Main Street Grill - Round Rock

Main Street Grill - Round Rock

Written by Jim Dawson Friday, 07 October 2005

Downtown restaurant offers elegant dining - casual ambience

Main Street Grill in downtown Round Rock conjures up many impressions to its customers. Its casual exterior belies the elegant interior with white tablecloths and cloth napkins dressing each table. One can dine in an actual bank vault, if booked in advance.

Easy-access parking makes it an enjoyable alternative to its fine dining counterparts in downtown Austin. It’s not only a great place to bring out-of-towners, but it’s also a relaxing respite after a long work day.

For most people, however, the memories of Main Street Grill center around the flavors and originality of the food. The best representation of this is Monica’s salad.

Named for the owner’s wife, the salad is made with fresh greens, sliced strawberries, candied roasted pecans, crumbled bleu cheese topped with a heavenly maple balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The dressing is so popular that it spawned a line of salad dressings sold at the restaurant and at Central Market.

“Nothing comes close to being sold as often,” Jo Brady, general manager, said. “There is a standing joke with the trainees that they need to know how to ring up two things when working the lunch shift – iced tea and Monica’s salad. When taking the order they need to know only to ask with or without chicken.”

There are other delights in store when dining at this fine restaurant.

The shrimp diablo appetizer, large jalapeno-stuffed tiger shrimp wrapped with bacon is luscious, especially when dipped in the ancho chile honey sauce. ($11.95)

Also worth sampling is the Asian duck spring rolls, a delicious duck confit, with julienne vegetables, wrapped, and fried golden brown. ($9.95)

According to Brady, the southwestern roast pork tenderloin is the restaurant’s signature entree. The pork is lightly dusted in spices, slow roasted and served with a chipotle cream sauce. The surprise flavor of this meal is the tamale whipped potatoes served on the side. ($19.95)

For a pasta dish, try the Pasta St. Giorgio, a farfalle pasta with roasted chicken, gorgonzola, spinach, pine nuts, button mushrooms, garlic and tomatoes, tossed in a delicate cream sauce. ($16.95)

New chef John Tomlinson has elevated the excellence of the cooking. Some of his recipes are being added to the menu in October.

His love of French cuisine combines with the southwestern flair of the restaurant. The delicacy of flavors merged with indigenous Texas foods embody the casual sophistication of Main Street Grill.

Brady recognizes that customer support for the restaurant is remarkable.

“I usually recognize new customers when they come in,” Brady said. “They almost always say they decided to come in because their neighbor or someone they knew told them how good it was.”

Main Street Special Events

• Third Wednesday of the month: Wine tasting, and to celebrate Octoberfest, beer tasting has been added. Begins at 6:30, ($35 including food).
• First Sunday of the month: Chef prepares a four course dinner and compliments it with a selection of five different wines, ($75 inclusive).
• Any Monday: Sample some of Main Street’s 50 wines by the glass. Any opened bottle of red wine may be enjoyed by the glass for half the regular price. Gives guests an opportunity to try some different wines and insures that all the bottles are fresh and ready to drink during the week.
• 118 East Main Street, Round Rock, TX
• 512-244-7525
• Lunch 11-2:30 p.m.
• Dinner 5-10 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.)
• 5-11 p.m. (Fri. and Sat.)

Main Street Grill, 118 East Main Street, Round Rock, TX, 512-244-7525