Popadom Opening at Former Site of Imperia
With the notable exception of the Clay Pit at 1601 Guadalupe and G’Raj Mahal on Rainey, downtown Austin, between Caesar Chavez and 12th has lacked an Indian restaurant. That’s about to change. The Singh family, Vir and Jae are opening Indian-styled Papadom at 320 Colorado in the space formerly occupied by Michael Girard’s Imperia. The […]
Proof and Cooper Marks 1st Anniversary
The area out by Highway 12 and Hamilton Pool Road is classic hill country gorgeous. But until recently it has not exactly been overrun with restaurant. Proof and Cooper changed that a year ago when they first opened. We stopped by Saturday afternoon to help them celebrate their 1st anniversary. We had the burger with […]
Street Opens
Street by Ronald Cheng opened on June 18th. Was it worth the wait? You bet! The street food concept works for me and the food is delicious. The Pork Belly dish may be my favorite with the Scallion Cakes and Vietnamese shaved beef not far behind. Street is where Musashino used to be underneath Chinatown […]
More About The Pizza Cave
We had such great response to our recent Pizza Wars Parts 1 and 2 we’re going to drill a bit deeper into some of the restaurants. Let’s begin with The Pizza Cave in Dripping Springs. Owner Joe Cave, unlike most Austinites who own Italian restaurants, is a native Texan. He went to San Angelo State, […]
Satay Closes
I’ve known Dr. Foo Swasdee for many years and it is with regret that we must report that her pioneering Thai restaurant, Satay, is closing. Seems like the Anderson Lane eaterie has been around forever and it almost has. It opened in 1987. Swasdee is the only restaurant owner I know with a PhD in […]
Street by Chinatown Almost Ready
In my line of work I get to go to more than my fair share of soft openings. As most foodies are aware, a soft opening [to borrow a theatrical term] is kind of a dress rehearsal for a restaurant. Selected guests [usually friends and family] are invited and several dinner flights are scheduled. It’s […]
L’Oca d’ Oro About to Open at Mueller
A family-style Italian restaurant called L’Oca d’ Oro is preparing to open at Mueller near the former airport. The emphasis will be on fresh, simple food and will seat about 95. There will also be several private dining rooms including on named The Pasta Room. The principals are Fiore Tedesco and Adam Orman who both […]
Inside Irene’s to Open
New W 5th St bistro from the ELM group to open Memorial Day called Inside Irene’s. The theme is comfort food from Chef Andrew Curren and the menu will feature items like grilled cheese (of course), steak sandwiches, pigs in a blanket, a pulled chicken and avocado sandwich and much more. Cocktails abound and they […]
Wine Fight in Italy!
The families that make one of my favorites, Amarone del Valpolicella, are squabbling over the control of the name Amarone. Well more than squabbling apparently: there’s litigation involved at this point. As Colonel Niebaum once famously said, “can’t we all just get along?”
Pieous Introduces Pie-e-tea
on 290 W
Josh Kaner wasn’t content with the runaway success of Pieous on 290 W. So the mercurial pizza maker and sourdough curator opened a tea and pastry shop adjacent to his restaurant a few months ago. And just like the bread he makes at Pieous for the pastrami sandwiches these pastries are amazing. The place opens […]
Chinos and Gringos Opens
in Oak Hill
Oak Hill has its first Tex-Mex and Asian fusion restaurant. Partners Tom Hsieh and David Deicke bring backgrounds in Asian and Mexican cuisine to the table. Like many newer Austin restaurants, they began as a food truck in 2014 and evolved from there. They’ve got some diverse influences on the menu from Korean-styled Kimchee Fries […]
Stephan Pyles Shuttering Famous Dallas Restaurant
Stephan Pyles has been pleasing Dallas palates for years and his influence reaches down to Austin as well. So it’s a big story up north that Pyle’s namesake restaurant is closing. He’s at the end of another of his ten-year cycles and well, just like the chef of Star Canyon fame will be moving on. […]
Via 313 Opens 2nd Location at site of Blackbird and Henry
Detroit-style pizza Via 313 has opened a second location at 31st and Guadalupe at the site of the closed Blackbird and Henry. I had high hopes for them after the move from 919 in Marble Falls. Ah well. Don’t expect any problems for the new Via 313 location. The first brick and mortar location on […]
Gonzo Gourmet Club Planning Next Dinner
After a killer first dinner at III Forks last month, our rejuvenated Gonzo Gourmet Club is planning a second dinner. We’re thinking about Prelog’s downtown and have also had some requests for the always excellent Freda’s Seafood Grille near Lakeline Mall. Please email us rbbalon1@gmail.com if you have other requests or feedback. One way or […]
