Rosie's Pho - 1890 Ranch (Review)

From Impact News, April 17, 2009...

It is advisable to get to Rosie’s early if you’re in a hurry. Diners order at the counter, and although the service is prompt, the line can go to the door. Both the Cedar Park and Round Rock locations are often packed during weekday lunch hours.

The atmosphere at Rosie’s is casual, with outdoor seating at the Cedar Park location.

While there are plenty of Vietnamese choices available, there are also other Asian dishes, including Korean barbecue, pad Thai and fried rice dishes.

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Moody’s Café, N. US 183, is now open under new ownership

From Impact News, April 17, 2009...

Mark and Estela Lingard offer old-fashioned, county meals, including breakfast items that can be ordered any time of the day. Dining hours are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week, and breakfast items are served all day. Call 260-6300.The café also hosts Texas Friendly Defensive Driving School from noon-6 p.m. on the first and third Saturday of the month. The $35 tuition for the class includes a Moody’s meal. To register, call 873-9207.

Mexican Restaurant Reopens as "El Coyote"

From Impact News, April 17, 2009...

Benjamin and Maria Cruz opened El Coyote the last week of March at 109 N. US 183. The Mexican food restaurant features a breezy patio and full bar. The hours are 7 a.m.-9 p.m. seven days a week. Call 259-9198.

Southern’s Pizza & Sports Pub is Open

Southern’s Pizza & Sports Pub didn't make their goal of being open for March Madness, but they are open for business now at 1805 S. US 183, Ste. 400. Call 259-2699.

Kerbey Lane Café

From Impact News, March 27, 2009...

One of the few eating places in northwest Austin open 24 hours a day, Kerbey Lane Café has a culture all to itself — a place with a slow pace and food with a great taste.

The original Kerbey Lane, which opened in 1980, can still be found off the street of the same name in central Austin. The new northwest location moved farther north to Anderson Arbor at US 183 and Anderson Mill Road about eight months ago from its previous home at US 183 near Spicewood Springs Road. While many miss the homey feel of the old spot, the new restaurant still has the same food Austinites have come to know and love.

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Mama Fu’s in Georgetown is open for business…and man, is it good!

From Hometown Georgetown, April 6, 2009...

Let’s start with facts, and then I’ll let myself rave at will. Mama Fu’s Asian House at Wolf Ranch Mall in Georgetown opens to the public today. At lunchtime, they’ll offer counter service so you can get in and out quickly. At dinner, a waiter or waitress will come to your table to take your order. The atmosphere is casual, so come as you are.

You can order for pickup or delivery online at http://www.mamafusonline.com/. Check out the Mama Fu’s menu. The online menu doesn’t show their prices, but they were pretty reasonable. Looks to me like there will be a $5 delivery charge, and don’t forget to tip your driver!

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US 183 and Crystal Falls Parkway

From Impact News, February 20, 2009...

Crystal Falls Plaza is nearing completion. The center includes four lease spaces.

A Starbucks with a drive-through will occupy the south end of the building. The coffee shop plans to open March 3. Next to Starbucks, 1,200 sq. ft. of space is available for lease.

Cricket Wireless and Southern’s Pizza and Sports Pub fill the remaining space.

Southern’s is a family-owned restaurant that will serve sub sandwiches, pizza and salads and will also have a patio area. Cricket and Southern’s both anticipate opening by early March. A pad site is also available at this location. For more information, call 535-0262.

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Restaurant closings

From Impact News, February 20, 2009...

Four Cedar Park restaurants have closed in recent months. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory closed about three months after it opened. Traxx closed in December. Willy-O’s, which opened in December 2007, closed one year later. Village Inn also opened in December 2007 and closed in late 2008. The Cedar Park Threadgill’s, first announced in late 2006, was recently described as “dead in the water” by a restaurant spokeswoman.

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe Opens at 1890 Ranch

From Impact News, February 20, 2009...

