Don’t Miss the Amazing Seared Scallops at III Forks

Posted by on Dec 28, 2019 in Downtown, Fine Dining, Seafood

III Forks is primarily known as a steakhouse and great Wagyu and Kobe Ribeyes do indeed light up the menu. But don’t overlook the seafood offerings either. Pictured above is a delightful dish of seared scallops over a corn and smoked bacon succotash covered with a creamy beurre blanc sauce. This pairs beautifully with an […]

First Tastes of Meridian 98 at Sonesta Bee Cave

Posted by on Dec 6, 2019 in Reviews

I had a very enjoyable conversation and menu tasting the other night with Meridian 98’s Executive Chef Patrick Newman. The restaurant, located atop the Sonesta Hotel at The Galleria in Bee Cave boasts a gorgeous Hill Country view and an innovative and appealing menu. Newman, who hails from northern Louisiana, took his training in Charleston, […]

Rob Reviews The League Kitchen & Tavern at Belterra Village

Posted by on Aug 6, 2019 in Dripping Springs, Fine Dining, Reviews

I have known The League Kitchen & Tavern co-owner Tony Ciola since he worked for his father Dan at the family owned Italian restaurant Ciola’s in Lakeway. Back then his goal was to be a high-level baseball pitcher, but an injury caused him to put that dream on hold and immerse himself in the restaurant […]

Rob Reviews Gino’s Vino Osteria in Round Rock

Posted by on May 10, 2019 in Cuisine, Italian, Reviews, Round Rock

The real beauty of Gino’s Vino Osteria in Round Rock is its authenticity and the evocative simplicity of its gorgeous dishes like the classic Caprese salad pictured above, featuring home-crafted mozzarella with gorgeous tomatoes and Balsamic vinegar. The pasta is also house-made daily and is splendid in its artisanal simplicity. The Linguine Nero in a […]

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 […]

Rob’s First Tasting of Cielo Bistro Mexico

Posted by on Apr 13, 2019 in Cuisine, Mexican, Northwest Hills, Reviews

Cielo’s Sopes de Chicharron Cielo Bistro Mexico recently opened on 7032 Wood Hollow Drive off Far West in Northwest Hills. This is a revitalization for veteran Café Josie chef and founder Charles Mayes and his enthusiasm for a new style of authentic and regional Mexican cuisine is evident in every dish we tried. I was […]

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 […]

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 […]

Ben Mouton: the Creative Force Behind Mouton’s Bistro and Bar in Cedar Park

Posted by on Mar 12, 2019 in Cajun, Cedar Park, North, Reviews

You gotta love Ben Mouton. In his multifaceted career he’s gone from a theater major at Texas State to matriculating at one of the finer culinary academies in New Orleans. This eventually led him to Leander and ultimately Cedar Park where he’s opened Mouton’s Southern Bistro and most recently Mouton’s Bistro & Bar. He has […]

Sakura’s Omakase Dinner Finishes with Delightful Hamachi Sashimi

Posted by on Feb 20, 2019 in Japanese, Lakeway, Reviews, Sushi

I had the pleasure of sampling many creations from the fertile imagination of chef Po at Sakura Sushi & Bar in Lakeway. The occasion was the Omakase dinner held every other Tuesday night at the Japanese eatery. Course after course came out: from crab maki to the famous Cucumber Island. And then there was the […]

The Restaurant Collaboration Trend Continues with the Opening of Uncle Nicky’s in Hyde Park

Posted by on Feb 16, 2019 in Central, Italian, Openings

Uncle Nicky’s Italian Specialties, an Italian café featuring sandwiches and antipasti, has opened on Duval in Hyde Park. The restaurant is a collaborative effort between Juniper’s Nic Yanes, Brandon and Zane Hunt from Via 313, and Travis Tober of Nickel City. This continues the collaborative trend we’ve seen over the past year such as the […]

Sakura Takes Definitive Position for Sushi/Sashimi in Lakeway

Posted by on Feb 13, 2019 in Japanese, Lakeway, Location, Reviews, Sushi

Sakura Sushi & Bar is a Japanese sushi restaurant off Medical Drive in Lakeway. The preparation is meticulous and the dishes, all under the watchful eye of Chef Po, are delicious. Various gyoza style dumplings are also available. This is a spot that’s worthy of your attention. Omakase dinners are served on Tuesdays.   Sakura […]

A Few of the Reasons I like Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q

Posted by on Feb 9, 2019 in Barbecue, Reviews

There’s always a smile awaiting you at Rudy’s. The servers seem to genuinely like their jobs and it reflects in the genial attitude they project to the customers. There may be a line from time to time, but unlike the three hour adventures that can await at another Austin BBQ joint, the lines at Rudy’s […]

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