Bits and Bites

Events
-- Bullfight is opening up early for soccer (futbol!), 8:30 am on Saturday, February 27th for Real Madrid vs. Athletico Madrid.
-- Scrumptious Chef returns to Tamale House East on Saturday, February 27th for a Creole dinner pop-up, along with a rare St. Arnold's beer tapping.
-- The American Lamb Board's Lamb Jam is Sunday, February 28th at Barr Mansion. Tickets are sold out!
-- Swift's Attic hosts a wild hog dinner on February 28th to benefit Operation Turkey, which provides meals and supplies for the homeless around Thanksgiving. $100/person.
-- Metier hosts a book signing of Bien Cuit: The Art of Bread, March 2nd, 5 - 7pm.
-- Farmgrass presents Farm to Feast fundraising dinner, March 3rd, $120.
-- SPUN Ice Cream is holding a tasting in conjunction with Slow Food Austin on Monday, February 29th and an event at Metier Cooking Supply on March 5th.
-- Celebrate Texas Independence with Jack Allen's Kitchen 6th annual Republic of Jack party, with $6 Republic Tequila specials. March 2nd, 5 - 10 pm.
-- Central Market's bacon extravaganza will run at all locations March 2-15; sorry vegetarians!

-- Russian House is hosting a smoked meats class, March 7th, $10/person.
-- The Takedowns are back with the Meatball Takedown, March 13th at Shangri-La.
-- Fast casual chain Blaze Pizza will celebrate (pizza) pie day on 3/14 with $3.14 pies.
-- Fado Irish Pub will have a variety of events leading up to St. Patrick's Day, see their calendar for details for the luck of the Irish!
-- The Austin Food and Wine Alliance will host legendary chef Jacques Pepin at the Long Center, June  5th.

News
-- Sweet Ritual Ice Cream needs your help with their Kickstarter! They have just days left to make their goal.
-- Need an early spot for breakfast? Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe is now offering breakfasts weekdays from 6 - 10:30 am; migas, flapjacks, even chicken fried steak with eggs!
-- All locations of Kerbey Lane now have a spring menu; I got to try some of the items at a media tasting. Banana bread French toast was delicious, as was the lamb kebabs on this Mediterranean plate.

-- Oasthouse Gastropub introduces "Lunch Duets" with a choice of two lunch menu items for $10.
-- Greenhouse Craft Foods will be partnering with the Round Rock Express at theDell Diamond to offer more wholesome gameday foods.
-- Ramen Tatsuya (both spots) is now open from 11 am - 10 pm daily, with 2 - 6 pm "slurping hour" specials. Additionally, all broths will be offered.
-- Kettle and Brine launches an e-commerce site.

Open/Close
-- Vinaigrette opened at 2201 College Avenue (South Congress and Live Oak Streets). See my review here.

 -- Growler USA opens at 609 W. 29th Street (at Guadalupe); apparently they will have lots of local beers on tap, which apparently was one of the downfalls of the recently departed World of Beer on South Lamar.
-- Paul Qui's Otoko opens at the South Congress Hotel in early March.
-- Gardner to close on March 11th; a new concept from the same team called Chicon, featuring wood-fired cooking, will open (hopefully) at the end of March.
-- Space 24 Twenty at Urban Outfitters on the Drag will be starting a food truck residency with East Side King, Lucky Lab Coffee and Little Lucy's Donuts.

And.... the Austin Food Blogger Alliance's annual City Guide will officially be published online starting next week! You may already be seeing posts from different bloggers, and I will have guides to the best Mexican in town and restaurants and trailers in South Austin. #ATXBestEats

 

Bits and Bites

Opening/Updates
-- Dan's Hamburgers at Ben White and Manchaca (finally!) reopened.
-- JuiceLand now offers online ordering for quick pick ups.
-- Greenhouse Craft Food has opened in Round Rock, featuring a local artisan menu.
-- Apothecary has a new executive chef, Albert Gonzalez, and has debuted a new seasonal menu.
-- New on South Lamar, in the construction on either side of the Broken Spoke: Boardwalk Burger (now open) and Bruegger's Bagels (coming soon).  
-- Cooper's BBQ has announced plans to open an outlet at 217 Congress in the fall.

