Food News & Commentary

• Thanks to Apple Leasing, the “Roving” Gourmet is roving once again. Click here to see their offer to all readers of Dining out with Rob Balon
• The Toughest Reservation in Austin
• First Tastes at Sandra Bullock’s “Bess” Encouraging
• Mark your calendars: the Beaujolais Nouveaus are here on the 16th

Restaurant Events

• Dona Emilia’s Hosts Wine Dinner on Nov. 30th to Benefit Wounded Soldiers
• Great Austin Belgian Beer Festival at Zax Pints and Plates on Nov. 11th

Openings

• Sandra Bullock’s “Bess” Opens in Stradford Arms on 500 W. 6th
• Romeo’s To Open a Second Restaurant on the Square in Georgetown
• Chef Will Packwood Storms Back into Action with Cibo on S. Congress

Closings

• Texas Star Diner on Highway 290 Closes

• News Archives

Thanks to Apple Leasing, the “Roving” Gourmet is roving once again. Click here to see their offer to all readers of Dining out with Rob Balon

Looking to lease a new or previously owned vehicle? Well, after my wreck which left my Lincoln a smoldering hunk of metal, I was stranded. The professionals at Apple Leasing got me into a 2005 Denali which I absolutely love. They can make you a great deal as well.

11/29/2006

The Toughest Reservation in Austin

We are fortunate to live and dine in a city like Austin with its abundance of excellent restaurants. But imagine living in LA, San Francisco, Chicago or New York where reservations in a hot, new restaurant or an old favorite can be almost impossible to obtain!

Take Rao’s in NYC for example. Unless you are a regular, a friend of owner Frankie Pellegrino (he also is a regular on the Soprano’s) or an A-list celeb, getting in to Rao’s can take literally months. Or consider per se, Thomas Keller’s intimate NYC bistro: same story. Or how about Nobu in Los Angeles? How does six months in advance sound?

So what are the toughest fine-dining reservations to get in Austin? Well, the truth is you can get a table just about anywhere on Sun-Thursday evenings even without a reservation (if you don’t mind a short wait). Friday and Saturday night are different stories however. For popular upscale downtown eateries like Eddie V’s, the Roaring Fork, Kenichi, La Traviata, Truluck’s, Flemming’s, III Forks, McCormick & Schmick’s, The Driskill Grill and PF Chang’s, these nights can be difficult. But they will at least take reservations. The secret: book early. A random phone call to Eddie V’s on Tuesday revealed over 40% of tables already booked for the weekend. And on a football weekend, well, you can throw those numbers out the window.

Or, ask if dining at the bar is available. Several of the above mentioned spots will seat you and feed you at the bar, thus minimizing what could be a 1-2 hour wait without a reservation.

Robert Scalise, the concierge at the Driskill Hotel says the most difficult restaurants for him to book for hotel guests are Vespaio and Uchi. This is because of their limited reservations policy and their designation as “in” restaurants. Another tough ticket on most nights is the sixth street location of Z-Tejas.

So when you really need a table at a nice restaurant on a weekend night and you don’t have a reservation, what do you do? An often overlooked gem is the Café at the Four Seasons in the Four Seasons Hotel. Still another is the incomparable Aquarelle on West behind Opal Divine’s. Or try the excellent Ranch 616 downtown. You can sometimes get a table there. Or try going Thai. Thai Tara and Thai Passion almost always have room. Also try the Thistle Café across from oh so hot Belmont on W. 6th.

Here’s what NOT to do. Don’t call and say you had a reservation and then act all blustery when the hostess says she can’t find it. That almost never works. Don’t say you are a friend of the owner or have friends in high places. Again, really lame. Don’t blame the host or hostess who gives you the bad news. Not their fault.

Just be flexible and remain open to different times out of the preferred 7-9pm window. Most Austin restaurants will do their very best to work you in eventually (eventually being the operative word).

And however bad it is on a weekend night here, remember, it’s 100 times worse in NYC or LA.

Email Rob: What restaurants have you had the hardest time getting in to on the weekend?

11/28/2006

First Tastes at Sandra Bullock’s “Bess” Encouraging

The question is a familiar one for businesses owned by celebrities. Is the venture more about hubris or is it genuine?

