Rob Balon's Food & Wine News

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Food News & Commentary

Opal Divine's Penn Field Location Now Serving Weekend Brunch

Opal Divine's Penn Field located at 3601 South Congress Avenue, high above Congress Avenue under the Penn Field water tower, is now serving weekend brunch Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.

Pair some breakfast tacos with their Bloody Mary, made with Finlandia vodka infused with poblano pepper, garlic and sun dried tomatoes and their own "Divine Mary" mix. Or Savor a Mimosa prepared with fresh-pressed oranges while enjoying their signature migas quesadillas.

09/23

Andiamo Causing a Stir on Rutland

The area around Burnet and Rutland is not one of my personal favorites, but that does not disuade me from paying regular visits to one of my favorite new restaurants, Andiamo. The owner hails from Virginia around the Washignton DC area, by way of Italy. And after laboring in the trenches for over a year without their wine list, they are now able to blend the best of great food and the grape.

You really should try the Gnocchi. These delightful little potato dumplings done in an alfredo sauce are irresistible. Another dish that I'm very partial to is the Veal Porcini, the sauteed medallions of veal are exquisitely tender and wonderfully tasty. The Calamari is excellent and they have a variety of pasta dishes that are not only original in their preparation but have stellar taste as well.

Andiamo is at 2521 Rutland Drive, (512) 719-3377. Ask for Giovanni and tell him Rob sent you. We really think you will enjoy this restaurant.

09/21

For Transplants from New Orleans: Craving Some Crawfish Etouffee or Gumbo in the downtown area?

Well head over to The Boiling Pot on E. 6th St. just west of IH 35. They’ve got a crab extravaganza that is a blast and it’s a fun and reasonable restaurant. They’re open late and the mood is casual. See their menu.

09/15

Choose Austin First and Austin Restaurant Association raise $thousands for Red Cross Thursday night: Ronald Cheng leads the way

Over 50 Austin restaurants donated a portion of their proceeds from Thursday, September 8th, to the Red Cross and the Children’s Fund. I wish to thank all of them for their generosity, and all of YOU, whose patronage made that possible.

Rob & Ronald Cheng

And something needs to be said about Ronald Cheng, proprietor of Chinatown Mopac, and one of the most generous men it has been my pleasure to encounter in my lifetime. Ronald donated 100% of the proceeds from food and alcohol sales to the children’s fund and raised over $10,000 at Chinatown alone (including a healthy dip into his own wallet to supplement that amount). In addition he enlisted the support of dozens of other restaurants and retail businesses as well.

Generosity aside, his Jade Dumplings are a work of art and should be savored along with his Honey Peppered Beef.

I saw other contributor’s at Chinatown Thursday night including David Kruger of Kruger’s Jewelers, Randy Cohen of Ticket City, Don King and Mike Persinger of The Yellow Rose, John Taylor of Catapult and his fiancé Jennifer Balon of Dell Computer (formerly one half of The Balons duo). One thing is certain, when the irrepressible Ronald Cheng is pouring the wine for a good cause, wallets and purses start emptying.

And there’s still a lot more to be done. The Red Cross is waiting on your call.

09/09

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Openings

Starlite Moves to the Warehouse District

Starlite has moved downtown to the Warehouse District. Their new address is 407 Colorado St. Austin, TX 78701. (512)374-9012.

Their website is http://www.starliteaustin.net. Hours are Monday-Friday 11:30-11:00. Saturday 5:30-11:00.

09/30

Mangu: New Caribbean Restaurant Opens in Pflugerville

The greater Austin area is not exactly awash in a sea of Caribbean restaurants, so we’re pleased to report the opening of Mangu on 15200 FM 1825 in Pflugerville. The restaurant is the brainchild of two men: Alex Fernandez and Rafael Montes de Oca. The menu looks impressive and you can check out the dishes on their website, www.cafemangu.com.

Phone is 990-3121.

09/22

Craving a Burger? Doc’s Motor Works Opens at 1123 S. Congress

For many years it was a garage. And now it’s a Burger and Mexican joint. By the Igloo Group, owners of Waterloo Ice House and The Iguana Grill, Doc’s Motor Works will officially open Tuesday, September 13th for lunch and dinner.

The address is 1123 S. Congress, across from the School For the Deaf and down the street from Zen, Amy’s Ice Cream, and The Continental Club.

09/12

Paggi House Grand Opening