Margarita, Anyone?

TaMolly's Mexican restaurant in Abilene is hoping to add booze to its menu.

The restaurant on Ridgemont Drive is in the process of applying for its mixed beverage license which would allow them to sell liquor, wine, and beer on the premises.

The Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission requires interested businesses to post a sign showing their intentions sixty days before they are eligible to apply for the liquor permit.

If TaMolly's meets all TABC requirements, the business could likely start selling alcohol within 75 days.

Tru Blue Catering Opens "Bonterra Blu" in Clyde

Mushroom ravioli with marscapone creme and duck confit.

Angus beef tenderloin with fig demi and stilton bleu cheese.

[I could go on, but I haven't had lunch yet and my stomach is begging me to stop.]

Chefs Joel Trueblood (left) and Steve Howard have opened a new restaurant on South 1st Street in Clyde called Bonterra Blu, serving "West Texas nouvelle cuisine."

Now, I haven't eaten there, but I can give you the top three reasons why I KNOW it's to die for.

3. I'm a sucker for ambiance. You can serve the best food in the world, but if you're serving it on a paper plate at a rickety table with a cheap-o sign hanging above the door, you can't sell me on it [read more about my fear of hole-in-the-wall restaurants here]. But check out this decor!
2. The menu changes from night to night or weekend to weekend, which I find terribly exciting.

1. I've had Chef Trueblood's food before through True Blu catering at various events in Abilene and it's not only unique, but very true to Texas and leaves you wanting more.

Bonterra Blu is open for dinner on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 5 - 9 p.m. You may want to call and make reservations first, though, because Chef Joel today told me he's booked for several holiday parties.

Bon appetit!

Photos from Bonterra Blu on Facebook

New Frozen Yogurt Shop

Those of you with a sweet tooth can look forward to a new place for dessert in Abilene.

A new business called Nikki's Swirl Shoppe is moving into the former CitiBank location inside the University Hills shopping center on Judge Ely Boulevard.

Frozen yogurt will be served up next to the Sharky's burrito joint. The company says its yogurt is fat-free, gluten-free, and sugar free, and that there are only 25 calories per serving.

Nikki's Swirl Shoppe is expected to open next month.

Bye Dos Primo, Hi Papa Jack's

A new Mexican restaurant opened in South Abilene this week in the place of an old one.

Papa Jack's is in the old Dos Primos building at Treadaway and S. 26th.

The owner says the menu is pretty much the same as Dos Primos, and it will be open for lunch and dinner six days a week.

Free Tacos at Jack in the Box!

Um, so, basically that's it. Free tacos (two per customer) today from 2 p.m. to midnight.

What else...

Um...

You don't have to buy anything else. You do have to ask for them...

And...

Oh, it's not valid in Kansas City or San Antonio for some reason.

Yup, that's about it!

Holler if you love the United deli

This is a press release from the company:

LUBBOCK, TX (Nov. 2, 2010) – InStore Buyer magazine, the only national business-to-business magazine covering the in-store bakery, deli and foodservice markets, announced today that United Supermarkets has received the 2010 InStore Deli Operator of the Year award.

InStore Buyer Assistant Editor Anna Comstock presented the award during a special ceremony today at the company’s headquarters in Lubbock, Texas. United’s Diane Earl, director of deli/foodservice, and Corporate Chef Chris Wilson accepted the award on behalf of the company.

United was chosen for the award based on recommendations from in-store bakery/deli executives across the country and the publication’s own panel of supermarket industry experts, Comstock said.

“We are extremely proud to honor United Supermarkets with this award – our highest honor and one that is bestowed upon the recipient by supermarket industry peers,” said John Unrein, executive editor of InStore Buyer magazine, based in Kansas City, Mo.

United was cited for its innovative marketing program, superior merchandising efforts at store level and dynamic multi-faceted approach to offering high-quality, innovative deli products geared for today’s consumers.

Schlotzsky's opening brings out the big wigs

The new Schlotzsky's on Judge Ely Blvd. in north Abilene opened today, where the old Burger King used to be.

And the president of Schlotzsky's himself, Kelly Roddy, is there for the big event.

As we first reported in January, it's owned by the same fine folks who own the location on South 14th Street in front of Hobby Lobby.

There is also a Cinnabon located inside the restaurant, so you know it's smellin' good in that neighborhood.

The drive-thru opens at 7:30 a.m. for Cinnabon cookies, coffee and drinks, and the restaurant stays open from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.