By Ginny, on May 17th, 2012%  I recently ventured to Henri’s Cheese and Wine for a little Italian Wine education. Surprisingly, it was my first official visit to the South Lamar shop, but it certainly won’t be the last. Henri’s Cheese and Wine is South Austin’s newest eatery and specialty grocery featuring both lunch and dinner alongside a large selection of retail cheese, wine, and more. Daily dining selections include gourmet sandwiches, small plates, and salads. Gourmet lunch spot by day and wine and beer lounge by night, needless to say, Henri’s is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood.  Henri's Cheese and Wine To be fair, any place specializing in cheese and wine is primed to be an instant classic in my book, but there is much to love about the neighborhood spot. On this particular evening, I joined a few fellow wine lovers for a tasting event with Italian wine expert Pier Mana. Continue reading Henri’s Cheese and Wine
By Ginny, on May 11th, 2012%  Foodie Bucket List #87 Happy Friday! Here are a few foodie stories enjoyed this week while trolling around on Al Gore’s Internet machine. Shameless Plug: Austinist has the details on Larry McGuire’s new oyster depot. Sugar High: Food Whims is craving something sweet this week. I am now craving a brie, strawberry, and chocolate crostini. Grass-fed’s the new tofu: American Hipster is a pitter patter for Thunderheart Bison Ranch & Trailer. Austin Chronicle hearts beer cheese, pretzels and craft beers at Easy Tiger as much as yours truly. Fed Man Walking showcases one of Austin’s newest hotspots, Lenoir. . . . → Read More: This Week in Foodie News… By Ginny, on May 10th, 2012%  Join Central Market for its ongoing Passport to France event happening now until May 22. More details and events listed here. Just in time for summer, Vino Vino will host a special wine event this Saturday, May 12 featuring heat friendly pink wines. During Saturday’s Pink Fest, join Vino Vino in tasting 50 plus pink and Rosé wines. The event runs from 12:00 – 2:00 pm and costs $20 per person. In conjunction with the Mayor’s Fitness Council, 15 area restaurants will team up this Saturday, May 12 for healthy dish showdown. During the Taste of Heath: Austin Chef . . . → Read More: May Foodie Happenings By Ginny, on May 7th, 2012% How would you like to take a Tour de France with no passport, plane fare, or packing required? Beginning Wednesday, May 9, Central Market will send guests on the ultimate culinary excursion through France during a two week celebration of the country’s most delicious offerings. During Central Market’s ‘Passport to France’ event, stroll through the aisles to discover artisanal cheeses, from-scratch breads, and a spectacular selection of French wines. If picking the perfect apéritif or fromage isn’t your cup of tea, there will cheese and wine experts on hand to play guide throughout the event. Each store location will also host special French themed cooking classes to help guests discover their inner Julia Child. For the home chef, visit Central Market’s well-stocked seafood and meat markets for the right ingredients to create the perfect steak frites or bouillabaisse. Work up an appetite by engaging in a traditional game of Pétanque before devouring a freshly made crepe. Better yet, stock up on usually hard to find French pantry staples such as Melfor Vinegars, Nectors de Bourgogne juices, and Paysan Breton Butters for a taste of France all summer long. Bon Appetite indeed. At an event held at the lovely French Legation Museum, I received a taste of some of Central Market’s ‘Passport to France’ offerings. With glasses of (reasonably priced) wine, bites of decadent cheese, and Nutella-filled crepes, it was an excellent preview of what to expect during the special two week event. Central Market’s ‘Passport to France’ event, running from May 9-22, will kick off this Wednesday with a champagne toast at each store location. Central Market North Lamar will host an opening ceremony Viva la France! event from 6-9 p.m. featuring French cuisine, wine, and live music by Rumbullion. Central Market Westgate will raise a champagne glass at 3 p.m. at the store’s Bistro 420 café followed by live music from Datri Bean from 6:30-9 p.m. Full list of events after the jump! Continue reading Central Market Hosts Passport to France Event May 9-22
By Ginny, on May 4th, 2012% Keeping with this week’s Cinco de Mayo theme, it is only fitting to share about a recently acquired addiction to Bomb Taco Truck. Although I’ll admit to sampling a late night taco or two from the truck prior, my true appreciation for these tacos didn’t form until I acted on the advice of a fellow customer and ordered out of my comfort zone. While patronizing the fantastic White Horse Bar on Austin’s East Side, my friends and I joined fellow revelers in line to order a late dinner off the truck’s laundry list of options. It was there I noticed a woman braving the Saturday night bar scene solely for the purpose of Bomb Tacos to go. Considering Austin has no shortage of decent tacos in much easier to manage locations, I had to ask what drew her to the stand. Clearly she must live a stone’s throw away, but no she actually braved the hoop jumping of parking, cover charges, and crowds. We pressed for recommendations of her favorites and ordered accordingly. Acting on her advice, we ordered a few beef and vegetarian tacos along with a mini taco sampler plate. What we received were high quality tacos far surpassing their $3 price tag. The veggie tacos were fresh and flavorful enough to please herbivores and carnivores alike. My Campenchana taco was filled with tender beef, sweet pineapple, grilled onions, and generously topped with cheese. The mini taco plate wasn’t exactly a plate of tiny tacos, but instead a hearty plate of Al Pastor, cheese, and avocado big enough to fill five tacos. Confusion aside, it still did the trick. Overall, Bomb Tacos was, well, the bomb.  Bomb Taco - $3 Bomb Taco Truck has two location: White Horse Bar. 500 Comal Street, Austin, Texas 78702. Lustre Pearl Bar. Rainey Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Continue reading Bomb Taco Truck
By Ginny, on May 3rd, 2012%  This Saturday might be the Kentucky Derby, but the only hat you need to concern yourself with is a sombrero because it is Cinco de Mayo! So dust off your best Mexican dress or guayabera because it’s tequila time! Since Cinco de Mayo is the day we join our Southern neighbors in celebration of Mexico’s culture and heritage, there are plenty of festivities taking place around town. La Condesa’s Cinco de Mayo Block Party is always one of the best fiestas, and this year’s 4th Annual Event will be bigger and better than ever. The always free fiesta kicks off at 4pm on Saturday featuring fun for the whole family.
