Archive for ‘Eating’

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August 25, 2011

Aspen: Wine and Heels

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to attend Aspen’s latest ladies’ night craze: Wine in Heels. It’s a women-only (save for a few media men) wine and food pairing geared toward educating women about wine and food and creating networking opportunities. It works.

Wine in Heels is hosted on top of the Dancing Bear, which is an absolutely amazing location. We were greeted at the door with champagne, then sampled four wines through four flights of wine + food. We did Wine and Asian food, which was a real treat: wine with sushi, tom kha, and steamed buns.

Wine in Heels

Coming up tomorrow is Wine & Comfort Food! Think decadent mac & cheese … from 6-8p, $75. thekitchenhotline.com/wine-heels/

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August 4, 2011

Austin: Paul Petersen at VIVO Lake Creek

I feel a particular affinity for people I’ve interviewed, even if I haven’t really kept tabs on them in quite some time. One of my first major interviews out of college was with Chef Paul Petersen, a legendary Texas chef who had then just made the somewhat controversial move to the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas (where I had coincidentally just visited before I interviewed him). You can download a Gage of Grandeur PDF here, if you care.

The point, however, is that Petersen has returned home to Austin to head up the kitchen at Vivo Lake Creek. Vivo is known for sexy, sometimes healthy Mexican food and orchids in its drinks. Well, that’s how I know it at least. Great first date spot. Wow I can’t manage to stay on point. So Vivo owner Roger Diaz is a lifelong friend of Petersen. Chef Petersen credits Diaz’s three generations of family cooks with inspiring him to get involved in the culinary world from a young age, and he fondly remembers urging Diaz’s mother to reveal her family recipes.

So it’s a match made in the sandbox, being realized today. “It makes so much sense for me to join Vivo,” Chef Petersen says. “Roger’s family and I have been friendly pretty much my whole life, and he’s developed a really successful San Antonio-inspired Tex-Mex restaurant unlike anything else out there. Tex-Mex and Southwestern are in my blood, and by bringing in some barbecue and French influences, we’re elevating the menu even more. It’s a great reason to make the trip to North Austin for dinner and drinks.”

Vivo’s signature dish, the (unhealthy) puffy taco, is “the best on the planet,” and Petersen won’t mess with it. But new Vivo Lake Creek menu staples will include brisket tacos, sweet and savory crab enchiladas served with a signature Vivo sauce; smooth, pan-seared panela cheese with mango-papaya salsa and raspberry puree served with grilled bread; smoked tequila braised pork belly with house made Dr. Pepper chipotle barbecue sauce; and pan roasted scallops with tomato watermelon salsa and tequila prickly pear sauce. Yes.

Vivo Lake Creek is in the Lake Creek Village Shopping Center / (512) 331-4660 / vivo-austin.com.

Sidenote: I was tagging this post and my computer auto-suggested ‘moses’ … have I tagged other posts Moses? Does this post remind my computer of Moses? Puzzling.

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August 2, 2011

Aspen: Why Ellina is Buzzing

When an occasion came along recently for us to celebrate, my number one choice was Ellina. The Vermonster and I had heard plenty of great things about Ellina, but hadn’t gotten a chance to check it out. It’s three seasons old (that’s a summer, winter, and now a summer) but still growing its buzz with the locals. We said we’d stop in for a drink, but got completely sucked in by the bar menu. We ordered one of everything. Literally.

ELlina patioWe sat on the middle patio, a level down from the Hyman Avenue mall but above the dining room. You can order from the bar menu, lounge on couches, and still be outside. It’s pretty awesome.
Ellina aspen drinksSo is the Vermonster’s face … he’s pretty excited about the drinks. The creative concoctions feature fresh juice.

Ellina aspen artichoke and calamariEllina cevicheEllina saladEllina crabcakeWe really did order one of every app on the bar menu. Calamari (legit), roasted artichoke, ceviche (so fresh), spinach salad, and crab cakes, which were sweet enough to be considered dessert. For three drinks and five apps plus tip, we got away for under $100. That’s a total win in Aspen!

The service was impeccable, the atmosphere just right, and the food outstanding. No wonder there’s such a buzz on Ellina. We’ll be back for more of you.

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July 27, 2011

[UPDATED] Drink Me: Mercy Mercy

UPDATE: Thanks to commenter Brian, MERCY has given us a promo code for free shipping! WAHOO! Use discount code “Austin” to get free shipping on ANY order. Try a MERCYRITA and let me know how it goes!

The other day, I accidentally ended up having a small gathering at my apartment. Luckily, we always have tequila and triple sec on hand, so margaritas were easily in store. Then we ran out of lime juice. Though I live above a grocery store, it was past ten pm. Luckily, I remembered that the folks at MERCY, a hangover prevention beverage, were kind enough to send over a few samples. Does this mean I have a problem? No matter, back to my initial problem: Mercyritas?

