Food-o-File
What's cooking in the Central Texas food scene.
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., May 17, 2002
New Trends at Weddings
Though I'd rather take a beating with a whip than actually ever cater another wedding myself, I do have a professional interest in trends where weddings are concerned. That's why I was fascinated to hear about two of the hottest new things happening at Austin weddings. It appears that some brides are ordering a decorated cake for the buffet table but also providing small, decorated, individual serving cakes for each guest. Baker Russell Milner, owner of Russell's Bakery & Coffee Shop (3339 Hancock Dr., 419-7877), reports he's been getting more orders for the single-serving cakes and that petit fours are also all the rage again. No sooner than I'd heard this from Milner than I found both decorated single-serving cakes and decorated petit fours in the pastry case at Central Market (4001 N. Lamar, 206-1000; 4521 Westgate, 899-4300). The small cakes and petit fours are special-order items at Russell's or at Central Market. I heard about the other trend from Austin's custom cookie queen Penny McConnell, creator of the exquisitely decorated Penny's Pastries (302-3663). Always looking for new markets, McConnell decided to participate in a couple of bridal shows last year and managed to open up a whole new world of business for her company. This season, Austin brides are choosing custom-decorated cookies for all the events related to their nuptials: wedding bells or interlocking hearts with the names of the bride and groom, individual wedding cake cookies in the bride's colors, place card cookies for showers and parties -- you name it, Penny's will create it! Penny also told me about another project she's got going, an upcoming book called Cookie Stories. McConnell and a co-author have a publisher for the book and are busy compiling personal and family stories about cookies from customers and friends. If you've got a great cookie story, give them a call at 302-3663 and share it for possible inclusion in the book.
Bocaditos
As always, wine dinners are an ongoing attraction in local restaurants. Girasole (219 W. Fourth, 481-0219) will host Kunde Estate winemaker David Noyes for a four-course dinner paired with his wines by chef Daniel Nemec on Tuesday, May 21, at 7pm. Call for reservations... The wine dinners in support of Share Our Strength continue this month, with chef Dave Hermann at The Range in Salado on Sunday, May 19; chef Steve Warner at Eddie V's Edgewater Grill on Monday, May 20; chef David Apthorpe at Mirabelle on Wednesday, May 22; and chef Gregory Dishman at the Y Bar & Grill. There are also four drink-tasting events scheduled throughout the month of June as well as the Wild Beast Feast game dinner on Sunday, June 2. For tickets, call 263-2073 or visit the Web site at www.strength.org/see/taste/events.asp. The folks at Romeo's (1500 Barton Springs Rd., 476-1090; 5800 Burnet Rd., 419-7567) are pleased to announce that their delicious line of pasta sauces and soups has been picked up by Lubbock-based United Supermarkets for sale in grocery stores around Texas. Romeo's Pomodori and Marinara Sauces, Tomato Basil Soup, and salad dressings are available locally at Fresh Plus (1221 West Lynn, 477-8541; 408 E. 43rd, 459-8922) stores as well as both restaurant locations.
