Desert Island Dish with Alex Dubey
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Alex Dubey. Photo: Shan Babu
As part of our running feature about Austin restaurateurs' favorite meals, we recently caught up with Alex Dubey, co-owner (with his wife, Cristina Yoder) of Quattro Gatti, the beloved little Italian restaurant on Congress Avenue, by the Capitol.
Background: Dubey, 40, grew up in Florida, and has worked in the food industry since college, starting as a server at the French restaurant Jean-Georges in New York.
- Lured by a friend who is a chef, he moved to Austin a decade ago, managing Otoko, Pitchfork Pretty and Commodore Perry.
- Later, he moved into the catering game as he and his wife, a banker, started their family.
- When Yoder saw an advertisement that a restaurant might be for sale, the couple decided to go for it — taking over ownership of Quattro Gatti last year.
What they're saying: "I try to run a restaurant full of adults," he says about his management strategy, as he juggles family life in southwest Austin.
- Given the restaurant's loyal customer base, the couple also kept the menu pretty much intact. Standbys like a fettuccine Bolognese ($28.50) and chicken piccata ($28.50) share the menu with pizzas such as the mushroom and white truffle oil ($24.50).
This conversation is edited for clarity.
What's the one dish you're bringing with you on your desert island?
"My mom and grandma were born in Cuba. Grandma made a lechón asado — marinated pork shoulder with mojo, citrus juices and garlic. The mojo breaks down the meat, and she'd roast it for hours, and put it in a Cuban sandwich and serve it with black beans, white rice and sweet plantains."
What about for dessert?
"The tres leches at Emmer & Rye is insane. It's creamy and it's savory with a little salt. It's comforting, it's on point, and there's enough texture there. The cake isn't mush. It's still fluffy."
And to drink?
"I'm going with a Florida basic — I love a piña colada. I'll be on this island and I'll be sugared out."