Bits and Bites

Events

-- Salt + Time Salumeria and Jester King Brewery are teaming up for a five-course beer dinner, Wed., July 24th, $70/person, ticket info here.

-- J. Blacks is having their 6th anniversary on July 25th, gift bags for the first 100 guests.

-- Area Jack in the Box restaurants (and no, chains and fast food usually aren't my thing) are holding a summer fan drive, July 27th; they will collect 20-inch box fans or monetary donations, that will be utilized by the United Way for Greater Austin and their clientele.

-- Banger's  will have their one year anniversary party on August 3rd, complete with live music, pig roast and some special beers.

-- Casa Brasil, along with South Austin Brewing Company, are offering their "Up and Down" Tours, a "backstage pass into the world of craft coffee and craft beer." You get tours of both facilities (next door to each other), lunch, and a goodie bag for $35! Next tour is August 10th.

-- This year's Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis Benefit will be August 8th, 7 - 10 pm, $75/person at the AT + T Conference Center. Daniel was a food and beverage director at the AT + T/Carillon, who became a quadriplegic in a diving accident. The event benefits the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, and has an amazing lineup of area chefs donating their time and talents (see the Pay it Forward link). I attended as a volunteer last year, and the food and energy in the room was amazing.

-- Parkside is hosting the Summer Sparkling Dinner on August 13th, $100/person, benefiting the Sustainable Food Center.

New and Updates
-- The Dojo, specializing in Japanese bar foods, has opened (yes, up north....) at 9070 Research Blvd.

-- El Pollo Rico, the Mexican-style rotisserie chicken place, has opened another spot at 1719 E. William Cannon.

-- Pelons Tex Mex, at 8th and Red River (the old Jaime's Spanish Village), is now offering Sunday brunch, complete with a Bloody Mary bar. I don't see the menu online as of this posting, but the press release mentions huevos rancheros, migas, breakfast tacos and burritos.

-- Coming this winter, Olamie, a modern Southern restaurant will open at 1610 San Antonio (the old Mars and Sagra location). Prior to their formal opening, they will host a series of pop-up meals at various establishments around town, starting at Lenoir, August 6 - 10.

-- Wheatsville Co-op's new spot on South Lamar is slated to open on/around August 28th.


In the past two weeks, I have attended three media tastings/soft openings (thank you for having me!), all very good!

The new PhoNatic in Southpark Meadows -- pork bun (vermicelli) bowl and eye of round pho.

Kenichi downtown -- seabass with grapefruit, seaweed + wilted spinach, prosciutto-wrapped big eye tuna, butterfish

Arro's soft opening -- mussels + frites, antelope, croque monsieur, four desserts (chocolate pot de creme on the right stole the show!).

And, the Austin Food Blogger's Alliance fundraiser for the ARC -- Cocktails and Cupcakes! Thanks again to all of our sponsors. Cupcakes: Blue Note Bakery, Butter Stick Bakery, Crema Bakery + Cafe, Delish, SugaPlump Pastries, Sugar Mama's Bakeshop. Cocktails: T1 Tequila, Treaty Oak Distillery, Hops + Grain.  Flowers: Central Market Westgate. Facility + Appetizers: Le Cordon Bleu of Austin. Additional support by Google+.