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Food
News & Commentary
- Alternate to Las Manitas
for Breakfast Tacos: Dona Emilai’s
- "Kids Eat Free"
Promotion at ZuZu
- Rob Meets with Rusty Coco,
co-founder of Jason's Deli Chain!
- New Executive Chef
Jeffrey Cummins Debuts at Finn and Porter
- Café Panini Is Worth
A Visit on N. Mays in Round Rock
- Breaking News: What Happened
to and What May Be in Store for the former Cibo’s: El Chilito?
- Are you ready for Shochu?
- 9 Reasons to Patronize Austin
Java
- Join the Senior Citizen
Social Circle at the Veranda
- The Bakehouse Hosts Open
Mic Competition for Singer-Songwriters
- Singer Marcia Ball Allegedly
Urges Boycott of Austin Java
- Imperia Celebrates New
Sushi Bar by offering 2-1 each night till 7pm!
- Imperia to add Full-Service
Sushi Bar
- More Woes for Cibo: Sale
Falls Through at 11th Hour
- Green Mesquite Gets
Unwanted Drive Through Addition at 4am Monday
- Kinko’s Classic Comes
to Lakeway: Where Hungry Golf Fans can Dine
- Athenian Grille Finally
Receives Funding
- Local chefs come up huge
at Stars Across Texas at the THCWFF
- The Gonzo Gourmet
Club dines at Sicola’s: A Culinary Experience
- Tyson Cole of Uchi Brings
the Battle into Kitchen Stadium on the Iron Chef
- Rob Opens Mouth,
Inserts Foot: Both County Lines are very much open and doing great!
- Austin Dining Recommendations
for Hillary and Barack
- Trouble in Coffeeland?
Starbucks to Close 100 Stores
- Rob and Art San Miguel
enjoy an Imperial of Caymus Special Selection ’04
- What Will $4,937 Buy
You and Your Valentine for Extravagant Indulgence at the Hilton
- Rob will host a booth
at KLBJ-AM’s Talk Fest this Saturday at Convention Center
- Craving Great Soups
This Weekend?
- Craving a Steak this
Weekend?
- Update on the Latest
Attempt by the EU to Ban Foie Gras
- Dona Emilia’s Now
Open for Breakfast
- Cibo's Servers Donate
Tips to Help Needy Families
- Chinatown Greystone
Begins Dim Sum Service on Dec. 8-9
- Chefs Brady and Loiacono
team at Ventana
- Craving German food? Scholz
Garten is Alive and Well!
- For Fans of Kaprow:
Fatty Tuna in for two weeks only!
- Watch Hut’s Recent Appearance
on Emeril Legasse’s Good Morning America Segment
- You Want Some Real Comfort
this Weekend: Check Out Angel’s Chicken Fried Meatloaf
- Cannoli Joe’s Now
Open For Sunday Brunch
- Craving Thai? Check Out
Rob's Favorites
- Ryan Bouillet Assumes
the Helm of Bellagio
- Vodka Fest at Cool River
Serves up Some Great Spirits
- Finn and Porter voted
Best Steaks in Austin by City Search Readers
- Ego's: A Neighborhood Bar
in a City that Could Use Some More
- Perez Sister Decide They
Don't Want City Loan After All
- Hut's Gets Some Love From
Good Morning America Friday at 8:15am
- Crawfish Shack &
Oyster Bar Opens on Wells Branch
- Chef Opart of Ka
Prow Reaches Into the Till to Help Mother's Cafe
- Fascinating People
in the Austin Restaurant Biz
- Will Packwood Sizzles
for the Gonzo Gourmets at Cibo
- We Have Free Passes for
the "No Reservations" Premier
- Lengendary Brewer Brian
Peters back at Uncle Billy's
- Cibo Rolls Out New Menu
- Austin Activists Work
Toward Ban of Foie Gras in Restaurants
- Athenian Grill loses
lease: will reopen in two months
- Will Packwood, the Prince
of Gnocchi!
- The Belmont
Makes Conde Nast’s list of world’s top 25 nightspots
- The Balons are back
and set to perform Thursday night April 26th at Patsy’s Cowgirl
Café
- Don’t forget to catch
Rob, Sgt. Sam, Mark Caesar and Ed Clements on 590 KLBJ-AM’s popular
Food Friday program from 9-10am this Friday
- David Bull Exits Driskill:
Josh Watkins Named New Exec Chef
- Recommendations for Fried
Catfish
- Cutest Restaurant Baby
of 2007
- Dining Recommendations
for those in town for SXSW and the Livestock Show & Rodeo
- The Little Deli on
Woodward is Sold. Old owners to concentrate on It’s Italian in
Round Rock
- Despite Ice, Sleet and
Loss of Power, Chez Zee Will be Open Through it All
- Chez Zee: Open Tonight,
Rain Ice or Shine. Mon. Jan. 15
- Rumors of Zoot Closing
are FALSE
- Pizza Wars Feedback:
Readers Weigh in with their suggestions
- Austin Hilton’s Mark Dayanandan
Critiques Escoffier Society Dinner
- Pizza Wars: Rob Ranks
Pizzas in the Austin area
- Thanks to Apple Leasing,
the “Roving” Gourmet is roving once again. Click here to see their
offer to all readers of Dining out with Rob Balon
- The Toughest Reservation
in Austin
- First Tastes at Sandra
Bullock’s “Bess” Encouraging
- Mark your calendars: the
Beaujolais Nouveaus are here on the 16th
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Fascinating
People
in the Austin Restaurant Biz
Heard
on the Street
Celebrity
Sightings
Wine
& Spirits
Restaurant
Events
- Join Rob at the Busby
Foundation’s Flavors of the Town Benefit September 11th
- Vodka Fest Returns
to Cool River on Wednesday, August 27th
- Chon Som 2nd Anniversary
Party
- Cannoli Joe’s Celebrates
1st Anniversary by Celebrating Wines
- Twin Liquors Offers
Tastings each Friday from 4-7pm
- New July 4th Dinner Specials
+ Open til Midnight July 4th
- The Belmont-July Movie
Schedule
- Veggie Hot Dog Eating
Contest at Scholz Garten, Sat. June 21st
- Can’t Get Enough Sex?
