Another Austin Icon Bites the Dust

I am sad to hear of the closing of Louie’s 106. This is the kind of restaurant that gives a downtown a sense of class and vibrancy. It drew a mix of business types and ladies who lunch at mid-days and a diverse group of foodies for dinner. The most recent chef, Frank Bellino, had his game together and was up to the substantial task of replacing the legendary Norbert Brand.

My wife and I had many enjoyable meals there: enough to earn Louie’s a well-deserved spot in our Top 20. From the Escargot to the Seafood Risotto, everything at Louie’s had a signature flavor. Meals there were savored, fondly recalled, and stored in that repository of culinary memories that all true foodies build up.

But Joe Elminger is a resilient kind of guy. He has bounced back from closings before (Sardin Rouge) and I fully expect him to resurface. Still, it will be hard to replace Louie’s 106. The room just had an élan to it: an ambiance that will be difficult to recreate. The downstairs meeting rooms also had a cachet to them that made groups dinners there delightful.

Here’s to a speedy return for Louie’s 106! Perhaps not the same name, or even the exact menu, but the essence and you foodies know what I’m talking about.