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On Monday, 21 May 2007, a small group of dedicated, Societe Mondiale du Vin, members grabbed a couple of bottles of their favorite French wine and headed for the town of Leon Springs to check out a new restaurant called The Grill.

The Grill is a new restaurant but is located in an old building -- the old Macaroni building right next to Rudy's Barbecue. Macaroni's, which was Romano's Macaroni Grill closed it doors in 2002 due to water damage from high flood waters. The building stayed closed for over four years. In 2006 Armand Obadia and Thierry Burkle bought the place -- Purchase price and renovations to bring it to its present day condition cost 1.2 million dollars. When you talk to Armand and Thierry about this situation, this is what they have to say: Sometimes a property feels so special and so perfect that there's no passing it up, Whatever the cost or risk. It's the kind of place that comes around once in a lifetime.

These are the same two guys who opened L’Etoile, the French restaurant in Alamo Heights back in 1987. For the last 20 years if you wanted to talk to either one of these gentlemen, all you needed to do was to go to or call L'Etoile. Nowadays, if you want to talk to them, you will need to go to the Grill, because neither spends much time at L'Etoile since the Grill has been open.

The differences between The Grill and L'Etoile is like the difference between fine wine and, welllll, fine wine. If we compare menus between the two restaurants, we find the food a world apart, but both have an excellent choice in appeasing the eye and satisfying the taste buds. It depends on what kind of mood you are in. Let's look at our choices below:

At L'Etoile we find such items as homemade terrine of foie gras a l’Armagnac with apple chutney, Taylor Bay scallops served with leek fondue, Shrimp Toulouse Lautrec, which is a menu staple, and venison tenderloin Grand Veneur. Wow, sounds like something for a once-in-a-while special occasion.

Now, one would think, if we look at The Grill's menu, and especially since the restaurant has French pedigree we would find similar types of food. Let's take a peek . . . Country Lamb Stew, Slow Braised Meat from our "Iron Crock Pot," Redfish with Lump Crab, Jumbo Texas Gulf Shrimp, Pork Tenderloin, Rotisserie Chicken, Pizza, and Sauerkraut. Burkle is from Germany. This is where the sauerkraut comes in.

Well, there is nothing similar here between the restaurants. Let's look at the surroundings between the two: L'Etoile is formal, romantic, price range about $35 to $45, and wears the mantle of the city's longest-lived French restaurant. The Grill is easygoing, spacious, casual, with limestone-walled dining rooms, price range about $15 to $20, and wears the mantle of the best restaurant in Leon Springs.

So here we have two guys operating two restaurants. Both restaurants are about as different as you can get. Sounds like to me that these guys are having the time of their lives and doing exactly what they both love to do.

Back to the BYOB function. Let's take a look at those members who attended this function:


Judy and Bill Salomon has never missed a Chaine or Mondiale event since the Alamo Dome was built. They are true and loyal Chaine members.		Dame de la Chaine Glenda and Chevalier Paul Beyer -- two of our newest members. . . Welcome aboard guys. You'll meet the rest of the gang in Fredericksburg in July.		Rebecca and Larry Cohen, They were ready to party -- got there Ohh, about an hour early! I forgot to taste what Larry brought, but I know it was some good stuff.


Soonalyn Jacob, such a sweetheart! She says that she and Danny are here, that they brought two magnums of wine, and most of the family, and they're looking forward to having a great time!		Danny..Jacob the "Third." Today, 21 May, is Danny's 23rd birthday. Danny received his BBA one week ago and is ready to start on his first million.	..Raymond.Jacob..( covert name is "Danny-the-4th") At age 16, he is the designated driver for the evening.	This is Kate, Raymond Jacob's friend. Wow, what a smile and look at that shiny hair!	This is John, Raymond's friend and roommate. Here he's enjoying the excellent Squid that was served.	Jim Ray - I'm going to talk to Raymond later on and see if I can get some tips on growing hair from my eyeballs upward!


Vivian and Gary, Wow, you guys are looking great tonight. Neither one of you have any signs of altitude sickness. It must be all that good wine you've been drinking!		Diane and Randy checking out the competition. Woo wee, everyone looking so charming tonight. Nice dress Diane.		Diane's brother, a future Chaine member!	The view from the back patio at the Grill at Leon Springs. Yep, you guys that didn't come really missed something here tonight.

The Grill reserved for us a large private room with two tables of ten each. The evening started with a Champagne reception. During the reception, those who were curious toured the restaurant, the bar area, the wine storage area, and the other dining areas.

The place has been upgraded considerably since Vivian and I use to dine here, and when it was called Macaroni's. As a matter of fact, Macaroni's was the place that Vivian and I had our first date back in 1969, no! maybe it was 1999. I can't remember for sure.

The establishment did not want any of us to go home hungry. They offered "top-of-the-line" appetizers -- more than we could handle. We had

o Lamb Merguez, homemade jalapeño cheddar sausage, juniper herb sausage, fruit chutney and numerous other tasty items that I can't remember.

We had our choice of three main entrees; Chicken, Fish, or Beef, all with delicious side dishes.

The cheese tray was also great: The tray contained Morbier, Manchego, Roquefort, Buffalo Mozzarella -- also more than we could eat.

and who can forget the dessert -- Two Layers of White and Bittersweet Chocolate Terrine.

With all this food, and everybody bringing more wine than they could handle, by the end of the evening we all had to be rolled out of the place. It was a great evening.

The next Mondiale function write-up will talk more about wine ratings, costs, and taste. Bring a bottle that you know the rating and the cost. We're going to offer a prize to the person who can bring the highest rated red wine compared to it's low price. It's easy to find a nice Pinot rated at 94 for $45+, but can you find a similar wine from the same area rated at 93 for $28. Let's find out. High rating, low price, next BYOB event.

The next big Chaine event will be in Fredericksburg on July 13. A great week end has been planned by our Bailli. Be sure to read Bill's latest emails concerning room availability. Call now if you have not done so, and when you go, Don't forget to bring your pajamas.

Oh, by the way, I asked Danny Jacob if he had anything to say before I signed off.