Food News & Commentary

• Rob’s Dining Recommendations for the Weekend
• Ton o’ Fun Update: How We are Losing??
• Going to ACL Fest - Places to Dine

Restaurant Events

• Iron Cactus Hosts the Tequila Tour, Sept. 28th
• "Dining for Life," Sept. 18th
• Welcome to FUNK FEST: an ALL-Star Complement to ACL. at Jovitas
• Pluckers Wings Presents: The Throwdown before the Showdown this Saturday at Waterloo Park

Openings

• Dot’s Opens in Pflugerville
• Champions Restaurant and Sports Bar Opens Downtown

Closings

• The Paggi House has temporarily closed for remodeling. It will reopen in February

• News Archives

Rob’s Dining Recommendations for the Weekend

First thing, remember that this is the weekend for the Austin City Limits music festival along with the new Funk Fest at Jovitas. The city will be packed. That means the restaurants will be as well. Book early for the downtown restaurants. That means now!

If you haven’t tried the new Ms. B’s and you like Cajun, head over to E. 11th St. I recently visited with owner Brenda McGowan and the place is lovely. And Brenda looks terrific!

The food is still just as good as the original (and still open) store on Spicewood at Mesa. I love the Smothered Pork Chops with Red Beans and Rice and the Shrimp Creole. And don’t forget the Sweet Potato Pecan Pie. 320-0140

If you’re in Lakeway on Highway 620, by all means try Ciola’s for Italian. Chef Louie Ciola has worked some serious magic in the kitchen. The food is as good as I’ve ever had it there. And it’s running like a top with the addition of Juan Mario’s ex John Innes. 263-9936

And if you’re craving a Gyro or some Spanikopita, head over to the Athenian Grill at 8th and Colorado. This is usually fairly easy to get into in the evenings but has a HUGE lunch crowd. They also have Pastichio on Thursday nights and a killer Leg of Lamb. 482-8988. This is by far the best Greek food in the city.

It may not seem like an ideal spot for a restaurant, but if you’re in the vicinity of Rutland and Burnet, do check out Andiamo. The owner’s name is Giovanni. This is one neat little spot. My daughter and her husband are regulars there. The gnocchi, the veal, the seafood dishes are all quite good. 719-3377

If you’re craving breakfast (and judging from the amount of emails I get on this subject, you all are), try the Texas Star Diner this weekend on Highway 290 W next to the Holiday Inn Express. The have very good omelets and the Sausage and Biscuits with gravy is a winner. I enjoyed the Migas as well. They’re brand spanking new so you shouldn’t have much of a wait. 891-8440.

I drove through P Terry’s Burger Drive in at Barton Springs and Lamar to see what all the fuss was about. And I was pleased. The burgers were custom made, juicy, and very tasty. The menu is simple and the shakes are ample. It’s about all you could ask from a drive-through. 473-2217

If you live out around Cedar Park, you will definitely want to try Selene’s. Chef Andy has authored a seriously tasty fine-dining menu with all the aplomb but not the price tags of the downtown places. www.selenes.com 528-9595.

And one critical recommendation: head out to Pflugerville and dine at the European Bistro on East Main. This is the epitome of eastern European cuisine: great Hungarian dishes. And fine German food as well. Chef Piroska is a wonder in the kitchen. 835-1919.

09/15/06

Ton o’ Fun Update: How We are Losing??

The Ton o Fun weight-loss-for-charity (Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Austin) contest continues. I sat with Travis County Sheriff (and fellow team captain) Greg Hamilton at Beau Theriot’s 60th Birthday party last Saturday night. We both agreed that this is a good thing. I’ve dropped 18 pounds since the contest began in June. The rest of my team is doing well also. Rob’s Reducers have shed over 120 pounds.

I couldn’t do it without making frequent visits to restaurants like Zen. They have been a huge support to our team and have helped keep my diet healthy and balanced. I’ve also been a frequent visitor to ZuZu’s healthy Mexican restaurant and to the stunningly original Nu Age Café.

The coolest part of all of this though was getting an email from Kirk Stapleton, my “little” brother from the Big Brother/Big Sisters program. I spent a couple of years hanging out on Saturdays with Kirk back in, get this, 1977-78!!!!!!! So you can imagine my delight and great surprise in getting an email from a grown man who I’d last known as a pre-teen.

And any of you who read this who’d like to make a donation, no matter how large or small, to Big Brothers, please log on to www.onetonofun.com. They could certainly use your support.

Click on the Donate to 1 Ton of Fun link. And please mention Rob’s Reducers when you make your donation. Many thanks to all of you who have emailed words of encouragement.

09/12/06

Going to ACL Fest - Places to Dine

The ACL festival looks to be bigger and better than ever this year. All those bands and all that music tend to make people hungry: so hungry that this year the organizers have lined up 28 food stations on the property. The choices range from seriously cool favorites like Ciola’s Italian and Austin Java to Berryhill Baja Grill and Saba and Amy’s Ice Cream.

However, if you find yourself with an appetite AFTER you’ve left the concert grounds (and you probably will) here are some local places that I recommend which are all within a two-mile radius of the event.