Closing/Moving
-- The Omelettry has announced they've been priced out of their current location, and will look for a new one along Burnet Road.
-- Vivo on Manor Road has closed, but say they want to find another location.

Events
-- The Tillamook Cheese VW Bus will be giving away samples at Hopdoddy on South Congress from 11am - 3pm on Friday, March 21st.  They will also be offering free cheese slices on the Classic Burger all day.
 -- Foodways Texas will hold their fourth annual symposium entitled "Farm to Market" in Bryan-College Station, on March 20-22. From their press release: "Farm to Market 2014 will explore the past, present, and future of Texas agriculture and its intimate connection to Texas cultural history and identity....(the symposium) will be spent discussing Texas crops and crop history, feeding cities, innovative urban farming, rice history and current challenges, Texas grapefruit, the business of olive orchards, wine terroir, and much more."
-- Salvation Pizza will celebrate their anniversary with a benefit; the Glimmer-versary event will be Saturday, March 29th from 12-4pm; proceeds will go to Glimmer of Hope, which strives to improve the circumstances of disadvantaged youth.
-- Jester King Brewery is teaming up with Epicerie for their first ever beer brunch on Sunday, March 30th, at Epicere. 
-- Scrumptious Chef will be hosting a Salsa Shootout on Saturday, April 5th from 6 - 8pm at Tamale House East.
 -- The third Vaca y Vino will be Sunday, April 6th 1-6 pm at Bridges Ranch in Wimberley. Tickets are $100-125, and will feature Argentinean-style celebration of beef, wine, and music, all while benefiting the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance. 
-- A new event space is opening at 1100 East 5th at Waller, Fair Market, is a partnership of several management, restaurant, and event production companies. With 16,000 square feet of indoor space, they can host a variety of events; see their website for getting rental quotes.

Misc.
-- The Austin Food Blogger Alliance (of which I am a member) partnered with Citygram Magazine to present the annual City Guide to restaurants. My recent post on Regal Ravioli was my contribution to this year's effort. The entire City Guide can be viewed online here, or you can download the Citygram app if you're an Apple/iOS user.

Bits and Bites

Valentine's Eats -- make a reservation!
-- The Carillon is offering 3 or 5 course meals with or without wine pairings on Feb 13, 14, and 15, featuring Hawaiian blue prawns, wagyu ribeyes, and chocolate terrine.
-- Due Forni is offering a 4 course meal for $60, featuring buffalo mozzarella, lobster ravioli, pizza with prawns, and cannoli. 
-- Andiamo is offering a 4 course meal for $65 or $80 with wine pairings, with main course offerings such as porcini risotto and beef tenderloin, with many of the recipes coming from the owner's Italian family.
-- Peche Austin is offering a la carte choices, including roast bone marrow, and branzino with fennel and artichokes.
-- Liberty Tavern at the Hilton Downtown presents the Hater's Club, an evening for heart breakers and singles with a slow-roasted double bone pork chop and drink specials.

Openings
-- Chavez, the latest from Shawn Cirkiel, at the Radisson Hotel at Cesar Chavez and Congress. Modern Southwestern.
-- Porter Ale House and Gastropub, at 3715 South First (new apartment building just south of Ben White); owned by a trio who come from the Hyatt Lost Pines... menu looks fantastic!
-- The Hightower, at 1209 E. 7th Street in the former Karibu Ethiopian spot. Full bar. They will also hold monthly charity nights, the first Wednesday of the month. On February 5th, 20% of food proceeds will go to Austin Pets Alive.
-- Half Step Bar, at 75 1/2 Rainey Street, hand-crafted cocktails, petanque court and live music.
-- Diesel Foods is opening a brick and mortar shop at 2210 South First Street, where customers can pick up prepared meals, either just on a walk-in basis, or work with their staff to develop a nutritional program. They will also carry local produce and products like cold-pressed juices and protein bars.
-- Crave Restaurant, a national chain with about 10 locations, is opening at 340 E. 2nd Street.
-- Local burger favorite P. Terry's is unveiling a food truck for events later this month.
-- Titaya's....someday!
-- Phonatic, the locally owned casual Vietnamese chain has opened in Cedar Park at 1468 E. Whitestone Blvd.
-- Bar 79 in Perry's Steakhouse at 114 W. 7th Street is being redesigned and will reopen later this month.
-- New food trailer park called The Picnic at 1720 Barton Springs Road coming soon.
-- Later this spring, aRoma, an Italian spot at 3401 South Lamar (new apartment building next to the Broken Spoke)

