The Back Story at Soto: Chef Andy and His Family Rock at Lakeline Mall
One of the more dynamic openings in North Austin has to be the recent introduction of Chef Andy Okamoto’s Soto restaurant to Lakeline Mall. Andy’s passions for cooking date back to his 10th birthday where he worked at his uncle’s restaurant in Kyoto, Japan. He moved to Boston several years later and worked at the […]
Judging Taste North Austin Unveils Some Delicious Dishes
A couple of days ago I was baking in the midday heat at the Domain along with my fellow judges at the Taste North Austin competition. Over 20 restaurants participated and at least for me, there were some pleasant surprises. And the heat only started to bother me about the time the 19th dish arrived. […]
David Garrido Latest Austin Chef to Get “Chopped”
Those who watch the Food Network’s “Chopped” will recognize all the elements of contrived reality show drama. Chefs confronting a virtually impossible task thereby revealing their fobiles and even the most minor culinary hiccups. Then they have to present the dish in front of three usually obnoxious and condescending judges. David Garrido’s turn on Chopped […]
Pizza Wars 2013 Part II: Pieous, the Cave, Winflo and More
It says a lot about the Austin pizza scene that our long running Pizza Wars series now requires two complete installments instead of the few paragraphs that we needed way back when. And that’s good for pizza lovers. Let’s start with some of the newer pizza joints that have come on line. Surprisingly, the Dripping […]
Main Street Grill: Chris Mercer Leads Pioneering RR Bistro into New Era
The wine room at Main Street Grill in Round Rock has a lot of memories for me. When we first tried the restaurant 13 years ago, we had the pleasure to taste our first Monica’s Salad (which is still the most asked for salad) along with a killer Ribeye and a bottle of Caymus in […]
Pieous is the Culmination of Long-Time Dream for Josh Kaner
I first ran into Josh Kaner several years ago at the HEB in Dripping Springs. He engaged me in a discussion of the quality of Austin pizza, and advised me that it was his goal to open a pizzeria somewhere in the area. Fast forward several years later to the former site of Cartwight’s BBQ […]
Hot Off the Presses: News from the Local Food Scene
We blogged last month about the “strange case of Eddie Nimibutr” who owned or worked at (depending on who you’re talking to) the Thai Noodle House on Guadalupe. He was the unfortunate Facebook poster who went nuclear about the Newtown shootings, and claimed that the media only cares when white kids are killed. But he […]
Hill’s Cafe: Demise of an Austin Icon?
I have known Bob Cole as a friend and industry colleague for over 30 years. I was pleasantly surprised when he ventured into the restaurant business about a decade ago after he acquired the venerable Hill’s Cafe on South Congress. I ate there several times and always enjoyed it for the Hill Country roadhouse that […]
Indie Chefs Week at Foreign and Domestic is a Foodie Smash
January 9th thru the 12th has been and continues to be a very special week at Foreign & Domestic. It’s the first Indie Chefs Week for Austin and it features local chefs and other rising stars from around the country. Please note: no Bobby Flays, Morimoto, Lagasse and all the “celebrity chefs” one usually sees […]
Foo Swasdee Back in the Kitchen at Satay
Fans of Satay, the long-running Thai classic off Anderson Lane, will be glad to know that a reinvigorated Foo Swasdee is now back in the kitchen on a full time basis. Swasdee, who has a PhD in Food Science from A&M has got lots of new creations bubbling out of her creative domain, including an […]
Judges’ Hill Rolls Out New Menu
Judges’ Hill at MLK and Rio Grande has rolled out a new and more streamlined menu for the new year. This place has always been one of my favorites, and I’m looking forward to dining there. Under new ownership, the lovely dining room in the stately mansion still exudes warmth and elegance, and I’ll be […]
Restaurant Jezebel Initiates Mandatory Jacket Policy
Austin is the kind of town where the concept of “laid back” is ingrained into the daily fabric of life. The sartorial casualness that kind of flows from the campuses, tech firms and resonates outward has created a minimalist style of dining attire, even at the fine dining establishments, that occasionally shocks visitors from other […]
Circle H Lodge: Gourmet Dining and Spectacular Lodging on Inks Lake
We literally stumbled upon the coolest B&B on Inks Lake a short time ago. It’s called Circle H Lodge. Not only are the rooms and lakeside setting spectacular, but Chef Matthew Weyland is available for gourmet dinners and terrific custom breakfasts Diners must be staying at the lodge. Ask for the Jefe Room. It’s amazing. […]
The Pita Man and His Empire
Odds are, if you’ve eaten a slice of Pita bread at any local deli or restaurant around Austin, chances are Malek Abijaoude, the proprietor of Phoenicia Bakery and Deli, has gotten up at 2am and fired up his South Lamar ovens and baked the bread that’s covering your Gyro or Shawarma, or what’s served at […]
More Troubles for John Mueller
A battle with sister LeeAnn Mueller once again spells trouble for the prodigal son of central Texas BBQ, John Mueller. And just like that, in enough time as it takes to say “beef ribs,” John is out at the popular South 1st St. Trailer. No point in going into graphic details here, but suffice it […]
