Chinatown Westlake Opens May 1
Chinatown, one of Austin’s longest running restaurant success stories, is opening at 25% capacity at the Westlake location on Bee Caves. Founder and owner Ronald Cheng called me with the news. They’ll have the same regular hours. Tables will be spaced and health protocols will be practiced by all servers and kitchen staff. My wife […]
Local Restaurants Weighing Decisions to Open May 1st
While there are unquestionably many Austin diners who are looking forward to sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a meal, Governor Abbott’s May 1st reopening option has not been immediately embraced by all Austin restaurants. Some (like downtown steakhouse favorite III Forks) after careful consideration have scheduled openings May 1st while others (like all […]
III Forks to Reopen May 1st Under Latest Abbott Ruling
I’ve heard from the folks at III Forks and they already have 80 reservations on the books for Friday night. Talk about pent-up demand! Luckily for them, they have enough square footage to comfortably handle that number and stay within the 25 percent capacity range. Of course gloves and masks will be mandatory, as will […]
What’s in Store if Austin Restaurants Reopen?
Mixed emotions here. As much of a restaurant fan as I am, the possibility of a “partial reopening of restaurants” is fraught with potential problems. To begin with, restaurants (assuming they actually have the cash on hand for a full reopening) face many logistical challenges. There has been discussion that before customers are seated, they’d […]
The Current Takeout Dilemma: Which Orders Travel Best?
I’ve gotten a lot of email from readers asking for my opinion on which meals travel best with regard to retaining texture, taste, and overall continuity. Here are my thoughts on the subject, broken down by category. TEX MEXThis category can be dicey. I love nachos, but they typically arrive much too moist and devoid […]
The League Kitchen & Tavern is “Primed” for Easter Sunday Takeout
Ever since The League Kitchen and Tavern First Opened in Lakeway, I have been a fan of their upscale comfort food concept. Their expansion to locations in Belterra Village near Dripping Springs and Avery Ranch did not dilute their distinctive quality in the least. So when they roll out this Easter Sunday takeout menu, rest assured […]
The Gift of Giving: Chinatown Restaurants Pay it Forward
In the Austin restaurant community, through good times and bad, there have always been owners who put needy people ahead of profits: people like Ronald Cheng (pictured above) and Hoover Alexander, stand-up guys who epitomize how great restaurants give back not only to their customers but to all people of need in the Austin community. […]
III Forks to Offer Gourmet Easter Takeout Menu
At this time it’s more important than ever that we focus on days like Easter, when a celebration can be enjoyed by those families who, like most of us, are self distancing. III Forks has prepared prepared the above menu for takeout in a safe and totally clean environment. Call (512) 474-1776 to reserve yours […]
The Stark Reality for Some of Our Less Fortunate Local Restaurants
This letter and announcements like it that I’ve gotten from local restaurants tear at the heart strings. God bless them and here’s hoping that they can reopen soon!
Local Restaurants Like Rudy’s Bar-B-Q Adapt by Adding Groceries to Their Takeout Service
When I called in my order to Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q on 360 in Westlake on Sunday, they asked if I needed anything else. Somewhat surprised, I asked what that “something else” might be. I was told they had eggs, milk, cheese, butter, vegetables, red potatoes, bread, paper towels, chocolate bars, and a variety […]