(...and The City, That Is!!!) Check Out the Belmont Tonight
- Sex and the City Party
at Cuba Libre
- Ciola’s to Host a
Gluten Free Dinner June 12
- Austin Wine Festival This
Weekend at Domain
- Chez Zee: Memorial Day
Brunch 9am- Dinner
- The Belmont, Monday Movies
& Margaritas!
- Ciola's Celebrates Their
Big Night, April 17th
- Texas Hill Country Wine and
Food Festival Gears up for 23rd year!
- Zax Pints and Plates
Hosts 2nd World-Class Belgian Beer Festival
- Dine out on Thursday,
March 27th, to Support the Red Cross
- Andiamo Continues its
Passaporto D’italia featuring the region of the Piedmont
- Belmont to Host Oscar
Party this Sunday
- Belmont to Screen “Sideways”
at 6:30pm on February 27th
- Uncle Billy's Hosts
Brewers Dinner, Jan. 27th
- Belmont Ugly Sweater Party
Jan. 16th
- Ciola's Celebrates Frank
Sinatra's Birthday, Dec. 9th-13th
- Dress Up and Have
fun at Chon Som on Halloween
- Sicola's Hosts Oriel Wine
Pairing Event
- The Bakehouse Celebrates
Oktoberfest thru October 28th
- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Presents 7th Annual Culinary Flavors of Austin
- Austin Museum of Art hold
annual La Dolce Vita festival October 18th
- Margarita Mondays at
the Belmont
- Zax Celebrates Texas Wine
Month, Oct. 23rd
- Ciola's Hosts Big
Night, Oct. 18th
- Iron Cactus Tequila
Tour 2007
- 75th St. Elias Mediterranean
Festival Scheduled for October 5th and 6th
- Chez Zee: Labor Day
Brunch 9-3 Dinner till 10:30 PM
- Vodka Fest 07 is Back at
Cool River Wed Night and Rob Will Be There
- Chez Zee: Dining
For Darfur Monday, August, 27th
- Chon Som Celebrates
1st Anniversary August 17-19
- Uncle Billy's Unleashes
Brewmaster Brian Peters and Chef Shane Stark for a Brewer's Dinner
on August 19th
- Belmont Event Info
For August
- Charity event this Sunday
at Bikini's Bar & Grill
- Andiamo presents Passporto
D' Italia: Sampling Foods and Wines from Different Regions of
Italy
- Russian Rocker Zhenya
Kolykhanov to play at Beluga on Saturday night with the Flying
Balalaika Brothers
- Zax 4 Year Anniversary and
Customer Appreciation Party
- Moonlight Cinema at the
Belmont in June
- Doña Emilia's
Hosts Mojito Tasting Party May 30th
- What’s Going on at Bikini’s
Bar and Grill
- Vin Bistro will be opened
for Dinner on Memorial Day
- Chez Zee: Memorial Day
Brunch
- New Bubbly at Finn &
Porter
- Cedar Street To Host
April 26th Happy Hour to Raise Funds for Pets America Partnership
- Moonlight Cinema
at The Belmont
- Texas Wine & Latin
Food Tasting on Wed. April 25th at Dona Emilia's
- UnWine Wednesdays at the
Belmont
- Ciola's Presents
Exclusive Folio Wine Dinner and this weekends specials
- The Texas Hill County Wine
and Food Festival begins on March 28th
- Doña Emilia's Bar
& Grill Celebrates Valentine's Ball, Feb. 10th
- Ciola's Celebrates 5
years in Lakeway, Sunday Jan. 28th
- Chez Zee: Art Opening
Mon. Dec. 18th, 4-6pm
- Dona Emilia’s Hosts Wine
Dinner on Nov. 30th to Benefit Wounded Soldiers
- Great Austin Belgian
Beer Festival at Zax Pints and Plates on Nov. 11th
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Openings
Closings
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Alternate
to Las Manitas for Breakfast Tacos: Dona Emilia’s
Where to get downtown breakfast
tacos after the closing of Las Manitas? Dona
Emilia’s just down the street on Cesar Chavez (across from the
Four Seasons), just two blocks away, is open each morning serving
up Austin’s favorite breakfast treat. You might not run into Gus
Garcia just yet, but that’s actually OK. The tacos are the thing
at Dona Emilia’s!
09/04/2008
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"Kids
Eat Free" Promotion at ZuZu
ZuZu is offering "Kids Eat
Free" Monday through Wednesday nights after 5:30 pm. Two kid
items free with the purchase of an adult platter. In house only,
no take out and not valid with any other offers.
Click here to see the Menu for ZuZu
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08/12/2008
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Rob
Meets with Rusty Coco, co-founder of Jason's Deli Chain!
The first things that struck me about Rusty
Coco were his genuineness and his east Texas charm. It's not often
that I come away from a meeting with the head of a large hospitality
chain wanting to go have dinner with the guy. But Rusty is not your
average button-downed executive type. He's interested in people
and cares passionately about Jason's customer base. He's a fitness
enthusiast who works out two hours each day. Yet he loves good red
wine. He also loves "Curb your Enthusiasm" on HBO. My
kind of guy.
| He hails from Beaumont where
the first Jason's Deli was launched in 1976. The reason that
it became a deli at all was because the owners of the strip
mall were from New York. They said they would lease the space
to the budding entrepreneurs but only if operated as a deli.
Thus, Jason's debuted with all the requisite Deli chow: Reuben's,
Liverworst, et al. A local Beaumont DJ who was on a diet suggested
that put in a salad bar. And so they did! |
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Funny how some things begin! Jason's Deli now
consists of almost 200 stores across the country with an emphasis
on Texas, and the Southeast. More stores are targeted for the upper
Midwest and the Northeast.
