IN THE NEWS: Rob Balon of DiningOutwithRobBalon.com reports, “Anil Simicia’s Athenian Grill at 8th and Colorado will have to close (June 2) due to an expiration of their lease and the arrival of a much larger tenant from Houston. Good news however. The popular Greek restaurant will reopen in about two months at 8th and Brazos in larger space.” … Balon also visits the newly opened Counter Café on N. Lamar at the site of the former GM Steakhouse. … Austin Chronicle’s Virginia B. Wood reports, “This is turning out to be a tough year for the local vegetarian-restaurant community. First, Mother’s Cafe & Garden (4215 Duval St.) was hit by a serious fire that’s kept them closed for months. Then in May, Dallas restaurateur Praveen Sachdev decided to give up his Austin experiment and closed the local Cosmic Cafe (1101 West Lynn) outlet. At about the same time, Nu Age Cafe (Windsor & Exposition) owner Greg Ying suffered a debilitating heart attack, and his wife, chef Ethel Liu, had to close their popular eatery. Vegetarian and vegan readers have called and written to express their dismay over the loss of such a wealth of variety in dining choices. There is some good news, however. Mother’s co-owner Cameron Alexander reports that he and his partners have finally finished negotiations with insurance companies and are moving forward, interviewing contractors and meeting with the city about permits and regulations. He’s cautiously optimistic that Mother’s can rise from the ashes by the end of summer.” (The restaurant’s website says September.) … The Chronicle’s Mick Vann sets up a dinner date with noted Japanese cookbook author Hiroko Shimbo at chef-owner Tyson Cole’s lauded Uchi. austinchronicle.com … With plans to capitalize on the growing Latino market, Churro Station franchises will roll into new cities this summer, the San Francisco Business Times reports. Although her 800-square-foot San Rafael, Calif., location is the only store in operation, Melanie Farkas has sold four franchises that will open soon in predominantly Hispanic communities in Phoenix and Oakland, Santa Ana and Anaheim, Calif. Three more would-be franchisees in Stockton, Calif., Las Vegas and Austin are in final negotiations. All of the franchises will be minority-owned. Any ballpark aficionado knows churros: those sticks of fried, cinnamon-laden dough that retail for a cool $4. … The American Statesman’s Dale Rice awards three stars to Bordeaux’s (108 Center St., Kyle) and also reviews Enoteca (1610 S. Congress Ave.). austin360.com

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