The sign on the front door of Sebas Cocina read "Coming Soon" on Tuesday morning.
Cryptic.
WacoFork learned on Monday that the restaurant was leaving downtown to supposedly pursue other opportunities in Dallas. But by Tuesday morning, the only information available was the aforementioned "Coming Soon" sign.
If it's true that Sebas Cocina has left downtown, it would be second restaurant to recently leave it's immediate area on Austin Avenue. Last week we reported that Garrett's closed its doors. What's even more alarming is both restaurants were your upscale variety — the kind of places you might take a date on a Friday night. Is this a commentary on upscale dining in Waco? Or the amount of people going on dates?
I don't know.
I do know that I very much enjoyed Sebas Cocina when it first opened on Austin Ave. in late 2007 or early 2008. It was, at the time, my favorite restaurant in town.
I'm not sure what changed, but as of this summer it was struggling. In July, I heard from two different sources that it was closing at the end of business on a given day. I asked owner Sebastian Garduno about it and whether I could purchase one or two of the portraits in the restaurant. It was an interesting conversation, which you can revisit here.
(Updated at 12:12 p.m. on October 17, 2011: We have received photo confirmation from our informant that there was indeed a sign posted earlier in the week that announced the proprietor of Sebas Cocina is pursing other opportunities in Dallas.)
Porch or Patio Week delayed by strong winds
As mentioned on Monday, I kicked off a week of eating outdoors on porches or patios by enjoying a breakfast burrito at Common Grounds. In case you missed it, Common Grounds is now serving Taqueria El Crucero breakfast burritos in the morning.
Not wanting to stop there, I ate lunch on the patio at Metro. One thing I've been asked to point out during "porch or patio week" is the various smoking situations at these locations. To review, the porch and backyard at Common Grounds is no-smoking. You can smoke 'em if you got 'em on the patio at Metro.
There will be no outdoor eating today as I don't like wondering whether my food will blow away before I can eat it.
One more bite: We've got brand new T-shirts to give away and, also, a raging debate over which is cooler — baby blue or charcoal gray. The next chance to get one will be Wednesday night at The Dancing Bear.
