Chinatown Bee Caves Road to Close Sunday, Jan. 29th
One of the longest running restaurant enterprises in Westlake, Chinatown on Bee Caves, will close its doors for good on Sunday, January 29th. Linda Cheng, ex wife of co-founder Ronald Cheng has decided to pack it in. And that’s too bad. It was a great little restaurant for many years. But escalating rent and other […]
How Healthy is the High End Dining Scene in Austin
The relative health of a cosmopolitan city’s high-end dining scene speaks volumes about the discretionary spending inclinations and overall financial condition of that city. So key question: how does Austin measure up to other cities comparable to our population and demographic profiles? And the answer, despite some recent high profile closings, is pretty darn good. […]
Sap and Madam Mam Split: Divide Restaurants
Heard from Sap today, co-founder of the Madam Mam’s dynasty, that his divorce with his wife had been finalized. As a result, Mam will continue to operate the Anderson and Guadalupe stores, while Sap is going to rebrand the Westgate store as Sap’s Fine Thai Cuisine. I know this has been a struggle for both, […]
McCormick & Schmick’s Downtown Store Closes One Day After Acquisition by Landry’s
The problem with building up a successful restaurant chain and then selling that chain is that ultimately, there are casualties. Landry’s acquisition of McCormick and Schmick’s led to that first such casualty yesterday: the downtown Austin M&S store. The Domain M&S store, from all reports I’ve heard, will remain open. I was not surprised by […]
Dining Out in Austin: 2012
Welcome back foodies! We’re off and running into 2012. Hope your holiday season was wonderful and that our terrific Austin restaurant scene provided at least a few memorable meals for you and yours. I had elbow surgery last Wednesday so I’m typing this post with my left hand. Been feeding myself that way for the […]
Our Favorite Articles of the Past Year for our Readers During our Holiday Break
Well, it’s been quite a year, food fans. And during our annual Christmas-New Year’s hiatus on diningoutwithrobbalon.com, we’d like to leave you with some of our favorite stories and blogs for your reading pleasure. Have a safe and wonderful New Year’s Eve and Day (you can still find our list of restaurants for New Year’s […]
Trento Opens Across from Davenport Center on Highway 360
I have long loved the food at NorTH. Well, the long time manager, Donnie, has moved on to open his own place called Trento at the site of the former Gumbo’s on Highway 360 across from Davenport. We went to the soft opening last week and the food was quite good. Loved the Italian fare, […]
Good News: Café Blue Opens Year-Round Location at the Galleria
The opening we talked about on the radio several weeks ago has occurred. Café Blue, long one of my favorites out at Volente Beach has opened a 2nd location adjacent to Dillard’s at the Galleria at Highway 71 and 620. I love the food at Café Blue and this new location means they can stay […]
Roppolo’s Gets Much Larger at 316 E. 6th Location
I’ve always enjoyed the tasty and larger than life pies that Mark Roppolo has cooked up on 6th St. But his new location on 316 E. 6th has one thing Roppolo’s has always lacked: space! The 316 E. 6th location has several floors of space and tables and chairs not to mention some huge ovens […]
Sago Closes
Sago, the interior Mexican styled restaurant at the Triangle off Guadalupe closed for business on Wednesday, Dec. 14th. No reason was given for the closing. I enjoyed Sago and am saddened by the loss of yet another good locally-owned restaurant.
Great News in Hudson Bend: Los Pinos has reopened!
I am pleased to report that Los Pinos, one of my very favorite Mexican restaurants in Austin, has reopened after the unfortunate fire that closed their doors for almost six months! I spoke to proprietor and Chef Margarito Maldonado and he is firing on all cylinders at his new facility on Hudson Bend Road (off […]
Muscle Maker Grill Opens on Congress at Former Site of Marakesh
Muscle Maker Grill is a small East Coast chain of upscale casual restaurants with a nod toward the healthy side of the dining scene founded in 1995 by body builder Rod Silva. Their first Austin (and Texas) restaurant opened on Congress at the site of the former Marakesh on 906 Congress. Owner Matthew DeLeon discovered […]
The Texas Olive Store to Open in Dripping Springs Saturday, Dec. 10th
The former owner of the Lighthouse BBQ in Spicewood is not easily deterred. So Rick Mensik has opened the Texas Olive Store in Dripping Springs at 2530 W. Fitzhugh Road (off Highway 290). Dripping Springs, as it turns out, is a great place to make Olive Oil and that’s what Rick’s operation is all about. […]
