Fat Sal’s Grand Opening Set for December 6th
Just spoke to Sal himself and Fat Sal’s grand opening has been set for Saturday, December 6th. Fat Sal’s, of course is the Austin extension (on Guadalupe up the driveway from the Thai Noodle House) of three popular LA sandwich joints begun by several former Jersey and NYC pals, one of whom happens to be […]
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 […]
This Place in Buda???
If you have not yet done so, next time you’re in Buda, head to 214 Main St. and check out Nonna Gina’s Pizza and Pasta. Chef Reno and his crew have really stepped up here. The food is quite good. Start with the Friendship Bread, a flat-bread pie made to be dipped in olive oil, […]
Dining Out with Rob Balon adds laV to the Top 20
While I’m positive the outstanding laV on East 7th would have made it to our Top 20 anyway, the unfortunate closing of Paggi House created an opening and laV was the perfect choice. This is a très elegant French restaurant with a 7,000 bottle wine list, world class sommelier, and a staff and ownership totally […]
South Lamar Continues Growth with “The Park”
The Park is a sports bar at 4024 South Lamar, and follows in the footsteps of the Van Delden family’s Park at the Domain which opened three years ago. The Lamar location opened in March of this year. There’s a lot more besides sports available at this one. The comfort good is quite good, and […]
Mercantile Opens on Mercer in “Downtown” Dripping Springs
Did you ever think the day would arrive when you’d see Pâté de Cerdo on a menu in Dripping Springs? Well, the newly-opened Mercantile has seen to that. Or how about a Shallot Croustade with house-smoked bacon jam? Directly next to the Barber Shop brew pub. Long time coming! More information on their website, barbershopbar.com/themercantile. […]
Salvation Pizza Expanding
I guess everybody needs a bit more salvation: particularly if it’s in the form of one of my favorite pizza joints, Salvation Pizza on 34th. After a couple of years of playing ownership musical chairs, Michael Dinsmore is now back at the helm, and all is well. Rainey St. and Northgate Blvd. are the new […]
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 […]
The District Debuts Fall Menu
I really like the broad range of creative dishes at District on Slaughter and Escarpment. Amir and Ali Hajimaleki have this joint jumping. New Fall dishes include Goat Cheese Fritters, Street Tacos, Ratatouille, Octopus (braised and then Grilled), Beef Filet and Porcini Risotto (yum). The emphasis is farm to table, and the place is very […]
Greenhouse Craft Food: Happy Birthday
Round Rock, not exactly restaurant central, had a new opening last October 7th. Greenhouse Craft Food went into business at 1400 East Old Settlers Blvd. featuring farm to table comfort foods and a creative array of goodies from former Mansion at Judges Hill chef Rob Snow. I like this place. Its ambiance matches the food: […]
4th St. Adds Pleasant Storage Room at Site of Former Saba
Like Rocky Balboa said to Paulie when asked what the attraction was to his homely sister Adrian: “We fill gaps.” Well, a significant gap has been filled next to Cedar Street at the former site of Saba. The theme is again Caribbean (we can sure use another one of those), and it’s called the Pleasant […]
Lick on South Lamar Serves up Honest Ice Cream
Here’s the thing with ice cream for me. It’s an occasional indulgence. When I do have some, I want to be amazed: fat, carbs and calories be damned. So I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Lick the other day and tasted their apparently über-healthy ice creams. I tried the salty caramel and was blown […]
Fat Sal’s Opens on Guadalupe
Some Jersey/New York friends who eventually migrated to LA, one of whom (Jerry Ferrara) landed the role as Turtle in HBO’s Entourage, decided to go into the restaurant business. The result was Fat Sal’s, named after a famous Jersey sandwich food trailer. Three opened in the cradle of LA’s movie and tv culture, and the […]
Paul Qui Opens Ticketed Tasting Room
Well, another innovation from the chef of the moment, Paul Qui. He has opened a a tasting room that offers prix fixe dinners that are available only by buying a ticket in advance. It also appears that the a la carte menu format is on the way out at the rest of his restaurant, as […]
Foxhole Culinary Tavern Opens Adjacent to Lakeline
Most remember the Bennigan’s that was adjacent to Lakeline Mall. But its replacement is something else again: the name is Foxhole Culinary Tavern. My friend Ramin Jahedi turned me on to it (as he often does), and we enjoyed a lunch there last week. The place is Southern comfort food meets fine dining. Tried the […]
