The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Celebrates Another Year
The little gathering that Ed and Susan Auler began years ago has found a permanent home in Austin and an abundance of fans from not only central Texas but around the country. The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is back for another year and this upcoming weekend from March 31st to the final […]
Former Belmont Exec Chef Ben Nathan Makes Debut at Chez Zee
One of my favorite chefs, former Belmont executive Chef Ben Nathan, has landed as the major domo at Chez Zee on Parkcrest off 2222. This is a great move for manager Brian O’Neill and owner Sharon Watkins. Nathan is creative, has a deft touch in the kitchen, and is the kind of guy who can […]
South By Southwest 2011 Dining Suggestions
Well, it’s that time of the year again. The sprawling, dynamic bundle of creative energy known as South by Southwest has once again brought it’s unique array of music, film and IT folks to Austin. Now, recognizing that SXSW does change the dynamic of downtown dining a bit during its tumultuous 10-day run, here are […]
The Best Selling Wine in the U.S?
You may be surprised by the answer to this one but the winner is Australian import Yellow Tail. According to A.C. Nielsen Yellow Tail sells millions of cases a year of its $8-10 per bottle wines. It was introduced to the U.S. in 2001 and by 2005 became the first wine ever in the U.S. […]
First Dinner at Vince Young Steakhouse Very Encouraging
We had dinner at Vince Young Steakhouse on Saturday night. It was our first full meal at the recently opened restaurant at 3rd and San Jacinto. The place was almost full and it seats a goodly number of diners. The dinner was quite good. I had the Charcuterie Platter that featured Duck Prosciutto, House Made […]
Snacks with Jeff Trigger at “2nd”
I first met Jeff Trigger when as the new manager of the Driskill Hotel, he had the good sense to bring chef David Bull to Austin. Well, now Trigger runs the La Corsha Hospitality group and he and Bull have reunited at the two restaurants in the new Austonian high-rise: “Congress” and the more casual […]
The Chef at Trattoria Lisina is in Fine Form
Chef John Lichtenberger doesn’t sound like he should be at the helm of an Italian restaurant like Damian Mandola’s Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood. But the New York native loves Italian food and he loves to cook it. And he’s one of the key reasons why Trattoria Lisina has gotten off to such a strong start. […]
Silver and Stone Sizzles in Georgetown
Silver and Stone in Georgetown is the work of one extremely creative chef, James Ramsey. His restaurant’s name suggests class and elegance and that’s exactly what the discerning diner gets there. It’s located on the 4th floor of a nice building at 501 S. Austin avenue across from the Monument Café. The Roasted Duck Flatbread […]
2009 Restaurant Year in Review
Austin was not exempted from the national malaise that swept across the restaurant industry in 2009. But we were in high cotton compared to other cities like Miami, Las Vegas, Providence, Rhode Island or even Los Angeles. Dining in those cities and many others was down over 40% from 2008. Let’s just say this: I […]
Pizza Wars 2009
Welcome to the fourth installment of our recurring series fondly known as “Pizza Wars.” Most of you know that I am a transplant from New Haven, CT, home to some of the best pizza in the world. So it is with a trifle of remorse and irony that I’ve rated the pizza down in my […]
Yu Sushi Izagaya: Serious Sushi on Colorado
My first lunch at Yu Sushi Izagaya, owned by Gary Ghiu of Sushi Sake fame, was excellent. The sushi and sashimi were fresh and pristine with flawless tastes and preparations. There are a number of Udon soups which I wanted to try and a vat assortment of maki rolls which also looked delicious. After we […]
Rob’s Recommended Dishes: Part II
The Steamed Clams Posillipo at Ciola’s. Steamed little neck clams in an amazingly tasty red sauce. This is beautiful for dipping bread after the clams have disappeared. Originally part of the menu for “Sinatra Week” but held over by popular demand. The Drunken Noodles at Chon Som on Wells Branch Parkway. The subtle tastes of […]
Rob’s Favorites from the Wine Spectator Grand Tour 2008
When Wine Spectator Editor and Publisher Marvin Shanken conceived the idea of the “Grand Tour” back in 2001, the idea was to bring a number of well-known wines, classics that are hard to find, and new releases all together in one room on one night. Wine aficionados immediately adopted the idea. And as a result, […]
Pizza Wars 2007
At the bottom, and deservedly so, is the always awful Dominoes. How this chain has survived is beyond me. Their crust is wretched: soggy and without taste. Just a neck above Dominoes is the woeful CiCI’s and the steadily declining Mr. Gatti’s. Little Caesar’s isn’t much better. Double Dave’s is a bit of an improvement […]
