With today’s knocking of the Salmex Auto & Truck Sales building at 1819 N. Shepherd Dr. (pictured above from earlier today), the great used-car-lot-to-restaurant-row transformation of North Shepherd begins! Er . . . continues. On the site of this spot will flourish: a parking lot! And a pretty big one. But further in on 18th St. is the planned site of Foreign Correspondents, which bills itself as a “farm to table” Thai restaurant. Further in and attached to it will be tavern and whiskey bar Hunky Dory from the operators of DownHouse and Feast alumnus Richard Knight.

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The design for the dual establishments from Austin architect Michael Hsu will clear much of the Shepherd Dr. frontage but put Heights outdoor diners and whisky drinkers around an existing oak. Here’s a site plan from before the Foreign Correspondents portion was announced:

• Previously on Swamplot: Drinkin’ and Eatin’ Beneath the Trees in the Heights

Photo: Foreign Correspondents. Rendering: Michael Hsu Office of Architecture