Food-O-File
A Dizzying Pace
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., July 31, 1998
Pho fans in the north central city ought to go check out the new Pho Nam (8766 Research, Ste. B & D, 453-2020), a large, friendly Vietnamese family restaurant that opened this spring...
The successful Houston chain Thai Spice has recently come to Austin. Husband and wife partners Pat and Orasinee Ratana-Apron and Vicki and TutVicha run the company with an interesting twist. The women are co-executive chefs and the husbands run the front of the house. The Vichas will be in charge of the Austin operations, although Orasinee Ratana-Apron plans to spend some time in the Austin outlets during the opening stages. Thai Spice Buffet & Restaurant (2501 W. Parmer, #550, 821-1522) opened in June at Parmer and Mopac and the Thai Spice Cafe (701 S. Capital of Texas Hwy, 330-0203) is slated to open in August in the Village at Westlake. They encourage you to come "give it a Thai"...
The new Texas Land & Cattle Company (Mopac at Bee Caves Rd, 330-0030) is open on the Mopac access road, at the edge of Zilker Park...
The owners of Manuel's (310 Congress, 472-7555) are currently hiring staff for the new Manuel's Northwest in the former Xena/El Mirador location on Jollyville Road. They should be a huge hit in that neighborhood this fall...
Meanwhile, just down the road at Jollyville and Great Hills Trail, the successful national chain P.F. Changs China Bistro (231-8779) is busy getting ready for the August opening of its first local outlet...
Look for former Brio-Vista GM Chuck Smith and chef Larry Perdido to open their new Saba Blue Water Cafe in the former Soma space on Fourth Street in the Warehouse District just across the courtyard from the hot new Spanish tapas bar Malaga (208 W. Fourth, 236-8020). The Brio-Vista/Z'Tejas team wishes them well but is not involved in the new downtown venture, according to Perdido.
Congratulations Are in Order
Austin's own West Lynn Cafe (1110 West Lynn, 482-0950) has been named one of the top ten Vegetarian/Natural Foods restaurants in the country by the readers of the Vegetarian Journal, a newsletter publication of the Vegetarian Resource Group of Baltimore. Other restaurants on the list include Greens in San Francisco, Blind Faith in Chicago, Zen Palate in New York City and the Nowhere Cafe in Los Angeles. Impressive company!
School Is Just Around the Corner
Whole Foods Markets (Sixth & Lamar, 476-1206; Gateway,345-5003) have a slew of back-to-school activities planned the week of Monday, August 3 through Friday, August 7. From 11am until 3pm, there will be events highlighting balanced nutrition for children at both stores, with food and ice cream samples, the "Lotanga" cookbook, face painting, storytelling, and prizes. For grown-ups, there will be another offering of the Body Balance 30-40-30 dietary management program, beginning with free introductory seminars Monday, August 3 at Gateway and Wednesday, August 5 downtown. The four-week course ($75) will follow from instructor Kristy Walker (329-6656). The popular Thursday wine tastings continue at the Gateway store, check with them for prices and varietals.
