Recent Entries in Food
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The Informed Drinker: In the Beginning, There Was Rum
Raise your hand if you've ever enjoyed a Mojito, a Mai Tai, a Dacquiri or a warm cup of egg nog (real egg nog, folks). Did you know you have Columbus, in large part, to thank for those rum-spiked libations? In typical Euro-enterprising fashion, Columbus brought sugar cane cuttings to the Caribbean islands on his second major voyage. The tropical climate agreed with the crop, and shortly after, a sugar cane industry was born: hooray, sugar!
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Dining Out Around Austin On Thanksgiving Or Still Shopping? [Resources]
Phil Aaronson/flickrMaggie's Austin went through the trouble for you (and us) and compiled a handy list of restaurants that are open this Thanksgiving. Just to be safe, we recommend calling ahead. [Austin Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving Day 2009] If you're considering options on the more upscale end, OpenTable currently shows at least 16 local restaurants with availability for parties of 2 at 7 p.m. [OpenTable Search] Lastly, there's also FoodHawk, who are maintaining a list...
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Brass Balls and Hot Chocolate: Q&A with Ellen Kinsey of Holy Cacao
South Austin Trailer Park lost Shuggie's earlier this year, but the outdoor food court has bounced back with two fresh additions: Holy Cacao, a cake ball and hot chocolate dessert stand, and Man Bites Dog, a new hot dog venture a la Frank.
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Join Us For Drag Queen Bingo at Jo's Downtown on Wednesday Night
Join us tomorrow night at Jo's Downtown as we class sass up hump day with Drag Queen Bingo, a new biweekly game night. Tomorrow's festivities are emceed by the very lovely Saffire T. Stone , 2007's Best of Austin Best Drag Queen and the diva credited with putting on the "first drag show in Williamson County history"—which, believe us, speaks volumes.
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Black Star Co-Op Unveiling [Snapshots]
Black Star Co-Op unveiled the new location of the world’s first cooperatively-owned brewpub at a party for members and press this past weekend. The new site is at Midtown Commons, the transit-oriented development at the Crestview station along Cap Metro's Red Line. Photos by Steve Hopson...
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The Informed Drinker: In the Beginning, There Was Scotch Whisky
Balvenie 21 Year PortWood / TheBalvenie.comThe Informed Drinker is Austinist's cocktail column. Each week, the city's bartenders tell us what to drink when. “In the beginning” is a series focusing on spirits, and this week, a visiting scotch expert weighs in.
Scotch is a serious person drink.
At least, this is what The Informed Drinker had assumed for many years. You see Reader, scotch is for drinking straight. If it is mixed with anything besides a few droplets of water, you have ruined it. Scotch is for bathing in one's mouth, for enjoying very slowly, a sophisticated and high-culture sort of thing that academics and individuals wearing corduroy jackets with elbow patches might enjoy. In other words:
“People don't buy single malt scotch to shoot and get drunk,” says Andrew Weir, single malt scotch expert and brand ambassador for The Balvenie Distillery Co. “All whisky provides a very personal sort of experience, and you want to enjoy what scotch whisky does specifically for you.”
Well Reader, The Informed Drinker is here to tell you that scotch will get you drunk. That is because all scotch must be no less than 80 proof (40%) alcohol, as mandated by the Scotch Whisky Order of 1990 in the UK. You'll be pleased to know it cannot go above 94.8% alcohol however, so that it maintains the flavors of the oak casks it is aged in (and also so that you don't tip it over and mistakenly clean your ears with it).
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Lovexotic 2009 This Saturday at the Clay Pit
The annual Lovexotic fundraiser this Saturday is a celebration of world cultures to benefit Family by Choice, a worthy local nonprofit that provides adoption services for LGBT couples, single adults, and other families throughout Texas.
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Wine: Austin Cellar Classic Is Tomorrow
With October's Tour De Vin at Whole Foods and November's Big Reds and Bubblies at The Driskill, fall is already the favored season for swanky wine and food pairing events in Austin. A new entrant to the mix this year is the Austin Cellar Classic, a 2-day event hosted by Max's Wine Dive combining a pairing dinner on Friday with the main event of a grand wine tasting on Saturday. For this post, we're solely focused on the big wine tasting.
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The Informed Drinker: In the Beginning, There Was Vodka
Tito Beveridge of Tito's Handmade Vodka gives The Informed Drink the scoop on time-honored recipes, how he got started, and accidentally making green vodka one time.
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Radio IST List: Chris Bauer
"Chris Bauer moved to Austin from New Orleans to work at the Barton Creek Country Club. He then opened Finn and Porter at the Hilton, worked briefly at Vin Bistro, and since February is Executive Chef at Mizu, which serves prime beef, cuttlefish sashimi, three creme brulees, and a "slow meat omelette" in a new building near Lake Travis on RR 620. I talked with Chris on the deck at Mizu about his menu, Texan wine, and his favorite Austin dinner."
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Eat For Free at Sagra's Fennel Feast, November 8th
Next Sunday, November 8th, they're toasting the humble fennel, a vitamin C-rich plant that has antioxidant properties and, uh, keeps your colon healthy. Best of all, the meal is free—"in celebration of the flavorful bulb and to thank his loyal family of customers," says Chef Gabriel Pellegrini.
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Radio IST List: Lance Clark of Richardson Farms
"Lance Clark, of Richardson Farms, spoke with me at the end of one rainy Triangle edition of the Austin Farmers Market. He and his extended family raise cattle, poultry, and piggly wigglys on pastures near Rockdale, which is an hour east of Round Rock. Wheatsville Co-Op, Kerbey Lane, and Olivia buy their products, as does the public at the Manor and Austin Triangle Farmers Markets (Wednesdays) and the Sunset Valley and Brushy Creek Farmers Markets (Saturdays)."
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AMOA - Laguna Gloria Presents: La Dolce Vita
Tonight, Laguna Gloria presents what is arguably one of the most highly-anticipated food and drink events of the year. Now in its 20th turn, La Dolce Vita will host 50 restaurants and 20 vineyards this event for its international tasting party, benefiting Austin Museum of Art.
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Food (Recession) News: Grapevine Market Closing In December
As the economic slump continues, Austin continues to see casualties in the food and wine business. Having seen the likes of likable upscale concepts like Taste Select, Starlite, and Castle Hill Cafe disappear in the past year, it's not hugely surprising to see the recession hit the retail end of the wine business. Which brings us to Grapevine Market, the one-time king of Austin's wine and beer selection. A store employee confirmed by phone that the Anderson Lane location intends to shutter by December 15, with some in-store discounts beginning as early as next week to close out their inventory.
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Sprouts Farmers Market's Third Austin Store in Westlake Opens Friday
The third Austin metro-area branch of Sprouts Farmers Market, at 2805 Bee Caves Road in Rollingwood/Westlake, opens this Friday.
Like Austin-based Whole Foods and Central Market, the Arizona-based chain of stores differentiates itself by offering natural and organic foods. Its two other existing Austin metro-area locations, in Sunset Valley and Round Rock, opened earlier this year to strong buzz, and another store in the Great Hills area is slated to open next January.