Rusty has championed the menu development of
the chain since the first store and continues to be involved on
a daily basis. He shocked the fast-casual industry four years ago
by completely pulling trans fats [partially hydrogenated vegetable
oils] off the Jason's menu. He now has high-fructose corn syrup
in his sights.
Rusty also acknowledges that some of the sandwiches
and especially the Potatoes at Jason's can be highly caloric. And
so he's worked on introducing lower calories sandwiches and salads.
But there are devotees of the restaurant who must have their Muffalettas
[the classic New Orleans sandwich] and their potato concoctions.
So as Rusty knows, trimming calories is a work in progress, especially
in Texas.
I brought my daughter Lauren [marketing grad
from St. Edwards and current Apple marketer] along to the meeting.
Rusty asked her how long she's been coming to the Bee Caves location
of Jason's.
"Since I've been alive," said Lauren
without a moment's hesitation. Well, perhaps a bit of an overstatement
given that the store opened 15 years ago and Lauren is 23. Bu the
perception was there. Jason's likes to start its customer base young.
And the Balons made many a trip there when our kids were growing
up, playing sports, etc.
Nonetheless, Rusty loved it. He then left to
have dinner with his son: all prepared from scratch after an excursion
to Central Market.
"I get to watch him cook" and I sit and drink some red
wine and admire the process," said Rusty. Well, if you're going
to be a success in the restaurant business, you have to love food.
No?
As I said, I would definitely like to go to
dinner with this guy.
07/30/2008
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New
Executive Chef Jeffrey Cummins Debuts at Finn and Porter
Jeffrey Cummins is the new executive
chef at downtown favorite Finn
and Porter at the Hilton. His credits include a seven-year stint
as chef du cuisine at the Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland.
He trained at the prestigious California Culinary Arts Academy.
What I like about Cummins philosophy is
that he lets the food speak for itself: he’s not into masking flavors
but rather helping diners to experience the full range of taste
possibilities in each dish.
07/25/2008
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Café
Panini Is Worth A Visit on N. Mays in Round Rock
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Had the good fortune last
week to have lunch at a seriously good little eaterie in Round
Rock on N. Mays called Café Panini. Owned by a husband
and wife who are entrepreneurs and helmed by a CIA trained
chef, these are Paninis to get excited about. I tried a Turkey
Club Panini that was just about perfect and the other ones
looked great as well.
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And they make these homemade scones that
are to die for. I usually can take or leave scones but these have
incredible texture (not the usual dry, crunchy things one finds
at most bakeries) and a serious flavor.
1105 S. Mays Street. (866) 866-4976.
07/21/2008
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Breaking
News: What Happened to and What May Be in Store for the former Cibo’s:
El Chilito?
As noted in these pages last month,
Cibo which had to close its doors in the spring, was supposed to
have been bailed out by an investor from New York who was apparently
going to open a restaurant called Luciles. That deal crashed and
burned at the 11th hour.
Now, news has it that the team from the
successful El Chile operation on Manor has purchased the restaurant
at 10th and Congress. Doesn’t take too much of a stretch of the
imagination to suggest that the theme of the new restaurant will
be Mexican. Perhaps another El Chilito?
07/17/2008
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Are
you ready for Shochu?
First it was Cachaca, the Brazilian
liquor made from the distillation of fermented sugarcane juice,that
began to attract attention internationally. Perhaps because it has
a alcohol strength of between 38%-48% and is the basis for the famous
Caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil.
Now, keeping with the current culinary
craze for all things Asian, comes Shochu. This is a trendy new Japanese
liquor that’s catching on in the big culinary centers of the US.
Available at most Twin Liquors.
07/17/2008
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9
Reasons to Patronize Austin Java
I tend to get annoyed when area
restaurants are attacked for no apparent or viable reason. Such
has been the case over the past few weeks as Austin
Java has been the subject of boycott threats allegedly made
by a certain blues singer. All this because the owner of Austin
Java and his partners followed a business plan that had already
been approved by the city council, the zoning commission, and the
Zilker neighborhood association with regard to the removal of certain
tress to make way for a new condo development behind Austin Java
on Barton Springs.
That being said, here are my Top
Nine reasons to patronize Austin Java on Barton Springs Road and
for that matter, all the other Austin Javas in the River City.
1. Their coffee is fresh roasted
and damned good. Have a biscotti to go along with it.
2. They are geek friendly. Lap tops rule. The staff is friendly.
Occasionally quirky, but friendly.
3. You can bring your pet as well. And they have hibiscus tea.
4. Their breakfast tacos are terrific. My favorite is the eggs,
turkey sausage and cheese white whole wheat tortillas.
5. You can eat breakfast any darned time you want.
The Blueberry pancakes are to die for.
6. The Cajun Blackened Crawfish Pasta dish is one of my favorites
in the city.
7. They have free parking and will shuttle you to and from it.
8. The Smoked Gouda and Bacon Cheeseburger is very good.
9. Because singers should sing. If they dont want to eat a
restaurant because of a personal grudge, fine. But recognize that
when they say this onstage to their fans, it can easily be interpreted
as a mandate
07/11/2008
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Join
the Senior Citizen Social Circle at the Veranda
The Veranda
Restaurant & Bar presents the Senior Citizen Social Circle.
Membership is complimentary and entitles you to a 20% discount off
any entree (not including lunch specials), a 30% discount off of
Saturday and Sunday brunch, and complimentary dessert on your birthday.
The eligibility requirements are:
1. You must be an Austin resident
2. You must be 60+ years of age
3. You must be a registered member
4. Your membership Card must be presented to receive discounts.
07/10/2008
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The
Bakehouse Hosts Open Mic Competition for Singer-Songwriters
Each Monday the Bakehouse, one of our favorite
“iconic” restaurants at 5404 Manchaca near Stassney is sponsoring
the “South Austin Singer-Songwriter Contest”. This is an open contest
for which rewards each of the top three finalists with prizes including
a PAID gig for the overall winner.
