Ronald Cheng’s Street to Reopen

Posted by on Jun 1, 2022 in Chinese, Openings, Thai, Vietnamese

There were very few local Asian restaurants in Austin that I enjoyed more than Street – Ronald Cheng’s homage to Japanese, Vietnamese, and Thai street foods. So when Ronald called yesterday to tell me he was reopening in the space below Chinatown Mopac that used to house the iconic Musashino I was totally buzzed. It […]

Long-Time Hut’s Location on 6th Street Has a New Occupant: Sammie’s Italian

Posted by on Apr 29, 2021 in Downtown, Italian, Openings

Our last visit to Hut’s, one of Austin’s true icons, was memorable. We did our usual Buddy Holly burger along with fries and the gigantic onion rings and of course the essential strawberry shakes. We took some silly photos with me holding the rings like ski goggles, recalled all the great time’s we’d had there […]

Finally, Abby Jane Bakeshop Opens in Dripping Springs

Posted by on Jan 18, 2021 in Bakery, Dripping Springs, Openings

When I was a kid growing up outside of New Haven, Connecticut, my dad would always wake me early on Saturday mornings and and say “Come on kiddo, we’re going to LA.” No one in my immediate family had ever been within 3,000 miles of Los Angeles then, so my fathers’ early morning verbiage was […]

French Brasserie Le Vacher Opens on 290 West Near Dripping Springs

Posted by on Aug 30, 2020 in Dripping Springs, French, Openings

I do enjoy French food in both its casual and more sophisticated modalities. The newly opened Le Vacher promises a bit of both.  Chef and owner Jacob Euler has crafted what appears to be a most  appealing menu and though he’s opened his new place at a difficult time, I have a feeling that Le […]

Tumble 22 Opens at Former Site of Magnolia Cafe on Lake Austin Blvd.

Posted by on Aug 19, 2020 in Openings

While I’ll miss the Martian Landscape, the Popeye Omelet, and other favorites from the iconic Magnolia Cafe, time does indeed march on. Tumble 22, a Nashville-style fried chicken joint has now opened at Magnolia Cafe’s old location on Lake Austin Blvd. They offer bone-in fried chicken ranging in various levels of heat from “wimpy” to […]

Chinatown Westlake Opens May 1

Posted by on Apr 30, 2020 in News, Openings

Chinatown, one of Austin’s longest running restaurant success stories, is opening at 25% capacity at the Westlake location on Bee Caves. Founder and owner Ronald Cheng called me with the news. They’ll have the same regular hours. Tables will be spaced and health protocols will be practiced by all servers and kitchen staff. My wife […]

Local Restaurants Weighing Decisions to Open May 1st

Posted by on Apr 29, 2020 in News, Openings

While there are unquestionably many Austin diners who are looking forward to sitting down in a restaurant and enjoying a meal, Governor Abbott’s May 1st reopening option has not been immediately embraced by all Austin restaurants. Some (like downtown steakhouse favorite III Forks) after careful consideration have scheduled openings May 1st while others (like all […]

Breaking News: III Forks Downtown Reopens for Curbside Service and Deliveries

Posted by on Mar 27, 2020 in News, Openings

Hands down, the most email I’ve gotten from our readers over the past month has dealt with the question of when III Forks was going to resume curbside service and deliveries. Talk about pent-up demand! Well, the good news is in! III Forks has resumed curbside and delivery services beginning today, Friday, March 27th. Hours […]

Finally, a New Korean Restaurant, Oseyo, Opens on the East Side

Posted by on Jan 6, 2020 in Cuisine, Korean, Openings

I can’t tell you how long I’ve been craving a new Korean restaurant in town. That’s why I’m so pleased that Oseyo has opened on the East Side. The menu is packed with all my favorites: Bibimbap, Mandu (dumplings), Bulgogi, Pa Jeon, Kalbi, Kimchi and other original Korean mega dishes. Nothing against the other Korean […]

The Pizza Cave Moves into New Digs on Highway 290 West

Posted by on Oct 28, 2019 in Dripping Springs, News, Openings, Pizza

I first discovered The Pizza Cave about 4 years ago in its cozy building at the corner of Highway 12 and 290 in Dripping Springs. They served our favorite New York style pizza and we became fairly regular customers, as have a lot of other locals. When a massive rain storm left almost a foot […]

Texican Cafe Opens Fourth Location in Kyle

Posted by on Sep 11, 2019 in Openings, South, Tex-Mex

One of Austin’s most iconic and popular Mexican restaurants, Texican Cafe, has opened it’s fourth area location in Kyle. The El Paso style Texican is well known for its amazing cabrito, Hatch chiles, queso flameado, delicious sour cream enchiladas, shrimp flautas and appetizers like the stuffed jalapeños with genuine jalapeño jelly. Their weekend breakfasts are […]

Why are David Joseph of El Patio and Rob Smiling? Because El Patio is Reopening in September!!

Posted by on Sep 11, 2019 in News, Openings, Tex-Mex

Could there be better news for Tex-Mex lovers in Austin? Hard to say what that might be, but the fact that the beloved and iconic El Patio is reopening shortly is hard to top. The closing night of El Patio was mingled with both joy and sadness, but virtually none of the family owners were […]

Saltillo to Open on East Side

Posted by on May 31, 2019 in East, News, Openings, Rob's Blog

A new mixed-use concept with an emphasis on restaurants is in the works. Saltillo is coming soon to East 5th. It will house one of my favorite restaurants, Poke Austin. This will be their 2nd location with the original to remain on Brodie. We’ll keep you posted on the opening date.

Cielo Bistro Mexico Opens in Northwest Hills

Posted by on Mar 28, 2019 in Mexican, Northwest Hills, Openings

Cielo Bistro Mexico has recently opened on 7032 Wood Hollow Dr. in Northwest Hills. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between long time Café Josie chef Charles Mayes, wine specialist Joel Morales, and Brick Oven (35th st) owner Jay McBride. The menu looks to be somewhat upscale Mexican and has that signature Mays vibe to […]

An Abundance of Pickles on 290: the Pickle House Opens

Posted by on Mar 19, 2019 in Openings, West

When I first drove by the new restaurant The Pickle House a few weeks ago all I could think of was fried pickles. But after a quick look around inside, I realized it was about far more than that. Yes, there are fried pickles but there’s also chicken and (are you ready for this) it’s […]

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