Rob’s Christmas and New Year’s Dining Options 2014
For your convenience, we’ll be compiling many recommended restaurants’ hours of operation for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Enjoy, and don’t forget to generously tip your servers over the holiday season. We’ll be updating this list as we approach the holidays, so check back with us daily for more […]
Michael McNeilly new Chef Partner at Fleming’s Domain
Just heard from head honcho Darryl Wittle at Fleming’s at the Domain. The official announcement of the new chef partner has been made, and it’s Michael McNeilly. Michael is quite talented as I discovered tasting his cuisine at Trattoria Lisina out in Driftwood. This should be a great match for Fleming’s and their patrons. He […]
Rob’s Favorite Tex Mex Places
When I first came to Austin over 30 years ago, I had never heard of Tex Mex. But I was a fast learner, and soon we had become addicted to the unique flavors of true Tex Mex. Your cardiologist may not approve, but I look at this as a guilty pleasure more than worthy of […]
Sunday Brunch at Cedro
I was initially a bit skeptical about how a classic Italian restaurant would handle a mid-day Sunday brunch. That changed quickly after my first brunch at Cedro in Lakeline Mall (across from the Alamo Drafthouse). The Eggs Benedict were a study in flavor and texture. Very nice hollandaise, as well. The Breakfast Pizza was a […]
Thanksgiving 2014 Dining Recommendations
Next to Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving is Austin’s other favorite dining out day. And as always, we’re posting a list of restaurants that will be open for Thanksgiving and contact information for those restaurants. We’ll also be updating our list with Thanksgiving menus as they come in. Book your reservations early: whether it’s for a higher […]
Eden East Continues To Blaze Trails
When I first walked into this totally Austintatious food emporium on Springdale, I was taken aback by the trailer-like ambiance. It reminded me of a much larger version of Bryce Gilmore’s early days at the Odd Duck. But the food and the prices had nothing trailer-like about them. This was keeping Austin weird at its […]
Our Favorite Cajun Dining Spots Around Austin
Most people I talk to about Cajun cuisine, particularly those from Louisiana, have very strong feelings about all the various dishes and recipes that make up the bulk of what one sees on menus in Austin area restaurants. Some prefer a dark roux, others a lighter (blonde) roux. Boudin evokes all sorts of passionate preferences […]
Tough Sledding Around Austin for Many High End Restaurants
Restaurants come and go with some rapidity in Austin. Everyone acknowledges that it’s a tough business. But no place is it tougher than in the higher end of fine dining restaurants. The recent closing of Kenichi got me to thinking about how many great places we’ve lost around Austin in the past couple of years. […]
Daryl Wittle: Running a Chain Like it’s Not a Chain
I love to go to high-end restaurants and savor the byproduct of the usually seamless partnerships between the front and back of the house. And that’s why we so much enjoy Fleming’s at the Domain. Yes, it is a chain. But for my money, you could call it “Daryl’s” after owner/partner Daryl Wittle. Truth be […]
Rudy’s Bar-B-Q: The Guys Behind the “Sause”
We want to thank all of you who submitted their top ten pizza lists as part of our Pizza Wars 2014 feature from last week. It was easy to tell that a lot of thought went in to your lists. And thanks to the many foodies who took the time to read our lengthy story […]
Porter Ale House and Gastropub Drawing the Late Night Crowd
Mention pork belly sliders to me, and I’m yours. Mention Cheese Pierogis, and I am even more committed. Thus my passion for the Porter Ale House and Gastropub 3715A South First. It seems like we have a plethora of gastropubs these days around Austin. You know what? It’s fine with me. I love neighborhood joints […]
A First Dinner at laV
Since the demise of Aquarelle and Mirabelle, Austin foodies been pining for an elegant and beautifully appointed French restaurant. The recent debut of laV on East 7th should make a lot of those foodies happy. As many of you know, I don’t like to rush to a new restaurant. So our first meal at laV […]
Homespun Kitchen and Bar Introduces Sunday Brunch
Man, am I glad to see this. Dripping Springs is not exactly awash in a sea of quality weekend brunches. So the recent addition of a Sunday Brunch from 10am-3pm at Homespun Kitchen and Bar is great news. I’ve grown to really appreciate this mother/daughter-operated place at 131 Mercer just off 12 and 290. The […]
7 Characteristics of Highly Effective Restaurateurs
Stephen Covey wrote a book over twenty years ago that revolutionized the business world and advanced the notion that success in business and in life were interdependent. I reread the book earlier this year, and began to think again of the applications of its principles for the hospitality industry. Here’s my take on it with […]
Do Presidential Perks Extend to BBQ Lines?
Big brouhaha yesterday when President Barack Obama, after finishing up a DNC fundraiser and speech at the Paramount, decided to jump the line at the intergalactically famous Franklin Barbecue on East 11th. The hue and cry on social media was immediate and in many cases, downright vitriolic. Of course, Obama made a gesture by paying […]
