Ten Things that I Resolve for the New Year: 2009

1. I will endeavor to consume more Rudy’s BBQ moist brisket. A Texas A&M study has actually determined that the moister the brisket, the more health benefits it affords to the eater. Works for me! Now if only some food science type will reveal similar data for Moonshine’s mac and cheese the circle will be complete.
2. I will burn every copy of the Fearless Critic books that I can find. The entire series (they’ve gone national) is a cheap commercial trick.These books exist for one purpose only: to eviscerate perfectly good local restaurants so that jaded readers can get a few cheap laughs and the publishers can make some bucks. The so-called reviews are full of calculated vitriol that are, with a few exceptions, mostly baseless. I picked up the first copy, read how they trashed Matt’s El Rancho, and threw it away. You should as well.
3. I will work even more dilligently to do my part to try to increase support for some very worthy local restaurants: places like Yama Sushi on 620 in RR and the second Mesa Ranch location at S. IH-35 and Oltorf. Add Olivia’s on S. Lamar and Segovia in Oak Hill. And the new Ethiopian restaurant Karibu on East 7th and the European Bistro in Pflugerville as well as El Greco off Guadalupe. These are all excellent spots run by local owner operators and they could really use your patronage. These are the places that have to succeed to avoid having Austin dining choices deteriorate into an endless stream of chains.
4. I will resolve to honor the memory of the late Chris Martin who was killed in December at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse by a deranged former employee who later took his own life. Chris loved wines and the UT longhorns. He was a true restaurant pro and a truly nice young man.
5. I will welcome my daughter Lauren Balon to the staff of Dining out With Rob Balon.com. She will bring fresh insights and creative energy to our office. She is a cum laude graduate of St. Edwards U with a major in marketing. She also played four years of varsity basketball. She spent the last year in sales at Apple and we’re delighted to have her.
6. I will continue my food and wine education in 2009. I plan on attending the Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour in Las Vegas as well as the Aspen food and wine festival. I also plan on spending a week in Italy touring some of the great restaurants in Tuscanny and Umbria. And its time for a visit to post Katrina New Orleans to check out the dining scene.
7. I will continue my policy of avoiding overtly negative reviews. I believe that my time should be spent telling people where to dine instead where not to dine. Besides, bad news travels faster than good in this business and there are lots of little mom and pops out there that are flying under the radar that desperately need some exposure.
8. I will try to give more exposure this year to local growers and farmers. One of the delightful aspects of a wonderful meal is fresh, organic produce. Austin is fortunate to have many excellent purveyors and we’ll try to showcase as many of them as we can.
9. I got this idea from the wonderful people at Mobile Loaves and Fishes. I will fill ziplock bags full of granola, dried fruit, and other nourishing non-perishable items. Every time I come to a corner where someone is holding a sign, I will give them a couple of bags. Some may not at first appreciate the gesture, but hunger is a compelling arbiter.
10. I will try to keep writing reviews that are useful to readers of DOWR. I will continue to focus on tastes, textures, and consistency. My goal is to present readers with dishes they can enjoy as much as I did. To do that, I have to take into consideration a wide range of palates. I love spicy dishes but not all my readers do. So I have to find a balance, a common denominator, in making my recommendations. That’s not always easy but it’s very rewarding when readers write in to tell me they enjoyed what I recommended. That’s what it’s all about.

Let’s hope we all have a great 2009!!!