A Culinary Reason to Head to San Antonio: Sumo
Things are a bit sparse in Austin on the Tepanyaki/Hibachi front. But this is an itch I have to scratch now and then, and so we drove to San Antonio last Saturday night to check out Sumo on I-10 next to a rather large Carmax. The owner is Austinite Brad Meltzer who, from a long […]
Saccone’s Pizza Scores Major Victory at Pizza Expo in Las Vegas
Saccone’s Pizza on Highway 620 in Austin returned victorious from the prestigious Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Owner Dan Saccone, a New Jersey native who has delighted Austin pizza lovers for years with his East Coast style pies, won Best Southwest Pizza in the regional competitions and came within an eyelash of finishing in the […]
Cho Sushi Thrives in Lakeway and Steiner Ranch
John Cho did not aspire to run a sushi bar or Japanese restaurant. His brother David was the cook in the family (and a damned fine one at that all the way back to Midori Sushi). John headed to New York to make his mark in the tech/finance world while David remained in Austin. But […]
Breaking News: Trento in Westlake Closes to Make Way for a Third Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Always liked Trento, the family operated Italian restaurant in the Davenport area off Highway 360. But owners Frank and Nina Seely were having a tough time making things work financially. So a deal was struck with the Jack Allen’s Kitchen team, and in a few months Jack, Tom and the team will have their first […]
Dojo Izakaya Trending on Burnet
Izakaya is the name for a popular phenomenon in Japan: smallish restaurants that cater to beer and sake and small plates meant to be shared, socialization, and late-night reverie. The Austin version can be found on Burnet just south of 183 at the site of the former Tokyo Steakhouse. It’s called The Dojo Sake Bar […]
The PoK-e-Jo’s Back Story
Danny Haberman and Doug Bohne are two very unpretentious guys who have a fierce passion for the BBQ business. They have nurtured and guided the growth of PoK-e-Jo’s through a tough beginning to their current success with multiple Austin locations. Danny’s dad Porky and friend Joe Slayton actually began the first store off Mopac at […]
Easter Dining Recommendations 2014 – ARCHIVED
Each year we usually provide you with a ponderous list for Easter brunch choices. This year will be a bit different. We’ll narrrow out list a bit, and provide some brief commentary on each choice. So enjoy and have a wonderful day. Don’t forget to email us at info@diningoutwithrobbalon.com with any questions. Freda’s Seafood Grill […]
Sumo Gaining Traction in San Antonio
Brad Meltzer knows a thing or two about how to run a Tepanyaki restaurant. And since he was sadly forced to close his Benihana in Austin (on Burnet) due to some totally unnecessary legal wrangling with the parent company (currently being played out as we speak in Austin’s federal court), he did the next best […]
Former Ciola’s Chef Louie Ciola Returns to Austin
For many years Ciola’s in Lakeway was one of my favorite restaurants. First, it was papa bear Dan Ciola who got the ball rolling, and then the baton was passed to son Tony who team with his cousin, chef Louie Ciola, for some very memorable meals. Well, as Tony prepared to start upscale pizzeria Tony […]
Crepe Crazy Set to Launch in Dripping Springs
Crepe Crazy, the popular trailer and winner of the 2013 Dripping with Taste Festival, is going brick and mortar. I stopped by yesterday to the location next to Oak Creek Cafe on Highway 290W in Dripping, and asked to speak to the owner. The woman I spoke to indicated using sign language that she was […]
Downtown Capital Grille to Open in Late April
Darden’s Capital Grille, one of the restaurant behemoth’s (Olive Garden, Red Lobster) newer more upscale concepts is set to open in late April on West 4th at the former site of the Spaghetti Warehouse. Prime steaks will be another a featured aspect of the menu, along with Kona Burgers and Lobster Mac and Cheese. Darden […]