Romeo’s Italian Restaurant. (1500 Barton Springs Rd.) Romantic little Italian spot with southern Italian emphasis. Good food. 476-1090

P. Terry’s Burgers. At corner of S. Lamar and Barton Springs, this is drive-in only with a very simple yet tasty menu. I like the double cheeseburger. Shakes are good. 473-2217

Austin Java. 1608 Barton Springs Rd. Love the breakfasts here which you can get all day. And seriously cool Cajun crawfish pasta as well. 482-9450

The Green Mesquite BBQ. At 1400 Barton Springs Road, in a building that dates back to the 1930’s, this place dishes out ribs, brisket, sausage, and chicken. And it’s got many fans, me included.

Shady Grove. This is an Austin classic. Next to Chuy’s, the fare is eclectic and usually quite good. I love the Cheese Fries (but don’t dawdle) and the Hippie Sandwich Plates. 474-9991

Chuy’s. 1728 Barton Springs Rd. The quintessential Tex-Mex that really defines the laid-back Austin dining experience. Always packed and for good reason. 474-4452

Wan Fu II. The latest in a long line of restaurants in the location next to Chuy’s. This one has lasted longer than any of the previous ones. Food’s not bad at all, but neither is it Chinatown. Still, it beats a poke in the head with a sharp stick when you’re hungry.

Bistro 88. Head up Barton Springs Road and take a right on Bee Caves. You’ll find this elegant fusion (Asian-European) restaurant in the first strip mall. Newly added sushi bar. Jeff Liu is an amazing chef. 328-8888

Uchi. 801 S. Lamar. Arguably Austin’s hottest sushi restaurant. Helmed by award-winner Tyson Cole. Try the Maguro sashimi with goat cheese. It’ll make you a believer. 916-4808

Castle Hill. At N. Lamar and 5th St. Vintage Austin bistro dining with flair and style. Chicken Enchiladas are to die for. Cathe Dailey at the helm. 476-0728.

09/12/2006

Click here to find archived Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary

Dot’s Opens in Pflugerville

09/27/06

Champions Restaurant and Sports Bar Opens Downtown

09/07/06

Click here to find archived Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary

The Paggi House has temporarily closed for remodeling. It will reopen in February

I have been a fan of the Paggi House on Riverside for many years: from its inception under Thomas Flesiner and to its recent rebirth under the Austin Java ownership group led by Rick Engle.

With Chef George Thomas working on new recipes, and some changes to the physical design in store, Paggi has gone on hiatus until February. They hope to be open by Valentine’s Day. I will keep you posted as to the formal opening date.

But I, for one, can’t wait.

09/05/06

Click here to find archived Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary

Iron Cactus Hosts the Tequila Tour, Sept. 28th

Iron Cactus hosts the Tequila Tour next Thursday, Sept. 28th, at the Stonelake Iron Cactus. Over 20 different Distilleries and 50 different tequilas. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Sample 10 tequilas of your choice, and price includes a commemorative snifter and passed Tapas during the event.

Click here for details.

09/21/2006

"Dining for Life," Sept. 18th

Coming up on September 18th is one of the easiest ways for you to donate a little bit of money to AIDS Services of Austin (ASA). The only thing that you have to do is go out to eat at one of more than 60 restaurants around the city. They will then donate 15% of their total dinner proceeds to ASA. Obviously, the more people that eat out that night, the more money ASA can raise. In years past, the donations from the restaurants would total more than $18,000.

Click here for a list of participating restaurants.

There are a few restaurants that aren't open on Monday, September 18th and so they will take part on the 19th. So, feel free to eat out two nights in a row and make a simple donation to a wonderful organization in Central Texas.

09/15/2006

Welcome to FUNK FEST: an ALL-Star Complement to ACL. at Jovita's

FunkFest is an ‘All Star” collaboration of musicians including members of the Nevilles, Papa Mali, members of Galactic, Topaz, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, The Greyhounds and more. The events are modeled after famed New Orleans Jazz Festival after parties and will held at two Austin venues (Jovita’s & The Parish) as a complement to Austin City Limits Festival September 15-17th. Funk is a distinct upbeat style of music, featuring syncopated rhythms, thick bassline, razor-sharp rhythm guitars, rhythm-oriented horn sections, and strong jazz influences which leave one with the irresistable urge to shake one's booty. New Orlean's after-festival parties are known for dancing and surprise special guest musicians. For more information check out http://amfmstudios.com/funkybatz.

09/11/2006

Pluckers Wings Presents: The Throwdown before the Showdown this Saturday at Waterloo Park

I’ll say this for them: those Pluckers wing guys know how to have fun. Saturday, they’re hosting a huge party at Waterloo Park before the Ohio State game.

Festivities kick off at 4pm with a performance by Dysfunkshun Junkshun, followed by Brandon Rhyder at 5:20 pm. There’s a wing eating contest at 6:10pm (of course) and after that, Kevin Fowler at 6:30 pm, a pep rally at 7:45pm and a performance by the one and only Robert Earl Keen at 8:45pm.

For more info: go to www.throwdownbeforetheshowdown.com.

09/07/2006

Click here to find archived Openings, Closings, and Food News & Commentary