Every Restaurant Critic Needs a Companion. I Happen to Have the Perfect One.

Posted by on Sep 9, 2019 in Rob's Blog

We’ve all read many restaurant reviews where the reviewer refers to what his “companion” tried, or lines like “my companion found the foie gras to be flawless and I was inclined to agree.” So where would we critics be without the requisite foil that allows us to convey that we’re not sitting on our asses […]

Hoover Alexander, the Most Beloved Restaurateur in Austin!

Posted by on Sep 7, 2019 in Comfort Food, Rob's Blog

This is my man, the king of Southern fried soul food and owner of Hoover’s Cooking on Manor Road. Hoover Alexander is not only a brilliant chef, but a flat out great guy and friend. We go back over 30 years to his days at Toulouse on West 6th Street. In all those years I’ve […]

Rob’s Take on Austin BBQ is Live on Forbes.com

Posted by on Aug 22, 2019 in Barbecue, News, Rob On Cuisine, Rob's Blog

When a national site like Forbes.com asks you for your favorite BBQ joints in Austin, it’s very cool. Click on the image above or this link to read the article.

Forbes.com Chooses Rob for Article Rating Austin BBQ

Posted by on Jul 22, 2019 in Barbecue, News, Rob On Cuisine, Rob's Blog

So you thought that Texas Monthly was the only go to source for rating Austin BBQ? Turns out Forbes.com, the website of nationally distributed Forbes Magazine, has shown an interest in BBQ in and around Austin, so they asked Rob to rate the local scene along with a ranking of his favorites. The article is […]

Rob Heads to Tillie’s in Dripping Springs for a First Tasting and Chat with Exec Chef Brandon Martin

Posted by on Jul 11, 2019 in Dripping Springs, News, Rob On Cuisine, Rob's Blog

Tillie’s is a collaborative ensemble of Texas cuisine with international flair. Located at Camp Lucy Resort in Dripping Springs, it derives its name from owner Whit Hanks’ great grandmother, who was an enthusiastic world traveler and co-founder, along with her husband Lewis, of The Austin Country Club. Stay tuned – we’ll be back soon with […]

Rob Enjoys Terrific Wagyu Tasting at III Forks

Posted by on Jun 29, 2019 in Cuisine, Rob's Blog, Steaks

Wagyu is the name for Japanese beef. It is beautifully marbled and highly prized for its amazing texture. In a tasting At III Forks last week, I had the chance to sit down with Chef Eric Nixon and sample various cuts of Wagyu raised in Pittsburgh, Tex. The beef is characterized by layers of fat […]

What’s with Austin’s Odd Fascination with Lines at Restaurants?

Posted by on Jun 24, 2019 in Rob's Blog

If you go out to eat in Austin fairly often, as my wife and I do, you’ll almost surely happen upon a place with a ridiculously lengthy line. Yes, the restaurant may be good, but there seems to be an almost unusual tolerance for the lines and subsequent waiting at these spots. So here’s a […]

What do St. David’s Health Care Partnership and Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q Have in Common?

Posted by on Jun 7, 2019 in News, Rob's Blog

If you’re thinking the answer is that Rudy’s is a preferred dining location for the staff at St. David’s, well, that may indeed be true. But the bottom line is that both companies have received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for business excellence. So keep that in mind before your next surgical procedure or […]

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.

Homespun Kitchen in Dripping Springs Makes Remarkable Comeback from Flooding

Posted by on May 29, 2019 in Dripping Springs, News, Rob's Blog

Given the images in this photo it would be hard to imagine this restaurant opening its doors literally less than a week after the disaster. But Homespun Kitchen and Bar owners Randy Ford and Jennifer Walker were not to be deterred by the deluge. Water was pumped out of the restaurant. Walls were repaired and […]

Homespun Kitchen in Dripping Springs has been getting slammed. Rain making it worse!

Posted by on May 8, 2019 in News, Rob's Blog

This picture of Homespun Kitchen and Bar graphically spells out what heavy rain can do to a restaurant. Owners Randy and Jennifer are great folks and could use your help! Homespun Kitchen and Bar 131 E Mercer St. Dripping Springs, Texas 78620 (512) 829-4064 www.homespunkitchenandbar.com  

How to Offend a True Cajun: The Real Story of Evangeline Bellefontaine

Posted by on Apr 30, 2019 in Rob's Blog

There is nothing more fiercely parochial among true Cajuns than their steadfast belief in the authenticity of Evangeline Bellefontaine. There are dozens of restaurants in and around NOLA that bear her name, including our own Evangeline Café here in Austin on Brodie Lane (who have a terrific étouffée, I might add). As iconic as she […]

Check out the Latest Dining Out Austin Podcast

Posted by on Mar 29, 2019 in Rob's Blog

  Rob and Don Pryor Talk about all the news on the local restaurant business on their Dining Out Austin Podcast. Click on this link for all of Rob and Don’s not-always-politically-correct commentary! (You can also find this on newsradioklbj.com.)  

Founders Alan Lazarus and Scott Bolin sell long time favorites Vespaio and Enoteca

Posted by on Jan 19, 2019 in News, Rob's Blog

I first met Chef Alan Lazarus in about 1987 in the kitchen at the iconic Basil’s on West 10th, where he and partner Marshall had established an almost legendary restaurant. But Alan left a few years later to open Vespaio on South Congress with partner Scott Bolin. The upscale Italian cuisine at Vespaio was a […]

III Forks is a Gonzo Steakhouse to be Sure but Look at These Scallops

Posted by on Dec 31, 2018 in Rob's Blog, Seafood, Steaks

We had these lovely scallops at III Forks recently. Of course the steaks are terrific there, but don’t overlook the upper left side of the menu and be sure to order this stunning appetizer. Then get the bone-in ribeye!   III Forks 111 Lavaca St Austin, TX 78701 (512) 474-1776 www.3Forks.com

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