Sketch Closes, to be Replaced by Tambien

IN THE NEWS: Westword’s Jason Sheehan reviews Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill (8354 East 49th Avenue, Northfield) and reports the closing of Sketch on July 9, to be replaced by Jesse Morreale and Sean Yontz’s Tambien. westword.com … The Daily Camera’s Meg Tilton gives three stars to Centro (950 Pearl St., Boulder, www.centrolatinkitchen.com). [...]

County Bans Trans-Fat at Chain Eateries

IN THE NEWS: The Seattle Times‘ Carol Ostrom reports, “Despite objections from restaurant owners and food-industry officials, the King County Board of Health on July 19 banned artificial trans fat and required nutrition labeling for menu items in chain restaurants.” … Nancy Leson gives three stars to Betty (1507 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle), while [...]

South Tampa’s St. Bart’s Shutters Doors

IN THE NEWS: Creative Loafing’s Brian Ries reports, “South Tampa’s St. Bart’s and Chateau Prive closed down on July 13. The restaurant was formerly owned by Ceviche’s Gordon Davis, but was taken over in 2005 by Ocala businessman Phillip Glassman, who had plans to turn the restaurant and adjoining building into an exclusive private club. [...]

Restaurants Getting Jump on Smoking Ban

IN THE NEWS: The Commercial Appeal’s Fredric Koeppel gives a B grade to Petra Cafe (6641 Poplar in Carrefour). … Jennifer Biggs visits Swagath, an Indian restaurant at 4205 Hacks Cross, and blogs, “The Cupboard has a sign out front that says it’s gone non-smoking now, which is something we’ll be seeing more and more [...]

Maguire’s Closes Downtown Branch

IN THE NEWS: PegasusNews.com reports that the Uptown branch of Maguire’s has closed, although the original branch in North Dallas will remain open. Manager Pete Kelly offers details: “[Owner] Mark Maguire was initially shutting the restaurant down for week of the July 4th holiday,” he says. “But then in middle of it all, he got [...]

Maguire’s Closes Downtown Branch

IN THE NEWS: PegasusNews.com reports that the Uptown branch of Maguire’s has closed, although the original branch in North Dallas will remain open. Manager Pete Kelly offers details: “[Owner] Mark Maguire was initially shutting the restaurant down for week of the July 4th holiday,” he says. “But then in middle of it all, he got [...]

Tao Las Vegas Takes Top Indy Revenue Spot

IN THE NEWS: The New York Times‘ Joe Drape reports on Tao Las Vegas, the highest grossing independent restaurant in the United States, according to Restaurants & Institutions magazine, which for 24 years has been ranking the top 100. In 2006, its first full year open, Tao did $55.2 million in business, or $16 million [...]

Incanto’s Cosentino an ‘Iron Chef’ Finalist

The Food Network has announced its eight finalists to compete in The Next Iron Chef, which premieres Oct. 7 (7 pm CT). The eight: John Besh (New Orleans), executive chef, Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Lüke, La Provence; Chris Cosentino (San Francisco), executive chef, Incanto; Jill Davie (Santa Monica, Calif.), executive chef, Josie; Traci Des Jardins [...]

Incanto’s Cosentino an ‘Iron Chef’ Finalist

The Food Network has announced its eight finalists to compete in The Next Iron Chef, which premieres Oct. 7 (7 pm CT). The eight: John Besh (New Orleans), executive chef, Restaurant August, Besh Steak, Lüke, La Provence; Chris Cosentino (San Francisco), executive chef, Incanto; Jill Davie (Santa Monica, Calif.), executive chef, Josie; Traci Des Jardins [...]

Reviewers Consider Cafe Cruz, The Porridge

IN THE NEWS: The Mercury News‘ Julie Kaufmann reviews The Porridge (1706 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas), while Aleta Watson weighs in on Cafe Cruz (2621 41st Ave., Soquel, www.cafecruz.com). mercurynews.com … Metro Active’s Stett Holbrook reviews 5-Spot Chivas Grill (869 S. First St., San Jose). metroactive.com … gastronomy.wordpress.com visits Zibibbo (430 Kipling St., Palo Alto, [...]