Event Menu

• Stroll into the Belmont (305 W. Sixth, 457-0300, www.thebelmontaustin.com) Thursday for an early-bidding opportunity on the custom-designed teddy bears available at the Beary Stylish Auction Preview Party. The $5 donation at the door benefits the Austin Children's Shelter; festivities will include live music, creative cocktails mixed by the Daily Juice After Dark, complimentary appetizers, and eBay bidding stations in the Beary Stylish Bidding Lounge on the patio. Thursday, July 24, 7pm.

• The Rio Grande (301 San Jacinto, 476-8300, www.riograndemexican.com) celebrates the agave plant with its very own holiday, National Tequila Day. Enjoy menu specials, selected tequila tastings, prizes, and giveaways. Thursday, July 24, 5-11pm.

• Chile-heads with a flair for desserts will want to consider submitting a dessert recipe to the Best Chile Dessert contest, sponsored by Z'Tejas Southwestern Grill (three locations around town) in anticipation of the annual Chile Bash. A panel of celebrity judges will choose the winning recipe, which will then be featured on Z'Tejas menus Sept. 2-21. See complete contest details at www.ztejas.com. Original recipes must be submitted by Monday, July 28.

• 34th Street Cafe (1005 W. 34th, 371-3400) transforms into Lounge 34 the last Saturday of every month this summer. Enjoy chef Raif's take on Spanish tapas paired with Sangria, Spanish Cavas, and white Porto fizzes, while DJ Blake spins Latin tunes. $22 per person, $38 per couple. Make required reservations at [email protected] or 323-2000. Saturday, July 25, 10pm-12mid.

• Jasper's (11506 Century Oaks, 834-4111, www.jaspers-restaurant.com) chef/owner Kent Rathbun hosts a five-course Wisconsin Cheese and Wine Dinner featuring master artisan cheesemaker Sid Cook and the wines of Clos du Bois. $85 a person plus tax; reservations required. Tuesday, July 29, 6:30pm.