MERCYRITAS!

Mercy hangover drink

MERCY is a non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverage that contains nutritional supplements proven to protect your body as it processes alcohol. It flushes your system of acetaldehyde, the toxin that causes your hangover, and pumps up your natural defenses with some vitamins. MERCY contains a blend of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and herbs to prevent hangovers. You must drink it BEFORE you have a hangover, which is why a MERCYRITA is a perfect way to enjoy the beverage.

I will admit, I indulged a little that night. And woke hangover-free! (I also made a point of hydrating throughout the night … Belly Up in Aspen has several hydration stations that I was very excited about … more so than usual. MERCY influence?) My friend declared the MERCYRITA “tastes like summer!”

With a kitschy marketing campaign and pleasantly fruity, lightly carbonated taste, MERCY is a nice way to remain hangover free if you’re determined to indulge. They recommend 1 can for every 5 drinks, not to exceed 3 in 24 hours. For now, you can get MERCY mixed into cocktails at The W Austin or order online at drinkmercy.com ($28.50 for 12 cans).

Bottoms up!

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July 19, 2011

Austin: Day ‘o the Week Breakdown

I love nothing more than a theme party, so you can imagine how excited I was to hear that two Austin standbys, old and new, are hosting themed events every day of the work week throughout the summer! Check out the Day ‘o the Week Breakdown for West Sixth’s Star Bar and South Lamar’s Gibson—almost everything includes FREE food!!

Monday

Gibson: Mustache Mondays—$3 Maker’s special all night for everyone with a mustache. All guests receive a free mustache and prizes are awarded to the most impressive ‘stache.

Star Bar: Crock-Pot Creations—complimentary homemade soups or queso bar, all night happy hour and $4 Makers Mark.

Tuesday

Gibson: Trivia Tuesdays—free pub quiz starting at 8p complete with special prizes and bragging rights.

Star Bar: Texas Tuesdays—complimentary Frito pie, $3 local drafts (Live Oak, Independence and 512 brewing),  $3 Deep Eddy regular and sweet tea vodka served in mason jars.

Wednesday

Gibson: Wine Wednesday & Steak Night— complimentary cheese plate from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop (so hot right now!) with each purchase of a half or full bottle of wine beginning at 4p until the plates run out. Half bottle pricing starts at $10 and full bottles start at $15. Luke’s Inside Out also offers a grilled steak paired with two sides for $12 on Wednesdays.

Star Bar: Wine and Cheese Wednesdays–complimentary cheese plate from Antonelli’s Cheese Shop with each purchase of a half or full bottle of wine. Plate includes a variety of cheeses, Italian meats, grapes and flatbread. Half bottle pricing starts at $7 and full bottles start at $19.

Thursday

Gibson: Bubbles n Bitches (and Bingo)—Gibson has added Bingo to their popular Bubbles n Bitches night … In addition to complimentary variety plate of chocolates and strawberries with every order of bubbles, free Bingo begins at 8p with host Trevin from 101x and a chance to win great prizes.

Star Bar: Star Barrio(haha!)—happy hour complete with complimentary homemade salsas and an enchilada bar featuring Ranch 616 enchiladas, rice and beans. Drink specials include Palomas and buckets of iced Mini Sols.

Sunday

Gibson: Sinner Sunday– service industry happy hour all night.

Star Bar: Doublewide Sundays—complimentary chicken and waffles, Pop-Tarts and a variety of cereals. All day happy hour and drink specials include vodka Capri Suns, SunnyD Mimosas, Strawberry Quik White Russians, and $2 Lone Stars.

BONUS! Free Smoothie Fridays from McDonald’s: Try the new Mango Pineapple Real Fruit Smoothie at local participating McDonalds with free samples every Friday in July from 7am – 7pm.

I’m not endorsing your Mickey D’s stops, just letting you know about free stuff. The new Mango Pineapple Real Fruit Smoothie combines mango and pineapple with low-fat yogurt. It’s all about choices—visit this site for McDonald’s nutritional info.

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June 30, 2011

Ben & Jerry’s

Last week, I got the incredible opportunity to join Ben & Jerry’s Millennial Advisory Board. We flew out to Vermont for three days of training, talking, and LOTS of eating ice cream. Here are a few photos:

 

Ben & Jerry's slide

When you first walk in to Ben & Jerry's Corporate, you're greeted by a slide!

me making ice cream

We got to make our own ice cream! My flavor? A Firefly-inspired Sweet Tea Ice Cream with Limoncello swirl and chunks of peach and lemon button cookie.

 

Ben & jerry's Millenial Advisory Board

The entire group—with THE Jerry!

Red Velvet Cake

My new fave flavor: Red Velvet Cake!

