Food
News & Commentary
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Restaurant
Events
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Openings
Closings
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Finn
& Porter Restaurant Names New General Manager
The Finn & Porter Restaurant, located in
the new Hilton Austin, has named Richard Rogers as its new General
Manager. Rogers was recruited from the private and posh Argyle Club
in San Antonio where he had been General Manager for five years
and Executive Chef for 10 years.
Rogers said he already has plans to expand the restaurant's wine
selection, adding even more diversity and bringing "a global
feel" to the list. Rogers is working closely with Finn &
Porter's Executive Chef Christopher Bauer in formulating a wine
list that complements the original and scrumptious tastes of Bauer's
food.
"We have a good wine list, but with added breadth and depth
one can be more precise in choosing the right wine with a meal,"
Rogers said. "We will expand our list of international wines."
"Chris' (Executive Chef Bauer) style is bold and innovative
and I want to help build on that, as well as the regional influences
he brings to the menu."
Rogers said the food is magnificent and he wants the other elements
of the dining experience to compliment the food. He intends to soften
the sound level in the restaurant by covering the marble floor with
cushy carpet and adding elegant drapery in strategic locations.
The Finn & Porter Restaurant, which features specially aged
beef, fresh seafood and sushi, conducted wine dinners monthly with
reasonable success. However, Rogers said wine dinners are a dime-a-dozen
in Austin.
"Austinites are so lucky to have so many good restaurants,
most of which conduct wine dinners on a regular basis" he said.
"We decided to conduct fewer wine dinners next year, but each
one is going to be so very special that once the word gets out,
we'll have people making reservations months in advance."
Rogers graduated in 1988 from the California Culinary Academy in
San Francisco. He also has a BA in Business Management from Incarnate
Word University in San Antionio. He and his wife, Patty, a special
education teacher, and their two sons, aged 10 and 5, both budding
pianists, have moved to Cedar Park.
The Finn & Porter Restaurant is located in the new Hilton Austin
at 500 E. 4th Street.
12/23
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Melting
Pot Fondue Restaurant Opens on Highway 183
After much anticipation, the Melting Pot, a
restaurant that offers primarily all manners of things fondue.has
opened on December 15th.
Address is 13343 Highway 183 N. Suite 350. Phone is 401-2424 and
the website is www.meltingpot.com
A recommended dish: The Big Night Out!
12/16
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Bahia
Abrigada Opens in Bastrop: Helmed by Herman von Hapsburg
There is a restaurant renaissance of sorts in
Bastrop and the latest entry is Herman von Hapsburg's Bahia Abrigada
on Main St. von Hapsburg was a major factor in the opening of Thistle
Cafe and now he's doing his own thing out in Bastrop.
The cuisine ranges from continental to mediterranean to things that
are just, well, vintage von Hapsburg. For example, the appetizers
range from Pork Empanadas to Shrimp and Bacon Kabobs
while the entrees range from Pesto and Crab Fetucini to Seafood
and Sausage Paella.
call 512-308-9600. Also check out their website at www.912main.com.
12/16
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Rocco's
Grille Opens on 6th St. at former site of Ninfas
The popular Rocco's Grille of Lakeway has opened
a 2nd restaurant downtown on 6th St. at the former Ninfas location
next to Katz's. Lots of cool Italian dishes with pasta, seafood,
and "carni."
To make things better, sommelier and all around cool guy Patrick
Mahon (original GM of Roy's on 2nd St.) is back at the helm of Rocco's.
His presence assures that this place will be most accomodating.
Phone 480-5920.
12/03
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Rudino's
Pizza and Grinders Opens on 620 at Anderson Mill
I love Grinders, those wonderful Italian sandwiches
(also known as Hoagies or Subs). And Grinders, along with Pizza,
is the main forte of Rudino's which just opened at 11521 FM 620
at Anderson Mill.
Haven't tried their food yet but I'm getting lots of good emails
about it. We'll post my initial impressions under First Bites when
I get out there (hopefully soon). In the meantime, their number
is 258-4900.
12/03
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Hyderabad
House, Indian Cuisine Opens at Mopac and Wells Branch
New Indian restaurant named after the city of
Hyderabd, which is renowned for its authentic cuisine. Not much
to look at yet on the ambiance front, but if the first tasting is
any indication, this is going to be one good restaurant. The Saag
Paneer was to die for. The Samosas were totally delicous.
Check it out. At the corner of N. Mopac at Wells Branch in the little
shopping center there. The phone number is 694-2828. This place
is definitely worth a visit.
Click here to see menu.
12/03
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Filling
Station on Barton Springs Closes After 20+ Year Run
Long time S. Austin favorite The Filling Station
closed recently ending over 20 years of operations at their Barton
Springs location.
The demise of the restaurant was blamed on the recent smoking ordinances
that have gone into effect. This apparently took a significant slice
out of the bar business. And as is the case with many restauarants,
the real profit center lies in their sales of beer, mixed drinks,
and wine.
I liked the Filling Station. Ate many a lunch there and loved their
dogs. We can only hope another CHAIN FROM HELL does not go up there.
12/03
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Events You Might Have Missed:
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Rebels
Without a "Klaus" (KLBJ All-Stars) to Play
Sunday 6-9PM at Mimosa
Rockin' Christmas carols
from 6-9pm Sunday at Mimosa
on Barton Springs Rd.
The Mighty 590 All-Stars, who for one night will be known as Rebels
Without a Klaus, will hold forth with music of the season.
Mimosa will serve its
usual outstanding mix of Tepanyaki and Sushi as always.
12/07
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