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Just in time for afternoon fun, Malverde introduces a Happy Hour!
April 1, 2009
Fashion-filled (and free) Thursday!
From after-work until the wee hours, you could party your Thursday away at some stellar events:
Soigne Expansion Party – brother store Slate closed, but Soigne expanded into the space and is throwing a party to celebrate! Reopening event with free food and drink, plus 20% off! Check out a lovely spring fashion show too. 6-8pm, 4800 Burnet Rd., Suite 410
Pop-up & Play at Malverde - Cities like New York and LA get fun pop-up shops all the time, but Austin is getting what may well be one of the first (at least not centered around a fest). Austinite designer Elisa Jimenez, a Project Runway: Season 4 contestant and one of Vogue‘s emerging designers to watch, and bag maker Moe Nadel are joining forces for a one-day-only showcase. Look for pieces from three of Jimenez’s lines: Urban Nomads, Hunger World, and Other, from $20 to $225. Nadel will have her sculptural bags on display. 6-9pm, Malverde, 2nd & Guadalupe
Tribeza Happy Hour at El Sol Y La Luna’s new location. Enjoy drink specials and free apps like pork skewers with pineapple and cilantro and smoked salmon dip. Grupo Gruvo’s jazz tunes will fill the night. 6-8pm, 600 E. 6th
Last but certainly not least, we have the private VIP party that kicks off Texas Relays Weekend … I’ll let them say it best with a flyer:
Video Invitation: http://www.allprotexasrelays.com
THE MADISON INCIDENT: A Kick-Off to the celeb-studded weekend I posted on here, this event at The Madison promises lots of Texas Exes football studs getting rowdy. Complimentary VIP admission before 11p, email madison@allprotexasrelays.com by 4pm today.
Here’s the good part, kids; your celebrity hosts:
Michael Huff Raiders
Rod Walker Texas / TEAMBBC.COM
Dr. Miles Gray TEAMBBC.COM
Shannon Ridley TEAMBBC.COM
Doug Gabriel Raiders
Cedrick Benson Bengals
Antoine Harris Falcons
Michael Griffin Titans
Chris Houston Falcons
Derrick Johnson Chiefs
Chris Johnson Raiders
Dominic Rhodes Colts
Play n Skillz Grammy Winning Super-Producers
Aaron Ross Giants
Stanford Routt Raiders
Trenton Shelton Seahawks
Rody White Falcons
Dominique Zeigler 49′ers
Roy Williams Cowboys
Fabian Washington Ravens
Tim Crowder Broncos
Skip Cheatham K104 Radio Program Director
Jonathan Scott Bills
Kasey Studdard Texans
Yep, that’s about a billion Texas Exes.
In the same vein, put in your schedule: THE BELMONT SIGNATURE, a private Texas Relays NFL Celebrity Event by TEAMBBC, Dinner 5p to 12p • Dance until 2a with Dj Gumbo : Top 40 – Hip Hop – Mash Ups
VIP Tix: http://allprotexasrelays.eventbrite.c…; RSVP for VIP admission before 9p at http://www.going.com/texasrelays09
March 27, 2009
Busy Weekend: Wheatsville, workout, Thai food, lights out, run
Wheatsville Co-op Grocery Store Opens its Expansion Saturday at 9am
What will you find in the new addition? Expanded deli with lots of Popcorn Tofu, coffee, and fresh baked bread. Expanded seafood and quick-to-fix meat options in a full service area, including Niman Ranch (free range!) bacon chedder patties, turkey burgers, and Niman Ranch pork loin stuffed with Italian sausage. More to come, but that’s enough to get me there after my …
Free CrossFit Workout!
Under the Bridge at 8:30am or at CrossFit Central at 8 or 9am, get your CrossFit on! (I already posted on this here.)
Keep Austin Spicy Asian Food Festival at Fiesta Gardens, Saturday, 11am – 6pm
$5, but food & drink tickets are sold separately
Lots of cultural events including cooking demos, yoga and tai chi; food by Thai Tara, Caly Pit, Jade Leaves Tea House, Momoko, Deli Bento, Masala Wok, Thai Fresh and more. Benefits SAHELI for Asian Families, SafePlace and Capital Area Food Bank
Daily Juice Cafe’s Earth Hour Celebration
At 8:30pm on Saturday, everyone is supposed to turn out their lights for an hour to conserve electricity and help out mama earth. Do it as you head out the door to Daily Juice Cafe, where free beer and chocolate (raw, of course) await amongst music and new friends. Check out the flier below.
