Food-o-File
Sam Eaves swims for another shore, Central Texas barbecue is hotter than ever, and your Valentine's Day is all taken care of
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Jan. 30, 2004
Quality Seafood News
Austin's longtime popular fishmonger Sam Eaves is retiring from the business and has sold his Quality Seafood (5621 Airport, 454-5827, www.qualityseafoodmarket.com) operation to Paul and Carol Huntsberger of Austin. Though Paul Huntsberger has lived in Austin for 30 years, he's an Oregon native who grew up fishing that state's pristine waterways, and he brings years of fishing knowledge with him on deck. The Eaves and the Huntsbergers have been friends and neighbors since their college days in San Marcos, and the sale of the business is a natural transition for both families. After years of travel in the financial services industry, Paul Huntsberger was ready to spend more time with his family in Austin at about the same time Sam Eaves decided he was ready to retire from the fish business and pursue new opportunities. The new owners took over at the end of December, and things are running smoothly. "This business has a very loyal clientele, and we want them to know that our most important commitment is to maintain and preserve the established integrity of Quality Seafood," Paul Huntsberger told me last week. In the near future, look for some sprucing up and expansion of the very popular dining-in facilities at the store.
Texas Barbecue Trail
Central Texas barbecue is a culinary hot topic nationally, and we couldn't be happier! The Epicurious television segment filmed here last summer with genial New York chef Michael Lomonaco as host debuted on the Travel Channel this week and will be replayed on Feb. 17, March 8, and March 24. The crew visited barbecue joints in Taylor, Elgin, and Llano and loved them all, so you don't want to miss it. And based on the model of our own barbecue bus tours for the Southern Foodways Alliance in the summer of 2002, the Saveur Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival is adding three barbecue bus tours to their event package this April. Guests can choose a tour of Austin joints lead by Hoover Alexander and me, a trip to Taylor and Elgin with New York restaurateur Danny Meyer, or another to Lockhart and Gonzales with Houston Press restaurant critic Robb Walsh.
Eat, Drink, Watch Movies
Once again, we've got the best Valentine's Day deal in town for you. In our ongoing joint venture with the Alamo Drafthouse and Austin RentAll Party to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank, we're presenting the quirky romantic comedy Woman on Top starring Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz at the Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 7 and 9:30pm. The film features the sensual foods and music of Brazil, so local Brazilian restaurateur Magna Sampaio and her chef Melba Garcia will prepare a delightful meal complemented by Portuguese wines and port. As if that weren't enough, each couple will receive flowers and a box of chocolates custom-made by Chef Keem of Sweet Venus Delights. That's right, guys, we've thought of everything: dinner, drinks, a romantic movie, candy, and flowers, all for a mere $50 per person. All you have to do is make reservations at www.drafthouse.com.
