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 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 April 13th, 2012% Add a little spice to your work week by joining Tapeña Wines for a not to miss evening celebrating friends, tapas, and wine. Taking place this Thursday, April 19 from 5-7pm at Downtown’s Roaring Fork Restaurant, this fun-filled event will include complimentary tastings of Tapena’s delicious Spanish wine paired with tasty tapas. Along with sips and bites, the evening will include live entertainment, treats, and more! The details: Tapeña Wines: Spend the Night With a Spaniard! Roaring Fork 701 Congress Avenue Thursday, April 19, 2012 5:00pm – 7:00pm Explore savory Spanish culture where the wine is flavorful and the art of conversation . . . → Read More: Wine Happenings: Tapeña Wines Meet Up on Thursday, April 19 By Ginny, on April 4th, 2012%  The Wine Down returns to the ACL LIVE Front Porch on April 4 from 5-7pm. Guests at the weekly event will enjoy a live musical performance alongside Dreaming Tree Wine and complimentary snacks provided by one of 2nd Street District’s best restaurants. This week features the musical stylings of local soul singer Mike Flanigan and bites courtesy of Imperia. The event is free and open to the public, but donations to the Arts and Fitness Program for Young Children is encouraged! Make a contribution in advance on the KGSR website. Home décor and boutique wine shop . . . → Read More: Wine Wednesday Happenings: Upcoming Wine Events By Ginny, on March 28th, 2012% California and Washington have long cornered the domestic wine country market, but in recent years, their little neighbor-that-could Oregon has quickly become one of the best kept secrets among insiders. Known for its smaller wineries, most wine makers in Oregon value a more classic approach over modern technologies in creating their wines, resulting in wines that are both unique and approachable. Further, the region is well-known for its commitment to producing sustainable and eco-friendly wines. This reputation makes Oregon wines a natural fit for farm to table style restaurants, especially since most tend to be both food-friendly and affordable. . . . → Read More: Wine + Food: Texas Meets Oregon for Dinner at Travaasa Austin this Thursday By Ginny, on March 13th, 2012% Brooklyn Vegan traditionally hosts SXSW’s best lineup of FREE parties, and this year is no exception. Taking place Wednesday through Saturday, the killer list of over 95 bands includes Top Picks like Of Monsters and Men, Youth Lagoon, Pond, J. Roddy Waltson and the Business, Heartless Bastards, Tennis, and many, many more. The Hotel Vegas/Volstead Lounge Parties kick off on Wednesday, March 14 at 12PM (lineup). With sponsors like Hob Nob Wine, Brooklyn Brewery, and NadaMoo, there will be plenty of treats to enjoy along with the amazing lineups. Catch personal Top Pick of the Week, Korallreven, on . . . → Read More: SXSW Top Pick: Brooklyn Vegan (Hotel Vegas) Day Parties 3/14-3/17 By Ginny, on January 26th, 2012% The secret is out on Hyde Park’s newest hotspot, Hopfields. Despite opening only a few short months, Hopfields was bustling during a recent Friday night visit. It takes a minute to figure out how one is to go about getting situated at the entirely self-service pub. Upon entering, one is taken with the lovely, quaint space which is more reflective of the latest locavore dining destination than a traditional tavern. The quintessential neighborhood bar has a low-key vibe and eclectic interior and appeals to a clientele who have replaced raucous nights spent on Austin’s East Side with quieter weekends. Its intellectual, post-graduate crowd is reflective of its North of campus Hyde Park location. Despite the initial puzzlement over Hopfields’ beer joint made beautiful design, its readily apparent Hopfields is a beer connoisseur’s playground. Hopfields boasts a selection of continuously evolving 60+ beers from which to choose. An impressive number of local beers are proudly displayed on the main room’s back wall and online at Tapster. There is a small but diverse selection of wines available by the glass or bottle as well as creative wine and vermouth cocktails.  Beer Wall The casual French bar food menu features a selection of shared snacking plates, small plates, and heartier options. A beautifully presented cheese plate and large snack plate complete with housemade jams, pickled veggies, and Antonelli’s cheeses started the evening off well.  Snack Platter - $8 Click the picture for more shots of Hopsfield! The steak frites was cooked slightly uneven, but the meat’s flavor and an ample garlic butter dollop topping made up for this discrepancy. Served with salty fries, the dish was a winner. [expand title=] -
 - Beer Wall
-
 - Snack Platter – $8
-
 - Cheese Plate – $12
-
 - Steak Frites – $16
-
 - Salad – $7
-
 - Lamb Sausage Sandwich – $8
-
 - Burger and Frites – $10
[/expand] Continue reading Hopfields
| | AboutGinny’s Austin is one girl's take on everything happening around Austin, focusing primarily food, music, and events around town.  |
Follow Me!
Search