Fran’s on South Congress Closes After Long Run
There’s been much talk about the gentrification of South Congress or SoCo. For all the progress, there have been casualties. Austin’s largest food trailer park is about to bite the dust to make way for a luxury hotel (Mighty Cone and Hey Cupcake have already departed). And Fran’s Hamburgers is the latest statistic. They’re closing […]
Closings of Owner-operated Restaurants Trending Upward
There’s almost always a snide comment or twenty from the armchair experts on user-generated websites when an owner operated restaurant closes. And there seem to have been a disproportionate amount of these closings in the past twelve months: Rivals Steakhouse, Mizu, Mesa Ranch, Mirabelle Bistro, Maria Maria, European Bistro, Chon Som, Romeo’s, Old School Grill, […]
East 6th Gets New Ramen Noodle Spot: Daruma Ramen
The runaway success of former Imperia sushi chef Tatsu-san at his Ramen Tatsya in North Austin probably gave the owner of Kome the confidence to open downtown’s first noodle joint (Daruma Ramen) since the close of Jeff Liu’s Noodleism on West 5th (now home to Chinatown). Daruma Ramen will have an emphasis on vegetarian dishes […]
From Russia with Love: The Backstory of The Russian House’s Vladamir and Varda
You’d have to really let your imagination fly to come up with a more interesting and ironic story than this one. Austin’s only Russian restaurant’s leading couple have quite a story. Meet Vladamir and Varda of the Russian House. Varda played college basketball at prestigious basketball power Georgetown University. She was drafted off the Russian […]
Craig Gatewood Back in the Saddle with Peso and Bucks on Barton Springs
One of Austin’s long-term restaurant owners, Craig Gatewood, is ready to launch a new concept called Peso and Bucks on Barton Springs at the former site of Vinny’s Italian Café. As you might imagine from the name, the emphasis will be on comfort food at affordable prices. Gatewood is a savvy operator who has great […]
Rival’s Steakhouse at 5th and Trinity Closes
After less than a year in operation, Rival’s Steakhouse at East 5th and Trinity has closed. Managing partner Bryan Soltis broke the bad news. And it is very disappointing for downtown. Their chef was closing in on some national exposure and I thought she was very talented. Perhaps we have finally reached the tipping point […]
Soto Japanese/Sushi Opens in Lakeline Mall
Far north Austin has been a bit arid with regard to Japanese/Sushi places. No longer! Soto in Lakeline Mall opened 10 days ago, and this place appears to have some serious cred. Chef Andy, all of 28-years-old worked under the legendary Masaharu Morimoto in Philadelphia, and has immediately put his imprimatur on this place with […]
Pieous is the Culmination of Long-Time Dream for Josh Kaner
I first ran into Josh Kaner several years ago at the HEB in Dripping Springs. He engaged me in a discussion of the quality of Austin pizza, and advised me that it was his goal to open a pizzeria somewhere in the area. Fast forward several years later to the former site of Cartwight’s BBQ […]
Mansion at Judges’ Hill Names New Exec Chef
The Mansion at Judges’ Hill, long one of Austin’s distinguished dining and lodging destinations at MLK and Rio Grande, has named Scott Mechura as its new executive chef. Mechura has an impressive background with stops at The Timbers at Moonlight Lodge in Big Sky, MT as well as the Escondido Golf and Lake Club in […]
Dining on the NCL’s Epic Raises the Bar on the High Seas
We just returned from a week in the Caribbean aboard the Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest ship, The Epic. The weather sucked, which normally kills a cruise like this one. But for yours truly, the dining was such that it took our minds off the omnipresent clouds and hazy-at-best sunshine. The one rule of thumb on […]
Smashbuger to Open Three Austin Locations
My friend and business writer for the ABJ reveals that Denver chain Smashburger is set to open three Austin locations in the next week and a half. While I doubt this will send shivers up the spines of local and long-revered burger vendors, Smashburger has lots of fans around the country. First location will be […]
Tokyo Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
9070 Research Blvd. Ste. #305
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 458-3900
Boomerang’s to Sell their Pies at Whole Foods
One of my favorite little places for empanadas has always been Boomerang’s, the little Aussie pie shop at 3110 Guadalupe. Great news for them. Their product is now going to be available in Whole Foods stores in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. I love the Thai Pie. Hope they have that one on the Whole […]
