Michael Capochiano

Thank you, Kent. I'll talk to our head bartender, Slim, about our bourbon selection. I've always loved a scoop of good vanilla ice cream topped w/Maker's Mark. Maybe Amy's need's a mixed drink license. I'd appreciate any more Peacock comments, positive or negative, from eGullet members.

This is Mike Capochiano from the Peacock. Thank you for all the king comments about The Peacock. I saw this thread and I wanted to update Austin eGullet members about The Peacock. We have gone through many changes in the past few months and more are coming. If this is inappropriate to post, please let me know. Manhattans: I was a little surprised that Blanche and hangston got Manhattans on the rocks without asking for them. I spoke to some other bartenders and, yes, a lot of people want their Manhattan on the rocks. Still, the customer should be asked. We are going to ask from now how you want your Manhattan made. I always go for straight up. Also, The Belmont makes a good Manhattan. Patio: Our patio is still closed. You can still go out there to smoke, put you can't bring your drink. We are in talks with the landlord about extending the lease so it will make sense for us to rebuild the patio legally and have enough time to recoup our costs. Music: We're no longer booking bands (except, perhaps on rare occasions) and any DJs will keep the volume down to a level where people can carry on conversations. We want to be the best cocktail bar in town and loud or off-putting music does not help us in that goal. We'll have a specific genre of music each night from about 8 to midnight. Details are on our new (!) web site. Also, the jukebox is gone. Cocktail of the Week: It's coming back as the "Cocktail of the Month" now. You can get on our e-mail list to be notified of each new Cocktail of the Month. Bartender Skill: Slim's been working with the staff to make sure cocktails are made correctly and consistently. We have a great staff of experienced bartenders now (Slim, Carmen, Chris, Amy). I'm pretty sure the bartender who "didn't seem to care" about hankston's drink has been let go. New Furniture: We're getting some high tables and chairs so customers won't feel crowded in if the bar has lots of customers. Also, we're getting some new low tables that will make it easier to sit around and have a conversation. Our original interior decorator, Joel Mozersky, is helping with the changes. New Hours: We now open at 5 PM Wed.-Fri. and 7 PM Sat.-Tues. Happy Hour: It's extended to 9 PM each night. I hope I haven't been to long winded. In short, we're going to be more about the cocktail and less about the hip and trendy. Also, Fino makes great cocktails, some of the best in Austin. If you

Much thanks. Subs sound great as we will be travelling w/three little kids. I'm heading out tomorrow morning. I'd appeciate any more input, as I will have web access at our rental. If any of you GA folks make it to Austin, TX, please drop me a line if you need any ideas for food or lodging. I am a partner in a great sushi place there called Uchi ( www.uchiaustin.com ) and a new place opening soon called The Belmont.

I'm going to Jekyll Island for a week starting Sat., 8/5. Any recommedations for a good supermarket or grocery store in the area?

Nope, Tyson's still there, five or six nights a week. (We are open seven days a week.) Tyson, as always, is the executive chef and there has always been a chef di cuisine under him. Deegan is in charge of the kitchen and Tyson oversees Deegan and the sushi bar. Some new restaurants opening soon: The Belmont (305 West Sixth) is opening in September, opened by Brian O'Neill (ex-GM of Uchi and Planet Hollywood, NY), Daryl Kunik (Chango's, Uchi, Red Fez, Hi-Lo), Matt Luckie (Red Fez, Lavaca St., Hi-Lo) and myself (Uchi, Red Fez, The Peacock). "Lambert's Downtown Barbecue (2nd and Guadalupe) from Lou Lambert (Lambert's) and Larry McGuire (Lambert's, Starlite). Woodlands (old Seven Location on South Congress) Diner from Mike Terrazos (Starlite, Club DeVille). Look for an Uchi expansion in the winter of 2006.