Top Restaurateur’s BLT Steak Set for ‘08

IN THE NEWS: The AJC’s Meridith Ford gives three stars to La Oaxaquena Taqueria (6738 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro), while Bob Townsend reviews Tossed (201 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, 404-378-1400), and H.M. Cauley considers Yellowfin Chophouse (10595 Old Alabama Connector, Alpharetta, 770-587-4121) and California Dreaming (745 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, 770-428-2055). … Cauley notes the […]

Perry’s Steakhouse Nabs Athenian Spot

IN THE NEWS: Houston-based Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille has taken the former Athenian Grill space in Norwood Tower and then some, with plans to open a nearly 16,000-square-foot, high-end restaurant, complete with a number of meeting and private dining rooms, the Austin Business Journal reports. Meanwhile, Anil Simicia, owner of Athenian Grill, is reopening the […]

Rocket to Venus Named Best New Eatery

IN THE NEWS: City Paper’s Best of Baltimore 2007 critics and readers pick Rocket to Venus as Best New Restaurant and Charleston as Best Fancy Restaurant, with the critics going with Eastern House as Best Cheap Restaurant and Chameleon Cafe as Best Underappreciated Restaurant and readers selecting PaperMoon Diner as Best Cheap Restaurant. citypaper.com … […]

‘Idol’s Hicks, Studdard To Open Clubs

IN THE NEWS: Former “American Idol” winners Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard are opening nightclubs in a planned downtown Birmingham entertainment district, the Birmingham News reports. Hicks, a Hoover native and 2006 winner of the Fox television singing competition, is among nine new tenants announced by John Elkington of Performa Entertainment Real Estate during a […]

Sebastians Opens Its 1st Cambridge Cafe

IN THE NEWS: The Globe’s Chris Reidy reports Sebastians, a Boston-based catering service and cafe chain, has opened its first cafe in Cambridge and its seventh in the Boston area at (7 Cambridge Center, Kendall Square). … Reidy also reports that local restaurateur Steve DiFillippo is forming a wholesale food company to make his Philly […]

Critics Rate Caz Coffee Cafe, Casey’s Tavern

IN THE NEWS: BuffaloRising.com’s Christa Glenna Seychew reviews Caz Coffee Cafe (688 Abbott Road, Buffalo, 716.825.7806), while Queenseyes notes the recent closing of the pub-eatery The Rendezvous. … Business First of Buffalo features 800 Maple (800 Maple Road, Williamsville. 688-5800, 800maple.com). buffalo.bizjournals.com … The Buffalo News’ Anne Neville’s Cheap Eats visits Casey’s Tavern, a well-known […]

Volare Closes as Owner Eyes New Location

IN THE NEWS: The Charlotte Observer’s Helen Schwab reviews Foskoskies (2121-A Shamrock Drive; 704-535-2220) and reports: the opening of GW Fins (525 N. Tryon St., formerly Palomino). This is the second location for chef Tenney Flynn and managing partner Gary Wollerman; they opened the original in New Orleans’ French Quarter in 2001 … Volare has […]

Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe Closes Doors

IN THE NEWS: Chicago magazine Dish columnists Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby note the opening of Asian fusion spot Thalia (833 W. Chicago Ave., 312-226-6020) and report: Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe (1701 Maple St., Evanston) unexpectedly shuttered its doors on Sept. 16, while Delicioso y Sabroso Grill, Geno Bahena’s two-pronged Mexican restaurante just off the […]

Black Forest, Nick’s Chops Close Doors

IN THE NEWS: The Enquirer’s Polly Campbell gives two stars to the comfort food at Tony’s on the River (1329 U.S. 52, New Richmond, 513-553-0482), while Gil Kauffman reviews Cheezburger Café (12092 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township, 513-677-3354), and Stepfanie Romine considers Trio (7565 Kenwood Road, Kenwood, 513-984-1905; trios.webfeat.net) … Campbell reports on the closings […]

Symon Set to Battle for ‘Next Iron Chef’

IN THE NEWS: Food Network’s new show The Next Iron Chef kicks off at 9 pm EST/PDT Sunday, Oct. 7 as eight chefs compete from across the country compete to join the ranks of legendary Iron Chefs Bobby Flay, Cat Cora, and Mario Batali. The eight competitors: Aaron Sanchez, chef-owner, Paladar and Centrico, New York; […]