 

As if I didn’t already love Ben & Jerry’s, this experience cemented their awesomeness. The people were warm, welcoming, and so obviously happy with their jobs. The ice cream was obviously amazing, AND I learned that they use free-ranging cows from nearby St. Albans Co-op … happy ice cream! What an amazing experience.

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June 24, 2011

Austin: Praise, Pies & Pinatas at HOPE Farmer’s Market

Hope Farmers Market is putting on Praise, Pies & Pinatas during the regularly scheduled market time, 10am-2pm, Sunday, June 26. There will be a FREE Pie social, with coffee and ice cream, pinata workshops and smashing, and praise music from Son Armados and Anthropos Arts! Also, proceeds from donations will benefit Out Youth, a non-profit that supports GLBT youth in Central Texas.

Pie Hope Farmer's Market Austin

Despite the paleness of this poster, I think the PPP event is going to be a blast … pie from Pie Fixes Everything, coffee from Irie Bean Coffee, and plenty of ice cream. You can make your own piñata and/or smash the HOPE Piñata at 1pm.

The festivities are free, but HOPE will gladly and gratefully accept donations. Any proceeds benefit Out Youth, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support and provide services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth ages 12 to 19 in Austin and Central Texas. Any donations will also gain entrance to a raffle for prizes from vendors and neighborhood partners, including Buenos Aires Cafe and Progress Coffee.

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May 17, 2011

Austin Food & Wine Festival

… just another way Austin and Aspen are uniquely synchronized:

The Austin Food & Wine Festival

C3 Presents with Chef Tyson Cole, Chef Tim Love & Jesse Herman are creating the Austin Food & Wine Festival March 30-April 1, 2012 in locations throughout Austin. It is presenting sponsor Food & Wine (yep, the same as Aspen)’s first festival involvement in Texas.

Austin Food and Wine

“Our passion for food is integrated into each of our festivals—with the influence of culinary ambassadors Graham Elliot at Lollapalooza and chef Tim Love at Austin City Limits helping keep the local flavor of each event on par with the entire festival experience,” said Charlie Jones, founding partner of C3 Presents. “It seemed only natural that we expand this passion to host a culinary destination festival in Austin, Texas dedicated solely to food and wine, where the food scene continues to surprise and delight us.”

The popular Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival will turn into a 501 C (3) nonprofit organization called the Austin Food & Wine Foundation and be the designated beneficiary of the Austin Food & Wine Festival.

www.austinfoodandwinefestival.com / facebook.com/austinfoodwine / twitter.com/austinfoodwine

*Aspen just released its one-day Food & Wine tickets for $395.

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May 11, 2011

Nali Loves Nutrish Just 6

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nutrish for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Like her owner, Nali is a picky dog. She noses around in her food to make sure it’s not poisoned before she eats it (I don’t do that), she likes it best if you put a little of your dinner on top, and she doesn’t always eat.

But, like the first time she had Nulo, when I put Rachael Ray’s Nutrish Just 6 in her bowl, she came over to check it out and immediately started scarfing it down.

I interviewed her to ask her how she liked Nutrish Just 6:

… I think she likes it.

Nutrish Just 6 doesn’t have any corn, wheat, or soy (good for dogs AND humans!). It’s a lamb meal-based kibble, with five other ingredients (although really there are more, all relatively harmless and some good: Brown Rice, Ground Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Poultry Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), Natural Chicken Flavor, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Niacin, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Folic Acid.).

Nutrish dog food

Want your pup to try Nutrish Just 6? Click here for a free sample!!

Visit Sponsor's Site

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May 9, 2011

Winners! for Forks Over Knives

I’m glad so many of you entered to win tix to the advanced screening of Forks Over Knives and are interested in health! If you didn’t win, the film opens to the public May 13 at the Arbor, so I still encourage you to go. Without further ado, chosen by random number generator, the five winners:

  1. Kristen: My husband picked up a flier for this at the Steeping Room – this is right up our ally as we’ve recently (over the past year and a half) changed the way we eat… we’d *love* to go see it!!!!
  2. Diana: I would also really love to see this movie. I have recently become more interested in healthy eating after watching a movie called “Food Inc.” and watching a TV show called “Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution”.
  3. Jennifer: It’ll be preaching to the choir, but I would love to see this movie. I need more food proselytizing material.
  4. Leticia: I’m glad more and more films like this are coming out. Now if we could only get schools to force all students (and their parents) to watch this and we’d have a more realistic chance of saving more folks from a lifetime of disease. My diet has improved…but darnit if I’m not still a sugar addict :( I would love to go see this film…& drag my 13 yr old daughter (the one that insists I don’t know what I’m talking about) down there with me!
  5. Email commentor: I would love to win one of the pairs of tickets you have for Forks Over Knives.

Congrats and we all can’t wait to hear your reviews!

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