While enjoying breakfast at Botanitas restaurant recently, I witnessed an exceedingly rare and civilized event: a young couple at the next table instructing their small daughter in restaurant dining etiquette. They taught her the name of each item on the plate (taco, tortilla, etc.), and questioned and reminded her about the “proper way to ask” for what she wanted. When the energetic toddler got noisy and spilled her drink, they patiently cleared away the mess and gently explained to her spilling things and talking loudly was not acceptable behavior in restaurants. Quite naturally, the little girl was tired of sitting still before her parents had finished their meal and she wanted down. They did let her out of the high-chair but continued to engage her in the conversation, refusing to let her roam among the other tables while they finished eating. Though I eavesdropped on a private family outing, their accomplishment resonated in my mind. The increasing loss of civility in our culture these days stems from the fact that so few parents actually invest much time in teaching children any manners. I was so impressed with the young family; I wanted to hug them… Read `em and eat? Chef Johndavid Bartlett took over the Coffeehouse at Book People counter the first of the year and is steadily building a clientele. His small but tasty menu features several very good panini (grilled Italian sandwiches) served on fresh focaccia in the $5-6 range, soups, fresh salads, daily specials, and an interesting assortment of pastries to enjoy with varied coffee drinks and Italian sodas. Questions about some of the pastries led me to Russell’s Bakery & Coffee Bar (1500-B Spyglass, 329-6388), a busy little neighborhood bakery nestled between a dry cleaners and a convenience store that services two large apartment communities just south of Zilker Park and east of MoPac. Austin native Russell Millner is the proprietor/pastry chef whose schnecken and cinnamon rolls are definitely worth discovering… Always on the lookout for new Mexican restaurants? Two of the newest are Naomi’s Tacos (1120 W. Fifth, 457-1989) and the south location of Maudie’s (1212 S. Lamar, 440-8088). Naomi’s unusual Fifth Street location has generated conversation for months, with its antique caboose kitchen and unique outdoor seating area. They’re currently serving breakfast and lunch 7am-4pm weekdays, and plan to expand to some evening hours soon. The new Maudie’s outlet has an eye-catching paint job and serves 9am-9:30pm six days a week; bar service available… Tito Beveridge, owner of Mockingbird Distillery, the only liquor distillery in Texas, proudly announces that his first product is now available on the Austin market. Look for Tito’s Texas Handmade Texas Vodka at Twin Liquors, Centennial, Dan’s, Fielding’s, Rueben’s and Austin Wine & Spirits. The new brew should be showing up in local bars by press time, as well… Whole Foods Market is touring again. Register now to participate in their spring market tour which departs from the Gateway location at 9am, Saturday, May 10. Tourists will visit Aqua-TEC Seafood in Buda, Kitchen Pride Mushrooms in Gonzales, eat a gourmet picnic at Shiner Park and stop at Buena Tierra Farm in Hallettsville before returning to Austin. The $40 cost includes continental breakfast, gourmet lunch, a goodie bag, and bus transportation. It’s also not too early to reserve a seat on the next wine tasting tour. On Saturday, May 24, buses will roll out from Gateway for a $45 tasting tour of Slaughter-Leftwich on Lake Travis, Fall Creek Vineyards on the banks of Lake Buchanan and finish up at Spicewood Vineyards. Continental breakfast and lunch are included. Reservations can be made at the customer service counter at either Whole Foods store.
This article appears in May 2 • 1997 and May 2 • 1997 (Cover).