast casual spot offers fresh-pressed juices and smoothies made with a variety of local, organic and seasonal ingredients. JUGO also serves a selection of freshly made and packaged to-go items, in addition to sandwiches, salads, protein packs and lighter snacks. Ideal for locals on their way to work or visitors enjoying historic downtown Austin, JUGO is the reliable and healthy go-to option.
Since Parkside opened in 2008, community engagement has been priority for Chef Cirkiel. Early projects include an initiative at Austin’s Highland Park Elementary, where he has helped develop healthy-eating, exercise, and gardening programs. Cirkiel is also a founding chef of the Sustainable Food Center’s Farmers Market in downtown and former board member and secretary for the Sixth Street Austin Association.
Today Parkside Projects contributes tens of thousands of dollars a year in financial support, food, and time to local charities and service organizations. We have been incredibly fortunate in our growth and strive to grow equally in our ability to give back to Austin. We are thrilled to receive requests daily and try to respond to, participate in, and contribute to as many people as possible.
Please send your giving requests here, if we are able to help we will respond within a few days.
Parkside Projects offers private dining experiences at all 3 of its unique restaurant concepts. From intimate private dining rooms to entire restaurant buyouts we are available to host any and all of your upcoming special occasions. Parkside. The Backspace, and 800 Congress offer settings in the heart of downtown Austin. Indoor/outdoor neighborhood options can be found at Olive & June.
Chef’s weekly rotating family style menu, featuring seasonal antipasti, pasta & entrée courses.
$38 per guest.
Children under 12, gratis!
Follow Parkside Projects & sign up for our newsletter so you don’t miss our upcoming events!
At Parkside Projects, our principle is to hire quality over quantity. Many of our staff have been with us more than a few years and many since the beginning of their restaurant careers. As a great source of pride, many of our managers and chefs began their careers with us. As well, other members have also become leaders of some of the best restaurants across Austin.
While we love to promote from within, we love meeting new people to grow our Parkside Projects family. Experience is important, but passion and hard work are fundamental. Please email us your resume and tell us about yourself at careers@parksideprojects.com.
