Jennifer Ling and Trent Schneiter: From High Finance to Poke Austin
There’s a great back story to how Poke Austin on Brodie Lane got started. Trent Schneiter worked in high finance where he first met Jennifer Ling, who hailed from China and had an MA in economics from UCLA. Trent had always enjoyed cooking and dining out. Jennifer also had family in the restaurant biz in […]
Gino’s Vino Osteria Recreates Old-Time Hospitality in a New Round Rock Restaurant
One of the long lost traditions from my old days of eating Italian food in New Haven (aside from authentic Naples coal fired pizza) was the congenial and seemingly ever present owner who worked the room like a Las Vegas host and virtually presided over every patron‘s table. You usually walked out of one of […]
Numero28 Rocks 2nd St with Excellent Prosciutto Pizza
It had been awhile since our last visit to Numero28 Pizzeria & Vineria. They made the Top 10 in our last Pizza Wars and I’m pleased to report that Bernardo Nolfo and his crew still have the place in fine form. The pizza was a smash. Ditto for the Eggplant Parmesan and the irresistible Cannelloni! […]
Poke Austin Celebrates 1st Anniversary with Poke Bowl Competition
Poke Austin had a celebration on Sunday, April 7th to mark their first anniversary. Customers competed to see who could prepare the best Poke bowl. Accompanied by Hula dancers, founders Jennifer Ling and Trent Schneiter oversaw the festivities. And your local food critic got to taste all the entries. Hula dancers at the celebration You […]
Chef Gerald Joshua Adds Stunning Chile Relleno to Oasis Menu
The menu at the The Oasis on Lake Travis just keeps getting more inviting. The Pork Chile Relleno pictured above is another new addition to the Oasis menu. It is flat out delicious and the pork is exceptionally tender. The Oasis on Lake Travis 6550 Comanche Trail Austin, TX 78732 (512) 266-2442 www.oasis-austin.com
The Secret to Great Moist Brisket? Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q has the Solution!
There’s a reason why Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q sells so much moist brisket. It’s flat out delicious. But why is it so good? The answer lies in correct time and methods of smoking, their proprietary rub, and in the simple yet fundamental act of slicing. Haven’t tried it yet? Then what the heck are […]
Brazilian Steakhouse Espetos Opens In Lakeway
First there was Fogo de Chao, the original Brazilian steakhouse. The late President Bush had discovered the place on a visit to Rio and encouraged the owners to open in Dallas. Eight restaurants later Fogo finally opened in downtown Austin. Then, a long term manager from Fogo opened Estancia Churrascaria in Sunset Valley. He replicated […]
Sunset Limited Dining Car recreated recreated as Winner Winner Restaurant on 290W
Winner Winner’s interior Under the Direction of Sarah Lindsey, the dining car from the famous Sunset Limited Line (1953) has been lovingly recreated and turned into a farm to table restaurant called Winner Winner on 290 West. Make no mistake: this is not a diner. Breakfast is not served. But rather it’s a cozy, intimate […]
Chinatown Westlake Just Keeps Getting Better
The history of Chinatown restaurant is nothing short of remarkable. Ronald Cheng opened this spot on Bee caves Road in 1983 with an assortment of chef-driven cuisine from various regions of China. He was a brash young talent at the time and he had reason to be. His skill in the kitchen was such that […]
Disappointing News from Cedar Park: Big Cat BBQ has Closed
I’m very sad to report that Big Cat BBQ has closed. Owner James Jones had bounced back from incredible physical challenges to launch the popular Big Cat, but his family restaurant was overwhelmed by a proliferation of chain restaurants in Cedar Park. I, for one, am saddened by the loss of Big Cat And the […]
Sakura Takes Definitive Position for Sushi/Sashimi in Lakeway
Sakura Sushi & Bar is a Japanese sushi restaurant off Medical Drive in Lakeway. The preparation is meticulous and the dishes, all under the watchful eye of Chef Po, are delicious. Various gyoza style dumplings are also available. This is a spot that’s worthy of your attention. Omakase dinners are served on Tuesdays. Sakura […]
A Few of the Reasons I like Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
There’s always a smile awaiting you at Rudy’s. The servers seem to genuinely like their jobs and it reflects in the genial attitude they project to the customers. There may be a line from time to time, but unlike the three hour adventures that can await at another Austin BBQ joint, the lines at Rudy’s […]
East Side Pies Introduces Pepperoni Stromboli
East Side Pies has been on a roll lately! New North Austin location, a spot at the airport and now … pepperoni stromboli. They start with their Italian cheese bread dough rolled thin, topped with Grande Whole Milk Mozzarella and filled with Laguera Pepperoni and grated Romano. Then they hearth bake it until the cheese […]
Poke Austin on Brodie Adds a Beef Tataki Bowl
For those who think that Poke is exclusively about raw fish, there are other possibilities as Poke Austin has beautifully demonstrated. The picture above is their new Beef Tataki bowl. The beef is seared and warm, and imparts wonderful flavors to the fish with the house Ponzu sauce and the Wasabi/mayo sauce. I’ve tried this […]
The Lagniappe at Mouton’s Bistro & Bar
So what is the Lagniappe (pronounced lan’ yap) at Mouton’s Bistro & Bar? Well, it’s one gigantic breakfast dish with just about everything breakfast lovers might prefer. Owner Ben Mouton told me that the dish, because of its size, is rarely completely finished. Well guess who finished it? As they would say in NOLA, “Who […]
