Rainey Street Smokin’ on Sunday Night
Our first instinct was to head down to my friend Brian O’Neills place Bangers on Rainey St. I mean how crowded could it be on a Sunday night? Slammed was the word. So we tried No Va and then El Naranjo with the same result. The street was teeming with masses of people: some bar […]
Austin Restaurants I Miss
I often ruminate on restaurants that have come and unfortunately gone in the 35 years I’ve lived in Austin. While I’ve only officially been talking and writing about restaurants since 1998 I’ve always been a foodie. So some of these go way back. La Vista at the Hyatt. Absolutely the best fajitas ever. Most nights […]
Hudson’s on the Bend to Have Last Service Saturday night.
One of Austin’s most iconic restaurants, Hudson’s on the Bend, will have its last service Saturday night. Jeff Blank’s incredible 32-year run will come to an end and he will be sorely missed. The restaurant will close for a time and will reopen at an undetermined date under new ownership.. Nonetheless, as a tribute to […]
Darryl Wittle to Return as GM to Bob’s Steak and Chop House.
Darryl Wittle, the beloved former GM at Fleming’s has returned to Bob’s Steak and Chop House as GM. Wittle is an exemplary restaurateur who set a very high bar during his tenure at Fleming’s . Great to have him back on the downtown scene.
Top 25 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the Austin area.
The Top 20 has long been one of our reader favorites on Dining Out with Rob Balon. We’ve made changes from time to time, but there are so many great restaurants out there that the Top 20 no longer seems adequate. So, welcome to the Top 25! Many, many changes. First, let’s review our criteria […]
Crepe Crazy
660 W 290 Hwy, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 524-3198
3103 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
(512) 387-2442
Mixed Reviews for Restaurant Traffic at SXSW
So the mammoth combination of intellect, music and enormous crowds known as SXSW has once again enveloped Austin in its heady brew. Some restaurants love this festival and others wish it would take a long walk off a short pier. The interactive part of the festival, which comes first, tends to attract those with expense […]
Easter Brunch Suggestions
Easter has an early arrival this year. March 27th is just around the corner but seats for Easter Brunch are filling fast. So here are 15 of my favs for your consideration. Enjoy the day! The Russian House This authentic Russian restaurant offers a colorful and historic ambience. The food is good as well but […]
Salt Traders Coastal Cooking to Open in Round Rock.
Jack Gillmore and Tom Hamm will be opening their fourth restaurant at the site of the former Mesa Rosa at 2850 N IH 35. This is a stone’s throw from Jack Allen’s Kitchen in RR. The highly successful duo who now have three Jack Allen’s Kitchens are going to focus on a menu a bit […]
Street by Chinatown to Open in Early Summer
Spoke to Ronald Cheng today and he’s buzzed about his coming venture: Street by Chinatown. It will be downstairs at the Greystone location. The name pretty much sums up the intended cuisine. Ronald wants to do a casual Izakaya-like concept featuring Asian street fare. Ronald has never introduced anything he has not meticulously planned out […]
Must Visit Breakfast Spots
I’m a longtime breakfast lover. There’s something about a great breakfast, from an elegant Quiche to a simple Breakfast Taco that literally jump starts my business day or sets the stage for a leisurely weekend. These are some of my favorite breakfasts around the River City. Hoe Cakes at Hoover’s Cooking This is both a […]
Cafe Blue to Move
One of my long-time favs, Cafe Blue at the Galleria, is moving to new digs within the vast Bee Cave complex. They’ll be at the old location just down from Hill Country Cinema for another couple of weeks. I’ve been craving Chef Ben’s fabulous clam chowder anyway so it’s high time for a visit.
It’s Time for Rob’s Favorite Soups
I must admit that given the unseasonably warm weather we experienced for most of this year, I was less inclined than normal to indulge in one of my true food passions: great locally-made soups. But now that it’s gotten a bit colder, my taste buds have begun to percolate and my thoughts run to some […]
