Austin Foodie Bits ~ Food and Wine Events for Father’s Day through the End of June

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I’m not sure if it’s the heat that’s driving us all inside in search of fun things to do, but, honestly, I really don’t care. The food and wine events are multiplying like summer squash. Between now and the end of the month there is no shortage of activities for the epicurean in all of us, from cooking classes to wine dinners and happy hours. If you enjoy food and wine yet can’t find something in this list that you’ll enjoy, I’m afraid I simply can’t help you. I’m confident though that there’s something for everyone here. And, if you’re still looking for that perfect gift for dad, consider giving him a great experience by treating him to one of these events. The gift of time together enjoying an activity will make for a much better memory than that tie you’re considering as a gift of last resort.

This is the first of two special editions of Foodie Bits coming up in the next few weeks. It covers Father’s Day through the end of the month. The next edition coming on July 1 will also be a special one with a focus on happenings about town for the 4^th of July weekend through July 11. On July 12 Foodie Bits will return to its standard Monday posting schedule.

And with that, I wish all of the special Dads out there a Happy Father’s Day.

Father’s Day Specials

• Austin Cake Ball King Cake Ball Special – Who says a cake ball has to be small? The folks at Austin Cake Ball have an extra-large special treat for extra-special dads: the King Cake Ball. This sweet gift is baseball-sized and weighs in at a full half pound. There are even three cool Dad designs to adorn your gift. This is one he’ll never forget. The King Cake Ball alone is $14.95 or you can get it plus a dozen standard cake balls for $37.95. Order online at austincakeball.com.
• Cho Sushi All Day Happy Hour and Omakase – For those of us who live out northwest and want to treat Dad to a dinner close to home, Cho Sushi in Steiner Ranch (a personal favorite) has a great deal going all day Sunday. They will offer their standard happy hour prices all day along with omakase service for $50/two, $75/three, or $100/four.
• Flemming’s Father’s Day Brunch – For a different take on brunch, take Dad to Flemming’s Steak House at the Domain or downtown. For $29.95/person everyone can enjoy a three-course brunch menu that features beef tenderloin, lump crab, and smoked salmon just to name a few choice ingredients. Dad will also get a $25 gift card to use next time he visits Flemming’s which is a nice addition.
• Fonda San Miguel “Beefed Up” Brunch – Fonda’s brunch is a treat at any time, but this Sunday it will be extra special with additions like quail and lamb chops. Brunch is $42.95 you’re guaranteed to walk away fat and happy.
• Paggi House Brunch – For a relaxing Father’s Day brunch, $1 mimosas, and chicken and waffles on the menu, look no further than Paggi House. They will also feature live music on the patio this Sunday to celebrate Dad.

