Original “Thirsty Girl” Lands in Austin
One thing that has changed dramatically in the hospitality industry lately is the growth of the female market for wine. In fact recent surveys have shown that women now account for 64% of the total wine drinking population in the U.S. And it’s not just white Zinfandels and other blush wines but a variety of […]
“Meltzer” Opens Off North IH-35 Across from Appleby’s
Brad Meltzer, former Austin mayoral candidate and owner of the Austin Benihana restaurant and the reinvigorated Wing Zone on W. 24th St. has begun another new restaurant off North IH-35 just south of 183. It’s called Meltzer Uptown Pub and from a first tasting, I am impressed. The fare ranges from appetizers (Pork won tons […]
Japan Radiation Issues Concerning U.S. Sushi Restaurants
We’ve all heard the stories about radiation levels in the ocean near several Japanese cities hitting dangerously high levels in the aftermath of the March 11th earthquake and subsequent tsunami. The resultant worries about what this radiation can mean to marine life, specifically fish and seaweed (nori) have worked their way across the Pacific to […]
Big Dog Reds Rock at the THCWFF
The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival stormed into the town this weekend and for the first time in my memory, I did not attend the Stars Across Texas event. That is the walk, sip and graze fest where local and regional Texas chefs prepare finger foods for your pleasure. Part of the reason […]
Wyland’s Ocean Blue Opens at Galleria
A unique new seafood restaurant has opened at the Galleria next to Dillard’s. It’s called Wyland’s Ocean Blue and the concept is serving only sustainable seafood. This means that they use sources that can be sustain or increase future production without jeopardizing the ecosystems from which it came. It’s a great idea on paper but […]
Got $45,000 You Don’t Particularly Need at the Moment? Book an Evening with Dan Duckhorn
If you are one of the lucky Austin residents to whom the expenditure of a substantial amount of cash on what may seem to many as a frivolous indulgence is no big deal, then have I got a great suggestion for you! For a mere $45,000 you can book an evening with Dan Duckhorn, the […]
The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Celebrates Another Year
The little gathering that Ed and Susan Auler began years ago has found a permanent home in Austin and an abundance of fans from not only central Texas but around the country. The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival is back for another year and this upcoming weekend from March 31st to the final […]
Westlake Footballers Take the Rudy’s Rib Challenge for Habitat for Humanity
One thing you can always count on is that Rudy’s BBQ is going to be at the center of things when it comes to charitable works and altruism. I had a chance to cheer on some of the Westlake Chaps football team not long ago as they pigged out on Rudy’s St. Louis Ribs in […]
Former Belmont Exec Chef Ben Nathan Makes Debut at Chez Zee
One of my favorite chefs, former Belmont executive Chef Ben Nathan, has landed as the major domo at Chez Zee on Parkcrest off 2222. This is a great move for manager Brian O’Neill and owner Sharon Watkins. Nathan is creative, has a deft touch in the kitchen, and is the kind of guy who can […]
Kitchen Nightmares Coming to Austin?
I got a call last week from the one of the producers of Kitchen Nightmares, the Fox network show starring the dyspeptic Chef Gordon Ramsey. It appears they want to shoot some episodes in Austin and wanted my recommendations of local restaurant scenarios that would lend themselves to the take-no-prisoners mindset of the program. It […]
Alex Jones and Charlie Sheen
I don’t know if any of you caught Austin radio talk-show host Alex Jones’ appearance on The View several weeks ago. He was on, I assume, because of his earlier radio interview with his pal Charlie Sheen in which Sheen pretty much eviscerated the entire staff of Two and a Half Men and the CBS […]
A Third Bachelor Stint for Brad?
Now that Austinite and bar owner Brad Womack has wrapped up a second turn as “The Bachelor” (he actually kind of sorta picked somebody this time), it occurred to me that there’s no real reason why ABC shouldn’t make him the permanent Bachelor for the foreseeable future of the show. British bookmakers are betting that […]
