Food
News & Commentary
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Restaurant
Events
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Openings
Closings
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Oasis
Fine Tunes Menu: Rebuilding Going Well
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I stopped by The Oasis
recently and had lunch with Beau Theriot and Shirley Shaw, the
two people most responsible for the restaurant’s remarkable
comeback from a devastating fire last summer.
We began with Beau’s favorite, the Piratas,
and they were as good as ever. Then I tried some of Shirley’s
Shrimp tacos and they were equally good.
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One thing is clear: the kitchen is alive and
well. Chef Matthew, who prepped under Sean Bradshaw, is making wonderful
things happen. If you haven’t been out there lately, by all means
give it a try.
One thing that isn’t quite as clear: a final
date for the end of construction. But Beau is looking at February
for everything to be done.
And one thing that is abundantly clear:
the sunsets are still as gorgeous as ever. And those sunsets seem
to go really well with a top shelf margarita.
Click here to see the new Menu.
08/30/2006
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Boiling
Pot’s Dave LeBlanc and wife Keri have baby girl: Jacqueline
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These are the stories
we love to post on www.diningoutwithrobbalon.com.
Dave and Keri Le Blanc, owners of the Boiling
Pot on 6th St., are the proud parents of a two-week old
baby girl named Jaqueline. Congrats to both. Now tell me, is
this not one of the cutest babies you’ve seen in a long time?
08/28/06 |
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Chicago
Ban on Sale of Foie Gras to Begin on August 22nd
Bowing to pressure
from animal rights groups, the city of Chicago has passed an ordinance
making it illegal for restaurants to sell foie gras. While geese
and ducks must be breathing a collective sigh of relief, I find
the entire issue to be laughable.
The Roman Emperor Nero used to force feed figs
to his ducks almost 2,000 years ago to create the liver delicacy
that has delighted generations of diners. There is some precedent
here.
So the process of force-feeding a goose or duck
until the liver has grown to 4-5 times its normal size is perhaps
not the kindest act in the world. I’ll give you that. But if we
start evaluating the treatment and execution of each animal that
is destined to wind up on our dinner plates in one way or the other,
where will it end?
Don’t like the back story in the preparation
of foie gras? Then don’t order it. You have that right. As should
the folks who enjoy foie gras to order it. It seems the animal rights
groups won’t stop until we are a nation that doesn’t eat anything
that had a mother. And that’s just silly. Right now, we humans sit
atop the food chain. As my dear father used to say, “enjoy what
you got while you got it.” In generations to come, we may not always
be so fortunate.
And that being said, I hope that no such ordinance
makes its way onto the books in Austin.
08/23/06
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Hoover’s
Cooking Hosting Special Breakfasts this weekend for Injured Manager
Bruce Barnes
When you work for Hoover
Alexander, owner of Hoover’s
Cooking on Manor and on Research at Anderson Mill, you are family.
And you take care of your family.
Bruce Barnes, a valued manager, had a nasty
motorcycle wreck several months ago. He needs help.
So this Friday at the Hoovers on Manor, and
Sat-Sun at the Research location, Hoover will be staging benefit
breakfasts from 8-10 am.
Minimum donation will be $10 for the usual amazing
fare from Hoover:
Chicken n Cakes
Shrimp n Cakes
Catfish Etouffee
Jazzy Poached Eggs
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy… and more.
There will also be a silent auction each
morning to raise additional funds for Bruce. Call 479-5006 for more
info.
08/21/06
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Cherry
Creek Catfish To Reopen Saturday
An electrical glitch
caused Cherry Creek Catfish
at Stassney and Manchaca to have to close down for a few days. Owner
Shari Brawley says that the popular restaurant will reopen on Saturday,
August 19th.
08/17/06
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Austinite
and “Kitchen Diva” on the Food Network Tonight vs. Bobby Flay on
Throwdown
Austin cookbook writer
and host of the Kitchen Diva show Angela Shelf Medearis will “THROWDOWN”
vs. Bobby Flay tonight on the Food Network. The time is tonight
at 9PM central. Don’t know this for sure but I heard she kicked
Bobby’s butt.