La Condesa will be serving up some of their famous Mexican street corn (featured here), chorizo sandwiches, and more. There will be plenty of cervesas and cocktails courtesy of event sponsors Cazadores Tequila, Dos Equis and Tecate. The event also features a full line-up of live music including: DeeJay Honeycomb Este Vato La Guerrilla Mariachi Tamazula Bombasta Ocote Soul Sounds (DJ Set) Charanga Cakewalk The Cinco de Mayo Fiesta takes place on West 2nd Street between Guadalupe and San Antonio from 4-10pm this Saturday, May 5. Since every party needs an after party, the fiesta will continue at Malverde from 10pm – 2am complete with DJ sets by DJ Chicken George & Ocote Soul Sounds. Full release with parking details after the jump! Continue reading Cinco de Mayo Happenings
By Ginny, on April 30th, 2012% In honor of this weekend’s Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, today’s featured dish of the day is Mexican Street Corn from La Condesa.  Indulgent and approachable, La Condesa’s version of the much loved classic Mexican street food is pitch perfect. For only $4 a pop, this dish is also budget-friendly bright spot on the Mexican restaurant’s otherwise high-end menu. Each fresh ear of corn is grilled until charred and tender before being painted with mayo. The corn is then rolled in a generous layer of salty queso cojito and dusted with dried chili arbol powder for a kick of spice. Once drenched in lime juice, it is hard to beat. Between the mayo and cheese, this dish is certainly more filling than an average corn on the cob, making it an even bigger bang for the buck. Both messy and addictive, this is one dish I’d skip on a first date or business lunch to avoid an inevitable dining disaster. It is one menu item best enjoyed with friends on La Condesa’s relaxing patio, house specialty cocktail in hand. As for what to drink…. Continue reading Dish of the Day: La Condesa
By Ginny, on April 26th, 2012%  Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon is now open in the former Emerald Press location on 10th & Lamar. Fresa’s drive through chicken dinner concept is based on the traditional Mexican style of charcoal roasted chicken, served family style with rice, beans, tortillas, and more. Using only the best quality of grass fed, free range chicken is central to Fresa’s concept, so expect a higher price tag than, say, El Pollo Rico. Served family style, a whole chicken dinner costs $23.00 and a half is $14.00. Along with roasted chicken, Fresa’s menu includes seasonal salads, tortas, and sides such as grilled street corn. Big bonus points for a to-go drink menu of beers, wines, and best of all, DIY margarita kits. The new spot is the latest project from Larry Maguire and Tommy Moorman (Lambert’s, Perla’s, Elizabeth Street). Visit Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon daily for lunch and dinner beginning at 11am.
Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon. 915 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78703. 512.428.5077. Speaking of Maguire, Jeffrey’s has officially closed for renovations with a projected reopening scheduled for this fall. Larry Maguire’s restaurant group became majority owners of the classic Austin eatery in late 2011. Original owners, Jeffery Weinberger and Ron & Peggy Weiss, maintained a small amount of equity in the sale. Maguire will reportedly serve as executive chef once the restaurant is reopened. Red River District’s dining options are about to get much more interesting with the addition of a multifaceted new venture this summer. Parish owner Doug Gillner will open a restaurant, bar, and trailer park eatery located at 8th & Red River. Pelons, a Mexican food focused restaurant, is set to take over the former Jamie’s location (fingers crossed for Flaming Dr. Peppers). Meanwhile, the former 508 house party pad will fittingly be transformed into a bar called 508. A trailer eatery will be situated in between both. No word on the exact time frame, but the houses are currently under construction and staff is being hired as we speak. As reported by fellow foodie friend Chris, Hopdoddy’s North Austin location is officially open for business. The always popular gourmet burger joint’s second outpost is located at 2438 West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78757. A third location in Dallas is planned to open this fall. Continue reading Restaurant Happenings: Openings & Closings, Part I
| | AboutGinny’s Austin is one girl's take on everything happening around Austin, focusing primarily food, music, and events around town.  |
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