Food-O-File

The local restaurant scene has been a whirlwind of activity the past few weeks, with both openings and closings. Loyal fans from the old Westlake location will be glad to know that Laura's Bluebonnet Kitchen is back in business after a long hiatus, this time at 5408 Burnet Road. Laura and her new crew are serving up breakfast and hot plate lunches (chicken-fried steak every Wed.) and great burgers every day. West Austin coffee lovers can now stop in to the new Starbucks Casis Village location, open daily at 2735 Exposition. A little-known Starbucks fact is that any fresh coffee beans that remain in the whole bean bins more than seven days are donated to local charities. The "eighth day coffee" from the Casis Village location will go to AIDS Services of Austin. In South Austin, the Tavern on the Green has vacated the location at 1703 S. First and David Putnam of the Lamy Co. reports that the restaurant is available for lease as a turn-key set-up for the right operator. The Common Market Cafe now renamed The Globe at 1600 S. Congress has made yet another change of direction and talented young Irish chef Patrick Gannon is back on. The cafe will be serving dinner only. At Riverside and Barton Springs Road, Eddie Wilson is busy with the renovations that will turn the former Wyatt's Cafeteria into the new Threadgill's World Headquarters by Labor Day. Despite the recent Chapter 11 filing, the Skyline Grill at 801 S. Lamar is still cooking. John Woolsey reports that finances have been re-organized, the IRS and creditors are being paid, and Woolsey is the sole operator of the restaurant now. Though downtown restaurant Stonewall's just recently changed hands, it closed its doors on June 21. There is some talk that the charming Congress Avenue spot will re-open under new management, but owner Dixie Barnett could not be reached for comment. Chef Patrick Ehemann is already back at Zoot but would love to have another kitchen of his own again soon... Though the popular television travelogue The Eyes of Texas is not currently being aired in Austin, Austin's favorite historic local farm is the subject of a recent segment of the show produced out of Houston. The next time you're shopping at Boggy Creek Farm, ask TV stars Larry Butler and Carol Ann Sayle about the program. While you're there, pick up a copy of the monthly newsletter Cooking with Boggy Creek Farm (75cents) by longtime farm shopper Elaine DiRico. Her June recipes included a ratatouille and acaponata that make the most of the wonderful eggplants, garlic, onions and tomatoes grown there... Bertram's chef Peter O'Brien has added a delicious selection of American handmade cheeses to his appetizer and dessert menus, including chevre from Pure Luck Organics in Dripping Springs, and several selections from upstate New York. Jean-Luc Salles of Jean-Luc's French Bistro is making a transition to a more seasonal menu, purchasing as much local organic produce as possible. This summer, he'll replace the standard salad of field greens (not available fresh locally in the summer because of the intense Texas heat) with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and herbs, simply dressed... If cheesemaking interests you, check out a class entitled Cheese Is Center Stage at Central Market on Monday, July 8. Lori Brix, cheesemaker at Brix Vineyards, will share info about various styles of cheeses, tell us how to buy and store them, plus suggest cheeses to pair with wines. Call 458-3068 to register.