Lakeway Restaurants Battle Credit Card Fraud: Unoffical Police Report Finds No Employee Involvement
A multi-agency investigation involving credit card fraud was launched in Lakeway on Thursday after complaints from some restaurant patrons. The unofficial police report thus far is that “no local restaurant employees or operators have been involved in any of the credit card fraud.” I’ve seen this type of thing before in the restaurant business. The […]
Carmela’s Pizzeria, Café & Deli
8901 Hamilton Pool Rd.
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
(512) 264-2535
Dining Options in Lakeway Expand Exponentially!
A couple of years ago, at least from a restaurant standpoint, Lakeway was as Ray Benson might put it, pretty much “asleep at the wheel.” Yes there was Pao’s, and Ciola’s, and Rocco’s, but not a whole lot more. But the restaurant growth in recent years, especially the last 2 years, has been virtually exponential. […]
Restaurant Owners and their Foibles
Reviewing restaurants is a great deal of fun, and one gets to meet some very interesting and talented people. But sometimes I also come across situations that are flat-out funny or ironic, and I thought I’d share some with you. Romanian Logic I really used to enjoy the little Romanian place called Drakula that had […]
Eddie V’s Sold to Parent Company of Olive Garden
When I first heard this story I honestly thought someone was joking with me. Eddie V’s, a perennial occupant of our Top 20 list for Fine Dining restaurants in Austin, had been sold to Darden, a multi-billion dollar restaurant company that owns such brands as the Olive Garden and Red Lobster. But alas this is […]
Estancia Churrascaria Opens 2nd Location at Arboretum
My favorite Brazilian steak joint (for both taste and value), Estancia Churrascaria, has opened up a 2nd location at the Arboretum at the former site of Serrano’s. The original store on Highway 290 S. next to the Holiday Inn Express has been a runaway hit since the day it opened. Owner Ironi worked for Fogo […]
Jack Allen Gillmore: the Creative Force Behind Jack Allen’s Kitchen
Jack Gillmore grew up in the valley in Brownsville. He did not have aspirations of being a chef at a young age (as is so often the case with today’s chefs). But he worked at various restaurants in Brownsville for the same reason most teen work, he needed spending money! He moved to Austin to […]
Bo Theriot Assumes Controlling Interest in Soleil. Recruits Chef David Burton Sanchez from Apatite Café
This is a big story for the Lakeway area and for foodies all over Travis County. Oasis owner Bo Theriot announced today that he has purchased a controlling interest in Soleil, the Mediterranean restaurant adjacent to the Oasis. Soleil, which has been open for almost a year, had been helmed by famed Texas chef Robert […]
Old School Grill Opens 2nd Location on 6th
First it was the famous Old School BBQ Bus. Then it was the first opening of Old School Grill on Parmer (at the site of the former Kahuna’s). Now a 2nd location of Dan Parrrot’s popular comfort food emporium has opened on 6th St at the former site of the Paradise. The 2nd location will […]
Café Blue to Open at the Galleria
One of my favorite lakeside joints, Café Blue at Volente Beach off Lake Travis, is about to open a 2nd and more importantly, year-round location. Café Blue at the Galleria will open in early December at the site of the former Wyland’s Ocean Blue at the Galleria in Bee Cave, just down the street from […]
Once Again, For Those Who Haven’t Yet Heard the Explanation: Why We Do Things the Way We Do at Dining Out with Rob
Yes, I’ll admit that diningoutwithrobbalon.com is not your typical restaurant review website. And this seems to annoy some people who tend to visit websites where the content is exclusively user generated. The usual comments from them are almost predictable: 1. “He likes everything. Never says a bad word about any one.” 2. “He gets paid […]
Rob Begins Column in Horns Illustrated
Those of you (and there are many in the area) who are UT alums and receive the Horns Illustrated magazine will be seeing a new feature by yours truly on dining opportunities before and after the big game. I was frankly tickled that a sports magazine would want to have a dining out column. But […]
The Lighthouse BBQ and Grill in Spicewood Closes
First, they had to dodge the wild fires. Then they had to combat the fall off in lake traffic because of the low water levels. Finally, it just got overwhelming and so one of my favorite waterfront joints, The Lighthouse in Spicewood, has closed. I genuinely liked this place and will miss the cue and […]