The Statesman Capitol 10,000, Sunday morning
@carrozza (RunTex’s Paul Carrozza) says “This year’s Cap 10 is the biggest in years.. today and tomorrow are Packet pickup at the Crockett Center,” so lace up your sneaks because it’s not too late to enter!
March 26, 2009
Thursday – Sorry for the late notice!
I totally meant to post these sooner, but got too excited about the 70% off sale! And tonight I’m going to the Justin Timberlake Singalong at Alamo Ritz, BUT here are two other things to check out if you don’t have plans and read the blog in time:
Dazed And Confused w/ Richard Linklater & Brewster McCracken at Alamo Drafthouse Lamar, 7 pm. Writer-director Richard Linklater’s answer to American Graffiti, 1993’s Dazed And Confused is considered a stoner classic for its dusk-to-dawn party atmosphere, but it’s more melancholy than its reputation might suggest. With no greater ambition than securing Aerosmith tickets in the morning, Linklater’s aimless characters go through various rites of passage on the last day of school, each a little apprehensive about making a new transition. As such, it’s a strange choice for a mayoral campaign fundraiser—but then, the candidate in question is the very progressive Brewster McCracken, fervent supporter of Austin’s film industry, so it’s easy to see why Linklater would throw this screening party for him. Here’s hoping McCracken’s own “morning after” is a little less bittersweet. [This is probably sold out, but I don't know]
This, however, is open for business:
March 25, 2009
Art + Style Happy Hour
Art Alliance Austin kicks off a month-long Second Street ART + STYLE series with a happy hour at new hot spots La Condesa and upstairs bar Malverde (if you haven’t heard of these two, you clearly don’t read my blog enough. I’ve raved about the drinks too many times to count, and the food isn’t half bad either, if expensive…) today from 6-8PM.
Complimentary appetizers (!!!) and 42 Below Vodka drink specials
Artists Sodalitas and Cruz Ortiz will discuss their works currently installed at La Condesa and Malverde.
2ndstreetdistrict.com or the flier below for more details:
March 22, 2009
TRIO at the Four Seasons Introduces a Happy Hour!
I’ve raved about TRIO more times than probably any other restaurant, but it isn’t necessarily a low-budget night out. Enter Happy Hour. Now one of the city’s finest restaurants and wine-spots is offering a Happy Hour Monday through Saturday from 5-8pm!
1/2 off appetizers and 1/2 off wines by the glass in the TRIO Wine Bar area; happy hour guests also enjoy complimentary valet parking
The TRIO wine bar sits on the lower level of the hotel, in view of the green lawn and Lady Bird Lake. The time is perfect for a light dinner or after-work drinks, the price is a way-cheap $3.50-$8 for appetizers and $3.50-$9.50 for glasses of wine, and I’m sure if you ask reeeeeally nicely you could probably request one of their AMAZING Popovers…
BONUS: Since this week is their first week offering happy hour, they’re giving away a FREE appetizer AND glass of wine to the first 20 people that show up EVERY DAY. Get thee to TRIO, stat!
A refresher on the kind of thing TRIO offers (free range beef!):
(the popover):
Popover at Trio
March 17, 2009
SXSW 2009: Tuesday’s Schedule + St. Patty’s Day!
A big day for downtown, to be sure!
As far as SXSW goes, not too big of a day though. BMI circulated an email this morning clarifying that even if you RSVPed, unless a BMI employee invited you or you’ve got a badge, you’re not getting in. So scratch Howdy Texas at Stubb’s off your to-do list. That leaves only these two:
5-7:30pm – Party with Kitchen Sisters at Ranch 616 (free apps + margaritas)
6pm-2am – Art Disaster 8 at Beauty Bar (happy hour, open bar from 8:30-10pm, not sure after that)
Or, resign yourself to paying for green beer and head to Fado/Fourth Street, where the street closes and people party under tents in the street outside …
March 13, 2009
So you want to go to happy hour?
