Category Archives: Italian

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Posted on January 7, 2026 by dwightbrown

The award-winning Italian restaurant Vespaio, on South Congress, is closing next month. When I say “award winning”, I mean, of course, that Vespaio was the first recipient of the coveted Saturday Dining Conspiracy “Die In A Fire” award for sheer … Continue reading →

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Well! Isn’t THIS special?

Posted on December 29, 2025 by dwightbrown

Employees from three Austin restaurants operated by Flavor Hospitality Group are raising concerns about allegedly unpaid wages ahead of the holiday season, according to a GoFundMe posted Saturday morning. Staff from Gusto Italian Kitchen, Gina’s on Congress and Gràcia Mediterranean … Continue reading →

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I was today days old when I learned…

Posted on December 1, 2025 by dwightbrown

…that there are only nine operating Romano’s Macaroni Grill locations.

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Milano Ristorante in Round Rock To Close June 29

Posted on June 27, 2024 by lawrenceperson

Milano Ristorante in Round Rock sent out an email that they were going to be closing on June 29. We had an SDC there on March 23rd, and thought they were pretty good. However, they were also way the hell … Continue reading →

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2020 Austin Restaurant Closings

Posted on January 4, 2021 by lawrenceperson

Here’s a look back at Austin restaurants that closed in 2020, most (though not all) due to lockdowns from the Wuhan coronavirus. These are restaurants the SDC visited in the past, wanted to visit, or noticed the passing of (so … Continue reading →

Posted in American, Breakfast, Burgers, Cheap Dining, Closed, Fine Dining, Indian, Italian, Pizza, Sandwich, Sports Bar | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

More Austin Restaurant Closures

Posted on October 15, 2020 by lawrenceperson

While no one was looking, a whole bunch of Austin restaurants closed: BRIO Tuscan Grille: Pricey Italian chain location in the Arboretum. Good food, but I only ate there on the very occasional Sunday (when Reale’s is closed). Blue Baker: … Continue reading →

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Bad Day in Lakeway.

Posted on May 18, 2019 by dwightbrown

I’m exaggerating a bit here, as this doesn’t appear to have been a one day thing. But two restaurants in Lakeway – both located in the same development – have closed recently and suddenly. Trattoria Toscano doesn’t have any sign … Continue reading →

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Open Table’s 2018 Best Restaurants in Austin List

Posted on October 16, 2018 by lawrenceperson

Open Table came out with their 10 Best Restaurants in Austin list. Here are the ten: Truluck’s Seafood, Steak and Crab House (Downtown) Eddie V’s (5th Street) Garbo’s La Volpe Uchi Jeffrey’s Uchiko Eddie V’s (Arboretum) Cafe Josie Lonesome Dove … Continue reading →

Posted in American, Fine Dining, Italian, Japanese, News, Seafood, Steak, Sushi | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do you really want a warehouse full of pasta?

Posted on August 28, 2018 by dwightbrown

Because if you do, the Old Spaghetti Warehouse is coming back to Houston. Sort of. They were flooded out of their old location by Harvey, but are re-opening… …as “a new concept that pays tribute to the old Spaghetti Warehouse … Continue reading →

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Our long national nightmare is over.

Posted on October 19, 2017 by dwightbrown

Pao’s Mandarin House in Lakeway reopened yesterday. At least, that’s the word on the street. I’ve been a little busy and didn’t get a chance to make it over there last night. Plus, judging from the reaction on NextDoor, I … Continue reading →

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