Food
News & Commentary
|
Wine
& Spirits
Restaurant
Events
|
Closings
|
| |
|
|
|
|
From
Amy Simmons Herself: Amy’s Ice Cream to Stay Locally-owned Forever
!!!!!
 |
After I had casually
mentioned on Food Friday on 590 KLBJ-AM that local favorite
Amy’s
Ice Cream was a possible candidate for a takeover by the
national chain Ben and Jerry’s, I got an urgent email from
founder Amy Simmons. Apparently she was besieged with calls
all days from concerned customers.
She asked me to tell you all, as unequivocally
as possible, that under no circumstances would Amy’s ever
sell to Ben and Jerry’s, or anyone else for that matter. “If
Ben and Jerry’s gave me $100 million,
I wouldn’t take it,” said Amy. “Our business is NOT about
the money.”
|
So there you have it.
Amy’s Ice Cream is not for sale now nor will it ever be. Amy spends
an hour training every new employee and she knows them all by name
at their thirteen stores. So go on out tonight and order a Mexican
Vanilla with Crushed Oreos (my favorite) and be secure in the knowledge
that the Amy’s you know and love is not gong anywhere. Ever.
8/26
|
|
Bitter
End Burns in Sunday Fire
In the latest of mishaps
involving popular restaurants and fires, the Bitter End on Colorado
suffered from the ravages of a fire that caused substantial damage
to the popular brew pub and restaurant as well as smoke damage to
its building neighbor, the Spaghetti Warehouse. While not as severe
as the fire that nearly destroyed the popular Oasis on Lake Travis
several months ago, we are told that damages are estimated to be
as high as $300,000. Owner Reed Clemmons, who has recently announced
plans to close Mezzaluna across the street from Bitter End to make
way for a new concept, vowed to reopen Bitter End as soon as possible.
8/22
|
|
Click here to find archived
Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
|
|
|
FAQ’s
About Wine: Rob Has The Answers
We get dozens of letters
each week from people each week asking about the sweet science of
wine. The amount of these has letters increased exponentially after
the release of the movie Sideways. So periodically, we’ll answer
a different wine question and we hope, as always, that you find
this to be of value.
Q: Why do you see people swirling the wine around in the glass before
drinking?
 |
A: The physical action of swirling the
wine around in the glass releases the bouquet or aroma of
the wine. Remember, the wine has been bottled for a lone period
of time. You are helping it to breathe, to aerate You are
also exposing more of the wine to the surface area of the
glass: hence, more to smell.
|
Part of the joy of
drinking wine is the anticipation before that first sip. What smells
do you pick up? What sensations are triggered? Swirling helps you
better identify all these. Nothing snobbish about it at all. So
go for it. Just try to keep the wine in the glass.
8/24
|
|
Click here to find archived
Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
|
|
|
Juan
Mario’s Closes on Highway 620
After taking over the
reins from the unfortunate Canyonside Café (and before that
Calame’s), John Innes, former proprietor of the City Grill and manager
for a time of Rocco’s in Lakeway, opened Juan Mario’s early this
year. His restaurant had good pizza but, in my opinion, didn’t fire
on enough of the other culinary cylinders to attract a regular crowd.
There is not a nicer man on the face of
the planet than John Innes and I feel sorry for him. Hopefully,
he will find the right location and the perfect chef for his next
endeavor.
08/18
|
|
Bastrop
Loses Fine Restaurant with Closing of Bahia Abrigada
Herman Hapsburg, who
got the original Thistle Café up and running, built a fine
restaurant out in Bastrop. But he could never reach critical mass
with it. He wasn’t losing money, but he wasn’t making it either.
I think the French might call that a state of financial ennui.
I hear that he is out looking at sites
in the Spicewood area. This guy can flat out cook. So Bastrop’s
loss would be Spicewood’s gain. We’ll keep you posted.
08/18
|
|
Long
Time Vegetarian Standout West Lynn Cafe Closes
Long a favorite of
Austin vegetarians, the West Lynn Cafe on West Lynn recently closed.
This was shocking news to many fans of the restaurant. And we were
beseiged with emails from concerned patrons. The simple truth is
that owners just wanted to kick back a little bit and devote a little
less time to the restaurant world; hence, their move to sell the
restaurant. The new owners have renamed it the Cosmic Cafe. The
fare is still vegetarian with more of an Indian theme.
One of my favorite dishes at the old West Lynn
Cafe was the noodles stroganaoff. We also loved the eggplant. While
i'm sure we all wish the Cosmic Cafe the best of luck, a plain fact
is that the West Lynn Cafe will be sorely missed.
For more information, 482-0950.
08/11
|
|
Click here to find archived
Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
|
|
|
Events You Might Have Missed:
|
|
Shiner
Brewmaster at Opal Divine's Penn Field
Jimmy Mauric, Brewmaster
of the Spoetzel Brewery, Texas' oldest independent Brewery, will
be at Opal Divine's Penn Field this Thursday, September 1st from
6 to 8pm. He will be previewing the upcoming release of Shiner 96,
a limited-edition, authentic Märzen-style brew. The commemorative
ale is a tribute to the brewery's
96-year history and reminiscent of the craft beers that first poured
out of the "little brewery" in 1909. Shiner 96 marks the
countdown to the Spoetzl Brewery's centennial in 2009 and will be
the first of five commemorative brews to be released.
Shiner Bock, Hefeweizen and Kolsch draft pints will be available
for $2.00, Shiner Blonde and Shiner Light bottles will be $3.00.
Opal Divine's Penn Field "First Thursday" celebration
will kick off just after this event with live music by Ana Egge
and a live radio
remote with Channel 102.3 KPEZ from 8 to 10pm.
For more information see:
http://www.shiner.com/home.html
http://anaegge.com/
08/26
|
|
Gonzo
Gourmet Club Dines at Green Pastures
The coolest fine dining
club in the city, the Gonzos, are back in business. Last month we
went to McCormick and Schmick’s and had a wonderful dinner by chef
Paulino Miralda. The August 21st dinner at Green Pastures by chef
Charles Bloemsma was equally delightful. We began with a grilled
brie and champagne and went on until the Gonzos were, once again,
totally happy.
Pictures below are from the August dinner
at Green Pastures.
To join the Gonzo Club, click
on this link.
8/26
|
|
Wednesday
August 13th, Vodka Fest Returns to Cool River
Okay vodka fans, your
moment is at hand. Wendesday night at Cool River Cafe on Parmer
Lane you can sample vodka stalwarts like Grey Goose and Absolut,
newer players on the vodka scene like Sky, Charbay, and local favorite
Tito's. Over 20 vodkas will be on hand for your tasting pleasure.
Yours truly went a couple of years ago and it took me two days to
recover. It was a blast!
For more information, call Cool River Cafe at 835-0010.
Click Here to see the flier for Vodka Fest 2005
Click Here to see Pictures
from Vodka Fest 2003
08/16
|
|
Click here to find archived
Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
|
--------
About Us --------
