Austin Foodie Bits ~ Food and Wine Events, Super Bowl 2011 Special Edition

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I don’t know about y’all, but I’m about done with this crazy weather. Cold is just no fun when the city infrastructure isn’t well-equipped for it. And what’s with the rolling blackouts? But enough of my rant – let’s talk food and drink!

This special edition of foodie bits not only includes the regular roundup for events for the next several weeks, but a special section on opportunities to watch the Super Bowl while still enjoying good food. While most bars around town will have drink specials, a few restaurants and food-focused bars are a foodie’s best bet because they don’t skimp on the tasty eats. And because there’s so much to get to this week, let’s jump right in.

Valentine’s Day is in a mere 10 days? Do you have plan? Do you have reservation? Do I need to remind you you’ll be sorry if you don’t? I didn’t think so.

Super Bowl Specials

Sadly, bar food is often greasy and not the most palatable of offerings, but sometimes we suck it up to enjoy a game in the company of our fellow fans. I’m happy to report that you can watch the Packers and the Steelers clash like the titans they are in the company of fans, good libations, and tasty food at these spots around town.

• Alamo Draft House – Watch the game on the biggest screens in town while you enjoy food specials like Green Bay Cheese Curds and the Ben Rothlis-burger. Purchase a $5 food voucher to reserve your spot at the Ritz, Lake Creek, or Village.
• Cho Sushi – If you’re out in the Steiner Ranch or Lakeway area, enjoy a sushi-inspired Super Bowl party featuring Kobe sliders, pints of Sapporo, and happy hour priced sushi.
• Eddie V’s and Roaring Fork– Okay, even if you’re not a huge fan of football, this deal is worth the effort to get out on Super Bowl Sunday: buy one entrée and the second (of lesser value of course) is free. Be sure to make a reservation via OpenTable so you can get a seat.
• Fleming’s – Watch the Super Bowl in style and enjoy a three course prime rib dinner for $29.95/person. With Fleming’s great wine by the glass menu you can try a couple of new wines while you’re at it. If prime rib isn’t quite what you’re up for, they will also feature their “5 for 6 ’til 7” menu all night long.
• Haddingtons – Our new Gastro Pub will be showing the game in their Fox Tavern area and will have beer on tap specials as well as half-off sandwiches and snacks. This is your best option if you want a great pub experience with really great food.
• Santa Rita – Go Tex-Mex for the game and enjoy happy hour pricing on all appetizers, plus $2 Draft Miller Lite and XX Lager & $3 Frozen Margaritas.
• Urban at the Domain – Watch the game in HD on their 10 foot screen and if you wear your team’s jersey you’ll get a free beer. For snacks and dinner try beer brats, sliders, shiner pizza, chili and more, starting at $6.
• Vino Vino – Watch the game at this lovely neighborhood wine bar and enjoy the tasty dishes from their kitchen. The special menu includes burgers, brats, and fish and chips along with $3 glasses of red and white wine and $2.50 drafts.

Be Spontaneous – This Week’s Events

• February 4: Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top Pura Vida Tequila Autograph Signing – Crafting their own spirits seems to be all the rage with celebs these days, and now Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame (and who played Angela’s dad on Bones) is no exception. He’ll be signing bottles of his tequila so you can meet him and ogle his impressive beard. Price varies based on how much tequila you buy. Twin Liquors Hancock. 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.
• February 5: West Coast Red Wine Tasting – Red wine with a rich dish like beef stew or braised short ribs are perfect in this cold weather. To find the perfect red wine for this equation, join the folks at the Austin Wine Merchant to try some of their favorite west coast favorites like Soter Vineyards Pinot Noir and Pellegrini Cloverdale Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon. Free. 11:00 am – 12:30 pm.
• February 5: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner Reception – The closing reception for the sold-out Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner event will feature fantastic desserts and a celebration of the great work done by Project Transitions. And it’s a perfect chance to get gussied up and get out of the house after our days of inclement weather. $40/person. Nest Modern. 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm. Purchase tickets online.
• February 7-10: Free Cheese! – Our favorite local cheese shop, Antonelli’s Cheese, is celebrating their first year in business. We’re so lucky to have their expertise in our town, and we’re even luckier that they’ll be sharing free cheese via some local restaurants like FINO, ASTI, El Arbol, 24Diner, and more during their birthday week. So go visit one of their partner restaurants for a great meal and some free cheese!
• February 9 – 14: Central Market Chocolate Fest – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Central Market is celebrating Chocolate Fest. They’ll be featuring special chocolate confections they have sourced from around the world as well as the perfect partners for chocolate including wine, beer (think Chocolate Stout), bacon, cheese, and more. As you plan a gift or a menu for that special someone be sure to stop by and ask a Foodie to help you find the chocolate that’s just right. Central Market North Lamar and South Lamar.
• February 11: Supper Friends Supper Club – Enjoy an intimate supper club at the lovely SWOOP House with a delectable dinner prepared by the 2Dine4 team. The menu features crab sofrito, duck confit, and chocolate burbon pecan pie (and that’s just the beginning). It’s also BYOB, so you can bring along your favorite beverage. $60/person. Call 512.467.6600 by 5:00 PM on February 4 to reserve.
• February 11 – 14: Love Is in the Mix Mixology Nights – Urban American Grill at the Domain is combining food, cocktails, and music for special dinners during Valentine’s Day week. You’ll not only enjoy your three-course dinner with musical accompaniment, but local mixologists Lisa Messelt and David Alan will teach you about the drinks that accompany your three course dinner. This isn’t your average prix fixe menu and your special someone will appreciate the experience. $55/person ($42/person without drinks). Urban American Grill at the Westin Domain. Reservations available between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm. Call 512.490.1511 or e-mail apolk@westinaustinatthedomain.com.

Plan Ahead – Events in the Next Three Weeks

• February 13: Not Your Grandmother’s Sherry Tasting, $54/person; Highball, 6:00 pm.
• February 14: Alamo Draft House Valentine’s Day Feasts, $75/person; Alamo Village, Alamo South Lamar, Alamo Lake Creek, Alamo Ritz
• February 16: Supper Friends Super Club, $60/person; SWOOP House, 7:15 pm.
• February 16: Goldschmidt Wine Dinner, $65/person; Jack Allen’s Kitchen, 7:00 pm.
• February 19: Beer and Chocolate Class, $35/person; NXNW Brewery.
• February 20: Chef Diablo Does TexMex with Vino, $60/person; Central Market Cooking School, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm.
• February 20: Whole Hog Butchery Class, $125/person; Kocurek Family Charcuterie, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
• February 25-26: Foodways Texas Symposium, $225/person; Texas A&M University Galveston.
• February 26-27: Austin Cake Show, $10/day or $17/weekend; North Austin Event Center.
• February 26: Supper Friends Super Club, $60/person; Wild Onion Ranch, 7:15 pm.
• February 27: Olympic Gold Medalist Cooks Freestyle, $45/person; Central Market Cooking School, 11:00 am – 1:30 pm.