Bits and Bites -- Austin Food News

Here's what's coming up on the Austin food scene:

Events:
-- The Texas Olive Festival, slated for May 28 - 31 has been postponed due to the recent floods in the Hill Country.
-- The Flying Carpet hosts Austin2India, a fundraising dinner May 30th, 7 pm, $25/person to help raise money to build a library in India. Pie Plante, Patika Coffee and Deep Eddy Vodka will also provide food and drink. 
-- Alcomar hosts a brunch benefiting the Austin Food and Wine Alliance, Sunday, May 31st, 11 am - 3 pm, reservations recommended.
-- Sunday May 31st, in.gredients is hosting Farming, Foraging, and Homesteading with workshops, vendors, samples, and more. 10 am - 2 pm
-- The Scarlet Rabbit hosts a McPherson Wine dinner, May 31st, 6 pm, $45/person.
-- Swift's Attic is celebrating their third birthaversary, May 31st, 8 pm.
-- Natural Epicurean hosts vegan chef Ayinde Howell, June 1st, 6 - 9 pm, $89/person.
-- June 1 - 7 is Negroni Week, where restaurants + bars around the world donate a portion of their Negroni cocktail sales to a charity of their choice; check the Austin participants here, including The Hightower, who will donate proceeds to ColorCancer.
-- Cafe Josie hosts Wine Me Dine Me, a five course farm to table event with Lewis Wines, June 2nd, 6:30 pm, $85/person
-- Olive + June hosts a Buglioni Wine dinner on June 3rd at 7 pm, $150/person.
-- Kick off the summer with family day at The Midway Food Park, Friday, June 5th from 2 - 7 pm, sponsored by Do512 Family.
-- Slow Food Austin celebrates the tomato with a Tomato Dinner at Springdale Farm, June 9th, $100/person.
-- Central Market's Beers Across America, will be two week event at all CM's, June 10 - 23. Both Austin locations will feature a beer stroll (lots of samples!) on Thursday, June 18th from 5 - 8 pm, $10/person. Register here for North Lamar and here for Westgate.
-- A Taste of North Austin will be held at the Domain on June 13th, 11 am - 4 pm, $20/person; get tastes from over 15 restaurants!
-- A Pinor Noir and cheese pairing class will be held at Epicerie, June 14th, 5:30 pm, $40/person
-- The 54th Stonewall Peach JAMboree will be June 19-20 in Stonewall, TX; who will be crowned this year's Peach Queen?!
-- Isla holds a First Day of Summer Pig Roast, June 21st, 5 pm; tiki apparel encouraged.
-- Father's Day fried chicken picnic at Lenoir, June 21st, 11 am - 3 pm, $30/person.

Misc:
-- It's my favorite time of the year, as Texas peaches (this link shows the Hill Country growers and what's available) have come into season, and picking them is in full swing! If you drive out Hwy 290, you can find many stands along the way in Stonewall and Fredericksburg.

-- Opal Divine's is moving towards a locally-sourced, seasonal ingredient menu. From the press release:
"All of Opal’s egg dishes are made with organic eggs sourced by Austin-based Farm to Table, LLC. Their beef comes from Creekstone Farms Natural Black Angus Beef, and Opal’s is now sourcing natural pork from Sterling Silver."
-- Blackbird + Henry is now offering a Community-Supported Restaurant program, where patrons make a one-time donation of $1000 to the restaurant and receive house credit of $1250 towards all food, beverages and events.
-- At this writing, Austin Bakes has raised nearly $8500 for AmeriCares relief efforts in Nepal!  Online donations are still being taken through May 31st.

Openings:
-- The Ommelettry has reopened at 4621 Airport Blvd.
-- Galaxy Cafe will open its fourth location at 8127 Mesa Drive on June 1st.
-- Medici  coffee house also opens their fourth location at Lamar Union, 1100 South Lamar, on June 3rd.