Dining Out with Rob Balon.com
907 South Congress
Austin, Texas 78704

For advertisements:
512-707-7500
512-707-7757 fax
rob@diningoutwithrobbalon.com

This is a site dedicated to people in the greater Austin area who enjoy dining out. Our goal is to provide you with honest, helpful, and most importantly, enjoyable restaurant reviews. Initially, we'll have about fifty Austin restaurant reviews up and running. However, as the site matures, we'll add features on wine, different Austin chefs, and general news and gossip about the local food scene. We'll add a feedback mechanism for local restaurant fans. You'll also be able to become a member and be eligible for discounts at restaurants and gourmet dinners personally hosted by Rob at various Austin area emporiums.
 
There is one point we'd like to make very clear: while our site accepts advertisements from restaurants and is revenue driven [we don't want to be another of those "dot com" horror stories] reviews are not for sale at diningoutwithrobbalon.com. Each restaurant you see reviewed here has been visited several times and subjected to Rob's standards. The reviews have been broadcast on News Radio 590 KLBJ-AM and on FOX 7 TV. If we accept an ad from a restaurant as a link to the review, it means that we're still very enthused about the place.  

If Rob has not reviewed your restaurant, advertising without a review is still available. We invite all local restaurants to advertise on the only local web site dedicated to dining out in Austin. But please be advised: we will only accept ads from restaurants that Rob enjoys.
 
We are not going to publish negative reviews. If you scroll through our recommendations for the best restaurants by cuisine and don't see a place in the top ten for that category, you can pretty much make your own conclusions.
 
Finally, we're often asked about Rob's credentials. Why is he qualified to be a restaurant critic? OK. Here's the scoop. He's had a life long interest in food and wine, is an active cook, has read extensively on various cuisines, and because of his frequent travel, has had an opportunity to visit the nation's great restaurants. Additionally, as those who have seen and heard his reviews on TV and radio can attest, he's a great writer and commentator, capable of both erudition and wit. So enjoy what we hope will become a fixture on the web for the local dining out scene: Diningoutwithrobbalon.com!