Beer vs. Wine at the Lyric Opera Smackdown
In my capacity as a restaurant critic, I get lots of opportunities to engage in unique dining opportunities. I had such an moment this past Saturday at the charity “Smackdown” for Austin Lyric Opera. The idea was to serve four dishes and pair each dish with a particular wine and a beer. The judges, including […]
Silver and Stone Opens in Georgetown
Downtown Georgetown has a new fine dining restaurant called Silver and Stone. It’s located at 501 S. Austin Ave and it’s helmed by Main Street Grill alumnus James Ramsey. The menu looks thoughtful and very attractive. I can’t wait to check it out. silverstonerestaurant.com
Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival on for April 16-19th
The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is back for another year from April 16th to 19th. Austin’s premier wining and dining event, begun over 20 years ago by Ed and Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards, has gone through periods of massive and almost painful expansion as well as a most welcomed contraction […]
Danny DeVito Introduces his Limoncello to Austin
Got to meet TV and movie star Danny DeVito Saturday at Twin Liquors Hancock Center store. The occasion was the introduction of DeVito’s new Limoncello liqueur. DeVito said that the genesis for the business occurred when he and George Clooney closed down one of their favorite Italian restaurants in NYC by drinking chilled Limoncello. This […]
Koreana Suffers Extensive Damage in Early-Morning Fire
One of the our favorite Korean restaurants, Koreana at 12196 North Mopac, suffered extensive damage in an early morning fire today. No word is yet available on the cause of the fire or the amount of the damage but things do not look well at this point. We’ll keep you posted with any updates that […]
Doc’s Drafthouse in Pflugerville Now Open
Taking the place of the former Water Tank, Doc’s Drafthouse Bar and Grill will have its grand opening April 2nd at 15821 Commerce Drive in Pflugerville. Doc’s serves great comfort food and has a wide variety of libations; something, in our opinion, that would serve Pflugerville very well. $3 burgers, $2.50 beer specials, and hourly […]
Café Blue Reopens out at Volente Beach
Yeah! Café Blue has reopened. Spring Hours are Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10 pm and Sunday from 11am to 9pm. This was one place that I really hated to see close last fall. They were cranking out some seriously good food. But the good news is that they are back, the lake is […]
Cool River Readying New Menu Items
One of our favorite restaurants, Cool River on Parmer Lane, is about to add some new menu items that seem very tempting. How about Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Hot Apple Bacon Butter, or Pepadew Peach Chicken, or a Cast Iron Rib Steak? There’s going to be new appetizers as well including Jicamo Tacos, Kobe Beef […]
Survey Projects Texas Restaurant Sales will Rise in 2009
Despite the economic doom and gloom reports that appear on national media with almost tedious and mind numbing regularity, a very encouraging piece of new for Texas and Austin in particular has recently been released by the National Restaurant Association. According to the survey, Texas leads the nation with a projected 5% increase in restaurant […]
Yu Sushi Izagaya: Serious Sushi on Colorado
My first lunch at Yu Sushi Izagaya, owned by Gary Ghiu of Sushi Sake fame, was excellent. The sushi and sashimi were fresh and pristine with flawless tastes and preparations. There are a number of Udon soups which I wanted to try and a vat assortment of maki rolls which also looked delicious. After we […]
Those Ubiquitous Food Bloggers
Every time one turns around these days, there seems to be a new user-review website for those who are compelled to write about everything from politics to service industries to yes, food. People ask me why I don’t have a place on www.diningoutwithrobbalon.com for bloggers who want to share their opinion with the Central Texas […]
El Sol y La Luna Moves to 600 E. 6th St. and Opens for Business
One of our long-time favorite Mexican restaurants has moved from its South Congress location to 600 E. 6th St. They opened Tuesday, March 3rd. El Sol y la Luna (the sun and the moon) features a diverse menu and clientele. I love their Shrimp Enchiladas and their Gorditas as well. And it’s good that they […]
Ronald Cheng’s Chinatown Downtown Opens Next to Kenichi
The space next to Kenichi on W. 5th St. has been home to several restaurants: Noodleism, which enjoyed a nice run, and Bellisimo, which was around barely long enough for a cup of coffee. The new restaurant in that space, Ronald Cheng’s Chinatown Downtown, will in all likelihood be around much longer than either of […]
Restaurant Commercials that Greatly Annoy Me
Where can I even start on this? My current favorite is Domino’s Pizza’s CEO saying how their grilled sandwich is better than Subway’s. This is the latest in the refined art of the “CEO sale” approach. Are you kidding me? Both sandwiches are mediocre at best. That’s the equivalent of saying that vegemite is better […]
Mighty Fine Burgers to Open 2nd Store on Brodie, and Run a Superbowl Ad Sunday
Mighty Fine Burgers is opening their second store on 5601 Brodie in Sunset Valley on February 3rd. Seems that Austin has fallen in love with Mighty Fine if their sales at the North Mopac and Braker store are any indication. On top of that they’ve also scheduled an ad for the godfather of all media […]
