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Food
News & Commentary
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Heard
on the Street
Celebrity
Sightings
Wine
& Spirits
Restaurant
Events
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Openings
Closings
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Rob
Hits the Road In Search of: "The Best Cheeseburger in the Greater
Austin Area"
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Ah, the quintessential American
comfort food of choice: the cheeseburger. Over the next couple
of months, Rob and company will seek out the very best of what
central Texas has to offer in the world of cheeseburgers. From
Hut's to Dirty Martin's, from Top Notch to Frisco, from Mike's
Pubb to Cafe 1626, from Dan's to Ski Shores, from Poodie's Hilltop
to Horseshoe Bay's Slick Rock Golf Course Snack Shop, we will
cover it all. |
And we need your help: email us at info@diningoutwithrobbalon.com
and tell us your favorite cheeseburger spot.
05/18
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KLBJ-AM's
Food Friday to air Friday, May 21st, from 8-9AM
Normally, the immensely popular Food Friday
program on KLBJ-AM
airs from 8-9 AM, the last Friday of the month. However, the show
will run this month on May 21st, instead of the 28th. So set your
alarm and tune in for the fastest hour in radio in Ausitn as Rob
Balon joins Mark, Ed, and Sargeant Sam for food and restaurant talk.
You can call the show at 836-0590. Every caller who gets in will
have a chance to win $50 Gift Certificates from Fonda
San Miguel and The Mansion
at Judges Hill.
05/18
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Little
Caesar's Pizza Sues Franchisees for Using Inferior Products
Just when you thought it was safe to go back
in the water, along comes over 40 Little Caesar's franchisees who
are being used by the parent company for not meeting their high
standards with regards to ingredients. Little Caesar's claims that
over 300 restaurants have been buying substandard cheese, sauce,
and pepperoni.
I know this sounds kind of smart ass, but, how would they know?
In my opinion, LC's has always tasted rather substandard. Rather
than trying to control spin by going into costly public lititation,
they should spend their energy on building a better pizza from the
ground up.
05/17
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Celebrity
Sightings
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Dubya
and Family Dine at Moonshine
And everyone thought he'd make a beeline for
Jeffrey's, right? President Bush, in town to celebrate daughter
Jenna's graduation from UT, dined at Moonshine
Patio Bar and Grill on May 22nd. Jenna had become a fan of Moonshine
over the past six months. She and a bunch of her friends had anted
up for a private party at Moonshine.
It later expanded to dinner starting at 7PM.
Jenna arrived first with her buddies from UT. The President and
Mrs. Bush showed up about 7:30 PM. Dubya had the corn-dog shrimp
and my personal favorite, the Texas flat iron steak with macaroni.
Mrs. Bush had the cornbread stuffed trout.
They stayed a little after 10PM. Jenna and friends stayed considerably
later.
Owner Chuck Smith said that an entire two-block area around the
restaurant was cordoned off. Secret Service officers were all over
the place. And naval officers were stationed outside the kitchen.
If they lost line-of-sight with any restaurant personnel, they had
to be rescanned. Subsequently, the officers watched all the food
being prepared. Think that made Chef Larry Perdido just a bit nervous?
But Chuck said the mood was very low key and friendly. The President,
always affable, set the tone and the good vibes carried through
the entire evening.
05/28
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Rocco's
Grille from Lakeway to Open on 6th St. in Site Occupied by Ninfa's
Rocco's Grille, an Italian restaurant with a
location on 620 in Lakeway, will take over the space currently occupied
by Ninfa's on 6th St., next to Katz's Deli. Rocco's should be up
and running by September 1st.
Ninfa's was bought out several years ago by the Serrano's mexican
chain. Personally, I thought the quality of the food at the Ninfa's
I dined at suffered a bit after the transition. I am sure going
to miss their Carnitas, however.
05/19
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Heard
on the Street: Wildhorse Grill in Marble Falls Closes and Reopens
as Russell's Main Street Station
When I tried to call Wildhorse Grill in Marble
Falls (site of one of the Gonzo Gourmet club's most memorable dinners)
I got a "not in service" message. This is usually not
a good sign. So I called around Marble Falls and heard from several
restaurant folks that the Wildhorse is gone and has been replaced
by Russel's Main Street Station. They've kept many of the staff
from Wildhorse and are still going for that same fusion of New American
and Southwest cuisine. Number is 830-693-8664.
05/11
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Heard
on the Street: Is Maggiano's coming to Austin?
There's a story going around that Maggiano's,
a popular Italian American chain restaurant (some claim that Bucca
di Beppo modeled itself after Maggiano's) is headed to Austin. Where
will it end up? I've heard everything from the Arboretum area to
downtown. Checked with their Dallas store and was told by the manager
that it's "at least a couple of years away." Well, I guess
that's why they call it gossip. Nonetheless, if they do show up
sooner that that in Austin, remember you heard it here first.
05/05
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Heard
on the Street: Gossip and news from the Austin restaurant world.
Former UR COOKS location on 183 is about to
come back on line. But will it be as a UR COOKS or some other food
venture. Rumor has it that two groups are angling for the property:
one wants to run with a UR COOKS type of store while the other may
go in an entirely different direction. We'll keep you posted.
05/03
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Wine
& Spirits
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The
Balons take on Wine Spectator's Grand Tour
In the wine world,
Wine Spectator Magazine's Grand Tour is to wine fans what the Superbowl
and the NBA finals are to football and basketball fans.
