Bits and Bites

It's been an interesting few days in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood! I literally awoke with a bang, on Thursday morning, around 6 am. I heard two loud noises -- akin to a sonic boom or transformer popping, followed by a third, about 20 - 30 seconds later. My power was still on, but I had no idea what the noises were from. When I got to work around 9 am, I saw a co-worker who told me: the FBI raided Jovita's and the two houses on Milton to the east, behind the restaurant, on suspicion of operating a large heroin ring, and ties to the Texas Syndicate gang, being run by the bar's owner. The noises I heard were most likely from flash grenades that the FBI used when entering the premises; I live about three blocks away, so I can only imagine what it was like for the next door neighbors on Milton!

You can read the Austin American-Statesman's article on the raid here. At last count 17 or 18 people were arrested, $40,000 cash was seized from the houses, as were some drugs and firearms. My co-worker's wife has worked at Jovita's off and on for 13+ years (she's not implicated); he had left his bicycle there the previous night, and went down Thursday afternoon to retrieve it. He said the restaurant was trashed -- dishes thrown everywhere, but after a bit of haggling, he was able to get his bike. Many bands have played there over the years, and  it is a shame that a dive music spot with mediocre food has to go out this way, but such is the case. No wonder I never cared for the food there!

And in other news...

-- Hillside Farmacy has a new happy hour menu (M - F, 3 - 6 pm), as well as Oyster Mondays, featuring half price oysters from  6 - 10 pm on, yes, Mondays.

-- Texas Tiki Week kicks off on Sunday! Brought to us by the Austin chapter of the US Bartender's Guild, several area bars will be featuring tiki specials, including tiki barware and "tiki tchochkes" at drink.well. (That one made me laugh!) The president of the Austin group is Tipsy Texan David Alan, who conceived of the idea to coincide with the Texas visit of rum expert Ed Hamilton.

-- Slow Food Austin is collaborating with the Central Market cooking school to teach a series of summer classes that introduce kids to preparing tasty and nutritious meals. Tickets can be purchased here.

-- Coming very soon on Rainey Street, Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden. (Can Rainey take on yet another establishment?)

Bits and Bites

What's new in the local food world?

-- Slow Food Austin is having a five course tomato dinner this Sunday, June 10, at Springdale Farm with local notable chefs Mat Clouser and Callie Speer of Swift's Attic, and Brandon Fuller of Olive and June. Tickets are $75, and are available online. 

-- Swift's Attic will host a small dinner with winemaker Jules Taylor on June 13; very limited seating.

-- Springdale Farm will also be the site of the previously mentioned Pigs and Pies fundraiser June 14th for local baker Colleen Sommers of Pie Fixes Everything, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. On June 27, the farm will host host a special book signing spotlighting Robyn Jasko, author of "Homesweet Homegrown: How to Grow, Make, and Store Food No Matter Where You Live".

-- Father's Day is coming up June 17! Max's Wine Dive will have Grill Packs and Picnic Packs available to go; pre-order by June 15. Trento is also offering brunch and dinner that day.

-- Lenoir will host a rose (as in the wine, not the flower) dinner on June 24th; also very limited seating!

-- Urban an America Grill at the Domain has a new Executive Chef, Bryce Murphree, where he is introducing a seasonal menu using locally sourced products.

-- Over at Olivia, Chef de Cuisine Andrew Francisco presents his four part summer series dinners, inspired by his trips around the world. Beginning June 20th, Western Chinese, July 25 Maine Lobster, August 22 White Heat, and September 19 Goats and Beer. Reservations required, price per person varies; they do not yet have the info on their website, but I have the full menu for the first dinner if you'd like it, let me know.

Bits and Bites

-- The Austin Chef Showdown is Saturday, May 12 at the Mexican American Cultural Center from 11:30am - 2:30 pm. Hosted by the Mayor’s Fitness Council, guests can sample the tastiest healthy entrees from 15 restaurant finalists and vote on their favorite.

-- For a nice full list of places to go for Mother's Day brunch, check the Statesman. (And really, if you've waited this long to make reservations, you better get on it!) Ruth's Chris Steak House is also doing dinner on Sunday, from 5:30 pm onward.

-- Slow Food Austin is hosting a happy hour at Boggy Creek Farms, May 17 @ 6 pm, suggested $15 donation. Food will be from the farm's resources, and drinks will be warm-weather friendly!

-- Ski Shores Cafe on Lake Travis is offering summer movie nights, live music, and new dockside pick up of to go orders. See their website for more info.

-- Eater Austin shares their list of favorite pizza joints in town. I am still wondering what's happened to Mercury Pizza at South Lamar and Oltorf..... are they really going to reopen? Anyone know?