Heard on the Street: New Developments in the Restaurant Biz

Mizu to Seque into the 2nd “Grove”?

The ill-fated Mizu in Lakeway, which closed on New Year’s Day, and which had one of the most spectacular views in Austin, may soon house the 2nd iteration of Reed Clemon’s highly successful Grove in Westlake on Bee Caves Road. Reed, who first hit paydirt with his Granite Cafe, and then Mezzaluna very rarely misses the mark when he opens up a new venture. Look for something less esoteric than sushi and sashimi however. We’ll keep you posted. Sub text: the new hospital complex across from the old Mizu location has been something less than the massive business boost Lakeway restaurateurs had hoped for. Have to keep an eye on that.

Pizza Cave in Dripping Springs Delivers

This new little Italian joint at Highways 290 and 12 in the epicenter of Dripping Springs not only delivers some very decent East Coast style pies, but they also deliver to my house in Highpointe. (Website is thepizzacave.com.) The pizzas are spot on with crispy crusts that pass the overnight fridge. I can’t say I’m as enthused about their pasta dishes and Calzones but who cares. Pizza is my main carb vice and the Cave really nails the White Pizza and my perennial fav, Italian Sausage, mushrooms and onions. Great flavors as well although the basil sometimes is ramped up a bit much. Still, seriously worth trying if you live anywhere out this way.

Bryce Gillmore Marries High-School Sweetheart

As many of you know the Jack Gillmore-Bryce Gillmore father-son connection is a force du jour on the Austin food scene. The owners of Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Barley Swine respectively, these guys know how to bring it.

Imagine my surprise though when I met an old friend at a Christmas party last year. My daughter and his played bball together at Westlake back in the glory days of the 90’s and early 2000’s. So in the course of comparing notes on their respective career paths. I learned that Molly had become and MD and was specializing in Family Practice. I told him about Lauren’s success at Dell and how she was nearing the completion of her MA in Health Administration. The conversation then turned to the girls social lives and Charlie informed me that Molly had married a chef. His name was Bryce Gillmore. Now that’s a great combination: an uber-succesful chef and a doctor. Can you imagine a Thanksgiving dinner with Jack and Bryce in the kitchen. My best to both of them!