Scratch Taco Boutique
Scratch Taco Boutique opened on Coleman Boulevard on October 15 after much anticipation. We love Americanized-Mexican food as much as the next gringo, but if a restaurant is touting tacos, we expect some chips with our queso, folks. At Scratch, they’re offering the cheese dip with bread. Pardon our French, but we believe that’s called “fondue.” While the tacos are good, you get them at a premium price of $5 a piece. Go for the spicy cilantro jalapeño margarita, stay for the hanger steak with fries. www.scratchtacoboutique.com
The Southerly Restaurant & Patio
One might have hesitations heading into a grocery store restaurant, but this isn’t the snack bar at Target. The Southerly, the indoor/outdoor dining room adjacent to Southern Season, offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch in an open space adorned with retro European posters. While brunch and lunch are booming, the dinner crowd is still building, meaning no worries about reservations. Best bets? Try the 48-hour short rib smoked gouda mac-n-cheese or crab cakes to start and wash it down with a Quintessential Statesman cocktail. www.thesoutherly.com
Leyla
Finally Middle Eastern food has come to King Street with Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine. You’ll find the family of Lebanese owners manning the front of the house with chef Vatché Meguerdithian preparing an expansive menu—from falafel to kabobs to vegetarian moussaka. We look forward to sampling the desserts and Lebanese wines on return visits. Find Leyla Fine Lebanese Cuisine on Facebook!