And so like moths to the flame, Rob and Jennifer Balon were drawn
to The Venetian Hotel's Grand Ballroom where over 200 of the world's
finest wine producers were on hand to pour, and pour, and pour some
more. And when I say finest, I am not exaggerating...
Click here for more information
05/27
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Riata
Bar and Grill to Open
Riata Bar and Grill, near the Riata Apartments,
is opening at Riata Trace Parkway, in the same center as upscale
Italian deli Tuscany. Riata Trace Parkway is off 183 . Phone is
336-3838. We'll let you know more about it after we've checked it
out.
05/25
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Heard on
the Street: Wildhorse Grill in Marble Falls Closes and Reopens as
Russell's Main Street Station
When I tried to call Wildhorse Grill in Marble
Falls (site of one of the Gonzo Gourmet club's most memorable dinners)
I got a "not in service" message. This is usually not
a good sign. So I called around Marble Falls and heard from several
restaurant folks that the Wildhorse is gone and has been replaced
by Russel's Main Street Station. They've kept many of the staff
from Wildhorse and are still going for that same fusion of New American
and Southwest cuisine. Number is 830-693-8664.
05/11
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Galaxy
Restaurant Opens
The Galaxy Restaurant has recently opened on
Brodie Lane near Slaughter. Owner Kelly Chappell describes it as
a kind of "Upscale burger" restaurant. He and partner
Chris Courtney ran Shady Grove for the past six years. They had
a soft opening In February and have been fine tuning their product
for the past few months.
Well, coming out of the Mike Young (Comida Deluxe) group, that says
a lot of good things about these guys. I'm going to head out there
next week and give you my impressions. Number is 233-6000. Open
for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
05/05
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Melting
Pot fondue restaurant to open at...
The Melting Pot fondue restaurant will soon
open at 183 and Anderson Millin the Anderson Arbors Shopping Center..
This is a national chain of 72 restaurants based on the good old-fashioned
art of fondue. Be it chunks of bread dipped into cheese, pieces
of fruit into melted chocolate, or some other combination, Americans
have long enjoyed fondue. There's only a few spots around town where
you can get this delicacy: namely The Bakehouse on Manchana and
the Roaring Fork downtown. So here you go fondue fans!
05/03
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Bahama
Breeze Closes
Bahama Breeze, the watering spot and restaurant
near Gateway center in N. Austin has closed. No word yet on what
may come in to that space. As always, we'll keep you posted.
I thought there was a little too much attitude (from the management
down to the waitstaff) going on at Bahama Breeze for my taste. They
seemed to reflect that same kind of "we're so cool" smugness
that really annoys me. Oh well.
05/19
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Oishi
Sushi House Closes
The Oishi Sushi House, on Middle Fiskville Road,
has closed. Tut and Vicky Vicha's upscale Sushi buffet was a very
good restaurant, located, unfortunately, in an area of diminished
customer traffic. Luckily, their other two Thai Spice locations
in Westlake and Lakeway are doing just fine.
05/17
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Events You Might Have Missed:
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Mesquite
Grill Night
Hill Country Pasta House Presents...
Mesquite Grill Night
Also, former owners Wayne &
Mary Gilbert are expected to arrive around 8:30 PM!
05/18
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Mark
Dayanandan To Enlighten And Entertain Between Servings of Six-Course
Meal
Mark Dayanandan, Executive Chef at the elegant
new Hilton Austin, will enlighten and entertain the gourmets and
gourmands of the Les Amis d'Escoffier Society of New York on Friday,
May 14, between servings of a six-course dinner.
This is Chef Dayanandan's tenth appearance at the Society's dinners
as a food critic. This one may be extra special with the presence
of Michel Escoffier of Paris, who is the grandson of the late Auguste
Escoffier, for whom the Society is named. Auguste Escoffier was
known as "the king of chefs and chef of kings."
The Society invites the best chefs in New York City, and sometimes
from around the world, to prepare dishes for the event, which is
a fundraiser for a scholarship fund for various culinary schools.
The event will be at the RIHGA Royal Hotel and hosted by its executive
chef, Carmine Marletta.
"I stand there in front of the top chefs in New York and I
critique the fare for that evening. They expect honesty in my critique,"
Chef Dayanandan said.
Kurt Keller, executive director of the Society said Chef Dayanandan
"knows his stuff. He can pick the food apart without insulting
anyone. He is very amusing and entertaining."
Chef Dayanandan has prepared meals for the past four U.S. presidents,
the Royal Family and world-renowned celebrities. Dayanandan has
worked in his home country of England, Germany, Belgium, Norway,
Canada and the U.S. He has been a chef for 26 years. His background
is in large, first-class establishments and he has emphasized developing
diversity in his culinary skills.
The Hilton Austin, located at 500 E. 4th St, and adjacent to the
Austin Convention Center, features the Finn & Porter™, an upscale
steak and seafood restaurant; the Liberty Tavern™, a classic American
grill; and Java Coast®, a premium coffee outlet.. To find out
more information on the Hilton Austin, please visit the website
at www.austin.hilton.com
or contact Tyler McDonald at the Hilton Austin, 482-8000. To find
out more about the Society, please visit www.escoffier-society.com.
05/12
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