La Matta Offers Authentic Italian Sandwich Fare In East Austin

EAST AUSTIN, TX — Authentic Italian sandwiches are apparently a rarity in Austin. So fans of the culinary offering are delighted at the opening of an eatery providing the fare in East Austin.

The Austin American-Statesman reports on the excitement over the recent opening of La Matta from the folks behind some the high-quality restaurants Sway and Pao along with La Condesa and South Congress Hotel.

The new sandwich shop and café at 501 Comal St. is headed up by Executive Chef Erind Halilaj, who spent his formative years in Italy, according to the report. In May, Halilaj was named executive chef of Il Bruto, a 5,000-square-foot Italian restaurant located in the Arnold, a mixed-use development.

Formerly of Obicà Mozzarella Bar, Halilaj was born in Albania and reared before pursuing a culinary career after receiving a degree in economics and tourism services management. In Milan, he held prominent positions at various 5-star luxury hotels, including chef de partie at Hotel Principe di Savoia, sous chef at AC Hotel Marriott Milano, and chef tournant at Excelsior Hotel Gallia, according to restaurant officials.

Halilaj worked at several other hotels and restaurants in Italy, including as executive chef of private club Canottieri Restaurant, before an opportunity with JW Marriott brought him to Florida in 2014, restaurant officials said. After making the move to New York City that same year, Halilaj was named executive chef of Obicà Mozzarella Bar, then promoted to its corporate chef within his first year. There, he was charged with concepting menus, overseeing multiple kitchens, developing training programs, and opening Obicà locations worldwide, according to a biography.

He joined developer New Waterloo as executive chef of both Il Brutto and the 1,600-square-foot La Matta sandwich shop this spring, officials said.

“Italian cuisine is rooted in simplicity: straightforward ingredients of the highest quality used in precise ways,” New Waterloo partner Delfo Trombetta said in an earlier prepared statement. “Having grown up in Italy, Erind has a deep-rooted passion for the ingredients and techniques at the core of all Italian cuisine. We are lucky to have him join the Il Brutto team.”

So far, reviews are good but with one reservation. On Google, La Mattahas earned a couple of positive critiques from patrons but with one common thread: Both customers said..how to put this delicately...come si dice...the sandwiches — while delicious with what are clearly fresh ingredients and quality bread — could use more meat. Both reviewers suggest the meat content in the sandwiches was a tad anemic, essentially saying più carne per favore:

"I went for the first time not enough meat on the sandwich," Tre Leoni wrote, apparently so perplexed by the skimpy meat as to forget punctuation. "I went a second time and thought I was clever ordering double meat. Well instead of one sliver of meat I got two!!! So two sandwiches w double meat, chips and a drink... 40 dollars later... I was still hungry. Other than that everything was great!!!"

Zach Forth was more succinct, but conveyed a similar complaint: "Great, quality ingredients (awesome bread) make delicious sandwiches. Only gripe: more meat!"

Yelp reviewers were largely more generous with their praise.

But really, it's more about the culinary experience, Halilaj explained on the New Waterloo development firm's website: "There’s always a story behind an Italian dish,” he said of the culinary context of his creations. “A meal is not just about the food, but about the whole experience."

Advancing the idea, he explained the vibe he sought with his flagship diner: "Il Brutto will be a high-quality Italian restaurant that’s casual, convivial and warm—just like East Austin.”

La Matta is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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