An Unusual Sight on a Traditional Mexican Menu: Crispy Calamari at Cielo Bistro Mexico

Posted by on May 4, 2019 in Cuisine, Mexican, Northwest Hills, Reviews

Cielo Bistro Mexico opened recently off Far West in Northwest Hills. The menu, in addition to the deliciously crispy Calamari, holds a number of must try items. I would have used the word “essentials” but that’s been kicked around far too often on wanna-be food sites. So no need for redundancy. Here are items I […]

Austin Food + Wine Festival Happening This Weekend

Posted by on Apr 26, 2019 in Cuisine, Festivals, News, Wine & Spirits

As much as I’ve enjoyed watching the Austin Food + Wine Festival grow from a small hill country event hosted by Ed and Susan Auler of Fall Creek Vineyards, I must admit that the sheer size of the current celebration of local and regional chefs is a bit intimidating. As much as I’d like to […]

The Best Operated Restaurants in Austin

Posted by on Apr 23, 2019 in Best Of, Cuisine

Great food is not always an automatic given for making a restaurant successful. Restaurant customers expect friendly and attentive service and a minimum of minor annoyances, such as long lines or having to wait too long for the check. They also want to sense that their needs are understood and, most importantly, that they matter. […]

Numero28 Rocks 2nd St with Excellent Prosciutto Pizza

Posted by on Apr 14, 2019 in Cuisine, Downtown, Italian, Pizza

It had been awhile since our last visit to Numero28 Pizzeria & Vineria. They made the Top 10 in our last Pizza Wars and I’m pleased to report that Bernardo Nolfo and his crew still have the place in fine form. The pizza was a smash. Ditto for the Eggplant Parmesan and the irresistible Cannelloni! […]

Chef Gerald Joshua Adds Stunning Chile Relleno to Oasis Menu

Posted by on Apr 6, 2019 in Lake Travis, Menus, Rob On Cuisine, Tex-Mex

The menu at the The Oasis on Lake Travis just keeps getting more inviting. The Pork Chile Relleno pictured above is another new addition to the Oasis menu. It is flat out delicious and the pork is exceptionally tender.   The Oasis on Lake Travis 6550 Comanche Trail Austin, TX 78732 (512) 266-2442 www.oasis-austin.com

Wink Hosts Unusual Wine Pairing Event: Chilean & Argentinian Wines & Girl Scout Cookies

Posted by on Mar 26, 2019 in Wine & Spirits

I’ve been to my share of wine tastings at Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar over the years. But Sunday, March 31st figures to be one of the more unique ones. In a fund raiser for the Girl Scouts, Mark Paul and his crew will be pouring Chilean and Argentinian wines with Girl Scout cookies. I […]

Brazilian Steakhouse Espetos Opens In Lakeway

Posted by on Mar 19, 2019 in Brazilian, Churrascaria, Cuisine, Lakeway

First there was Fogo de Chao, the original Brazilian steakhouse. The late President Bush had discovered the place on a visit to Rio and encouraged the owners to open in Dallas. Eight restaurants later Fogo finally opened in downtown Austin. Then, a long term manager from Fogo opened Estancia Churrascaria in Sunset Valley. He replicated […]

Poke Austin on Brodie Adds a Beef Tataki Bowl

Posted by on Jan 19, 2019 in Cuisine, Hawaiian, Reviews

For those who think that Poke is exclusively about raw fish, there are other possibilities as Poke Austin has beautifully demonstrated. The picture above is their new Beef Tataki bowl. The beef is seared and warm, and imparts wonderful flavors to the fish with the house Ponzu sauce and the Wasabi/mayo sauce. I’ve tried this […]

Chinatown Mopac and Westlake Rolling Out Chinese New Year’s

Posted by on Jan 15, 2019 in Chinese, Cuisine, Holiday Dining

If you haven’t been to one of Ronald Cheng’s Chinese New Year’s blowouts at Chinatown, you’re missing a fun and tasty evening. Aside from terrific food, there’s faux dragons, fireworks, and a generally rousing time. So make sure to put Tuesday, February 5th at Chinatown Mopac and Wednesday, February 6th at Chinatown Westlake on your […]

From The Creative Mind of Chef Gerald Joshua: Shrimp Tacos at the Oasis

There’s not much more to say about Chef Gerald at the Oasis except this: the man is exceptionally talented. These shrimp tacos prove the point! Do yourself a favor and try this dish. And then ask for the killer pork fajitas.   The Oasis on Lake Travis 6550 Comanche Trail Austin, TX 78732 (512) 266-2442 […]

Mouton’s Bistro on Lakeline Blvd Makes a Delicious Statement about Cajun Fare

Posted by on Jan 3, 2019 in Cajun, Cuisine, Reviews

Take a look at the above pictures. The jambalaya and the Boudin Balls are two very compelling reasons, among many, to make a visit to Mouton’s Bistro & Bar on Lakeline Blvd. just north of Lakeline Mall. This is Cajun food with an Austin attitude and from what I’ve tried thus far, this place rocks. […]

Ciclo Rolls out Intriguing Menu at the Four Seasons

Posted by on Dec 10, 2018 in Openings, Reviews, Rob On Cuisine

Ciclo’s Interior I have been waiting for my recent Saturday night’s dinner at Ciclo since I first learned about the new endeavor that has replaced Trio at the Four Seasons. Richard Sandoval has teamed with exec chef Elmar Prambs and chef de cuisine James Flowers to create a Latin-accented menu. The food thus far is […]

Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q: Briskets to The Left of Me, Briskets to The Right of Me!

Posted by on Oct 31, 2018 in Barbecue, Rob On Cuisine

Paraphrasing the immortal Line from The Charge of the Light Brigade Seems to work for Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q. My appreciation for Rudy’s moist brisket has long been documented. They buy the best briskets and prepare them for smoking along with their proprietary recipe. This results in tenderly amazing flavors. There is indeed a […]

Coming Shortly – Pasta Wars: Rob’s Favorite Italian Restaurants

Posted by on Oct 29, 2018 in Best Of, Italian, Rob On Cuisine

When Marge and I first came to Austin, great Italian restaurants were virtually nonexistent. There were a few like Basil’s, but by and large consistently excellent owner operated ones were hard to find. But that was then. Luckily, the number of home grown Italian restaurants has steadily increased to the point where are some really […]

Thai Pepper Basil Shrimp Continues to Amaze at Chinatown Westlake

Posted by on Oct 21, 2018 in Chinese, Rob On Cuisine

This dish was one of the original creations from the fertile imagination of Ronald Cheng, founder of Chinatown, and it helped to vault Chinatown into the pantheon of Austin restaurants back in the 1980’s. Chinatown revolutionized Austin’s understanding of Chinese cuisine and it continues to do so. Despite his success, Ronald never stops evolving and […]

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