New Orleans-style restaurant Augusta will open its new home in Iowa City next week. Last month, its owners announced that the formerly Oxford-based restaurant will take over the space formerly occupied by Ride (630 Iowa Ave.).
On Tuesday, Feb. 9, Augusta will open its doors for Mardi Gras festivities. A lunch buffet will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The menu will include New Orleans staples like shrimp boil, fried chicken, gumbo, alligator etouffee’ and king cake. Seating is limited; RSVPs can be made at 319-828-2252 or by email to augustarestaurant@gmail.com.
Regular hours and menu, including three-day-a-week brunches, will begin Thursday, Feb. 11. The restaurant will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
The building’s former occupant, Ride, closed its doors on Jan. 1. One of its co-owners, Derek Perez, has “financially put in to help [Augusta] move,” according to co-owner Jeri Halperin.
For potential customers, Halperin says, “Be kind, grain of salt, we’re pretty popular.” She said that the restaurant is working on a collaboration with Mission Creek Festival to provide food during the event. “We’re just really happy to be involved in downtown Iowa City.”
