SA Restaurant Rumors (Kirby, Blanco: appointed, real estate, moving to)

[Ripshin]

Grissini's is inside the Loop, of course. Cafe Milano (formerly Scuzzi's) is fine (next to the "Handy B."), but the crowd is ANCIENT, usually. Bartenders are lousy there, FYI.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by Ripshin

I've wanted to try the Italian place at Lincoln Heights - the one that moved from the Medical Center. However, I've heard that the chef is not very nice, and if you have a special health-related substitution request, he raises @#**. (I don't have any special needs, but when a friend told me that, I was totally turned off.) All I have to say, is that these businesses need to get their acts together. I'm a loyal customer, and actually NOT as demanding as I sound, but I'm SICK AND TIRED of these places expecting me to spend hard-earned (and increasingly absent) cash to get treated like a Walmart shopper.

I know the guy and he is a typical Italian from coastal Italy. He considers his food an art and doesn't like anybody "altering" his creations, he fights for and defends his culinary vision. He doesn't speak English and is completely unfamiliar with American sensibilites. I have been lucky to have had the chance to travel throughout Italy on more than one occasion, and can tell you this is the most authentic Italian food in SA.

That being said, I always warn people that he servers up southern Italian mediterrainian cooking, This is not what we here would consider typical Italian food. Its not full of pasta and sauces, chicken parmigan or 3 chesse lasanga (most Italian lasanga doesn't even have cheese, but use Bechemal depending on the region). This style of cooking is all about using Olive Oil and light seasoning to enhance the flavor of the main dish, be it steak, chicken, or seafood. That style of Mediterranian cooking is not limited to Italy, but all coastal regions surrounding that sea. If you've ever had good Lebanese, you"ll find there are some striking similarities in the way they prepare their meat and fish. Somehow, you won't find this at the Olive Garden.

-yeah, I'm a self-admitted food and beer snob......

[Ripshin]

Yes, I'm aware of his style, and authenticity. It is his attitude, I won't tolerate. I don't eat at Olive Garden, by the way. And I've traveled in Italy, as well. The place is empty most of the time, so he can have his fits in solitude.

[TX_AGGIE13]

I know we already have ton of Mexican food in San Antonio, and probably the best in the Nation, but just wanted to let everyone know that Lupe Tortilla the resturant out of Houston shows that it will be opening a site in san Antonio on it's website. I love that place, just had to share. Also if anyone has ever eaten at the Brazilian resturant off Westheimer in Houston, or the other two locations in Austin, and Dallas Fogo de Chao has stated that they will be opening a site in San Antonio in the near future. That actually got me excited because this place is by far my favorite resturant in the US. Very good food.

[dsm_626]

I am a server at Kirby's and I can tell you we are not closing, though we do recognize the poor economy and we have been affected, so yes we are slower but we are compensating for this by doing a 4 course dinner for two at $65; this is anytime of night at anytime of the week. We are also selling half price bottles of wine on sundays $200 and under. Also please don't be afraid to ask for special thing from our restaurant because we will accommodate you, for example a guest once wanted to have burgers as a feature, so chef baked fresh buns, made gourmet sauces and ground up steak to make the meat. IF you want a wine dinner, you can let us know a price range per guest and we can make it happen. just give us a little notice. Also, can I ask an honest question, how does everyone feel about tipping about what is fair and tipping on wine? I ask because I think sometimes people don't realize that we tip out based on sales of both food and wine and I am certain that many many restaurants do this so 20% easily becomes %14 and at the end of the night it can mean lousy money.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by dsm_626

I am a server at Kirby's and I can tell you we are not closing, though we do recognize the poor economy and we have been affected, so yes we are slower but we are compensating for this by doing a 4 course dinner for two at $65; this is anytime of night at anytime of the week. We are also selling half price bottles of wine on sundays $200 and under. Also please don't be afraid to ask for special thing from our restaurant because we will accommodate you, for example a guest once wanted to have burgers as a feature, so chef baked fresh buns, made gourmet sauces and ground up steak to make the meat. IF you want a wine dinner, you can let us know a price range per guest and we can make it happen. just give us a little notice. Also, can I ask an honest question, how does everyone feel about tipping about what is fair and tipping on wine? I ask because I think sometimes people don't realize that we tip out based on sales of both food and wine and I am certain that many many restaurants do this so 20% easily becomes %14 and at the end of the night it can mean lousy money.

Good to know. i wonder how the hamburgers turned out!!!

[dsm_626]

From what I was told, fantastic. Chef is awesome good ole Texas boy and can make a mean burger especially from the best parts of the cow.

[SsnTktHldr]

We were at Kirby's last night! The band was great. Couldn't get a table so we had dinner in the bar and watched the game. Go Spurs!

[sxrckr]

Originally Posted by TX_AGGIE13

I know we already have ton of Mexican food in San Antonio, and probably the best in the Nation, but just wanted to let everyone know that Lupe Tortilla the resturant out of Houston shows that it will be opening a site in san Antonio on it's website.

Really? Yum...!

I think Houston has the best restaurants in the state (overall and variety)

[imaterry78259]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

Really? Yum...!

I think Houston has the best restaurants in the state (overall and variety)

There is not doubt that Houston is the culinary capital of Texas