Events
-- Mockingbird Domestics is hosting a chocolate and coffee pairing class with Houndstooth Coffee, Thursday, February 6th, 6 pm, $20/person.
-- RL Reeves of Scumptious Chef is hosting a pop-up dinner at Tamale House East on Saturday, February 8th, featuring exotic meats -- goose, alligator, yak and antelope.
-- Austin Food and Wine Alliance and David Alan of the Tipsy Texan collaborate on the Official Drink of Austin event, Thursday, February 20th, 7 - 10pm at the AT+T Conference Center, $65/person. 
-- Food truck throwdown between Chilantro and the Peached Tortilla, Saturday, February 22nd, 2 - 5 pm, at the Draught House, 4112 Medical Parkway, $20. 
-- The Edible Austin Bacon and Beer Festival will also be February 22nd, 2:30 - 5 pm, at the Marchesa Event Center.
-- Banger's will host a St. Arnold beer and chocolate pairing, with beers from the personal collection of St. Arnold's owner. Wednesday, February 26th, $50/person, ticket info here.

Bits and Bites

 Upcoming Events

-- Peace Through Pie is "an Austin-based grassroots movement, which encourages all generations and cultures to honor and celebrate the peace-building legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. via old and new culinary traditions and shared pie." The first pie "social" was four years ago, and the movement has spread, and Peace Through Pie became a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The movement has grown to include area schools, churches, and community centers. This year, over 25 organizations and businesses will hold pie social events beginning later this week, where participants will eat pie and engage in meaningful conversations. As founder Luanne Stovall, said “In our increasingly complex world, there is a great need to come together in an intentional way to celebrate diversity as a strength and cultivate trust. What better way to see the world as the pie and each of us as a piece, than to share our rich culinary traditions at the table?” Check out Peace Through Pie's website for a listing of events throughout the Austin community!

-- Central Market is holding Citrusational, their annual citrus festival, January 15-28, at all stores.

-- Salty Sow will be offering the menu they will serve at the renowned James Beard House in late February to guests at the restaurant on January 22 and February 5; $55/person or $75 with wine pairings. The 5-course menu includes Berkshire pork, swordfish, baked ricotta, and banana beignets.

-- The 8th Annual Jo's Chili Cookoff, benefiting the Sustainable Food Center will be January 26th at Jo's on South Congress. $20 to sample all 14 of the chili entrees from local restaurants and cooks.

-- Satay Restaurant will be featured on the Cooking Channel's Restaurant Redemption on January 28th. 

-- Jack Allen's Kitchen (Oak Hill) is holding the 4th Annual Lone Star Paralysis Bourbon Bash on January 29th; $150/person, and all proceeds to go the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation. 

-- Sway will be hosting Night of 50,000 Lives, a fundraiser for the American Red Cross and their measles and rubella initiatives, February 13th, $250/person. 

-- The first Bacon and Beer Festival of Austin will be February 22, presented by Edible Austin in conjunction with Edible Boston.

Openings, etc.
-- The downtown outlet of the Memphis-based Gus's Fried Chicken opened last week at 117 San Jacinto.  

-- Juiceland has opened their 7th location at 620 and Lohman's Crossing.

-- The latest from ATX Brands, Vinyl (a music lounge) and Upstairs on Trinity (a wine bar) will hold their opening weekend January 16-18 at 607 Trinity. Tastings, drink specials and DJs!

-- A new pizza trailer, The Unconventional Oven, will hold their grand opening at the Breakpoint at the Boardwalk trailer park (2201 Lakeshore Blvd.). 

-- The new Whole Foods at the Domain officially opened January 15th. I attended an opening earlier in the week; it's a gorgeous store, just rather far from my South Austin home! ;)

-- Henri's Wine and Cheese will be adding a coffee shop next door (2026 South Lamar Blvd.)

