Castle Hill to re-open as Corazon

One of my all-time favorite restaurants in Austin was Castle Hill Cafe, on W. 5th street. I had several memorable meals there, including my first date with my wife, Natasha. I was very disappointed to hear that it was closing a few months ago. I read the following update on the Statesman's web site about a new restaurant opening there by the same owner:

After 18 years as Castle Hill Cafe, it took only eight weeks to turn the old house on West Fifth Street into Corazón.

Owner Cathe Dailey, who has been living in Mexico for much of the past five years, created a new menu from some of the best interior Mexican and Southwestern dishes served at Castle Hill over the years and oversaw a makeover of the space, including new bathrooms, tile, paint and even new lighting, chairs and tables. With the help of developer Perry Lorenz, waiter-turned-general-manager David Showacre and executive chef Mike Taddeo, Corazón had a soft opening about two weeks ago and is building speed.

Dailey says 75 percent of the menu is set, including carnitas, an al pastor plate, coloradito mole, interior Mexican salad, tortilla soup and shrimp enchiladas.

Also open is a full bar. "That's a big change," Dailey says. "In this town, margarita is queen." 1101 W. Fifth St. 476-0728. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Could not agree more with Cathe Dailey's statement about margarita is queen ... God Save the Queen!