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Musings about town
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Bistro
88
Stopped by Bistro
88 on Bee Caves Road for lunch last week. I love this restaurant. Had
their delicious sesame shrimp. But they’ve added several new
appetizers including a smoked salmon and asparagus roll that you will
just adore. The service is also quite good here. Put this on your
“must do” list for next week. This restaurant is seriously
threatening to crack my TOP 15 list.
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The
Stephan Pyles Dinner:
The
Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Foundation is hosting a dinner in honor
of the recent Texas chefs who were winners of the Stephan Pyles Culinary
Award. Food by Stephan Pyles, David Garrido, Stewart Scruggs…just to
name a few. The affair is on March 4th. Cost is $125 per
person. For more information, call Patricia Jacobsen at 327-3333.
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Eddie V's Revisited:
Sometimes after a
favorable review, I’ll revisit a restaurant quickly, just to make sure
that things are still percolating nicely. Well, Eddie V’s at 5th
and San Jacinto seems to be doing just fine. Had dinner there on Feb.
10th. The Snapper with lump crabmeat was delicious and the Sole was
outstanding. Also, the breaded and fried lobster tails were again
excellent. The service showed no signs whatsoever of letting down. Very
impressive again!
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Cafe Mia:
New in Westlake,
in the former home of The Bagelry on Bee Caves Rd. in the Breed Hardware
Shopping Center. This place has wonderful dine in or take out food.
Breakfasts are particularly impressive. Consider their French Toast:
they start with homemade foccaccia bread which is imbued with crème
brulee, then pan seared until golden brown and topped with caramelized
sugar. Served with maple syrup and fresh whipped cream, this is French
Toast to die for.
They also serve a
Pecan Waffle with “fosterized” bananas. Delicious. And a Ghirardelli
chocolate wafftle with cherries jublilee. Can you stand it?
And Omlettes? I
loved the French with bacon, brie, and artichokes.
On top of that,
they’re doing panini [crusted hot sandwiches] and a Gyro [shaved lamb]
that’s way over the top. We’ll do a more formal review at a later
date but wanted to let you know about this spot.
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Asti:
Great little
Italian trattoria at Duval and 43rd over in Hyde Park. Love
the area, and this restaurant just fits in. There’s a guy who comes in
every day, as in Monday-through-Sunday, for the Spaghetti Bolognese.
I’m not sure I would go to that extreme, but it was quite good. Their
calamari is also excellent, and it’s served with a roma tomato aoli
that enhances the flavor.
My first trip
there, and I was impressed. More on Asti in next month’s Food and Wine
News.
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Sienna:
Many of you have
inquired about Stan Adams’ new Italian restaurant, Sienna. Haven’t
tried it yet. My plate, literally, has been full. But we’re on record
with praise for Gilligans and Brick Oven, two other well-known Adams
enterprises. Sienna is on the list and will probably get to it this
weekend. A review will be forthcoming soon.
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Kaya Blue:
New fusion
restaurant on E. 6th St. Had a quick bite there recently and
had mixed emotions. I’m not suggesting you should avoid it, by any
means. They’re doing some interesting things. Check out the paella.
It’s different from any other you might have had. Extremely aromatic.
And very enjoyable.
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Gossip
and Gripes:
Big time celebrity sightings
at Eddie V’s lately: Saw Sandra Bullock and beau Bob. Sandy was
radiant in a lovely sweatshirt and jeans.
Cycling king Lance
Armstrong was in looking fit and trim [show me a world class cyclist
who doesn’t look fit and trim].
Earl Campbell was in
looking distinctive although a bit gray. What are we gonna do about this
whole aging baby boomer thing anyway?
Thomas “Hollywood”
Henderson, former Cowboy and recent Texas
Lotto Millionare was at Sullivans.
Former Eagle and author of my
favorite album cut, “Down at the Sunset Grill”, Don Henley,
was seen at Vespaio.
And Dennis Quaid,
next-to-the-last reject of Meg Ryan, [Russel Crowe was just
recently dumped] was seen snarfing ribs at Artz Rib House on Lamar.
Tried to get in to Mars
the other night. Wait was listed as an hour and a half.
Give me a break! Yes, the
food’s good. But don’t people have lives?
What’s this whole waiting
thing about anyway? My cursory analysis seems to reveal a demographic
divide on the issue. Basically, people who have other people responsible
for watching their children are not going to wait that long. Also most
people over 35 are not going to wait that long.
The
under 35 and childless crowd? Well, apparently, as long as there’s a
good Merlot to pour, they’ve never met a line they haven’t liked.
Ah, the endless diversity of Austin.
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Gonzo Gourmet:
The Gonzo Gourmet Club just
signed up its 50th member. That means our first, big,
celebratory bash is getting closer. The more the merrier though. If you
haven’t signed up yet, go back to the home page and click on the link.
Gonzo
members are eligible for cool prizes, complimentary dinners at Gourmet
restaurants, and much, much, more.
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Diningoutwithrobbalon.com will keep you appraised of all new locally
owned spots we find and enjoy.
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Coming soon to diningoutwithrobbalon.com:
Live, in your face, RESTAURANT CAM (go behind the scenes in a
frantic restaurant kitchen and watch it live, on the net!).
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