Nonetheless, should be fun to watch.
08/04/06
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You
gotta try this: The Grilled Artichoke Heart at Houston’s
I had a snack at Houston’s
at Anderson and Burnet the other day that one doesn’t see on too
many menus these days with everybody doing spinach and artichoke
dip: char-grilled artichokes served with aoli dipping sauce. It
was flat-out delicious. For $9.00, you get two-three good sized
artichokes. Then just peel and enjoy. The slightly smoky flavor
was delightful.
My favorite part is when you get down
to the hearts. Then you’ve got three bites of pure joy! Make sure
you try this appetizer on you next visit to Houston’s.
08/04/06
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We
Add Another Restaurant to our Brunch Recommendations List: Y Restaurant
and Bar in Oak Hill
We had a brunch last
weekend at the Y Restaurant and Bar in Oak Hill that was flat out
delicious. Marge tried the Lobster Eggs Benedict (yes, you read
that correctly) and they were fab. I had the Migas and they were
moist, loaded with flavor, and hard to stop eating. We also tried
the Chicken Fried Venison. Really nice flavors, and not at all gamey.
To
see their brunch menu, click here.
08/02/06
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Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
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Maru
Opens for Sushi et al on Burnet North of 45th
Getting good reports from our readers on Maru,
which has opened on Burnet just north of 45th st at the site of
a former Chinese restaurant. Have had strong reviews on the sushi
I have not yet tried it but rest assured
it’s on our list. Their phone number is 458-6200. It’s BYOB for
now but they apparently have a TABC application in process.
08/31/06
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At
Long Last: Hyde Park Café opens a south location at Westgate
near Central Market
Bick and Erica Brown have opened a second
location of the beloved Hyde Park Café. It’s at the old
Grandy’s location on Westgate adjacent to Central Market.
I don’t know but slowly and surely,
S. Austin seems to be evolving into a more receptive location
for much cooler restaurants. This is long overdue but much appreciated
by those who live south of the river.
08/30/06
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The
KEY BAR Opens on 617 W. 6th St
Ted Karam and his staff at Waterloo Ice House,
Iguana Grill, Doc’s Motorworks, and Austin Catering have come
up with a new concept: The Key Bar which just opened on 617 W.
6th St.
Some of the interesting drinks include
The Specialty Shaker Drink (homemade lemonade with Titto’s Vodka
in a shaker and poured over a frozen fruit popsicle). Muy frio!!
Queso and chips along with salsa are the snacks on hand. Call
236-9389 for more information.
08/24/06
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Austin's
Iron Cactus Opens on Riverwalk in San Antonio
Long-time Austin favorite, the Iron
Cactus, is opening a new store on the Riverwalk in San Antonio.
Opening is set for August 18th.
I, for one, am quite happy about this. The
Riverwalk, once one of San Antonio's premiere restaurant locations,
has gone through a rough patch over the past ten years and a restaurant
of the caliber of Iron Cactus is just the tonic the Riverwalk
needs to rejuvenate itself. (210) 224-9835. 200 Riverwalk Suite
100.
08/18/06
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Fine
Dining “Jezebel” Opens on 914 Congress
A new, fine dining restaurant featuring classic
dishes done in a more Modern American style, has opened at 914
Congress.. The name is Jezebel and it’s the work of husband and
wife Parind and Debora Vora. Phone is 499-3999. Their website
is www.restaurantjezebel.com.
For the time being, they are still waiting
on their liquor license. They will open all bottles of wine brought
by customers without a corkage fee until the TABC give them the
go ahead.
08/11/06
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Japanese
TOMO opens at 4101 W. Parmer
Located near Cool River Cafe at 4101 W. Parmer,
Japanese styled Tomo has opened. They serve a variety of Japanese
dishes as well as sushi and sashimi. Their liquor license is on
day-to-day status. Several readers have reported it that they’ve
enjoyed it. Phone: 821-9472.
