Food-o-File

Even though the grand opening isn't scheduled until May 7, Contigo Austin (2707 Anchor Ln.) is already the most popular new hangout in the Mueller neighborhood. Crowds have been flocking to the shady new spot with plenty of outside seating; a rustic, meaty, ranch-inspired menu; and a well-stocked bar serving custom cocktails, local draft brews, and a few wines. Owners Ben Edgerton and Andrew Wiseheart opened quietly a couple of weeks ago, and their new place has already been enthusiastically embraced by neighbors.

Another new spot that's attracting crowds is the Warehouse District's TenOak (409 Colorado), a new bourbon house and lounge from Michael Girard and Diggy Taylor. The decor of the new place pays homage to bourbon's oak barrels and copper stills, featuring a menu of small, shareable plates of Southern comfort food complemented by a small-batch bourbon collection, designer "elixirs," and a selection of local craft brews on tap. TenOak is hosting a royal wedding viewing party complete with a Moonlight Bakery wedding cake, breakfast, and a complimentary Champagne toast on Friday, April 29, from 3:30am to 11am.

We wish the best of luck to Caffe Medici baristas Lorenzo Perkins and Jonathan Aldrich, who will spend this weekend in Hous­ton competing in the United States Barista Championship Brewers Cup. They will manually prepare cups of Cuvée Coffee's new Kenyan Kumurambe coffee to be judged on aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, and balance. Winners in this competition will be eligible to compete in the 2011 World Brewers Cup in June.

Friends of Central Market beer and wine manager Seth Pollard are hosting a benefit to help Pollard and his family cover the costs of recommended post-cancer stem-cell therapy. Drop by the Scoot Inn (1308 E. Fourth) on Saturday, April 30, from 3:30pm to 8pm, to enjoy some live music and make a donation. Find more info at www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=212395655453324.

Kudos to local food blogger Jodi Bart and the legions of fans who voted for her to win the recent Whole Foods Foodie Fantasy contest. Bart and a guest will eat their way through Paris; Bruges, Belgium; Amsterdam; and Berlin, and I'm sure we'll read all about it at www.tastytouring.com. You go, girl!

Gardening enthusiasts and would-be gardeners alike will want to check out Austin's various community gardens at the second annual Community Garden Tour this Sunday, May 1, from 10am to 4pm. The free garden tour will be followed by a panel discussion and local food potluck supper at 5604 Manor from 6pm to 8:30pm. The panel and potluck are also free, but space will be limited, so RSVP at www.communitygardensaustin.org. Be sure to bring a dish made with local ingredients, as well as your own plates and utensils.

Joey "Saucy Balls" Galluzzi and his Brooklyn Meatball Co. concept made it into the finals of NBC's America's Next Great Restau­rant reality competition show. The winner will be revealed this Sunday, May 1, at 7pm.