Austin Activists Work Toward Ban of Foie Gras in Restaurants
The animal rights activists are at it again. Taking a cue from Chicago, where the sale of foie gras has been banned in city restaurants, Austin activists have been threatening to picket restaurants that serve this 2500-year old delicacy. To make matters worse, they’ve actually managed to get a few of our best Austin restaurants […]
Athenian Grill Loses Lease: Will Reopen in Two Months
Anil Simicia’s Athenian Grill at 8th and Colorado will have to close on Saturday night due to an expiration of their lease and the arrival of a much larger tenant from Houston. Good news however. The popular Greek restaurant will reopen in about two months at 8th and Brazos in larger space. This is a […]
The Belmont Makes Conde Nast’s List of World’s Top 25 Nightspots
Conde Nast magazine has some serious traction in the high-end travel and entertainment world. So the fact that the Belmont, Matt Luckie’s new restaurant/lounge on 6th St, made Conde Nast’s Top 25 list of world night spots must be considered a stunning achievement. The Belmont, which has only been open since last September, was the […]
David Bull Exits Driskill: Josh Watkins Named New Exec Chef
When David Bull took over the helm at the Driskill Grill seven years ago, the restaurant was in such desperate straits that it had resorted to hosting those dreaded mystery dinners. Seven years later, The Driskill is a permanent resident of our Top 20 restaurants, indeed our Top Five restaurants. This is all thanks to […]
Rob’s Recommendations for Fried Catfish
We get a lot of mail from readers asking where my favorite catfish restaurants are. So I thought it appropriate to give you some of the ones that I like to go to. Pacific Star Oyster Bar: two locations on 183 and off Highway 79 in Round Rock. Dry Dock at Canary Nest: at Burnet […]
Cutest Restaurant Baby of 2007
Dave le Blanc at the Boiling Pot serves up great crab feasts. He and his wife also do pretty well at turning out lovely little daughters!!!
The Little Deli on Woodward is Sold. Old Owners to Concentrate on “It’s Italian” in Round Rock
One of my favorite little sandwich shops in Austin, the Little Deli, has been sold. I have not been there since the sale but I’m told all is well. The old owners are operating It’s Italian on Bratton Lane in Round Rock (where the original Gumbo’s was). I really enjoy It’s Italian and wish them […]
Rumors of Zoot Closing are FALSE
Let’s put it plain and simply: Zoot has not closed, nor is it going to close. We have this on record from management. The popular eclectic restaurant on Hearn St. has been the target of “closing” rumors. We repeat, these are false. Zoot: (512) 477-6535
Austin Hilton’s Mark Dayanandan Critiques Escoffier Society Dinner
Anyone who used to believe that Austin is just a backwater stop on the national food scene had better wake up and smell the café au lait. We’ve had chefs like David Bull of the Driskill, Will Packwood of Cibo, and Tyson Cole of Uchi win prestigious national awards. We’ve had restaurants like Ciola’s win […]
Pizza Wars: Rob Ranks Pizzas in the Austin Area
Most of you know that I’m originally from New Haven, Conn. This is the epicenter of great pizza with the shrine of all US pizza joints: Pepe’s and Sally’s. Also the amazing Grande Apizza in East Haven. So I know from whence I speak when it comes to pizza. Our early years down here were […]
The Toughest Reservation in Austin
We are fortunate to live and dine in a city like Austin with its abundance of excellent restaurants. But imagine living in LA, San Francisco, Chicago or New York where reservations in a hot, new restaurant or an old favorite can be almost impossible to obtain! Take Rao’s in NYC for example. Unless you are […]
First Tastes at Sandra Bullock’s “Bess” Encouraging
The question is a familiar one for businesses owned by celebrities. Is the venture more about hubris or is it genuine? After lunch at Bullock’s new bistro restaurant, Bess, at 500 West 6th, I’d say that she is definitely committed to making this a quality operation. Bullock has been working with Vespaio ex Brenton Childs […]
Mark Your Calendars: the Beaujolais Nouveaus are Here on the 16th
I don’t know why we get so excited about the Beaujolais Noveaus. They are simple, young wines with none of the astringents so common to heavier reds. (Probably why so many women enjoy the lighter taste.) There’s simply a lot to be said for tradition. But some 76 million bottles will be shipped world wide […]