08/04/06
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Los
Pinos in Lakeway has Great Potential
We’ve found a very interesting Mexican restaurant
in Lakeway. On 4919 Hudson’s Bend Road, it’s called Los Pinos.
The chef is a very talented gentleman named
Margarito Maldanado. His restaurant lineage is impressive: stops
at both Mirabelle and Castle Hill.
His cuisine is equally impressive. We began
with a stellar Queso laced with guacamole and ground beef. The
flavor was exceptional. And the Shrimp Flautas were another winner.
Wonderfully nuanced flavors. Equally good was the Fajita Beef
in a Chipotle Cream Sauce. Very creative and tasty dish. And Margarito’s
flan is beautifully dense and ever so edible.
My lone disappointment was the Tortilla Soup:
not because of the flavor but because it was simply too dense.
Came off more like a stew. That’s easily fixable. Open for Breakfast,
[they have a weekday special on breakfast tacos for a buck each]
Lunch and Dinner. Monday-Sunday. 266-3231.
08/01/06
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Another
Fine Dining Restaurant Closes its Doors: Café Caprice is
Gone
It’s very interesting. The local daily paper
keeps breathlessly reporting how wonderful our local economy is.
We are in an incredible boom they say.
So then why do good restaurants keep closing?
Café Caprice, at the site of the old Basil’s, closed on July
31st. Their food was excellent and the price points were reasonable.
If we are such an amazing boom, shouldn’t there be enough discretionary
dollars available to support our fine dining establishments?
08/09/06
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Mimosa
on Barton Springs Road Closes
It is with regret that we note the passing of
Mimosa. This was a teppanyaki restaurant on Barton Springs that
deserved a much better fate than it received. The food was excellent.
But the restaurant never achieved even a fraction of the kind of
critical mass it needed to make a go of it.
Its demise is only further contrasted with the
perennially packed restaurants that surrounded it: Austin Java,
Romeo's, Shady Grove, Chuy's.
08/04/06
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Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
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Events You Might Have Missed:
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What
You Missed at the Recent Gonzo Gourmet Dinner at Cool River
People always ask me where I came up with the
name for the Gonzo Gourmet Club. Well, I’m a fan of the late Hunter
S. Thompson. His style of writing came to be known as Gonzo journalism.
What that has to do with food I have no idea, but sometimes you
just have to go with the moment.
At any rate we Gonzos had a memorable
meal at Cool River Saturday night. Take a look at the menu and you
can see why.
08/30/2006
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Check
Out One of Our Favorites, Ciola’s in Lakeway, This Weekend
This weekends fresh
fish specially prepared by Ciola's Chefs:
Crab Crusted Halibut
Flounder, Salmon, and Trout
Also Featuring
Riccotta Gnocci & Fresh Dessert Specials
Try their garlic infused Prime Rib every Thursday
and Saturday
Join them for the finest in pasta, seafood,
and steaks. Reserve your table now. 512.263.9936
08/11/2006
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Cool
River Presents the B.R. Cohn Wine DInner, Aug. 8th
Join Cool River for a 5 Course meal paired with
the wines of B. R. Cohn on August 8th beginning at 6:30. The menu
has been prepared by their new Chef Adrian Corkill.
Reception
Fresh fruits and gourmet cheeses
Paired with:
Carneros Chardonnay 2004
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Salad
Smoked sliced breast of duck over black cherry vinaigrette tossed
bib lettuce with chocolate toffee
Paired with:
Sonoma Valley Merlot 2001
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Main 1st Course
Buffalo Tenderloin Carpaccio with sweet mustard remoulade and toasted
pistachio
Paired with:
Olive Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 202
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Main 2nd Course
Fire grilled Antelope with sweet potato chive puree and blackberry
glace
Paired with:
Syrcab 2003
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Dessert
Grapefruit panna cotta
Paired with:
Warre Otima 10 year tawny porto
Make your reservations early, space is limited to 30 guests. Cost
for the evening is $59.00 per person. For more information or to
make reservations call 835-0010.
08/01/2006
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Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary
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