-- P. Terry's is changing their oatmeal cookie, after a cookie challenge by a local fan! Ellie Livesay's own recipe was voted by customers to be the preferred cookie, and the local burger chain will now be using hers.

-- Andiamo has updated their menu to reflect colder-weather appropriate courses, including beef tenderloin with Gorgonzola, gnocchi with fontina cream sauce, and hot chocolate coup with a dash of hot pepper.

 Valentine's Events

-- The Flying Carpet trailer is selling "Moroccan kiss" cookies in Moroccan-inspired flavors for Valentine's Day. To preorder, click here.
 
-- Goodall's will serve a 4-course prix fixe menu for $109/person over V-day weekend.

-- Finn + Porter will serve a 4-course prix fixe menu for $75/person on Feb. 14th, which includes options as braised lamb, butternut squash soup, Gulf red snapper, and a dessert trio. 

-- Satay will serve a 3-course meal for $35, $49 with wines.

Bits and Bites

Happy New Year! I hope everyone's year is off to a good start. I can certainly say mine is, as I got some pretty incredible news on Friday. The Austin Chronicle released their annual Top 10 lists of 2013, and I am humbled and honored to have been named one of Austin's top food bloggers! A sincere THANK YOU to the Chronicle and all of you out there reading my little blog, or following me on Facebook (South Austin Foodie), Twitter (@southatxfoodie), and/or Instagram (@southaustinfoodie). I will continue to offer you my honest opinions of the places I eat, create a few dishes in my own kitchen, and round up the local food scene news here in Bits and Bites!

And now, back to business!

Newsworthy
-- Back in December, the Austin Food and Wine Alliance announced their annual culinary grants. Big congrats to winners Confituras, Blacklands Malt, and Salt + Time!

-- My friends at Austin Bakes raised almost $5000 with their citywide bake sale on November 30th, with proceeds going to the Halloween day flood victims in southeast Austin, via the Austin Disaster Relief Network.

-- Travaasa Austin is hosting Jam + Jive, a two-day culinary weekend with canning and food preservation workshops, January 25 - 26, more info on their website.  Sessions include jam making, bread baking, kim chi fermenting, and citrus preserving, each led by local experts.

-- There's a new culinary product called Gourmet Starter. It's similar to a bouillon cube, but it's got onion, garlic, herbs and spices, and is used as a flavor base. Nothing artificial, and they are based here in Austin. They reached out to me via Facebook, asking if I'd help spread the word; I haven't tried it, but it sounds interesting.

-- Like Meyer lemons? Need suggestions on what to do with them? Check out my friend Girl Gone Grits, as she celebrates all things Meyer with guest posts from local bloggers (ok, slight shameless plug, as I will write a Meyer post too!).

-- Russian House is holding a fusion dinner of Russian dishes with New Orleans flavors, January 27th, $55. Details here.

-- Hops + Grain has just expanded their tap room, adding 80 additional seats; 507 Calles St. at East 2nd.

Openings, etc.
-- East Side King at 2310 South Lamar opened at the end of December.

-- Odd Duck at 1201 South Lamar opened in mid December.

-- Little Barrel and Brown opened at 1716 South Congress (the old Woodland) in December.

-- The 8th  P. Terry's drive-thru burger spot is now open, at 12018 N. Research Blvd.

-- Dolce Neve, an Italian gelateria, opens in my Bouldin Creek neighborhood at 1713 S. First on Friday!

-- G'raj Mahal is in the process of moving from their original trailer to brick and mortar.

-- Amaya's Taco Village will open a second location in Southpark Meadows this spring.

-- St. Philip, a pizzeria/bakery from the folks of Uchi, in the old Cannoli Joe's spot on 290 in Sunset Valley.

-- Mercury Pizza was sold to the owners of 360 Pizza, and rebranding is in process. 2107 Kinney.

-- Wu Chow, a Chinese food concept from the people at Swift's Attic, 500 W. 5th, sometime this summer.

-- Both locations of Lucy's Fried Chicken are now offering Sunday brunch and weekday Blue Plate specials.

Closed
-- The aforementioned Mercury Pizza.

-- Your Mom's Burger at Wm. Cannon and Hwy 290.