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Food
News & Commentary
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Restaurant
Events
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Openings
Closings
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It's
Getting Colder: Nothing like a steaming bowl of Pho
Now that the Austin equivalent of winter is
setting in, the colder days (OK, sometimes) are tailor-made for
a big, steaming bowl of Vietnamese noodle soup or Pho (pronounced
"Fah" or "Fuh," depending on your linguistic
agility). These soups often begin with a savory beef stock and are
laden with vermicelli, bean sprouts, onions, jalapenos, and your
choice of a vritually limitless supply of main ingredients:from
beef and meat balls, to brisket and tripe. But no law says that
you can't opt for shrimp (which I prefer) as the main ingredient.
There are some very neat places to get Pho around the city and here
are a couple of suggestions:
Hao Hao
Mekong River
The Tea House
Fortune Pho 75
11/19
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Katz's
Deli Files for Chapter 11 Debt Reorganization
Katz's Deli has never closed or "klosed"
for 25 years. And my prediction is that even after filing for Chapter
11 Bankruptcy, the deli will not miss a beat.
The difference between most restaurants that I've seen file for
Chapter 11, (which guarantees the debtor relief from all creditors
while a payment plan is worked out) and Katz's is that most don't
enter into Chapter 11 from any postion of long-term strength. Chapter
11 is usually, unfortunately, a way station on the path to final
liquidation and closure (Chapter 7).
However, Katz's should really benefit from debt reorganiztion. Many
of Katz's current problems stem from the acrimonious fued between
father Marc and son Barry several years ago and the substantial
payments that Marc agreed to make to Barry (at the top of the market)
as part of the buy out. The restaurant also suffered from the medicore
local economy of the past few years.
But the substantial equity that Katz's has in its loyal customer
base cannot be underestimated. There are a lot of fans of Katz's
Deli out there and their patronage will help owner Marc, with the
court's protection, to turn things around, pay off his bills, and
return to liquidity. Remember, you heard it here first.
Katz's will still be open 24/7 and it will still rock. And on top
of that, they've brought back the fried knoshes!
11/18
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Wine
Fans: November 18th, The Arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveaus!
One of the most anticipated events of any year
for wine lovers is the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveaus from France.
The third Thursday in November is the designated date and some 70
million bottles of Nouveau (which should actually be called Primeur,
but why quibble) will be headed around the world.
Beaujolais Nouveaus are popular because the wine lacks the more
astrigent tannins so common to heavier reds. It's a fun wine without
a lot of pretense.
Chez Nous, one of our favorite french restaurants, will be pouring
the new Beaujolais beginning on th 18th. Other Austin restaurants
like Aquarelle and The Roaring Fork (downtown) and Truluck's will
be pouring as well.
11/17
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Been
Looking for the new location of Margaritas?
Got several calls on Food Friday on KLBJ-AM
asking about the new location of the popular Mexican restuarant
called Margaritas: it used to be on North Loop and Burnet.
With the same good food is still in abundance, the restaurant is
now at 14735 Bratton Lane (in the same center as the original Gumbo's)
off N.Mopac. They are NOT to be confused with La Margarita off IH-35.
Cal 251-6777 for more information.
11/19
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Westlake
Restaurant Curse Strikes Again: Four Corners to Close
In the future, if anyone asks me for some advice
on where to open a new restaurant, I will tell them to be sure to
avoid Westlake at all costs. The place just eats up restaurants
alive.
The Four Corners, an owner operated restaurant that I rather liked,
is the latest casualty. In the Albertson's Center at Bee Caves and
Highway 360, Four Corners actually took over from the Canyon Cafe,
which was a Dallas chain. The Four Corners owner, Guido Doria, is
from White Plains New York and fell in love with Austin. Alas, the
Westlake area apparently did not fall in love with his restaurant.
Of course that's not unusual for Westlakers. They have lots of money
but apparently don't spend much of it on dining in their community.
Four Corners is the latest in a long list of restaurant casualties
including Cafe Spiazo, Ginga, Dragon Gate, The Belgian Restaurant,
Chez Z, The Holiday House, Baron's Steak House, Vincent's, C-5 Steakhouse,
and many more.
11/16
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Florida
Seafood Grille Closes
Many fans of seafood restaurant The Florida
Seafood Grille were stunned this week by the closing ot the popular
restaurant on Research.
The restaurant, owned by the group that also owns Truluck's, had
no comment about the closure or regarding any future plans for the
site. Earlier this year, the same group closed Jack's Backyard on
N. IH-35.
11/12
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Events You Might Have Missed:
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Catfish
Plate Fund Raiser For Dot's Place
Saturday, November
27, 2004. 12pm-4pm. $8.00 donation per catfish plate,
Location: The Parklands Facility
8514 Cameron Rd.
Austin, TX 78754
Facility donated by owner: Cheryl Price.
Directions: From 183 & 290 go to Cameron Rd. and turn right.
From 183 & I-35, go to Cameron Rd. and turn left. Go approximately
1 mile and it will be on the left after you pass the Cameron Rd.
/ Rutherford Lane Lights.
For more information call Jerre: 587-4220
11/16
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McCormick
and Schmick Seafood Restaurant to Honor Veterans with Free Meal
on Thursday, Veteran's Day
Austin area veterans
can come into the Austin store of McCormick
and Schmick's on Congress on Thursday, November 11th, veterans
day, for a free meal. Last year, the chain served up 15,000 meals
to vets and this year expects to double that amount.
I think this is a nice gesture.
Surprised that more in the hospitality industry don't put their
money where their mouths are. It would be good to see restaurants
reach out to police and firefighters as well.
11/10
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Special
Wine Tasting Event at Doña Emilias South American Bar &
Grill
Join Lee Folks representing
Santa Julia and Hacienda Araucano Wines for a select tasting of
South American Wines on November 9, 2004 from 6:00-8:00 PM. This
will a great opportunity to lean about and sample some South America's
leading wines. They will be tasting these five wines:
1) Santa Julia Torrontes
Hints of ripe fruit and aromatic herbs
2) Hacienda Araucano 'Gran' Sauvignon
Blanc
Rich, lush flavors of peaches & grapefruit
3) Santa Julia Malbec Reserve
Ripe fruits as figs, plumes, blackberries, marmalades, prunes and
dried figs. Notes of vanilla, tobacco, coffee and chocolate.
4) Vida Organica Cabernet Sauvignon
Ripe black and red fruits aromas combining Cassis, black cherry.
Herbal notes. Black pepper
5) Hacienda Araucano Carmenère
Spicy aromas of plum, smoke, black pepper and a bell pepper note.
We will also be serving some of our favorite
South American appetizers.
The cost of this event is $10.00 per person
.Call 478-2520 for reservations. This event is limited to the first
forty (40) quests. Their last wine tasting in October sold out in
advance, so please make your reservations early.
Click
here for the invitation.
11/03
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