Events Through the End of June

• [FREE] [NEW] June 18: Sunset Supper Featuring Blazing Saddles – As the sun goes down the movie screen goes up on the roof of the Whole Foods Flagship Store downtown. The movie is free and you can buy dinner from the café downstairs. The chefs will even offer a three-course themed meal for just $15 to make it that much more fun. 7:30 pm.
• [FREE] June 19: Tomato Me Crazy Festival at the Farmers Markets – It’s finally tomato season and the farmers markets are celebrating for all they are worth. Enjoy tomato tasting, a tomato spoon race, and chef demos. Most importantly, you’ll be able to buy tomatoes of every shape, size, and color. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Downtown and Sunset Valley Farmers Markets.
• [FREE] June 19: The Thrill of the Grill at Breed and Co. –Austin chef sensation Zack Northcutt, Chef and co-owner of Mulberry, will school you in grilling as he prepares grassfed beef sliders with brioche buns and grilled Hill Country peaches from Engel Farm with Hail Merry Rawnola toppings. You’ll also be able to quench your thirst with ice tea from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Breed & Co. Central location.
• [FREE] June 19: Feed Your Garden, Feed Yourself – If you’ve always wanted to learn the basics of composting, now’s your chance. Gardening and permaculture teacher Dick Pierce will show you how to turn home waste into compost to nourish fresh veggies. Austin Museum of Art Community Room. 2:00 pm.
• [NEW] June 19: Supper Friends Father’s Day Dinner at Swoop House – Visit the lovely Swoop House and enjoy appetizers and a four course meal prepared by 2 Dine 4 catering that features dishes like pan-toasted gnocchi, smoked rainbow trout, and cast iron seared beef ribeye. This is a BYOB event. $44/person plus 18% gratuity. 7:00 pm. Call 512.467.6600 to reserve.
• [Great Value] [NEW] June 19 and June 26: Summer Family Fun At Fall Creek Vineyards – Enjoy a lovely afternoon of wine tasting, music and lunch on the Fall Creek mist-cooled patio. Choose a sandwich of turkey, ham or roast beef with a slice of Swiss or cheddar on home-made wheat bread with pasta salad and a cookie. Adults are treated to a wine tasting and receive a souvenir wine glass, kids can play in the new children’s area, adorned with a children’s playhouse, bocce ball and other yard games. $15/adult, $10/child. 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. Call 325.379.5361 to reserve.
• June 21: Sugar Mama’s Summer Solstice Cupcake Baking Class – Learn the secrets of Sugar Mama’s fantastic cupcakes from the Mama herself. Bake and decorate blackberry cupcakes and vegan peach pie cupcakes. It’s sure to be a fun time. $85/person. 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Call 512.448.3727 to reserve your spot.
• June 22: Alaskan Salmon Wine Dinner – It’s salmon season and Chef Scott Loranc from the Central Market Cooking School will show you five different ways to prepare this healthy and sustainable fish. $65/person. 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Reserve online.
• [NEW] June 22: Hudson’s on the Bend Dickson Wine Dinner – Notable Texas winemaker Lewis Dickson will team up with Hudson’s Executive Chef Kelly Casey to produce their first ever Texas Wine Dinner. Dickson wines are only available at a handful of Texas restaurants, and Hudson’s was one of the first to serve Dickson wines. You’ll enjoy rabbit sausage, heirloom tomato salad, and pecan wood grilled Wagyu beef Flat iron steak, all served with specially selected wines. $85/person plus gratuity. Call 512.266.1369 to reserve.
• [NEW] June 22: Carillon Tomato Festival Dinner – Join Chef Josh Watkins as he celebrates the bounty of summer with a glorious four course dinner. The menu features tomato fennel soup, crab and tomato salad, braised short ribs with red snapper, and tomato sorbet. The Carillon’s service is second to none so you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful evening. Seatings between 5:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Call 512.404.3655 to reserve.
• [NEW] June 22: Wine Dinner with Wes Marshall – Wes Marshall, a columnist for the Austin Chronicle of the author of What’s a Wine Love to Do will discuss wine as everyone enjoys a dinner prepared by Chef Kristian Lenard. The dinner includes a signed copy of Wes’s book. $45/person. 5th Street Seafood restaurant inside the Whole Foods Flagship Store. 6:30 pm. Call 512.542.2243 to RSVP.
• [NEW] June 22: Felton Road New Zealand Wine Dinner at Mirabelle – Meet Felton Road New Zealand winemaker Blair Walter and share a three course meal prepared by the chefs at Mirabelle and paired with specially selected wines. You can look forward to monkfish, duck leg confit, and ribeye. $75/person. 7:00 pm. Call 512.346.7900 to reserve.
• [NEW] June 23: Slow Money Happy Hour at Malverde – In celebration of the recent Slow Money National Gathering in Vermont, the Slow Money folks are throwing a party to share stories and provide an update on Slow Money activity in Texas. Attendance is free and La Condesa will provide drinks and nibbles at happy hour prices. 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm. RSVP online.
• [NEW] June 24: Icon Brand Tasting at Zoot Restaurant –Twin Liquors and Zoot Restaurant are teaming up to give you a special opportunity to try new vintages of some amazing and highly rated wines from around the world. These wines have limited availability and often make Top 100 lists. Zoot will be providing sumptuous appetizers to pair with the wines. Space is limited to 50. 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Call 512.791.2077 or email stewart@winkrestaurant.com to reserve.
• [FREE] [NEW] June 25 – July 4: Central Market Big State, Big Taste Event – For two weeks, the Central Markets of Austin will be focusing on the pride, the products, and the people of Texas. You’ll get to meet the farmers, growers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs who are our neighbors here in our great state. All Texas wine will be 20% off when you purchase three or more bottles. Because this is an ongoing celebration, be sure to stop by the North Lamar and Westgate locations several times in the next couple of weeks to enjoy the full experience.
• [NEW] June 25: Salt & Time Farm to Table Dinner at the Victory Grill – Salt & Time, the newest addition to Austin’s growing charcuterie scene is hosting a dinner featuring a whole roasted Red Waddle pig from Naturally Dolce farms and complimentary Mint Julip’s courtesy of Maker’s Mark. After dinner, stick around to enjoy music from Austin’s Soul Kitchen. $30/person, $100/table of 4, $175/table of 8. Buy tickets online.
• June 26: Watermelon Festival at the Farmers Markets – What’s summer without watermelon, and local farmers markets are celebrating this wonderful fruit just in time for the 4^th of July. There will be a watermelon eating contest and watermelon seed spitting contest as well as chef demos and other fun. 9:00 am – 1:00 pm. Downtown and Sunset Valley Farmers Markets.
• [NEW] June 26: Sustainable Food Center Home Food Preservation Class
  –The markets are full of fresh produce but come winter the glories of summer will be long gone. You can learn to capture summer in a jar in this class provided by the Sustainable Food Center. Get the scoop on canning and pickling techniques and take home the supplies you need to get started. $20/person. 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. St. James Episcopal Church. Call 236-0074 x105 or e-mail jess@sustainablefoodcenter.org to reserve your spot.
• June 26: Texas Artisan Showcase – Presented by Slow Food Austin, this special event will feature “good, clean, and fair” artisan foods from around the state. This family-friendly event will feature live music, a marketplace, silent auction, educational producer demos and a live auction finale by Dai Due Butcher Shop’s Jesse Griffiths. For $60 ($55 for Slow Food members), you’ll get to enjoy 12 tasting stations, plus 6 more chances to revisit your favorites! Each station will serve a small “flight” of samples. Budget-conscious Slow Foodies have the option of a 12-punch ticket for $40 ($35 for Slow Food members). 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Space 12. Buy tickets online.
• [NEW] June 27: gastroGiant TOMATE EN EXCÉS Dinner – gastroGiant is the newest venture from Chef Patrick Hieger of La Condesa and Fino. He’ll be hosting a series of pop-up events around town this summer in interesting spots. This celebration of tomatoes is the first and will feature a six course dinner and tomato-inspired seasonal cocktails. $65/person. 7:00 pm. King-James Ranch. Pay online via the PayPal button on the gastroGiant site.
• [NEW] June 28: Anthony Bourdain Reading and Book Signing at the Paramount – Bourdain is back. Do I need to say much more? He’ll be reading from his new book, Medium Raw, answering questions, and of course signing copies. $10/person for orchestra seats and $12/person for balcony seats. 6:30 pm. Paramount Theater. Purchase tickets online.
• [NEW] June 30: Tipsy Tech Summer Party Punches and Batches – One of the most fun things about summer get-togethers are spiked punches, and there’s no one in town better to teach us how to make them than the Tipsy Texans. You’ll learn a lot and enjoy yourself along the way. $35/person. 6:00 pm -7:30 pm. Purchase tickets online.
• [NEW] June 30: Big State, Big Taste Class with Monica Pope – Chef Pope has built a national reputation cooking the best ingredients from our great state, so she was the natural choice to help Central Market celebrate their Big State, Big Taste event. In this cooking class she’ll teach you her secrets for finding and preparing the best our state has to offer. $65/person. 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Central Market North Lamar. Reserve online.