After lunch at Bullock’s new bistro restaurant, Bess, at 500 W. 6th, I’d say that she is definitely committed to making this a quality operation. Bullock has been working with Vespaio ex Brenton Childs on concept and menu development for over a year and a half. Her influence has been felt in every aspect of the restaurant, including exactly where certain pictures should be hung.

And so far, so good. I had lunch at Bess on Friday with my son-in-law John Taylor. The restaurant was comfortably full but there was no wait.

John had the Shepard Pie while I tried the Croque Monsieur. Mine was a trifle cold because of the longer prep time for the Shepard Pie, but that was not a deal breaker. Both dishes were quite good and the Caramelized Cauliflower appetizer we had [with a bit of parmesan] was very tasty as well. The three-bean soup was quite appealing: on the milder side but with enough of a kick from the legumes to perk up the taste buds.

Service was a trifle skewed but very cordial. And remember, they only opened on Tuesday. The service will improve. If you’re going looking for Sandra, she’s out of town for a few days but will probably be back next week.

Call 477-2377 for reservations. This one looks encouraging.

11/17/2006

Mark your calendars: the Beaujolais Nouveaus are here on the 16th

I don’t know why we get so excited about the Beaujolais Noveaus. They are simple, young wines with none of the astringents so common to heavier reds. (Probably why so many women enjoy the lighter taste.) There’s simply a lot to be said for tradition. But some 76 million bottles will be shipped world wide this year. The date for opening: as always, the third Thursday in November. This year is November 16th. And as always, Chez Nous on 510 Neches will have an ample supply. And as always, I will be there sipping away. 11/13/06

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

Sandra Bullock’s “Bess” Opens in Stradford Arms on 500 W. 6th

Brenton Childs is a restaurant pro with a strong local pedigree. He has assembled a quality team for the opening on Tuesday of Sandra Bullock’s first restaurant, Bess.

The restaurant will have southern European bistro style cuisine and an eclectic menu.

Bullock does not want this to be the typical “celebrity” restaurant a la Planet Hollywood. She wants it to rise and fall on its own merits. But the link to her is inescapable. She is an A list celebrity and people care passionately about what she does, especially if it’s starting a restaurant. And People Magazine has already broken the news. Hence, the restaurant opening will be under a much harsher spotlight than most.

But Childs says he is up to the challenge. “This ain’t my first rodeo” he deadpanned. And I personally think Bullock made a good choice.

The restaurant opens for lunch on Tuesday, November 14th.

11/13/06

Romeo’s To Open a Second Restaurant on the Square in Georgetown

11/03/06

Chef Will Packwood Storms Back into Action with Cibo on S. Congress

11/02/06

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

Texas Star Diner on Highway 290 Closes

Austinites are always bitching about the fact that there aren’t enough places to get breakfast. So a good one comes along, The Texas Star Diner, and it’s forced to close after six months. Go figure.

Rumor has it that a branch of a popular chain of Austin-owned restaurants will surface at that location. If so, as always, we will have it first for you at www.diningoutwithrobbalon.com.

11/16/06

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

Dona Emilia’s Hosts Wine Dinner on Nov. 30th to Benefit Wounded Soldiers

Howard Kells is hosting a wine dinner at his superb Dona Emilia’s (one of our Top 20) on Nov. 30th where the proceeds will be donated to Operation Comfort, an organization that helps and supports wounded soldiers.

One recipient of Operation Comfort’s outreach was Nicolette Leigon. She was badly wounded in Iraq and became despondent over her condition. Operation Comfort stepped in and arranged for a kayak trip with her fellow comrades in Idaho. The trip was an inspiration to Nicolette and gave her the sense that she could control her life and live it to the fullest. Now, when she’s hit a snag in rehab, she can think back to that trip and draw energy and hope from her memories.

This is the real deal folks. Click on this link to see the menu and make a reservation.

11/16/2006

Great Austin Belgian Beer Festival at Zax Pints and Plates on Nov. 11th

My son-in-law and all around good guy John Taylor loves his beer. And he particularly prizes good Belgian beers. So I would be willing to bet that he’ll be at Zax Pints and Plates on Saturday, November 11th, at the corner of Barton Springs and Riverside, for their Belgian Beer Festival.

The event, which runs from Noon to 5pm, will feature some of the most amazing and historical brews from a country that knows a thing or two about beer. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door (this includes a commemorative glass). Call 481-0100 for more information.

11/03/2006

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