(Community Matters) Celebrated Cameron’s 30th by hosting a dinner at Coal Vines.
Joe Pierce, Joel Robbins, Michael Mitchell, Eddie Bernal, Trey Alford, Cameron, Drew Wilson
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Still remember meeting Cameron when he was 20 years old. He was fitness training Steven and invited us to his West campus apartment for dinner. Wow he could cook. And, as we became close friends, learned there wasn’t much he didn’t do well – sheer hard work as well as talent. Cameron set out to own his own restaurant, after a bachelors and masters in accounting, 3 years at Deloitte, a year apprenticing at his cousin’s restaurants and a year working for Eddie, now the two share ownership of La Sombra Bar & Grill. We couldn’t be more proud. Trying to remember when we adopted him as a godson; it must have been before he left UT for Dallas and Deloitte.
Coal Vines, it’s located at the W Hotel on 2nd St. I liked the restaurant – casual, nice ambiance, good food, reasonably priced.
The smoke salmon tartar (with goat cheese, avocado and pomegranate vinegerette & wonton chips) was the star. We all shared several yummy coal fired pizzas and passed around lots of salads (so good we doubled up that order). Though the wine list will take some regionalization (ie, Austinites are spoiled by lower margin offerings and higher quality on the lower price end), we managed to find a decent vino blanc and shiraz for less than $40 per bottle.
The staff is attentive, helpful and friendly – Jordan and Laurence were there whenever anything was needed. Ryan Genthe, the Austin GM who formerly ran Crew, kept a good eye on the store, checking on us a couple of times, and making a point to say thanks and bye on the way out. Especially for only their 4th day, it’s a very promising start for a new, important Austin restaurant – good food & good value.
Community Matters 