"Granite" Time Had by All:

Had a blast last Monday evening at the Granite Cafe. Reed Clemons assembled master chefs from Houston, San Antonio, and Austin to present an array of delightful appetizers and entrees, each with a wine selected by the national wine master, Woody Deluna of San Antonio. The duck entree, as prepared by Granite's own Sam Dickey, was the star of the show as far as I was concerned. Exquisite flavor.

The Granite Cafe, in case you didn't know, has reopened. It's at San Gabriel and 29th Street. Look for a review soon!

• Bad News at Mickey D's
• Yogi's BBQ in Buda

• March of Dimes Star Chefs
• A Beefy Good Year
• Sunday Songstress at Barton Creek

Bad News at Mickey D's

Pulled into the McDonald's at Lamar and Barton Springs the other morning to grab a breakfast burrito. It was right at 10:30 AM, when they stop serving breakfast. I spoke into the speaker "have you got any burritos left?". The voice came back "We're serving lunch now".

"I know" I said. "But I was wondering if there might be any burritos left over, perhaps you didn't sell".

The voice came back "Lunch begins at 10:30. It's now 10:31".

"Look" I said " I don't want lunch. I just wanted to know if you had any burritos left over. Sometimes this happens".

"We sell burritos for breakfast " came the reply "but breakfast is over".

Right. In total exasperation, I drove past the money collection window and right to the pickup window. The kid working at the window looked at me like I pointed a UZI at him. He shook his head at me and looked back at the coke machine. Finally, a bored looking woman opened the window.

"Have you got any burritos left" I asked?

"Yeah" she said, "but you should have ordered them back at the speaker".

Arrrrgh!!!!!

She returned with the burritos "That's $2.16".

"Can I have some hot sauce, pleeeeze?" I felt like the kid in Oliver Twist standing there with his bowl.

She threw the hot sauce into the bag, didn't thank me for my business, and turned away. Sounds like Mickey D's needs an employee seminar, or maybe the owners should actually try being on site occasionally.

 

Yogi's BBQ in Buda:

There's not much to shout about in the dining out department in downtown Buda. In fact, there's not much to shout about in downtown Buda period! But we have it on authority that there's a quality BBQ joint called Yogi's. Apparently, its right off loop 4 past a convenience store. We've received calls and emails about the place. So I pass it on.

March of Dimes Star Chefs:  

On Sunday, November 5th, the laudable March of Dimes charity held a chefs spectacular at the Four Seasons. Led by Elmar Prawns of the Four Seasons, and including David Bull of the Driskill, Stewart Scruggs of Brio Vista, and Betsy Johnston of Tocai, the best of chefs in Austin were ramping up their favorite dishes of what figured to be a gastronomical blast! Festivities began at 6:15 along with live and silent auctions.

A Beery Good Year: 

Was in a downtown pub the other night and the owner told me that the Budweiser beer rep gave him attitude for not stocking Bud. Seems that the Budweiser rep told the pourer that his establishment would "fold in four months" if it didn't sell Budweiser. That apparently, was about three years ago.

As for me, if you blindfolded me and told me to taste Bud, Miller, ect....I couldn't tell you the difference. That's why beer companies love to do the taste tests. No one can discriminate between American Beers, and so, on any one test, it's a crap shot. Any brew could win.

For local taste I prefer the Bitter End and North by Northwest. I also love the Harp's on draft at Fado.

Sunday Songstress at Barton Creek:

One of the best Sunday brunches around is the Tejas room at Barton Creek Country Club in Westlake. To make things even better, a hostess named Jennifer with an astonishing voice has begun singing Broadway tunes during brunch. You must find a way to get to the Tejas room and enjoy this food and entertainment spectacular.

Diningoutwithrobbalon.com will keep you appraised of all new locally owned spots we find and enjoy.

Coming soon to diningoutwithrobbalon.com: 

Your chance to become an honorary member of the Gonzo Gourmet Club.

Live, in your face, RESTAURANT CAM (go behind the scenes in a frantic restaurant kitchen and watch it live, on the net!).