I think its somewhat safe to assume that a lot of Austinites are quickly becoming huge food snobs. With all of the amazing restaurants that have landed in our little city in the last decade, who can blame us? Unless you’re stubborn or just have some kind of blind loyalty to the old bar and grill routine, you probably wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those peanut shell on-the-floor joints. Yes, food snobbery is alive and well in Austin, but it’s not only limited to the cuisine itself. The truth is location is one most important factors in our decision on where to dine these days.
Some of us proud food snobs might not pay attention to anything north of Hwy-183 or The Domain area, but believe it or not, the Cedar Park area has actually stepped up it’s food game in recent years, making a respectable stake in our culinary desideratum. Jenna’s Asian Kitchen dispels the old stigma of a typical Asian buffet or standard neighborhood Chinese pit-stop. Instead it’s the upscale Korean and Pan-Asian cuisine North Austin has been desperately waiting for.
Photo by Jane Ko @atasteofkoko
The remodeled restaurant was formerly home to a now closed Chinese buffet. The interior construction was designed by the owners leaving no stale reminisce of it’s previous occupier. The new digs features a traditional yet hip, zen-like, comforting feeling throughout. The main dining room has traditional seating while the back dining area has communal seating complete with a tasteful backdrop depicting a mural of a Korean mugnghwa flower, beautifully displayed on the wall.
“We opened the restaurant to share our passion for food with others. Most of the food is prepared by Jenna along with HaNa’s intimate style and presentation of each dish. We want everyone to feel welcome, eating some of our favorite foods. Jenna loves to cook for large groups of people just like we always do at home. We love feeding our family, friends, and sometimes our neighbors. The restaurant allows us to serve a lot people, sharing the food we’ve always loved.” – Min
Summer Rolls – Rolled with housemade pickled vegetables. Add a side of peanut sauce!
Baby Fried Octopus – Lightly battered baby octopus, jalapeños, grilled lemon, onions and spicy aioli. If you love fried calamari, you’ll love this even more. It’s tender and meaty enough to make a perfect snack even if you don’t order a entree.
Asian Chicken Pops – Lightly battered and tossed with a your choice of sauce, prepared in a hot wok. Served with pickled radish slaw.
Korean Short Ribs – Beef short rib steak cut juicy and thick topped with green onions and sesame seeds. It’s incredibly juicy and tender, one of our favorites!
Dolsot Bibimbap – Korean comfort food at it’s best! Hot stone pot, rice, beef bulgogi, carrots, sprouts, zucchini, spinach, beech mushrooms, raw egg yolk, gosari, spicy gochujang bibimbap sauce.
Deep Fried Whole Sea Bass – Typically served as the market fish of the day, with bell peppers, onions, and cilantro spicy sichuan sauce.
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New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…
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