Because I’m thinking of it today.
Gingerman
Through my exhaustive (and exhausting) SXSW research, I stumbled upon a party serving Vermont’s Magic Hat beer–to which I got super-excited, Twittered about, turns out Magic Hat is ON TWITTER, found me, and let me know that they actually already distribute Magic Hat down here! So some research revealed that Austin’s venerable fave the Gingerman has it ON TAP. The place moves into its new digs (a block away) March 21, so a cold Magic Hat could be the perfect farewell.
Others serving Magic Hat: Dog and Duck, Lovejoy’s, Jackalope, Red Eyed Fly and Stubb’s.
FINO
Appetizers are divine. I had heard such a thing, but after the food blogger happy hour, am totally convinced. Fried goat cheese balls with some sweet onions and honey on a little stick? Explosions of deliciousness in my mouth. My first taste of foie gras? [Don't worry, my foodie friend assured me that I am morally okay on eating it, because it's imported, and the ducks in France like being overfed]
A sweet, peanut-buttery-consistency smeared on baguette … far different than I imagined it tasting, too sweet almost, but I was glad to take the nibble.
And the smidgeon of food that might be an entree: a braised lamb on a celeriac puree with arugula microgreens in a cup, here’s a Before:
And after:
Yep, it was that good. And the coriander crusted tuna with mint tatziki? I nibbled on way more slices than is socially appropriate–I even tried to snag a slice without a fork.
The drinks were tasty, but only the Paloma Flower, a tequila, grapefruit, egg-white mix stood out from the pack–surprising, given that FINO’s bartender is a world-renowned bartending competitor.
So I feel that I need to go back to make sure all of this deliciousness is still delicious. The owner talked to me extensively about local sourcing, and they try to do it as much as possible. Most of their chicken is free range, as is their pork. Their beef is not usually, but lucky for me, there wasn’t any beef on the tasting menu!
The Belmont
Tried and true, simply one of the best patios in Austin … not that it matters much today. I have a gift card that expires today?
III Forks
As I contemplated the Happy Hour list, a press release landed in my inbox announcing the arrival of happy hour at III Forks! Perfect. Details:
Now open for happy hour Monday through Saturday from 5 to 7pm, Sommelier Danny Payne will offer up some of his favorites from the 4,000-bottle cellar with a Sommelier’s Pick of the Cellar ($5/glass). Happy hour appetizers include Blue Cheese Beef Croustades ($5) with sliced USDA Prime beef; glazed, sesame-topped Ahi Tuna Skewers ($6); house-made III Forks Chips ($5) topped with sautéed onions and herbed blue cheese; Cured Blackberry Duck ($6); and seared Golden Sea Scallops ($6) with fresh herbs, toasted peanuts, coconut and shallots. Also look for cocktail specials and $5 martinis, including the Capital City Martini. 111 Lavaca St.
March 12, 2009
Thursday: Spas + Jewels + new bars
As usual, Thursday night is packed with stuff. Don’t let the cold, dreary rain keep you from partying! This particular Thursday is the last before the SXSW madness strikes, but Cuatro’s is getting in on the fun early with some sort of college party, see my spreadsheet (tab: SXSW 2009) for more details.
As far as the other events go, not gonna lie, often a jewelry launch or boutique party is just like every one before it. But this one features some snacks and drinks I particularly love, so I can’t help but be excited for local vodka Savvy, the delicious Blue Note Bakery I discovered at a wedding event, and the sushi of Imperia. Three things I like, jewelry is just an added bonus.
Sabia’s Spring Mixer, 5-8pm
The spa extraordinaire and apothecary is settling into new 5th Street digs and throwing a Spring Mixer to celebrate, featuring champagne and treats, chair massage, woods lamp skin analysis, & a gift with any $100 purchase. 1213 West 5th Street, Suite B1
TRIBEZA Happy Hour, 6-8pm
Join TRIBEZA at Austin’s newest upscale lounge Submerged. Located at 2nd & Trinity (333 E. Second St.) across from the Austin Convention Center, enjoy complimentary appetizers from across the street neighbor Fleming’s. DJ Ntenz spins.
March 10, 2009
Austin Monthly Home
I’ve got an article in this issue–Picture This–so it’s definitely worth checking out! 
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