Alonzo Soliz opened a Tropical Smoothie Café Feb. 7 at 1465 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 350. The restaurant serves sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, breakfast and has a children’s menu. Also available are many types of frosty drinks, including dessert smoothies and low-fat smoothies made with Splenda. Store hours are Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Call 259-5472 or visit www.tropicalsmoothiecafe.com.

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Dozens of restaurants earn perfect scores in Williamson County

From KVUE, February 19, 2009...

There is good news to report from Williamson County -- no restaurants failed the Williamson County and Cities Health Inspection. Here is a list of the perfect scores in January:

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Georgetown now home to Carmine's Italian Restaurant

From Impact News, February 18, 2009...

Carmine's Italian Restaurant is now open in Georgetown at 3010 Williams Drive, Ste. 118. The restaurant relocated from Hutto and opened in February. Known for its 28 inch New York style pizza, the restaurant will be open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 240-4981.

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Austin Restaurant Week reveals participating restaurants in northwest Austin

From Impact News, February 17, 2009...

Austin Restaurant Week, held March 1-4 and 8-11, lets you enjoy three course dinners for either $25 or $35 and you can pick a different restaurant each night.
Participating restaurants in the northwest Austin area:

• Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Dr., $25
• Cru, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, The Domain, $35
• Daily Grill, The Domain, 11506 Century Oaks, $25
• Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, The Domain, 11600 Century Oaks Terrace, TBD
• Jasper's, The Domain, 11506 Century Oaks Terrace, TBD
• Manuel's Great Hills, 10201 Jollyville Rd., $25 and $35
• The Melting Pot, 13343 Research Blvd, TBD
• Truluck's, Arboretum, 10225 Research Blvd., $35
  
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Fleming's, now open at The Domain, offering fine steaks and wine

From Impact News, February 18, 2009...

The newest dining addition to The Domain, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar takes traditional steakhouse fare to a new level of sophistication. The establishment mingles a fine-dining experience with a casual atmosphere while remaining relatively affordable.

Thick, hand-cut steaks are made from USDA prime corn-fed beef and seared on gas broilers to seal in the beef's natural juices and flavors. Kosher salt, black pepper, a dab of butter and some parsley are the only seasonings used on the steaks. The filet mignon is cooked to perfection at medium rare. Fleming's also has plenty of non-red meat items including seared scallops, and lobster en fuego — generous chunks of lobster, shallots and a sriracha chile-soy sauce served with orzo.

For more information, visit http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/.

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Cedar Park Threadgill’s ‘dead in the water’ for foreseeable future

From Impact News, January 29, 2009...

The possibility of a Threadgill’s in Cedar Park is no-go, at least for the foreseeable future, with the recession cited as one of the reasons.

“It is dead in the water for the current time period,” said Gracie Taylor, a spokeswoman for the popular Austin-based restaurant and live music venue.

Threadgill’s has ended its lease at a building in the Railyard shopping center on Whitestone Boulevard, Taylor said.

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New Restaurants in the Area

From Impact News, January 23, 2009...

• Einstein Bros. Bagels opened Dec. 9 at 1465 E. Whitestone Blvd. The 3,000 sq. ft restaurant seats up to 65 inside and 20 on the patio, and offers soups, sandwiches, fresh bread, coffee and sweets in addition to bagels. Hours are Mon.-Fri. 5 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 6 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 259-3985 or visit http://www.einsteinbros.com/.

• Piñata Grill opened in November in the food court at Lakeline Mall, 11200 Lakeline Mall Drive. Owners John and Susan Seay and Lupe and Lucina Barragan serve up authentic, made-to-order Mexican food. They also offer vegetarian fare and South American blend coffee. Catering is also available. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 249-7130.