Eat Well, Do Good

• Roaring Fork’s Cocktails for a Cause – The Roaring Fork at Stonelake Blvd is teaming up with KGSR-FM for this special summer promotion designed to raise awareness and funds for three local charities: Capitol Area Food Bank in June, Lone Star Paralysis Foundation in July and Breast Cancer Resource Center in August. Each month Roaring Fork will feature a signature cocktail and everyone who enjoys said cocktail will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for a grand prize given away at the end of each month. June’s cocktail is Hot Summer Nights – tequila, lime juice, raspberries, and red chile pepper. July features Ginger Melon Fresca – vodka, lime juice, watermelon, raspberries, and ginger ale. And the August cocktail is a Guava Strawberry Margarita – tequila, jumex guava nectar, lime juice, and strawberries. Cocktail prices are $8 and $6 during the nightly 4-7 pm happy hour. The donation is part of the purchase and entitles recipients to one raffle entry. The grand prizes include A VIP pass to Blues on the Green, concert tickets and a Roaring Fork gift card.

Looking Forward to July

• July 1: Sugar Mama’s Summertime Pie Class
  
• July 3: Burgers and Blues at Fall Creek Vineyards
  
• July 11: Gluten Free Cast Iron Cooking Class
  
• July 14: Tipsy Tech Tiki Tiki Tiki
  
• July 22: Kocurek Supper Club at Swoop House – call 512-291-4461 or e-mail kocurekfamilycharcuterie@yahoo.com for more information
  

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