Bits and Bites

On my radar:

-- Olive and June is now open at 4:30 pm for daily happy hour til 6:30 pm. They're also having one of their family-style dinners, tonight, $35/person.

-- Soul food chef Chef Hoover Alexander's Soular Food Garden trailer is re-opening on August 31st at 12th and Waller Streets, with their veggie-centric offerings. His original goal was to help bring health and wellness back to the east side of Austin, and now with the addition of barbecue, carnivores and vegetarians can co-exist in harmony at his trailer.

-- Local tea company Zhi Tea celebrates their 5-year anniversary next week with lots of specials! Check their website for more info.

-- The Mueller development will be host to their own farmer's market, beginning September 9th! From the same organizers of the Cedar Park Farmers Market, the Browning Hangar will now be home to a Sunday market, from 10 am - 2 pm.

-- There's a new website called Cooking Planit, that's designed to help you plan your meals and be an efficient cook! Their site has chef-tested recipes, along with step by step instructions and shopping lists. You can also search for recipes based on allergy/dietary preferences. iPhone and iPad apps are available...wish they'd make an Android app. (I emailed, and was told "eventually".) Looks like a cool site though!

-- Uncle Billy's Brew and Cue has a new beer brewmeister with Michael Waters now at the helm.

I had the pleasure of volunteering this past week at the Lone Star Paralysis/Pay it Forward for Daniel Curtis fundraiser at the AT+T Conference Center. An incredible collection of local restaurants/chefs came together and prepared some AMAZING food! The live and silent auctions looked to be quite successful too!

Bits and Bites

-- Uncle Billy's Brew and Cue on Lake Travis will be starting a Sunday gospel brunch series, beginning May 27. Check their website for details, and the buffet brunch doesn't sound bad either!

-- Sagra's Sunday Supper Series is back this Sunday as well, five courses with vino, $55/person, reservations required. Umbrian truffle lasagna, anyone?

-- On May 30th, the Sustainable Food Center breaks ground on a new building and 2.3 acres of community garden plots, all located at the MLK Metro Rail Station, on MLK Blvd., one mile east of IH-35. Ceremony with Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Senator Lloyd Doggett and other dignitaries begins at 10 am.

-- While on the Italian topic, Silver Whisk in Lakeway will begin a month-long "Escape to Italy" cooking series in June.

-- Cannoli Joe's will be hosting a gluten free dinner with their Executive Chef Quirino Silvio on June 8th; $45/person, including wine pairings. 

-- Local tea house/producer Zhi Tea has developed some small plates created from locally sourced ingredients, as they look to create more food and drink memories for their clientele.