Max Le: from Vietnamese Restaurant “Le” to “Expert Nails & Spa”

Posted by on Dec 27, 2018 in Rob's Blog

In the “Whatever happened to … ?” category of where restaurant owners go once they close their places, add Max Le. His former restaurant Le was a terrific spot for Pho in Southwest Austin. But alas, Max had to close. So did he do another restaurant? Nope! He opened Expert Nails & Spa just behind […]

Corn and Cheese Tamales for the Holidays at Hyde Park

Posted by on Dec 19, 2018 in Holiday Dining, Rob's Blog

Hyde Park Bar & Grill is offering it’s famous corn & cheese tamales for the holidays. They’re vegetarian, gluten free, and are made in-house with corn masa, sweet corn, cheese, carrots & spices, steamed in the husk. Get yours before they’re gone! Details here.    

All You Can Eat Uzbek Buffet at Russian House

Posted by on Dec 11, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

This could be a fun night, fellow foodies: an all-you-can-eat Uzbek buffet at the Russian House.   When: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018 The Russian House 307 E 5th St. Austin, TX 78701 (512) 428-5442 www.RussianHouseofAustin.com

Layers of Red Tape

Posted by on Nov 22, 2018 in Rob's Blog

The restaurant business is hard enough as it is. Yet despite all the lip service given by local politicians regarding their admiration and support for restaurateurs, the truth is many local establishments have suffered financially because of the layers of red tape laid down by those officials who ostensibly care about our local restaurants. My […]

Unusually Distaff Wall Decorations at Juliet Italian Kitchen

Posted by on Nov 20, 2018 in Rob's Blog

Not only do I like the Italian food at Juliet but their wall decorations celebrating women are captivating.

Trio Becomes Ciclo: Check out the latest Dining out Austin Podcast

Posted by on Nov 4, 2018 in News, Openings, Rob's Blog

General manager Rob Hagelberg stands on the new deck outside the main floor cocktail lounge and above the outside patio. Click on this link to listen to Rob Balon and Don Pryor talking on their Dining out Austin Podcast at klbj.com about the opening of Ciclo at The Four Seasons Hotel.

III Forks Steps Up to Address Tap Water Problems Brought on by Floods

Posted by on Oct 22, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

With a boil-water notice in effect today in Austin due to flooding (and many restaurants scrambling to accommodate customers or closing altogether) III Forks has issued this statement: “III Forks Austin has complimentary bottled water available for all dinner guests. All ice for consumption is being provided by a supplier located outside of Travis County. […]

New Deck off the Cocktail Lounge at The Four Seasons Heralds the Opening of Ciclo

Posted by on Oct 17, 2018 in Downtown, News, Openings, Rob's Blog

General manager Rob Hagelberg stands on the new deck outside the main floor cocktail lounge and above the outside patio. Things are happening at The Four Seasons Hotel downtown. Trio, the popular restaurant helmed by the extraordinary Elmar Prambs, will become the Latin-themed Ciclo in collaboration with the nationally known restaurateur Richard Sandoval and is […]

Pig Pen BBQ in Dripping Springs is Worth a Visit

Posted by on Oct 16, 2018 in Barbecue, Rob's Blog

Okay, so the name’s a cute play on words meaning they do pork ribs, pork sausage, and pulled pork. You know what? This place serves up some damned tasty ‘cue. The pulled pork is moist, tender and very tasty. The ribs are also quite good. Ditto for the pork loin. It’s located in a small […]

Homespun Kitchen Rocks Out with Rotel and the Hot Tomatoes

Posted by on Oct 14, 2018 in Rob's Blog

What a Saturday night! Homespun Kitchen and Bar’s great comfort food and blood pressure elevating, blasting rock and roll was the perfect antidote for a long week of work. I had a steakburger with cheese and bacon and we jammed all night. I have to hand it to owners Randy and Jennifer for staging a […]

Belterra Village Brings Dining Diversity to Dripping Springs Area

Posted by on Oct 8, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

When we moved to Highpointe off Sawyer Ranch Road and Hwy 290 a few years ago, we were initially despondent over the lack of quality dining options. Then we discovered Creek Road Café and later Homespun Kitchen and Bar. And things got much better. They got even better still this summer when Belterra Village opened […]

Upper Crust on Burnet Helps Fill the Void of Sweetish Hill’s Closing

Posted by on Oct 8, 2018 in News, Rob's Blog

Upper Crust Bakery + Café has always been one of my favorite spots in North Austin for cakes, pastries, cookies and sandwiches. Now, given the departure of Sweetish Hill on West 6th Street, Upper Crust finds itself in an unenviable position: the torch, so to speak, has been dropped, but Upper Crust must pick it […]

East Side Pies, #1 in our Pizza Wars, Opens North Store at 13265 N 183

Posted by on Oct 1, 2018 in News, Openings, Pizza, Rob's Blog

Noah Polk and Michael Freid, the honchos at my thin crust favorite East Side Pies are literally on a roll. They’ve opened a new store on North 183 and are about to open a location at the airport as well. Talk about spreading the crust. 🙂 Well, good for them and good for all Austin […]

Verde’s Mexican Parrilla on Hamilton Pool Road Still Delivering Quality

Posted by on Sep 29, 2018 in Mexican, Reviews, Rob's Blog

A few years back when I was doing TV food reviews on KVUE, I became very partial to the food at Verde’s Mexican Parrilla on Hamilton Pool Road. I wanted to tape a review there but unfortunately that never came to pass. The GM of KVUE at the time was the mother of the wife […]

III Forks: The Classic Downtown Steakhouse

Posted by on Sep 24, 2018 in Downtown, Rob's Blog, Steaks

For a great may reasons, not the least of which is a beautifully marbled 18 oz bone-in ribeye with a wonderful first bite rush of flavor, III Forks has evolved into a classic downtown steakhouse. The bar is engaging and it looks as a steakhouse bar should: sleek, sophisticated, and inviting with touches of marble […]

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