The contest is hosted by award-winning songwriter
Steve Power (I’ve heard the guy’s CD: he’s really good).
Sign up is at 7pm with performances beginning
at 7:30pm and ending at 10pm.
The contest winner is determined by voting from
the audience. So it would not be a totally bad idea for each artist
to bring some family and friends to join in the fun.
Click
here for more details.
07/02/2008
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Singer
Marcia Ball Allegedly Urges Boycott of Austin Java
Singer Marcia Ball is apparently upset with
the owners of the Barton Place Project over the removal of a number
of trees; so much that she allegedly announced a boycott of the
Austin Java restaurant on Barton Springs Road during her Blues on
the Green concert last week.
One of the owners of the Barton Place project
is Rick Engel, who also happens to be one of the owners of Austin
Java.
According to Engel, who phoned in while I was
hosting the Jeff Ward on KLBJ-am show last Friday, Ball called for
a boycott of Austin Java while she was on stage at the concert on
Wednesday, June 25th.
This appears to be a disagreement between Engel
and Ball: why the singer should ask all those at the concert to
boycott Austin Java is a mystery to me. There are dozens of employees
who derive their livelihood from that restaurant.
Engel and his partners are adamant that no additional
trees have been removed other than the ones agreed on. There were
several that were lost in that freakish storm we had toward the
end of May. But that, as they contend, was that.
One would hope that Ms. Ball would address
her grievances to the appropriate parties and let Austin Java continue
unencumbered. The restaurant business is tough enough as it is these
days.
07/02/2008
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Imperia
Celebrates New Sushi Bar by offering 2-1 each night till 7pm!
The newly opened Sushi Bar at Imperia is going
to offer 2-1 sushi each night during happy hour. Chef Tatsu is rocking
and “rolling” and his sushi needs to be celebrated.
Now that’s value!
07/02/2008
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Imperia
to add Full-Service Sushi Bar
Imperia,
one of my favorite modern-Asian restaurants and the newest member
of our Top 20, will add Sushi to its already
innovative and delectable menu offerings.
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Chef Tatsu Aikawa joins Executive
Chef Joe Tellus to make a powerful combination in downtown dining.
Chef Tatsu, born in Tokyo, has years of experience including
stints in Tokyo at “Kikuzushi” and most importantly, five years
working with the master “Smokey” at Musashino Dokoro below Chinatown
on Mopac. (Musashino is one of my top two favorites for Sushi
in central Texas.) |
Chef Tatsu has a rare opportunity: starting
a Sushi bar at Imperia is the culinary equivalent of being given
an unfinished painting by Jackson Pollack and being asked to complete
it. The stakes are high but the opportunity is extraordinary!
And as Tyson Cole of Uchi discovered,
Takehiko-san Fuse (Smokey) of Musashino is one hell of a tutor.
I look for big things from Chef Tatsu!
06/27/2008
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More
Woes for Cibo: Sale Falls Through at 11th Hour
Cibo, absolutely one of my all-time favorite
Austin restaurants, closed several months ago. The Italian-styled
restaurant at 10th and Congress helmed by Will Packwood just never
got any traction.
The owners had planned to sell the business
but the buyer backed out literally at the 11th hour last week. Packwood
is one of our most talented, albeit least understood chefs, and
I’m afraid we’re going to lose him to a larger city. Too damned
bad.
06/18/2008
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Green
Mesquite Gets Unwanted Drive Through Addition at 4am Monday
In one of the more bizarre
events in the food world this month, a truck barreled into the
side of BBQ favorite The
Green Mesquite at Barton Springs and S. Lamar at about 4am
Monday morning. The driver, interestingly, apparently had fallen
asleep at the wheel and didn’t wake up even after he crashed
through the wall.
To make things more curious, a piece from the dislodged wall
flew across the restaurant and hit one of the beer taps, causing
the beer to begin to flow. |
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Owner Tom Davis, who knows how to roll with
the punches, had a temporary wall up by Monday and the restaurant
is open for business. According to Davis, the driver, who claimed
he was going through a divorce, was apparently NOT cited by police
for reckless driving nor was he given an alcohol or drug test.
Don’t you just love Austin?
06/10/2008
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Kinko’s
Classic Comes to Lakeway: Where Hungry Golf Fans can Dine
I don’t know about you, but watching golf makes
me hungry. Playing golf makes me even hungrier but that’s another
story. This week the Kinko’s Classic is being played in Lakeway.
The pros on the Champion’s Tour will all be there: Crenshaw, Kite,
Watson, Loren Roberts, Jay Haas and all your favorites.
So where to eat after the round? My first choice
would be Ciola’s smack dab
in the middle of Lakeway on Higyhway 620. This is southern Italian
food at its best. You’ll love their Linguine with Clams, the Penne
with Vodka Sauce, the Clams Ciola, the Bruschetta, the Sausage and
Peppers, the Oso Busco, and more. Plus they have an outstanding
wine list.
Another good bet is Pao’s
at the corner of Highway 620 and Lohman’s Spur. This is Chinese
cuisine that will satisfy the western and the eastern palate. There’s
two separate menus and they both rock. The Scallion Cakes are to
die for and the Shrimp lettuce wraps are the bomb. I love the Tofu
with Shredded Pork and the Sea Bass is incomparable.
And fans of Thai cuisine will love Thai
Spice across the center from Ciola’s. Vicky Vicha presides over
a very tasty and spicy menu. The Royal Dumplings are sinful. And
the Charcoal Pork will make you a believer. The Pad Kee Mao is exceptional.
Want a burger or a pizza? Then head over to
Kahuna’s Ice House farther
down 620. The burgers are juicy and irresistible and the fries have
real taste and staying power. The pizza is also pretty darned good.
And do try the Fish tacos as well.
So enjoy the tournament and enjoy the
food out at Lakeway. Fore!!!!!
