Monday, September 26, 2011

Bits and Bites

Last week was not a good one for several area restaurants. Right after I published last week's installment of B & B, the info started spreading via Twitter and Facebook of some unforeseen closures.

-- El Arbol, near 38th and Jefferson
-- The Belmont, on 8th between Lavaca and Guadalupe
-- Hickory Street Bar & Grill, at 8th and Congress 
-- Graze, on E. 6th, near Chicon

In better news:
 
-- Eater Austin reports that a smallish chain called Noodles and Company is expanding into the Austin area. Carbs = good! 
-- Expanding her Rainey Street empire, Bridget Dunlap has opened Bar Ilegal, adjacent to Clive, a mezcal-only watering hole. (No website of their own, as of yet; the above link takes you to Clive.)


Events: 
-- Saturday, at SEVEN locations around town will be Austin Bakes for Bastrop, a bake-sale fundraiser for the Bastrop community that was devastated by fires a couple weeks ago. If you'd like to get involved as a baker or to assist at a bake sale location, or to make a financial donation, go to their website.  I will be making biscuits for sale (all sales are on a donation basis) for the Hotel San Jose location on South Congress. Bring your own gravy.
-- This weekend is the 7th Annual Texas Fall Fest and Wine Auction in Marble Falls.
-- 24 Diner will hold a beer pairing dinner with Real Ale on October 5th, tickets are $60/person. The five course menu sounds amazing; I can forward it to you if you'd like. And speaking of 24 Diner, it was officially announced that Chef Drew Curren is one of the Top Chef contestants this upcoming season along with the long-rumored Uchi/Uchiko sous, Paul Qui. Congrats guys! How awesome to see Austin represent! New season begins in November!