Food: Fire Does Serious Damage To Restaurant Jezebel On Congress

Around 7am, the Austin Fire Department was called to a blaze at 9th Street and Congress at the site of the ultra-upmarket Restaurant Jezebel on Congress Avenue. No one was injured in the fire, though due to the timing, firefighters had to force entry to the property to respond. KXAN is reporting that the blaze did roughly $150,000 of damage to the Downtown restaurant, which is known mostly for upscale modern fusion dishes, a unique service style (a server only approaches your table when you summon them), and an incredibly expensive European wine list not for the faint of heart or wallet.

Upscale dining is a challenge in all American cities due to the recession, but in Austin, the town credo of casual attire and comfortable settings make running a fine dining restaurant uniquely complex. Do you think Restaurant Jezebel will rise from the ashes? Let us know in the comments.