The Secret to Great Moist Brisket? Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q has the Solution!

Posted by on Mar 27, 2019 in Barbecue

There’s a reason why Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q sells so much moist brisket. It’s flat out delicious. But why is it so good? The answer lies in correct time and methods of smoking, their proprietary rub, and in the simple yet fundamental act of slicing. Haven’t tried it yet? Then what the heck are […]

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Wink Hosts Unusual Wine Pairing Event: Chilean & Argentinian Wines & Girl Scout Cookies

Posted by on Mar 26, 2019 in Wine & Spirits

I’ve been to my share of wine tastings at Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar over the years. But Sunday, March 31st figures to be one of the more unique ones. In a fund raiser for the Girl Scouts, Mark Paul and his crew will be pouring Chilean and Argentinian wines with Girl Scout cookies. I […]

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An Abundance of Pickles on 290: the Pickle House Opens

Posted by on Mar 19, 2019 in Openings, West

When I first drove by the new restaurant The Pickle House a few weeks ago all I could think of was fried pickles. But after a quick look around inside, I realized it was about far more than that. Yes, there are fried pickles but there’s also chicken and (are you ready for this) it’s […]

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Brazilian Steakhouse Espetos Opens In Lakeway

Posted by on Mar 19, 2019 in Brazilian, Churrascaria, Cuisine, Lakeway

First there was Fogo de Chao, the original Brazilian steakhouse. The late President Bush had discovered the place on a visit to Rio and encouraged the owners to open in Dallas. Eight restaurants later Fogo finally opened in downtown Austin. Then, a long term manager from Fogo opened Estancia Churrascaria in Sunset Valley. He replicated […]

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Ben Mouton: the Creative Force Behind Mouton’s Bistro and Bar in Cedar Park

Posted by on Mar 12, 2019 in Cajun, Cedar Park, North, Reviews

You gotta love Ben Mouton. In his multifaceted career he’s gone from a theater major at Texas State to matriculating at one of the finer culinary academies in New Orleans. This eventually led him to Leander and ultimately Cedar Park where he’s opened Mouton’s Southern Bistro and most recently Mouton’s Bistro & Bar. He has […]

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Sunset Limited Dining Car recreated recreated as Winner Winner Restaurant on 290W

Posted by on Mar 10, 2019 in Casual, Farm to Table, West

Winner Winner’s interior Under the Direction of Sarah Lindsey, the dining car from the famous Sunset Limited Line (1953) has been lovingly recreated and turned into a farm to table restaurant called Winner Winner on 290 West. Make no mistake: this is not a diner. Breakfast is not served. But rather it’s a cozy, intimate […]

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Chinatown Westlake Just Keeps Getting Better

Posted by on Mar 6, 2019 in Asian, Chinese, Dim Sum, West

The history of Chinatown restaurant is nothing short of remarkable. Ronald Cheng opened this spot on Bee caves Road in 1983 with an assortment of chef-driven cuisine from various regions of China. He was a brash young talent at the time and he had reason to be. His skill in the kitchen was such that […]

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Disappointing News from Cedar Park: Big Cat BBQ has Closed

Posted by on Feb 26, 2019 in Barbecue, Closings, North

I’m very sad to report that Big Cat BBQ has closed. Owner James Jones had bounced back from incredible physical challenges to launch the popular Big Cat, but his family restaurant was overwhelmed by a proliferation of chain restaurants in Cedar Park. I, for one, am saddened by the loss of Big Cat And the […]

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Sakura’s Omakase Dinner Finishes with Delightful Hamachi Sashimi

Posted by on Feb 20, 2019 in Japanese, Lakeway, Reviews, Sushi

I had the pleasure of sampling many creations from the fertile imagination of chef Po at Sakura Sushi & Bar in Lakeway. The occasion was the Omakase dinner held every other Tuesday night at the Japanese eatery. Course after course came out: from crab maki to the famous Cucumber Island. And then there was the […]

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The Restaurant Collaboration Trend Continues with the Opening of Uncle Nicky’s in Hyde Park

Posted by on Feb 16, 2019 in Central, Italian, Openings

Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties, an Italian café featuring sandwiches and antipasti, has opened on Duval in Hyde Park. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between Juniper’s Nic Yanes, Brandon and Zane Hunt from Via 313, and Travis Tober of Nickel City. This continues the collaborative trend we’ve seen over the past year such as the […]

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Sakura Takes Definitive Position for Sushi/Sashimi in Lakeway

Posted by on Feb 13, 2019 in Japanese, Lakeway, Location, Reviews, Sushi

Sakura Sushi & Bar is a Japanese sushi restaurant off Medical Drive in Lakeway. The preparation is meticulous and the dishes, all under the watchful eye of Chef Po, are delicious. Various gyoza style dumplings are also available. This is a spot that’s worthy of your attention. Omakase dinners are served on Tuesdays.   Sakura […]

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A Few of the Reasons I like Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q

Posted by on Feb 9, 2019 in Barbecue, Reviews

There’s always a smile awaiting you at Rudy’s. The servers seem to genuinely like their jobs and it reflects in the genial attitude they project to the customers. There may be a line from time to time, but unlike the three hour adventures that can await at another Austin BBQ joint, the lines at Rudy’s […]

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East Side Pies Introduces Pepperoni Stromboli

Posted by on Jan 26, 2019 in Italian, Pizza

East Side Pies has been on a roll lately! New North Austin location, a spot at the airport and now … pepperoni stromboli. They start with their Italian cheese bread dough rolled thin, topped with Grande Whole Milk Mozzarella and filled with Laguera Pepperoni and grated Romano. Then they hearth bake it until the cheese […]

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Your Best Choices for Celebrating Valentine’s Day 2019

Posted by on Jan 25, 2019 in Holiday Dining

Looking for a great place to take your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day this year? Below are some of the best options in and around Austin. OASIS The Oasis on Lake Travis is a perennial choice for Valentine’s Day. Their sweeping views are almost as impressive as their food! The Sweetheart Dinner starts off with a […]

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Founders Alan Lazarus and Scott Bolin sell long time favorites Vespaio and Enoteca

Posted by on Jan 19, 2019 in News, Rob's Blog

I first met Chef Alan Lazarus in about 1987 in the kitchen at the iconic Basil’s on West 10th, where he and partner Marshall had established an almost legendary restaurant. But Alan left a few years later to open Vespaio on South Congress with partner Scott Bolin. The upscale Italian cuisine at Vespaio was a […]

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