First Tastes of Meridian 98 at Sonesta Bee Cave

Posted by on Dec 6, 2019 in Reviews

I had a very enjoyable conversation and menu tasting the other night with Meridian 98’s Executive Chef Patrick Newman. The restaurant, located atop the Sonesta Hotel at The Galleria in Bee Cave boasts a gorgeous Hill Country view and an innovative and appealing menu. Newman, who hails from northern Louisiana, took his training in Charleston, […]

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Rob’s Recommendations for Austin Thanksgiving Dining

Posted by on Nov 24, 2019 in Holiday Dining

Used to be that you had to go to a hotel in Austin to find a good Thanksgiving dinner. There are still fine hotel dinners to be had (the Four Seasons, The Westin, et al.) but a number of local restaurants have made a special effort to celebrate the day with exclusive chef-designed menus. Below […]

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Roppolo’s Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Posted by on Nov 22, 2019 in News, Pizza

Marc Roppolo has been getting a lot of press lately. The founder of the legendary Roppolo’s Pizza in Austin got a shout out from Gayle King of CBS News and BFF of Oprah Winfrey. On top of that, Roppolo’s, which has been adding new locations around town, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. I love their […]

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It’s Getting Cold: What Better Time to Share Our Favorite Soups

Posted by on Nov 16, 2019 in Best Of

As frost grows on the pumpkins it’s time to start thinking about great soups at Austin area restaurants. Here are some of my best picks: TEXICAN CAFE  Seriously good tortilla soup as pictured above. Smooth without being tricked up. Wonderfully savory with great mouth feel. CAFE BLUE One of the best New England style clam […]

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Best Comfort Food Restaurants In Austin

Posted by on Nov 12, 2019 in Best Of, Comfort Food

We all love comfort foods, be it a heaping bowl of Blue Bell Pralines ‘n Cream or a delicious dish of mac and cheese. So for those of you who are looking for the best restaurants for comfort food in Austin, here is our list! Hoover’s Cooking Hoover Alexander is master of Southern comfort fare. […]

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Joe Cave: a True Pizzaiolo At Work At The Pizza Cave on 290 West

Posted by on Nov 7, 2019 in Dripping Springs, Italian, Pizza

I love the New York style pies that Joe Cave serves at The Pizza Cave on 290 West near Dripping Springs. He and his wife Susan run one of the most popular pizza joints in the area. Yet ironically, Joe’s roots are not in New York City as one might expect – as it happens, […]

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The Pizza Cave Moves into New Digs on Highway 290 West

Posted by on Oct 28, 2019 in Dripping Springs, News, Openings, Pizza

I first discovered The Pizza Cave about 4 years ago in its cozy building at the corner of Highway 12 and 290 in Dripping Springs. They served our favorite New York style pizza and we became fairly regular customers, as have a lot of other locals. When a massive rain storm left almost a foot […]

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Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse Closing on Barton Springs and Moving to Dripping Springs

Posted by on Oct 23, 2019 in Closings, Dripping Springs, News

Uncle Billy’s Brewery & Smokehouse has been serving up craft beers and BBQ in its Barton Spring Road location for quite some time. They’ve recently disclosed that the original location is closing and they’re relocating to a yet to be named location in Dripping Springs. This news could make the owners of The Switch a […]

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Spam Comes Back with a WHAM at Poke Austin

Posted by on Oct 23, 2019 in Cuisine, Hawaiian

Spam is one of those kinds of canned meats that many people disdain upon initial contact. But because of its long shelf life and no need for refrigeration, it was introduced to GIs in Hawaii during World War II. The product gradually spread to the locals and to this day remains a phenomenally popular black […]

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Too Early for Planning New Year’s Eve? Not At All. The Oasis Has You Covered!

Posted by on Oct 20, 2019 in Austin Originals, Holiday Dining, On the Water

If you’re like most people, New Year’s Eve is one of those nights that doesn’t always get a lot of advance planning. You know, at the last minute couples start asking each other what they want to do. Or they call friends with the same question. Usually these last-minute decisions, as I can tell you […]

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Torchy’s Original Brick and Mortar Restaurant to Close Shortly

Posted by on Oct 16, 2019 in Austin Originals, Closings, News

Torchy’s, the little taco stand on South 1st that grew up into a brick and and mortar store and then into a more substantial local chain, announced that they’ll be closing that location toward the end of October. I have never personally been a huge Torchy’s fan (breakfast tacos are just so-so) but many of […]

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How Mourad Belkacem Brought the Texican Cafe to Life

Posted by on Oct 13, 2019 in Austin Originals, Cuisine, Southwestern, Tex-Mex

Mourad Belkacem spent his formative years working in a restaurant in the suburbs south of Paris. He later emigrated to Texas and studied engineering at UT. To make ends meet he took a job at the original Mr. Gatti’s startup. He was intrigued by the energy there and moved up the ladder at Mr. Gatti’s […]

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Homespun’s Oktoberfest to Benefit Helping Hands In Dripping Springs

Posted by on Oct 9, 2019 in Dripping Springs, Festivals

Come out and join owners Jennifer Walker and Randy Ford of Homespun Kitchen and Bar as they kick off the autumn season with some excellent food and music. Homespun’s 5th annual Oktoberferst Musikfest will run from Friday, October 11 through Sunday, October 13 and features a great lineup of live bands, not to mention food […]

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Tex Mex And BBQ ? Welcome to Valentina’s

Posted by on Oct 5, 2019 in Austin Originals, Barbecue, Tex-Mex

It was inevitable. In a city that consumes vast amounts of Tex Mex and BBQ, somebody finally had to fuse the two. That’s what happened at Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, a permanent trailer off Manchaca run by a husband and wife team. In the picture above is an absolutely palate pleasing moist brisket taco topped […]

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Noble Sandwich Co. on Burnet is Closing

Posted by on Sep 30, 2019 in Casual, Closings, Neighborhood Favs, Sandwiches & Subs

When the Noble Pig exploded on to the scene on 620 a few years ago, they virtually rewrote the book on the composition and presentation of a great roast pork sandwich. The place did a rousing business and for good reason: they were terrific. They recently moved to Burnet and rebranded as Noble Sandwich Co., […]

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