04/29/2008
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Athenian
Grille Finally Receives Funding
Got a call from councilwoman Jennifer Kim's
office this morning informing me that Anil Simicia, owner of the
Athenian Grille, has finally gotten the funding approved for the
build out of the new Athenian Grille, which will be located on W.
6th St., across from Ruth's Chris.
This is by no means a Perez sisters deal. All
of the money is to be repaid. The small business office of the city
did help: and that 's what they should do for small business.
No word on when the new AG will open but
we'll keep you posted!
04/28/2008
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Local
chefs come up huge at Stars Across Texas at the THCWFF
Well, another Texas Hill Country Wine and Food
Festival has gone into the books. And I think most would agree that
it was a fun weekend.
I started things off with the “Hot Blooded Latins”
seminar at Fogo de Chao featuring the wines of Chile and Argentina.
John Bonadies was a knowledgeable and affable host and we should
acknowledge the serious amount of time and energy put in by the
Austin Chronicle’s Claudia Alarcon.
The follow-up lunch at Dona Emilia’s featured
food from Dona Emilia’s, Sampaio, and from the kitchen of Aaron
Sanchez, proprietor of two New York Latin hot spots, Centrico and
Paladar. His ceviche was a smash!
Friday night found us sipping and noshing at
the Stars Across Texas Chef’s competition at the ballroom of the
downtown Austin Hilton. One thing was immediately apparent. The
Austin chefs were not only in fine form but were well-represented.

Elmar Prambs from the new Trio at the Four Seasons,
as usual, knocked us out with a lovely Niman Ranch Flat Iron Steak
with corn brulee with beet salad along with an apple bacon biscuit.

Jeff Blank from Hudson’s on the Bend never fails
to surprise at these events. His plump strawberry wrapped in venison
with goat cheese and honey was another smash hit.

The Navajo Grill from Fredricksburg rolled into
town with a nopalito biscuit with a sweet potato and goat cheese
puree along with some crispy prosciutto and a ancho honey drizzle.
Chef Josh Raymer was presiding.

The chefs at Finn and Porter from the host Austin
Hilton were not to be outdone with a seaed pork belly, braised romaine,
peppercorn aoli and roasted heirloom tomatoes.

Harvey Harris, Exec Chef at the always popular
Siena prepared a rabbit and wild boar tureen with black truffles
and a sweet green fig conserva on homemade crostini. Amazing!

Tyson Cole, Chef at the uber-cool Uchi on S.
Lamar has been in the local headlines as of late for his epic battle
against Chef Morimoto on the Food Newtork’s Iron Chef. Although
Cole lost that one, he was a winner Friday night with a seared fois-gras
nigiri sushi. You want to talk about a one-bite taste explosion!
Massively tasty!

The chefs from the new Italian restaurant at
the Domain, NoRTH, looking a bit like magic men Penn and Teller,
produced a magically tasty short rib. I had to go back for seconds
on this one.

Jeffrey’s, as usual, was very much in
evidence with a cool and lovely yellow tomato and habanero gazpacho
with a bit of shrimp and avocado crème fresh. Chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas
who helmed the seamless transition from David Garrido a few years
ago continues to deliver daily excellence from this most revered
of bistro restauants.
04/15/2008
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The
Gonzo Gourmet Club dines at Sicola’s: A Culinary Experience
Our Gonzo Gourmet Club has got to be one of
the coolest dining clubs in Austin. We meet about 6-7 times a year
and have epic feasts with wine pairings at wonderful restaurants.
Our most recent splurge was Saturday, March 29th, at Sicola’s: A
Culinary Experience.
Chef Steven Sicola showcased his inestimable
skills with lobster cakes with remoulade, a stunning Portabello
and Brie soup, an entrée choice of a light and flaky Sea
Bass, a killer Braised Lamb Shank, and a delightful Ribeye. Dessert
was a wickedly tasty chocolate raspberry torte. Each course was
paired with wines.
For more information on setting up a corporate
event or private party at Sicola’s call 323-6907 and ask for Melanie.
Their web is www.sicolas.com.
To join our Gonzo Gourmet Club, click here.
04/01/2008
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Tyson
Cole of Uchi Brings the Battle into Kitchen Stadium on the Iron
Chef
It isn’t
often that a local Austin chef gets to journey to New York to do
battle with the big boys on the Food Network’s Iron Chef program..
The last one to do it was the former chef at the Driskill Grill,
David Bull. And he lost to Bobby Flay.
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Tyson Cole, the uber chef of Uchi on S.
Lamar was the next Austin chef to get the call. Last September,
he went to New York with his team of Paul Qui and Phillip
Speer to take on the almost mythic chef Masaharu Morimoto.
The featured ingredient was ginger. Cole was under a strict
gag order to not reveal the outcome until the show aired.
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On Sunday evening, March 23rd, a packed house
of media and Tyson’s best friends and customers watched at Uchi
as the event finally aired on the Food Network. We got to sample
the same menu Tyson prepared in his battle with Morimoto. And it
was fabulous food. From the Japanese black snapper sashimi to the
Skewered and grilled salmon belly with ginger compressed watermelon;
to the Pan-seared black bass with gingered lemon puree and the Ginger-cured
smoked baby yellow tail (hamachi) served with ginger dusted yucca
chips (my favorite) and finally to the Brown butter sorbet with
ginger consommé it was enough, in my opinion to send Morimoto
crumbling into the dust.
Iron Chef airs
to a packed house at Uchi
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Alas, the judges, an odd lot
if there was ever one assembled, did not agree. Morimoto got
the victory but Tyson acquitted himself very well. Had the Food
Network actually invited a few additional judges whose culinary
chopsticks had a few more notches in them, it might have been
different. But the evening was a gas.
The good news is that this exact same menu will be available
to the public for the next four Sunday’s for $65 per person
with wine and sake pairings available for an additional $31.
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Call 916-4808 for reservations.
