Bill Dumas on His Turf by The Smokers at The Switch in Belterra Village

Posted by on Aug 18, 2018 in Barbecue, News, Openings, Rob's Blog

Bill Dumas is a tested BBQ veteran griller and smoker who is taking care of business at The Switch, a partnership between the Stiles Switch BBQ and Lenoir brain trusts that recently opened in Belterra Village near Dripping Springs. Shane Stiles and Todd Duplechan of Lenoir are friends and also partners in the revival of […]

This Picture of Pizza Makers at Pieous Does Indeed Say a Thousand Words

Posted by on Aug 17, 2018 in Rob's Blog

Food is a source of joy for many people, including those who work in its preparation. When I snapped this quick photo on my iPhone at Pieous at Belterra Village I didn’t really think about it too much until I took a closer look. You want to talk about the joy food can bring? Just […]

Pieous Settles into New Digs at Belterra Village off 290

Posted by on Aug 11, 2018 in News, Openings, Rob's Blog

After many nights being crammed in between patrons in line and tables teeming with hungry pizza lovers, Pieous founders Josh and Page Kaner are probably breathing a big sigh of relief to be in their new building at Belterra Village not far down 290 from their original location. Can’t blame them – the new place […]

Carmela’s Keeps the Pasta Coming in the Hill Country near Dripping Springs

Posted by on Aug 9, 2018 in Hill Country, Italian, Pizza, Reviews, Rob's Blog

I tend to patronize family owned and operated restaurants because they usually place a premium on customer care and satisfaction. Carmela’s Pizzeria Café & Deli on Route 12 at Hamilton Pool Road near Dripping Springs is one such spot. They make authentic Italian dishes and always leave me satisfied. They’re not going to be on […]

Craving Burnt Ends? Check out the Tuesday Special at Big Cat BBQ

Posted by on Aug 6, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

  Damn these look good!!! Big Cat BBQ 401 W Whitestone Blvd, C-100 Cedar Park, TX 78613 (512) 986-7032 www.bigcatbbqtx.com

Juniper Delivers a Classic Roman-Style Cacio e Pepe

Posted by on Aug 4, 2018 in Italian, Reviews, Rob's Blog

Does the above picture intrigue you? If you like Pecorino Parmesan cheese tossed with fresh al dente spaghetti and ground black pepper with (of course) butter, then you will love this classic Roman-style offering. Juniper at 2400 East Caesar Chavez totally gets this dish – as they do with so many other iconic Italian offerings […]

Celebrate National Lobster Day at C.R. Surf & Turf in Cedar Park

Posted by on Jul 31, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

Today is National Lobster Day! You can celebrate by heading up to C.R. Surf & Turf in Cedar Park. C.R. Surf & Turf owner Hao Lien with a massive 14 lb. lobster Lobster fact: Cold water lobsters have two large claws and a tail. Warm water or rock lobsters have no claws. Surprisingly, the larger […]

Wild Kitchen and Bar Opens off Highway 71

Posted by on Jul 26, 2018 in News, Openings, Reviews, Rob's Blog, Uncategorized

The ambiance at Wild Kitchen + Bar is very pleasant and the service was excellent. The old mini golf course from the former restaurant is still outside and kids will love it, but the food here will send mom and dad into spasms of culinary rhapsody. The Fried Duck Leg Confit falls off the bone […]

Jack Allen’s Kitchen Sits on Top of the Austin Comfort Food Scene

Posted by on Jul 21, 2018 in Rob's Blog

When Jack Gilmore, who had pretty much single-handedly kept the Z’Tejas chain afloat for quite some time, opened Jack Allen’s Kitchen in Oak Hill some years back, many questioned his choice of locations, and primarily his decision to open JAK in a building that had housed literally a half dozen failed restaurants. Well, time has […]

Packed for a Monday: The League at Belterra Village Gains Traction

Posted by on Jul 17, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

It was a simple mission actually: get some food to go for my wife who is on the mend from knee replacement surgery. But this simple mission would have been far less easily accomplished if I’d have had to go to the original League Kitchen & Tavern in Lakeway from our house in Highpointe. Apparently […]

Jayson Munguia Takes the Reins at Juliet Italian Kitchen

Posted by on Jul 11, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog, Uncategorized

Stellar dishes like the Chicken Saltimbocca (pictured above) and the Salmon Crudo are very important to Juliet Italian Kitchen regulars. The challenge to new exec Jayson Munguia will be to maintain the consistency that departing head chef Jacob Weaver initiated. Should be an interesting next month at the Barton Springs eatery!

Lenoir and Stiles Switch Collaboration “The Switch“ Opens in Belterra Village

Posted by on Jul 8, 2018 in News, Openings, Rob's Blog

When you take a grillmaster with the style and experience that Bill Dumas of Stiles Switch BBQ has and mix that with the culinary chops of former Trio Sous Chef and current Lenoir founder and owner Todd Duplechan, one thing is certain: You’re going to get something special. Welcome to The Switch at Belterra Village […]

Read the Big Cat BBQ Back Story in the Austin Business Journal

Posted by on Jun 28, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

We were first introduced to James Jones by KEYE TV Meteorologist Chikage Windler, who’s a big fan of Big Cat BBQ. We’ve written about James’ amazing story here. Now you can also check out the back story of James and Big Cat BBQ in the online version of the Austin Business Journal. Here’s the article […]

Kiwami Ramen Opens on 2700 West Anderson

Posted by on Jun 25, 2018 in Openings, Reviews, Rob's Blog

The setting is quixotically Asian and the players blend in a mix of Thai, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines … welcome to Kiwami Ramen. We tried a variety of dishes, from a crispy Shrimp Tempura to a spicier than usual Miso Ramen that was delicious, to a somewhat fiery pork belly with an egg over easy […]

The One and Only Hoover Alexander: The Dean of Southern Comfort Food

Posted by on Jun 25, 2018 in Rob's Blog

I have known chef Hoover Alexander for over thirty years: from his days at Toulouse on West 6th Street to his tenure at The Nighthawk, and his spectacular turn at Good Eats on through his ownership of Hoover’s Cooking on Manor Road. He is among the most beloved and admired restaurateurs in the city. Same […]

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