• Freddy’s Frozen Custard opened Jan. 20. The restaurant, at 1465 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. H360, is about 3,500 sq. ft. and will seat about 120, including the patio. Freddy’s serves steakburgers, Chicago-style hotdogs and frozen custard desserts. Hours are Sun.-Thu. 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Call 259-9292 or visit http://www.freddysfrozencustard.com/.

• Cedar Park residents will have two new dining choices at the Galleria at Red Oaks, 500 Cypress Creek Road. King Noodle, Ste. 100, will serve traditional Vietnamese cuisine, including Pho, as well as sushi. It will be open daily from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. King Noodle will seat 125 diners and should be open by the end of January. Call 203-6752 to find out more about King Noodle. Contenders Sports Bar and Grill is aiming to be open in time for March Madness. The bar and restaurant will feature plenty of TVs to watch the games and will serve a variety of American classics, such as rib-eye steak, burgers and salads, as well as chips and salsa, fish tacos, nachos and calamari.

• Smokey Mo’s Bar-B-Q opened its latest location Jan. 5 at 1505 Cypress Creek Road, Ste. 101. The restaurant serves a variety of side dishes, wraps and barbecue by the pound. Hours are Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 336-0500 or visit http://www.smokeymosbbq.com/.

• Firehouse Subs opened its second Cedar Park store Jan. 13 at 1465 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. H340. The restaurant offers many types of hot and cold subs. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Call 259-9696 or visit http://www.firehousesubs.com/.

• James Mowery opened a Dickey’s Barbecue Pit at 401 W. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. C100. The Dallas-based franchise restaurant serves salads and sandwiches in addition to the smoked offerings. The store opened Jan. 13. A grand-opening celebration is in the works for mid-February. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Call 250-1495 or visit http://www.dickeys.com/.

• Carl’s Jr. opened Jan. 16 at 1315 E. Whitestone Blvd. The burger chain is open from 6 a.m.-midnight daily. Call 259-5159 or visit http://www.carlsjr.com/.

• The owner of McDonald’s in Leander, 1445 US 183 S., is aiming for a Jan. 28 opening date. The 3,000 sq. ft. restaurant will seat about 170 diners and features an indoor play area. The store’s hours will be 5 a.m.-1 a.m. daily. Call 331-9590.

Hayashi Sushi and Grill • Georgetown

From Impact News, January 16, 2009...

Sushi restaurants have proliferated over the last decade or so, and while that is undoubtedly a good thing for raw fish fanatics, it is important to keep in mind that unlike people, all sushi restaurants are not created equal. Hayashi Sushi and Grill, which opened in Georgetown in 2006, is a cut above much of its competition.

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New Thai restaurant opens on Parmer Lane

From Impact News, January 13, 2009...

A new restaurant is bringing traditional cuisine from Thailand to Northwest Austin. Thai Cuisine opened in December at 4101 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. F and serves authentic, flavorful meals including curries, noodle and rice dishes, soups and desserts. The restaurant is available for catering and take out but the best option is to dine in.

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Einstein selling bagels at 1890 Ranch

From Austin Business Journal, December 23, 2008...

The 1890 Ranch development in Cedar Park has a new restaurant, Einstein Brothers Bagels.

The bagel chain, a brand of Lakewood, Colo.-based Einstein Noah Restaurant Group (Nasdaq: BAGL), has approximately eight Austin area locations already.

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Where to get Tamales

From Impact News, December 5, 2008...

A listing of area restaurants that take orders for tamales by the dozen.

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Deadly shooting reported at Steiner Steakhouse

From Hill Country News, December 8, 2008...

There was a shooting fatality at Steiner Steakhouse on Monday afternoon. A witness from inside the new upscale restaurant in Steiner Ranch told the Four Points News that Chris Martin, one of the restaurant's managers, was shot and killed Monday. Officials say they are searching for the suspect who was last seen in the 1200 block of Bullock Hollow Road going through the woods toward Lake Travis. The suspect, a white male approximately 5-foot-7, 170 pounds, was seen wearing a green jacket and blue jeans.

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