Josh Watkins is in Fine Form at The Driskill
One of our traditions in the Balon family is to stay home on Valentine’s Day (would you believe home-made Philly Cheese Steak hoagies) and dine out the evening after. Such was the case with our last meal at The Driskill Grill. Josh Watkins, who took over the reins from David Bull last year, was in […]
Westlake Restaurant Scene Continues to Defy Logic
You’ve all heard me rant about the ongoing paradox that characterizes dining in Westlake. I’ve mentioned the Bermuda triangle of restaurants more than once in this blog: so then what happens? Two new restaurants open within a few months of each other and they are both packing them in. I’m referring of course to the […]
The Roach Report Finds a New Home on KVUE
It used to be KXAN-TV that carried the torch for all the hue and cry regarding reports of restaurants that were regarded as “unsafe” by the Austin-Travis county health inspectors. Now KVUE, Channel 24, home of the seriously cute Christine Haas, has stepped into the breach with a feature entitled Eat, Drink and be Wary! […]
Paris Hilton Gets Burned at Benihana
Noted the other day where that extremely well-known gastronomical giant Paris Hilton managed to suffer burns on her hand from the grill at a Benihana’s in LA. Short of climbing over the table on your hands and knees or having a quickie with the knife-wielding stir fry chef, one wonders how you could possibly burn […]
Gordon Ramsey Coming to The Bakehouse???
If this isn’t a match made in the restaurant version of Hollywood casting, I don’t know what is. Gordon Ramsey may be about to take on an Austin restaurant for his Kitchen Nightmare series on the Fox Network: the 30-year favorite on Manchaca, the Bakehouse. The Bakehouse is not a fine dining restaurant (the kind […]
The 2008 Presidential Candidates: You Are What You DON’T Eat???
I recall years ago chuckling when George Bush senior revealed an aversion to broccoli. It was slightly after that he vomited over the Japanese Prime Minister at a state dinner. Bill Clinton loved BBQ and Chicken Fried Steak with French fries. He was also prone to frequent pit stops at McDonald’s (note that was before […]
Fine Dining in Austin: Too Many Restaurants for Too Few Customers?
We are extraordinarily fortunate to have the variety of fine dining experiences that are available in Austin. I have been to many cities of comparable size that don’t have a fraction of what’s available here. Still, were I to council someone contemplating the opening of a new restaurant, I would discourage them from heading down […]
A Christmas Birthday Memory
Today is December 17th. Christmas is looming, retailers are fretting, and everyone is starting to get that warm, toasty, fuzzy inner glow that seems to start manifesting itself this time of year. It’s also my father’s birthday. Edward Joseph Balon would have been 90 today. There was never a man that enjoyed life more than […]
Restaurant Etiquette 101 on 6th St.
We all know that Austin is a town where the restaurant noise level can sometimes be a bit more than people are comfortable with. I do get a few complaints occasionally on this from readers. But one has to stop and consider that we are a youngish, booming, seat-of-the-pants kind of town. Couple that with […]
Pangaea Opens on Colorado
This must be the year for the way-too-cool nightspots in and adjacent to the Warehouse District. First The Belmont, then Imperia, then Qua (with the sharks et al.) and now Pangaea. The “fickle 500” in Austin must be in a lather at this point as they decide what club to anoint as THE place to […]
Finally, Fogo de Chao Opens
After months of anticipation and unmitigated hype, Fogo de Chao, the huge chain of Brazilian steak houses or churrascarias has opened on 3rd St. next to The Melting Pot and across from the convention center. I dined there at their preview dinner last week and had a very pleasant evening. Aside from seeing the usual […]
Restaurant News and Gossip: Miguel Rovago, Brad Womack, Tyson Cole, Sharon Watkins, Beau Theriot and More!
We went to Fonda San Miguel for brunch last Sunday and I was surprised and delighted to see Chef Miguel Rovago back behind one of the serving stations. Miguel had announced his retirement last year and had planned to teach at a cooking school in Spain. But to our good fortune, he’s rotating between Austin […]
What a Week: Imperia, Sicola’s, La Dolce Vita and More!
What a Week: Imerpia, Sicola’s, La Dolce Vita and More!
NoRTH at the Domain Opens with a Bang!
NoRTH at the Domain Opens with a Bang!
Westlake: The Restaurant Woes Continue
Finally, Athenian Grille Ready to Begin Construction
Finally, Athenian Grille Ready to Begin Construction.
Southwest Airlines: The New Policy is Peanuts