03/27/2008
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Rob
Opens Mouth, Inserts Foot: Both County Lines are very much open
and doing great!
Radio is a live medium.
That’s what makes it special and that’s what also makes it occasionally
problematic. This morning, I inadvertently confused the County
Line with the Salt Lick as we talked about the Salt Lick’s
closing in Davenport. I corrected myself moments later but some
folks apparently left the program thinking the County Line had
closed.
I love what the County Line offers
up, as do thousands of others in central Texas. AND as Hans
and Franz of SNL fame used to say, “Listen to me now and hear
me later!!!” Both County Lines are very much open. And as evidenced
by my last meal at the County Line on the Hill, the food is
still great. The view ain’t bad either!
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02/29/2008
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Austin
Dining Recommendations for Hillary and Barack
Okay, the big night is at hand. Hillary Clinton
and Barack Obama are going to square off in an Austin debate with
the future of the Democratic presidential nomination at stake. Duly
noted.
But the really burning question
is where in our fair city are they going to dine? Or perhaps
to couch it in culinary logic, where should they dine based
on their political ideologies?
Obama is the candidate, so he says, who will unite all the disparate
groups out there in fractious old USA. He will fuse, if you
will, all the dissenters into one united front. So what better
place for him to dine then Austin’s preeminent fusion restaurant,
Bistro 88 on Bee Caves
Road. Chef Jeff Liu has fused European and Asian flavors with
great success. So this would seem to be a natural. Another good
choice would be Saba Blue Water
Café on 4th St. Lots of fusion going on there as
well. And then, for breakfast, because he is sometimes accused
of being long on sophistry and short on substance, he should
head over to Cisco’s for breakfast and sit at the fabled Liar’s
table. |
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Clinton is the candidate,
so she says, who will get things done because she knows how
to work the system to get what she wants. She’s also trying
to distance herself from husband Bill. So the first thing she
needs to do is head over to Guero’s on S. Congress and emphatically
announce that she will not be ordering the Presidential plate
named after her husband. Then she should head over to either
Eddie V’s or The
Shoreline Grill. These are two restaurants where serious
corporate and political players hang out and in fact, get things
done. In fact, George W and his brother Jeb were at Shoreline
on election eve in 2,000 (remember that night where Al Gore
won and then didn’t win?). Rumor has it that after the TV announced
that Gore had won Florida, the two men were seen huddled outside
in a hallway for quite some time. |
02/21/2008
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Trouble
in Coffeeland? Starbucks to Close 100 Stores
The notion of value in the hospitality industry
is an intriguing one. Some people will pay what they believe a product
is worth and nothing more. Others though, will pay far more. Why?
Because they want to be socially accepted or feel like they’re part
of the cognoscenti.
Consider the case of a cup
of coffee at Starbucks. I paid $2.00 for a medium cup of coffee
the other day. I believe they call it a “grande”. Was that cup
worth two bucks? Absolutely not. So why did I fork over the
money? Good question. I actually began to ponder that issue
as I sipped the lukewarm Colombian dark.
Apparently, a few million other customers have begun to rethink
the value of a Starbuck’s cup of java as well. Because sales
at the nation’s leading coffee shop chain have begun to slide. |
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Now let me clarify: I do like Starbuck’s coffee.
And I get a kind of God-bless-American-business feeling when I walk
into one of their stores and see people hard at work on their laptops
or conducting sales meetings or job interviews over a cop of jo.
But I suspect the bloom may be beginning to come off the rose. Starbuck’s
began a national mania for exotic coffee blends and mysterious drinks
with names like “Mocachocalatte” And for a time, people were willing
to pay a premium for the cachet that Starbuck’s offered.
But what goes up must come down. And Starbuck’s
corporate has closed 100 stores and has begun experiments with value
pricing. At some spots in the country, one can now get a cup of
coffee for, drum roll please, a buck! They’ve named this “the short
cup”. And it’s a stab at competing with bottom feeders McDonald’s
and Dunkin’ Donuts. Well sign me up for a short cup. It’s probably
not even worth a dollar but it’s a step in the right direction.
Now, the burning question is: if you only order
a “short cup” the next time you go to Starbuck’s, will they still
give you free wireless?
02/06/2008
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Rob
and Art San Miguel enjoy an Imperial of Caymus Special Selection
’04
I get to go to a lot of wine
auctions and affairs for charity. But earlier this year, I was
fortunate enough to be the MC for the Parents to Parents wine
benefit at the Wild Game Ranch south of Austin.
If you are not familiar with this charity, the work that goes
into it is extraordinary. It was created by Texas parents of
children with disabilities, chronic illness, and other special
needs. The idea is to help families in need by providing information
and resources, a one-on-one matched with a trained volunteer,
a bit of encouragement, or help figuring out the next step in
your journey of raising a child with a disability or a special
need. |
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The event was very successful and we’ll keep
you posted on when the next one will be. Some great wines were auctioned
off and Art San MIguel and I were lucky enough to walk off with
an Imperial (equivalent to four magnums) of Caymus Special Selction
‘04 Cabernet. The picture shown above is as we had decanted this
excellent wine and, with friends, consumed the majority of it.
For information on Parents to Parents,
their website is www.txp2p.org.
02/05/2008
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What
Will $4,937 Buy You and Your Valentine for Extravagant Indulgence
at the Hilton
Got some discretionary cash lying around from
the sale of your hedge fund? Or perhaps you just did a re-fi on
your Lake Travis estate? Or maybe you just have a penchant for extravagance?
Well, the downtown Hilton has got a package
for you. The weekend begins with a limo escorting you to the hotel.
In your Presidential Suite, a dozen red roses will await along with
a ’99 Dom Perignon and an original chocolate sculpture from award-winning
pastry Chef Edward Schulz.
Then it’s off to the Spa for a couples’ massage
along with a choice of facials, body wraps and other indulgences.
