Rob’s Favorite Food Photos
Since the advent of the iPhone and other devices, we’ve been taking a lot more food pictures. Many are posted on our site while many more are on my Instagram page @robbalon. Here are some of my recent favorites: Marge and I with C.K. Chin at the soft opening of Wu Chow on W 5th […]
100 Pizzitas Closes
There goes another one! We reported last week on the closing of Due Forni at 6th and Congress. This week it’s another pizza closing: 100 Pizzitas. It was the first North American location of a Spanish pizza chain on E 7th. They actually had 100 pizzas to choose from and the ones I tried were […]
Vivo Quietly Reemerges on N I-H 35
Some years ago a restaurant called Vivo hit the ground running on Manor Road. Their puffy tacos and home made sauces were a huge hit. Founder Roger Diaz then opened a second location on 620 where he added legendary chef Paul Peterson to the mix. And then, seemingly overnight, both locations were gone. The Manor […]
Dripping Springs Emerges as a Dining Destination
Back in March some eyebrows were raised when I issued my brand new Top 25 list of fine dining restaurants. There for the first time was a restaurant in Dripping Springs of all places. I had discovered Creek Road Cafe when we moved to a neighborhood north of Dripping Springs after leaving Westlake and doing […]
Due Forni Closes
Another major downtown closing has occurred. On the heels of the Cantina Laredo closing, Due Forni has closed. The restaurant closed without notice Thursday, July 21st. Due Forni, which literally translated to “two ovens” opened several years ago at 6th and Congress at the former site of Louie’s 106. I was there as recently as […]
Cantina Laredo Closes
In what is becoming a somewhat alarming trend downtown, another restaurant, in this case Cantina Laredo, has closed. They had a strong ten-year run but were unable to come to terms with their landlord on a new lease. I always enjoyed Cantina, from their Carnitas to their table side Guacamole. And I will miss it!
CraigO’s Original 290 Store Celebrates 13th Anniversary
One of my favorite little family-style Italian joints, CraigO’s Pizza and Pastaria on Highway 4970 290 W at South Town Square is celebrating a lucky13 years in business. Owner Craig Plackis is a real people guy and that has been reflected in the support he has received from the community. Oh and the food ain’t […]
The Cost of a Sub
As a rule I prefer to make my own subs on the fairly rare occasions that I have them. Lot of bread for a guy who dines out 5-6 time a week. But I do occasionally get subs out and it seems that not that long ago, you could get a large turkey sub in […]
Imperia Closes
A few years back Imperia on Colorado was introduced to Austin as the home of “vibe dining” and an extension of the famous TAO restaurants in Vegas and New York.[They opened with the Sous Chef from Tao Vegas on board]. It also introduced many of us to C.K.Chin who has now become, shall we say, […]
Popadom Opening at Former Site of Imperia
With the notable exception of the Clay Pit at 1601 Guadalupe and G’Raj Mahal on Rainey, downtown Austin, between Caesar Chavez and 12th has lacked an Indian restaurant. That’s about to change. The Singh family, Vir and Jae are opening Indian-styled Papadom at 320 Colorado in the space formerly occupied by Michael Girard’s Imperia. The […]
What Does it Take to be a Restaurant Critic?
One of the most over-served markets these days are people who dine out. Twenty years ago, the reviews on restaurants were almost exclusively the domain of newspapers and some food-specific magazines. These days however, with the advent of user-generated websites there has been an explosion of restaurant criticism. So that leads to the question: what […]
Proof and Cooper Marks 1st Anniversary
The area out by Highway 12 and Hamilton Pool Road is classic hill country gorgeous. But until recently it has not exactly been overrun with restaurant. Proof and Cooper changed that a year ago when they first opened. We stopped by Saturday afternoon to help them celebrate their 1st anniversary. We had the burger with […]
