Alternate to Las Manitas for Breakfast Tacos: Dona Emilia’s
Where to get downtown breakfast tacos after the closing of Las Manitas? Dona Emilia’s just down the street on Cesar Chavez (across from the Four Seasons), just two blocks away, is open each morning serving up Austin’s favorite breakfast treat. You might not run into Gus Garcia just yet, but that’s actually OK. The tacos […]
“Kids Eat Free” Promotion at ZuZu
ZuZu is offering “Kids Eat Free” Monday through Wednesday nights after 5:30 pm. Two kid items free with the purchase of an adult platter. In house only, no take out and not valid with any other offers. Click here to see the MENU for ZuZu.
Rob Meets with Rusty Coco, Co-Founder of Jason’s Deli Chain!
The first things that struck me about Rusty Coco were his genuineness and his east Texas charm. It’s not often that I come away from a meeting with the head of a large hospitality chain wanting to go have dinner with the guy. But Rusty is not your average button-downed executive type. He’s interested in […]
New Executive Chef Jeffrey Cummins Debuts at Finn and Porter
Jeffrey Cummins is the new executive chef at downtown favorite Finn and Porter at the Hilton. His credits include a seven-year stint as chef du cuisine at the Grand Californian Hotel in Disneyland. He trained at the prestigious California Culinary Arts Academy. What I like about Cummins philosophy is that he lets the food speak […]
Café Panini is Worth a Visit on North Mays in Round Rock
Had the good fortune last week to have lunch at a seriously good little eaterie in Round Rock on N. Mays called Café Panini. Owned by a husband and wife who are entrepreneurs and helmed by a CIA trained chef, these are Paninis to get excited about. I tried a Turkey Club Panini that was […]
Are You Ready for Shochu?
First it was Cachaca, the Brazilian liquor made from the distillation of fermented sugarcane juice,that began to attract attention internationally. Perhaps because it has a alcohol strength of between 38%-48% and is the basis for the famous Caipirinha, the national drink of Brazil. Now, keeping with the current culinary craze for all things Asian, comes […]
What Happened to and What May be in Store for the Former Cibo’s: El Chilito?
As noted in these pages last month, Cibo which had to close its doors in the spring, was supposed to have been bailed out by an investor from New York who was apparently going to open a restaurant called Luciles. That deal crashed and burned at the 11th hour. Now, news has it that the […]
9 Reasons to Patronize Austin Java
I tend to get annoyed when area restaurants are attacked for no apparent or viable reason. Such has been the case over the past few weeks as Austin Java has been the subject of boycott threats allegedly made by a certain blues singer. All this because the owner of Austin Java and his partners followed […]
The Bakehouse Hosts Open Mic Competition for Singer-Songwriters
Each Monday the Bakehouse, one of our favorite “iconic” restaurants at 5404 Manchaca near Stassney is sponsoring the “South Austin Singer-Songwriter Contest.” This is an open contest for which rewards each of the top three finalists with prizes including a PAID gig for the overall winner. The contest is hosted by award-winning songwriter Steve Power […]
Join the Senior Citizen Social Circle at the Veranda
The Veranda Restaurant & Bar presents the Senior Citizen Social Circle. Membership is complimentary and entitles you to a 20% discount off any entree (not including lunch specials), a 30% discount off of Saturday and Sunday brunch, and complimentary dessert on your birthday. The eligibility requirements are: 1. You must be an Austin resident 2. […]
Imperia Celebrates New Sushi Bar by Offering 2-1 Each Night Till 7pm!
The newly opened Sushi Bar at Imperia is going to offer 2-1 sushi each night during happy hour. Chef Tatsu is rocking and “rolling” and his sushi needs to be celebrated. Now that’s value!
Singer Marcia Ball Allegedly Urges Boycott of Austin Java
Singer Marcia Ball is apparently upset with the owners of the Barton Place Project over the removal of a number of trees; so much that she allegedly announced a boycott of the Austin Java restaurant on Barton Springs Road during her Blues on the Green concert last week. One of the owners of the Barton […]
Imperia to Add Full-Service Sushi Bar
Imperia, one of my favorite modern-Asian restaurants and the newest member of our Top 20, will add Sushi to its already innovative and delectable menu offerings. Chef Tatsu Aikawa joins Executive Chef Joe Tellus to make a powerful combination in downtown dining. Chef Tatsu, born in Tokyo, has years of experience including stints in Tokyo […]
More Woes for Cibo: Sale Falls Through at 11th Hour
Cibo, absolutely one of my all-time favorite Austin restaurants, closed several months ago. The Italian-styled restaurant at 10th and Congress helmed by Will Packwood just never got any traction. The owners had planned to sell the business but the buyer backed out literally at the 11th hour last week. Packwood is one of our most […]
Green Mesquite Gets Unwanted Drive Through Addition at 4am Monday
In one of the more bizarre events in the food world this month, a truck barreled into the side of BBQ favorite The Green Mesquite at Barton Springs and South Lamar at about 4am Monday morning. The driver, interestingly, apparently had fallen asleep at the wheel and didn’t wake up even after he crashed through […]
