Event Menu
March 20-27
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., March 21, 2008
Former Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower and co-author Susan DeMarco invite you to the book launch party for their newly published rabble-rousing tome, Swim Against the Current – Even a Dead Fish Can Go With the Flow (Wiley & Sons). The party at Boggy Creek Farm (3414 Lyons Rd.) will feature signature dishes from local restaurants and live music. A $10 donation to the Texas Organic Gardeners & Farmers Organization is suggested. Thursday, March 20, 5-8pm.
The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas (www.winefoodfoundation.org) hosts an international wine-tasting with Robert Mondavi's Folio Fine Wine Partners at the Four Seasons Hotel (98 San Jacinto) this evening. Tickets are $50 for foundation members and $60 for the general public. We're told this is an incredible bargain, considering the wines that will be available. Call 327-7555 for tickets, or buy them at the door. Thursday, March 20, 6:30-9pm.
The newest Passaporto d'Italia at Andiamo Ristorante (2521 Rutland Dr., 719-3377, www.andiamoitaliano.com) offers a virtual tour of the foods and wines of the Veneto region during the coming week; the menu is available at dinner Friday, March 21, through Saturday, March 29. While you're there, ask about the new series of wine-and-food-pairing seminars that begins on March 25 and the continuation of their Italian Movie Nights with Roberto Benigni's The Tiger and the Snow on March 31.
The Central Texas Tolbert Chili Group (www.centraltexaschili.com), the Lockhart Chamber of Commerce, and the city of Lockhart host the second annual Tolbert Texas State Chili Championship competition in Lockhart's City Park. Prizes will be awarded for chili, brisket, ribs, beans, booth showmanship, and Bloody Marys. The Top 3 chili winners will be eligible to cook "behind the store" at Terlingua in November. Festivities kick off with dancing at the cooks party on Friday night. Judging and awards are Saturday afternoon. All events are free. March 21-22: Friday, 7-10pm; Saturday, 10am-6pm.
Sunset Valley Farmers Market (Toney Burger Center parking lot on Highway 290 West, www.sunsetvalleyfarmersmarket.org) celebrates its annual Easter Bunny Extravaganza & Spring Fling this weekend with egg-decorating, egg hunts, and an appearance by the Easter bunny. Saturday, March 22, 9am-1pm.
That ol' Easter bunny will be busy this weekend; we're told he/she will also put in an appearance at the Easter Brunch Buffet at the Renaissance Austin Hotel (9721 Arboretum Blvd., 343-2626). The Easter bunny will be available from 11am-2pm, and there will be a festive Easter egg hunt at 1pm. Brunch is $49 for adults, $19.95 for children 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and under. Sunday, March 23, 11am-3pm.
Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill (1110 W. Sixth, 478-5355, www.ztejas.com) hosts a Tiara Tuesday benefit for SafePlace. Professional women are invited to enjoy an evening of networking, drinking, and noshing at happy-hour prices while bidding on silent-auction items. Tuesday, March 25, 6-8pm.
The Austin Wine Bat series of Wednesday Night Wine Dinners continues at Green Pastures (811 W. Live Oak, 444-4747) through April 16. Each evening will include a seven-course dinner prepared by chef Charles Bloemsma, paired with different wines for every course, for $59 per person plus tax and gratuity. Make necessary reservations by calling 961-6151. Wednesdays, 7pm, March 26, April 2, 9, & 16.