The evening features a gourmet dinner at the
Hilton’s stunning Finn and Porter restaurant that will begin with
Bluefin Tuna sashimi [I think I’d go just for the Bluefin] and include
a host of Chris Bauer creations along with a 2004 Georges de la
Tour Private Reserve Cabernet.
An indulgent brunch served in your suite follows
the next morning that will feature French pressed coffee flavored
with Louis XIII cognac.
An important out of town engagement has
kept Rob from signing up for the package so it is still available.
Call the Hilton at 482-8000 to reserve. Sorry, you may not trade
in your Hilton Honors points for this one!
01/25/2008
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Rob
will host a booth at KLBJ-AM’s Talk Fest this Saturday at Convention
Center
Looking for some one-on-one Q&A time with
Rob? He will have a booth at 590 KLBJ-AM’s Talk Fest this Saturday,
January 26th, at the Convention Center. The hours are 9am to 4pm.
Admission is free!
Talk Fest is a popular yearly event that
brings talk radio fans from across central Texas to meet and listen
to KLBJ-AM’s local and national personalities.
01/23/2008
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Craving
Great Soups This Weekend?
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The weather has taken a turn for the nasty
here in sunny Austin. So what better time to hunker down over
a hot and delicious bowl of soup? Some of our favorites are
listed below.
The Sweet Potato Clam Chowder at Austin
Land and Cattle. I know the name sounds a bit strange
but I love this soup. It has perfect taste and it really stays
with you.
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The Shrimp Pho at Hao
Hao on William Cannon at Manchaca. This is Vietnamese penicillin:
a beef broth with plump shrimp, rice noodles, bean sprouts, jalapenos
and more flavor than you can imagine. Perfect for a cold day.
The Seafood and Corn Chowder at McCormick
and Schmick’s is also a great cold-weather treat. This is a
robust soup but it has wonderfully nuanced flavors.
And please get the Taiwanese Hot and Sour Seafood
Soup at Chinatown on Greystone.
This is usually served for two but it’s so good that I’ve on occasion
downed the bowl designed for two or three by myself. This is Ronald
Cheng at his best.
The French Onion soup at both Aquarelle
and The Belmont. This is
exactly what French Onion soup should be: wonderfully cheesy gruyere
and sharply flavored with that comforting taste. And who knows,
at Belmont you might see someone really cool sitting across from
you.
Another favorite is the Aztec Corn and Shrimp
Bisque at Chez Zee. The
shrimp are served in a rich, tomato chicken broth and the corn is
whole kernel. Yum.
And you have to try the Tortilla Soup at Zax
Pints and Plates. Tortilla Soup is a classic cold weather dish
and Zax just nails it.
Another good choice is the Chicken Caldo at
Curra's Grill. The broth
is loaded with tender chicken, squash, corn, and a boatload of the
flavor that has made Curras’ such a foodie favorite over the years.
On the Italian side, get whatever soup La
Traviata happens to be serving that day. It’s literally that
good. My favorites are the Cauliflower, Mushroom and Butternut Squash.
And also head over to Bellagio
and try the Pasta Fagiolo (or pasta fah-zool as my Italian aunt
used to call it). This is a hearty serving of pasta, fresh vegetables
and kidney beans in a savory broth.
Another great choice is the Mediterranean Seafood
Soup at Louie’s 106. Chef
Frank Bellino, taking the reins from Norbert Brand, has nailed this
soup.
And as always, on a cold day, you have
a bowl of Gumbo. Try the version at Cherry
Creek Catfish which has a milder roux than most but lots of
flavor. Another recommendation is the Gumbo at Evangeline
Café. This is hotter and has more bite but it’s equally
flavorful.
01/18/2008
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Craving
a Steak this Weekend?
| Austin is blessed with an abundance
of fine steakhouses. Most are centered in or near the downtown
area but there are also pleasant exceptions north such as Cool
River on Parmer Lane off Mopac. I love the Ribeyes there
along with the Seafood Empanadas. Great bar scene as well. Austin
Land and Cattle on N. Lamar (not to be confused with Texas
Land and Cattle) is the only one of my group of favorites that
is owner-operated. Their Porterhouse is to die for and they
make a sweet potato clam chowder that is unique in the city.
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Austin Land & Cattle
(Porterhouse)
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Another favorite is III
Forks at Cesar Chavez and Lavaca. Curtiss Osmond is the consummate
host and Jamie Gutierrez has the kitchen going strong. The Bone-In
Ribeye is amazing. Love the sophisticated-yet-approachable ambiance
as well. On 2nd St. next to Roy’s, Fleming’s
is a long-time favorite. The Prime NY Strip is a killer as is their
Sunday Prime Rib dinners. I am also addicted to their BBQ Shrimp.
And one can’t ignore the near-legendary Sullivan’s
on Colorado and 4th. This place has a rocking lounge and a Filet
Mignon that will make you a believer. They are also open for lunch
where a very credible burger is served. There are many more but
this will get your started. It’s almost impossible to have a bad
meal at any of these.
01/11/2008
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Update
on the Latest Attempt by the EU to Ban Foie Gras
I never thought I’d live to see this day. The
European Union, with England in the lead, has been rumbling about
a total ban of foie gras production. Can this be? I’m not sure what
it would take to get this passed but I certainly can’t see the French
of the Belgians supporting it.
In rural southwest France, over 30,000 workers
make their living from the production of foie gras. Despite all
the hue and cry, when the French and Belgian farmers bring their
fresh foie gras to market on Sundays, their supplies, even at a
price of over 50 Euros per kilo, are quickly exhausted. Seems the
locals just can’t get enough of one of the last great delicacies
on Earth. I don’t know how the EU will come down on this, but I
must say I’m stunned that they are even considering it.
Here in America, things continue to be simply
stupid. Chicago, at least for now, has banned the sales of foie
gras at any restaurant. California, even worse, is considering a
ban on production at the farms. And in Austin, restaurants like
Jezebel and Jeffrey’s have been vandalized because they continue
to have it on the menu. You know what? Good for them. If the foie
gras activists abhor the sale of this product, then they have the
right to boycott those offending restaurants. But they do not have
the right to vandalize these places of threaten the families of
the owners (that’s right, you heard me correctly).
