Bits and Bites

What's going on in ATX

-- As I write this, the Austin Bakes for West citywide bakesale is concluding. Volunteer bakers, from professionals, to bloggers, to you name it, donated their time and baked goods; there were eight sites around town, and all the proceeds will go to AmeriCares. I made Grenada Nutmeg Cake and a whole bunch of biscuits! Our total tally is over $15,000  $18,000 -- thank you to all who helped and bought baked goods!


-- The upcoming Pachanga Festival (May 10 and 11 at Fiesta Gardens) will have a variety of local food trucks on site, including: Slab (who I just had for the first time this week at Trailer Food Tuesdays), La Fantabulous Taco, mmmpanadas, and Tapas Bravas, as well as special Latin-influenced tastings in the VIP area.

-- Argus Cidery celebrates the launch of their Idalou Brut with a crawfish bowl and tasting of their various ciders; May 11th, $50/person. They are also kicking off picnic lunch boxes that can be reserved in advance, and include one pour of cider. $20/lunch.

-- Mother's Day brunch at Sagra, $25/person, May 12th.

-- Jack Allen's Spanish Wine dinner has been moved to May 14th, $95/person.

-- Garza Gardens, operated by Garza High School Students (an alternative high school within AISD) will have an open house on June 1st from 10 am - 3 pm. The students learn horticulture, sustainability, and environmental issues and maintain the garden, which includes herbs that are sold to Farm to Table, a local sourcing company for area food businesses.

-- Faraday's Kitchen Store in Lakeway is having a huge inventory sale, as they will be moving to a new, bigger spot in the Galleria in Bee Cave at 620 and 71. The retail portion will stay about the same size, but the kitchen area will be three times larger, allowing for more classes, events and demos. 

-- El Alma has created a cocktail, the Park Preserver (Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka and muddled mint) in which the proceeds will benefit an "Improve Bouldin Creek Park" fund.

Openings
-- Third Base sports bar is opening a new location at 183 and Anderson Mill. 

-- Umami Pizzeria, in the old Romeo's on Barton Springs, will open May 31st.  

-- Patrizi's, a new Italian food trailer, is almost open on the east side, exact location TBA.

-- Al Fico, an Italian restaurant, is looking to open in June at 1700 E. 2nd.

-- Also recently opened, Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ trailer, is behind Star Bar at 600 W. 6th.

-- Tyson's Tacos at 4905 Airport; no web page that I can find, but here's link to their Yelp reviews.

-- Chen Z, the noodle house on Anderson Lane, has changed their name to Shabu. 

-- A new cider brewery, Austin East Ciders, is set to open this summer at 979 Springdale Road.


I volunteered last weekend at the Austin Food and Wine Festival; a few pictures from the weekend are on my Facebook page. (Have you "liked" it yet?) :)

Also had the privilege to attend a benefit for Chef John Besh's foundation, which provides culinary scholarships to New Orleans residents. The shrimp boil festivities were held on the Whole Foods rooftop, and it was a really great event, complete with music from the Urban Achievers Brass Band! Pictures from it are also on my Facebook page.