Hot Off the Presses: News from the Local Food Scene

We blogged last month about the “strange case of Eddie Nimibutr” who owned or worked at (depending on who you’re talking to) the Thai Noodle House on Guadalupe. He was the unfortunate Facebook poster who went nuclear about the Newtown shootings, and claimed that the media only cares when white kids are killed. But he chose to make his point with such poor taste that he was instantly pilloried online. He got his proverbial “15 minutes” and more, but not quite as he’d intended.

He apologized a few days later after his restaurant went instantly empty. But the end result is that a FOR SALE sign now prominently resides on the outside of the building.

I cannot say that I’m surprised.

I stopped by the new East Side Kings brick and mortar restaurant just behind Hole in the Wall off Guadalupe. It was super crowded for lunch and Paul Qui’s magic touch appears to be continuing. A reader emailed me that a “famous Japanese chef from LA” was there doing something spectacular. Well, he got the spectacular part right. But Qui has already departed to begin his new restaurant Qui Austin which will be on Easat 6th. I’m delighted he’s staying in town.

There is finally activity at the former McCormick and Schmick’s location at 4th and Congress. Vacant for over a year now, the new occupant will be Willie G’s Steak and Seafood, with locations in Houston, Galveston, and Denver. Austin is their newest location. Willie G’s has been a fixture in Houston for years, and is similar to Perry’s in its upscale approach to fine dining. That vacancy has been a huge sore spot for downtown, and I’m glad it’s being filled. We’ll keep you posted on an opening date.

Restaurant Jezebel on West 6th amped things up a bit when they decided to institute a “jackets required” policy for men. I assume this also means tank and halter tops are out for women. This one is puzzling. Austin is a tough market for fine dining restaurants (there are simply too many good ones, and not enough of a fine-dining segment in the total population). And Austin is also a very casual city in many aspects, including sartorial. I like to dress up one in a while, but I don’t want it to have to be a mandate. I’m a huge fan of Parind Vora so his talent alone might make this work. We’ll have to see. I wish him the best.