First Tastes of Meridian 98 at Sonesta Bee Cave
I had a very enjoyable conversation and menu tasting the other night with Meridian 98’s Executive Chef Patrick Newman. The restaurant, located atop the Sonesta Hotel at The Galleria in Bee Cave boasts a gorgeous Hill Country view and an innovative and appealing menu. Newman, who hails from northern Louisiana, took his training in Charleston, […]
Rob Reviews The League Kitchen & Tavern at Belterra Village
I have known The League Kitchen & Tavern co-owner Tony Ciola since he worked for his father Dan at the family owned Italian restaurant Ciola’s in Lakeway. Back then his goal was to be a high-level baseball pitcher, but an injury caused him to put that dream on hold and immerse himself in the restaurant […]
Rob Reviews Gino’s Vino Osteria in Round Rock
The real beauty of Gino’s Vino Osteria in Round Rock is its authenticity and the evocative simplicity of its gorgeous dishes like the classic Caprese salad pictured above, featuring home-crafted mozzarella with gorgeous tomatoes and Balsamic vinegar. The pasta is also house-made daily and is splendid in its artisanal simplicity. The Linguine Nero in a […]
An Unusual Sight on a Traditional Mexican Menu: Crispy Calamari at Cielo Bistro Mexico
Cielo Bistro Mexico opened recently off Far West in Northwest Hills. The menu, in addition to the deliciously crispy Calamari, holds a number of must try items. I would have used the word “essentials” but that’s been kicked around far too often on wanna-be food sites. So no need for redundancy. Here are items I […]
Austin Food + Wine Festival Happening This Weekend
As much as I’ve enjoyed watching the Austin Food + Wine Festival grow from a small hill country event hosted by Ed and Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards, I must admit that the sheer size of the current celebration of local and regional chefs is a bit intimidating. As much as I’d like to […]
Rob’s First Tasting of Cielo Bistro Mexico
Cielo’s Sopes de Chicharron Cielo Bistro Mexico recently opened on 7032 Wood Hollow Drive off Far West in Northwest Hills. This is a revitalization for veteran Café Josie chef and founder Charles Mayes and his enthusiasm for a new style of authentic and regional Mexican cuisine is evident in every dish we tried. I was […]
Cielo Bistro Mexico Opens in Northwest Hills
Cielo Bistro Mexico has recently opened on 7032 Wood Hollow Dr. in Northwest Hills. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between long time Café Josie chef Charles Mayes, wine specialist Joel Morales, and Brick Oven (35th st) owner Jay McBride. The menu looks to be somewhat upscale Mexican and has that signature Mays vibe to […]
An Abundance of Pickles on 290: the Pickle House Opens
When I first drove by the new restaurant The Pickle House a few weeks ago all I could think of was fried pickles. But after a quick look around inside, I realized it was about far more than that. Yes, there are fried pickles but there’s also chicken and (are you ready for this) it’s […]
Ben Mouton: the Creative Force Behind Mouton’s Bistro and Bar in Cedar Park
You gotta love Ben Mouton. In his multifaceted career he’s gone from a theater major at Texas State to matriculating at one of the finer culinary academies in New Orleans. This eventually led him to Leander and ultimately Cedar Park where he’s opened Mouton’s Southern Bistro and most recently Mouton’s Bistro & Bar. He has […]
Sakura’s Omakase Dinner Finishes with Delightful Hamachi Sashimi
I had the pleasure of sampling many creations from the fertile imagination of chef Po at Sakura Sushi & Bar in Lakeway. The occasion was the Omakase dinner held every other Tuesday night at the Japanese eatery. Course after course came out: from crab maki to the famous Cucumber Island. And then there was the […]
The Restaurant Collaboration Trend Continues with the Opening of Uncle Nicky’s in Hyde Park
Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties, an Italian café featuring sandwiches and antipasti, has opened on Duval in Hyde Park. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between Juniper’s Nic Yanes, Brandon and Zane Hunt from Via 313, and Travis Tober of Nickel City. This continues the collaborative trend we’ve seen over the past year such as the […]
