The Notion of Value: it’s Importance to Restaurants and Customers
With the sluggish and uncertain economy and the rising costs of gasoline, many businesses are strategizing over ways to retain customer loyalty and patronage. Austin area restaurants are certainly no strangers to this dilemma. But with supply costs rising, restaurants are simply not in a position to slash menu price points across the board. So […]
9 Reasons to Patronize Austin Java
I tend to get annoyed when area restaurants are attacked for no apparent or viable reason. Such has been the case over the past few weeks as Austin Java has been the subject of boycott threats allegedly made by a certain blues singer. All this because the owner of Austin Java and his partners followed […]
The Bakehouse Hosts Open Mic Competition for Singer-Songwriters
Each Monday the Bakehouse, one of our favorite “iconic” restaurants at 5404 Manchaca near Stassney is sponsoring the “South Austin Singer-Songwriter Contest.” This is an open contest for which rewards each of the top three finalists with prizes including a PAID gig for the overall winner. The contest is hosted by award-winning songwriter Steve Power […]
Join the Senior Citizen Social Circle at the Veranda
The Veranda Restaurant & Bar presents the Senior Citizen Social Circle. Membership is complimentary and entitles you to a 20% discount off any entree (not including lunch specials), a 30% discount off of Saturday and Sunday brunch, and complimentary dessert on your birthday. The eligibility requirements are: 1. You must be an Austin resident 2. […]
Imperia Celebrates New Sushi Bar by Offering 2-1 Each Night Till 7pm!
The newly opened Sushi Bar at Imperia is going to offer 2-1 sushi each night during happy hour. Chef Tatsu is rocking and “rolling” and his sushi needs to be celebrated. Now that’s value!
Singer Marcia Ball Allegedly Urges Boycott of Austin Java
Singer Marcia Ball is apparently upset with the owners of the Barton Place Project over the removal of a number of trees; so much that she allegedly announced a boycott of the Austin Java restaurant on Barton Springs Road during her Blues on the Green concert last week. One of the owners of the Barton […]
Imperia to Add Full-Service Sushi Bar
Imperia, one of my favorite modern-Asian restaurants and the newest member of our Top 20, will add Sushi to its already innovative and delectable menu offerings. Chef Tatsu Aikawa joins Executive Chef Joe Tellus to make a powerful combination in downtown dining. Chef Tatsu, born in Tokyo, has years of experience including stints in Tokyo […]
Our Readers Weigh In On What Bothers Them Most About Local Restaurants
My most recent blog was designed to serve two purposes: first, to let me rant a bit about the annoying things I see most frequently while dining out at local restaurants; and secondly, to give our readers a chance to weigh in on their biggest frustrations. Well, did our readers ever weigh in! And I […]
More Woes for Cibo: Sale Falls Through at 11th Hour
Cibo, absolutely one of my all-time favorite Austin restaurants, closed several months ago. The Italian-styled restaurant at 10th and Congress helmed by Will Packwood just never got any traction. The owners had planned to sell the business but the buyer backed out literally at the 11th hour last week. Packwood is one of our most […]
Things that Restaurants Do that Annoy the Hell Out of Me
1. Tell me you’re “slammed” when I call to make a reservation. Worse still, be smug about it. As the customer, I could give a rat’s ass that you’re “slammed”. I want to eat there. I want your help: not your immature condescension. So instead of telling me how “slammed” you are, tell me you’ll […]
Green Mesquite Gets Unwanted Drive Through Addition at 4am Monday
In one of the more bizarre events in the food world this month, a truck barreled into the side of BBQ favorite The Green Mesquite at Barton Springs and South Lamar at about 4am Monday morning. The driver, interestingly, apparently had fallen asleep at the wheel and didn’t wake up even after he crashed through […]
