Hotel Ella Undergoing Extensive Makeover Before Reopening
What was the Mansion at Judge’s Hill for years will reopen as Hotel Ella, named after the wife of the man who received the edifice as a wedding present from his father in 1898. Ella was known as a woman with excellent taste in architecture and the Greek columns that remain today were her idea. […]
Los Pinos Opens 2nd Location on Bee Caves
Los Pinos, a Mexican staple on Hudson Bend Blvd. for years, has now opened a second location on Bee Caves Road not far from the Galleria. It’s in the same building that housed Zoot several years ago, and before that the Bee Caves Bistro. Margarito Maldanado is a gifted chef who worked with chef Michael […]
Qui Opening Set for June 20th
One of Austin’s most anticipated openings, Paul Qui’s namesake restaurant Qui, will open June 20th at 1600 East 6th. Qui, who made Uchiko and East Side Kings into household names in Austin is rolling out what will be an extremely, almost wildly eclectic menu. He’s used local crafts people for interior design, painting and even […]
Cool River Café Closes
Got a call this morning from Cool River, the popular steakhouse and night spot on Parmer Lane. I was shocked to learn that they had closed the doors for good this past Saturday night. The landlord had been marketing the property as Cool River’s lease was nearing expiration. Apparently it was difficult to properly run […]
Construction at Mastman’s Kosher Restaurant Continues on W. 6th
I don’t know when my family has more keenly anticipated a downtown restaurant opening. Since the closing of Katz’s on West 6th and later Manny Hattan’s in Gateway, the Jewish deli scene here has been downright slim. Thus it is with great interest that we await the opening of Mastman’s Kosher Restaurant next to Ruth’s […]
Umami Mia Pizzeria Opens on Barton Springs
Umami Mia Pizzeria has opened at the site of the former Romeo’s on 1500 Barton Springs. This is a joint venture between several veteran restaurant owners (Austin Java, Lucky Robot, Zen) who are well versed in the biz. The menu is a mix of pizzas, pastas, salads et al. The key though will be the […]
Very Important News from the Chain Restaurant World
As ours is a site that primarily focuses on owner-operated restaurants, every now and then I get some news from the Chain Restaurant world that I just can’t resist commenting on. For example, the Nation’s Restaurant News announces that Applebee’s, which according to their newest hire Peter Czizek, “has a long history of delivering delicious […]
Main Street Grill: Chris Mercer Leads Pioneering RR Bistro into New Era
The wine room at Main Street Grill in Round Rock has a lot of memories for me. When we first tried the restaurant 13 years ago, we had the pleasure to taste our first Monica’s Salad (which is still the most asked for salad) along with a killer Ribeye and a bottle of Caymus in […]
Maybe it’s the Moon or the Smoke from Mexico
It seems that over the past few weeks, I’ve heard more horror stories than I have in a year about our readers’ bad experiences at restaurants with either service, food, or both. I don’t know what’s going on. Preferably and hopefully, this is just some aberration brought on by inexplicably strange environmental phenomena. A guy […]
Collaboration Between Family Members of Smitty’s and Kreuz Market in Lockhart to Result in Schmidt Family BBQ at the Galleria in Bee Caves
I have to admit this one caught me by surprise. In the fiercely competitive and parochial world of central Texas BBQ, this is almost the equivalent of a home invasion. Family members of the iconic Smitty’s and Kruez Market in Lockhart are collaborating on a new BBQ joint at the upscale Galleria in Bee Cave. […]
Opportunity for Area Professionals at Oasis Catering
The OASIS, long-time capital of sunsets and comfort food emporium, is looking for highly qualified and motivated professionals to work in the catering department. The successful applicant will have two years full-time catering experience, solid knife skills, the ability to multitask, excellent ingredient knowledge and must be food handler certified. Call (512) 266-2442 and ask […]
