Food-o-File

New restaurant menus have been flying off the fax machine! In response to the expanding tastes of their clientele, the Cafe at the Four Seasons (98 San Jacinto, 478-4500) has added some sophisticated new vegetarian entrees such as a Grilled Portobello Mushroom with a Spinach Goat Cheese Cake and a Soy Marinated Tofu Steak with Sticky Rice and a Black Bean and Corn Ragout. It has also added some delicious-sounding new charbroiler items for traveling carnivores. While the menu at Austin's Restaurant & Bar (409-A Colorado, 233-0051) resembles those of its sister restaurants in the Austin Java Company, the Warehouse District eatery offers a larger and more diverse appetizer selection for downtown diners and features a couple of steak options not available in the suburban locations. Austin's also has a very affordable express lunch menu with free delivery downtown, 11am-2pm, for orders over $15. Gaby & Mo's (1809 Manor Rd., 457-9027) has recently added beer and wine to its menu. It changes its creative Blue Plate Specials and soups weekly and will gladly fax a list if you'll give Gaby & Mo a call...

Chef Larry Perdido has added an affordable daily lunch special to the menu at Saba Blue Water Cafe (208-D W. Fourth, 478-7222). Hungry downtowners can choose such selections as Masa Fried Oyster Tostadas or Tempura Ahi Tuna for a mere $6.99.

For established restaurants, making menu changes is risky business because each longtime customer has a favorite item. We've certainly heard from readers about the recent menu changes at Threadgill's (6416 N. Lamar, 451-5440; 301 W. Riverside, 472-9304). Yes, the biscuits are gone for the time being, but the hot, delicious cornbread is still available on request. There's an inviting list of weekday summer lunch specials, plus a brand-new Big Angus Burger and a Seafood Po'Boy. In addition to the new hand-breaded fried Gulf Shrimp, Threadgill's has added a small sirloin filet, a good-sized Ribeye, and two sizes of chopped steaks, all certified Angus beef. And to the distraught fans of the Nine Vegetable Orgy, FYI: Though it's no longer on the menu, if you've just got to have it, try a little sweet talk to your waitperson and maybe the kitchen will get you one.

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Bocaditos

Saveur magazine editor Colman Andrews was in Austin recently visiting frequent Saveur food photographer Laurie Smith. Andrews and his companion joined the Smiths at the new Ranch 616 (616 Nueces, 479-7616), where they sampled the desserts of Ranch partner Rebecca Rather...

Kyoto Restaurant (315 Congress, 482-9010) will be closed for some remodeling August 12-19th...

The annual SIMS Supper, a one-day citywide benefit, is set for Wednesday, August 11, when several local restaurants will feature live performances by Austin musicians and donate 10% of their sales revenue to the SIMS Foundation...

Texas artist Kathleen Ash, who created the spectacular glass design in the front window of Sardine Rouge (311 W. Sixth, 473-8642), will be fêted at a reception there Monday, August 9, 6-8pm.