This protest has gotten insane. We (humans)
are at the top of the food chain. It may not always be the case.
So let’s enjoy our status while we still have it. I am not going
to get excited over a duck or goose that may be overfed to enlarge
the size of its liver when that same duck or goose, were that not
the case, would still destined for the slaughterhouse to serve as
someone’s Christmas dinner. The Egyptians were doing it 3,000 years
ago. Emperor Nero fed figs to his geese to produce foie gras. I’ve
been to the Hudson Valley farm and watched the feeding of the duck
and geese. I did not see anything inhumane about it. When the tubes
(full of rich cornmeal) came out, the animals came running. No amount
of force was necessary. On top of that, ducks and geese have very
coarse throats. A tube does not bother them in the least as it might
you or I. Sorry, that’s just the way I see it.
12/21/2007
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Dona
Emilia’s Now Open for Breakfast
Dona
Emilia’s, one of our TOP 20 restaurants,
has opened for breakfast at 7am Tuesdays thru Saturdays.
Dona Emilia’s will feature gourmet breakfast
tacos, huevos rancheros, and other breakfast fare. Guests can dine
in at the restaurant or phone in a to-go order.
Since the restaurant is only a few blocks
from my office, you can rest assured I’ll be there. I am a serious
fan of breakfast tacos. Call 478-2520.
12/17/2007
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Cibo’s
Servers Donate Tips to Help Needy Families
I like this story. Next Thursday, Dec. 20th,
Cibo, (at 9th and Congress)
one of my favorite restaurants in the city, will donate 10% of the
evening’s sales to help several needy Austin families. But beyond
that, the servers have decided to donate all their tips for the
night to those same families. You don’t see the servers giving up
ALL their tips too often. So hats off to the waitrons at Cibo.
Go dine there on Thursday, have some amazing
gnocchi, and tip generously. It’ll be a great evening of dining,
and it will make some deserving families very happy. Call 478-3663
for reservations.
12/14/2007
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Chinatown
Greystone Begins Dim Sum Service on Dec. 8-9
It’s taken 25 years but Ronald Cheng has
finally come to terms with Dim Sum and has begun service on weekends
from 11-3pm starting Dec. 8th.
Ronald Cheng only does things one way:
with ultimate quality. That’s why Chinatown
has had a spot in our Top 20 since we began
posting it six years ago!
Click here to see their Dim
Sum Menu.
12/07/2007
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Chefs
Brady and Loiacono team at Ventana
| I like the idea of a
functioning restaurant as a learning center for culinary students:
you know a place where they can put their classroom instructions
to the acid test. Ventana, the commercial restaurant of the
Texas Culinary Academy is such a place.
And the TCA just scored a major coup by
securing the services of two of our most outstanding central
Texas chefs: Robert Brady of Aquarelle and Steve Loiacono,
formerly of Bellagio.
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We attended a student-prepared
dinner there the other night where the food was paired with
wines from the Frank Family Vineyards. The Foie Gras au Torchon
was magnificent: deep, rich flavors with perfect texture. And
every dish after that was equally good. The dinner was a complete
success and the students deserved the recognition they got from
a room full of critical foodies. |
If you've not yet tried
Ventana, you owe it to yourself and your palate to get out to 11400
Burnet Road behind the Domain and see what chefs Brady and Loiacono
have taught their young protégées. Phone: 339-3850
11/29/2007
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Craving
German food? Scholz Garten is Alive and Well!
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Scholz Garten, aside from being
one of the oldest restaurants in the city, is a fun place to
snarf down some vienerschnitzel or bratwurst. They also have
many, many beers to choose from and provide an excellent venue
for watching games on TV. Click
here for menu. |
10/27/2007
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For
Fans of Kaprow: Fatty Tuna in for two weeks only!
Chef Opart at Ka Prow on Howard Lane has written
to inform me he has fatty tuna in for only a limited time: until
the end of October. The price is $5 per piece for either sushi or
sashimi. For more information go to www.kaprowleaf.com.
Get there in a hurry because I suspect
there’s going to be a line!
10/26/2007
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Watch
Hut’s Recent Appearance on Emeril Legasse’s Good Morning America
Segment
The colorful Legasse recently gave some well-deserved
love to Hut’s, the legendary 6th St. burger emporium. You
can watch it here in the all-too-brief segment. But hey, national
TV? Emeril Legasse? Way to go Hutch and the gang!
10/12/2007
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You
Want Some Real Comfort this Weekend: Check Out Angel’s Chicken Fried
Meatloaf
Chicken Fried Meatloaf? Why
the hell not, I say. And Mary and Sara at Angel’s
Ice House in Spicewood agree. This weekend the special is
Chicken Fried Meatloaf. It’s served with brown gravy, corn,
mashed potatoes and Texas toast.
What’s not to like about that? Call
264-3377 for more information. Angel’s is at 21815 W. Spicewood,
just across from the Backstage Steakhouse.
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10/12/2007
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Cannoli
Joe’s Now Open For Sunday Brunch
If you’re looking for an unusual
and tasty Sunday brunch, Cannoli
Joe’s in S. Austin is serving up a bevy of Italian treats
along with more traditional brunch fare such as:
Baked Fontina and Egg Strata
Poached Eggs Fiorientina
Custom-Made Omelets
Belgian Waffles
French Toast
Blueberry and Raspberry Scones
Cherry Strudel
Bacon, Sausage and Ham
Crispy Potatoes Rustico |
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Cannoli Joe's: (512) 892-4444. 4715 Hwy. 290
West. Click here for their menu.
09/21/2007
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Craving
Thai? Check Out Rob's Favorites
When I first tried Thai food, I was living in
Southern California and teaching at Cal St. Long Beach. My restauarant
reviewing days were far ahe | |