Meal Times

AUSTIN RESTAURANT WEEK Restaurants all over the city will be offering special two or three course fixed-price menus from $11-17 for lunch, $17 for brunch at select locations, and $27-37 for dinners during Austin Restaurant Week. Proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels and More. The website has a complete list of participating restaurants. Sept. 23-26 and Sept. 30-Oct. 3 www.restaurantweekaustin.com

BOURBON HERITAGE MONTH DINNER Adam Harris of Jim Beam Distillery will join chef David Griffin in presenting a three course meal with bourbon in each course paired with a custom bourbon cocktail. Reserve by phone. Fri., Sept. 28, 5-10pm. (2012) Austin Cake Ball Kitchen & Bar, 3401 Esperanza Crossing #104, 512/215-3633. $35. www.austincakeball.com/kitchenandbar

FOOD FOR BLACK THOUGHT SYMPOSIUM This symposium led by scholars, community organizers, and culinary professionals will explore Black experiences with the social, political, historical, and economic aspects of food, over two days of seminars, discussions, readings, meals, and documentary film screenings. The daytime event on Friday will take place on the UT campus, while the film screening Friday night and all the Saturday sessions will be held at the Carver Cultural Center. All events are free and open to the public. Go online for a complete schedule. Fri., Sept. 28, 11am-9:30pm; Sat., Sept. 29, 11am-6pm Warfield Center for African American Studies at UT, Jester A232A; Carver Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina. www.utexas.edu/cola/centers/caaas/events/24115

MASSAGE & MIMOSA BRUNCH WITH AUSTIN BEAUTY GUIDE Enjoy a $17 brunch during Austin Restaurant Week. With a $10 donation to Meals on Wheels, get a complimentary mimosa and a chair massage by Massage Harmony. Sun., Sept. 30, 11:30am-1:30pm. (2012) Paggi House, 200 Lee Barton, 512/473-3700. www.paggihouse.com

OKTOBERFEST MEAT & GREET Chef Zach Northcutt is creating three distinctive, German-inspired sausages for the fifth monthly party and mixologist Justin Elliott will present a special drink menu featuring German beers and custom cocktails. Mon., Oct. 1, 7pm. (2012) Volstead Lounge, 1500 E. Sixth, 512/680-0532. www.facebook.com

SULLIVAN'S PINK MENU FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS All month long Sullivan's Steakhouse, 300 Colorado #200, 495-6504. $39.95. www.sullivanssteakhouse.com

LET THEM EAT CAKE! AMOA-Arthouse and Edible Austin present the exhibition of Collection Selections: De-Luxe in the Driscoll Villa enhanced by sweets and libations created by some of Austin's finest culinary artisans. Tue., Oct. 2, 8-10pm. (2012) Driscoll Villa at Laguna Gloria, 3809 W. 35th, 512/458-8191. $20 ($15, members).

OKTOBERFEST HAPPY HOUR Join Young Professionals for People's at a happy hour to benefit the People's Community Clinic. Black Star will serve handcrafted brews and locally sourced, farm-fresh food. Email to RSVP. Tue., Oct. 2, 5:30-7:30pm. (2012) Black Star Co-op Pub and Brewery, 7020 Easy Wind #100, 512/452-2337. katiev@austinpcc.org, www.blackstar.coop

WINE ME DINE ME DINNER Fall Creek Vineyards owners Ed and Susan Auler will be the guest winemakers at this month's multicourse dinner. They'll discuss the history of the modern Texas wine industry and pour some of their best wines. Reserve by phone. Tue., Oct. 2, 6pm. (2012) Cafe Josie, 1200-B W. Sixth, 512/322-9226. $69. www.cafejosie.com

26TH ANNUAL GRUENE MUSIC & WINE FEST This festival offers four days of delightful wine, food, and music events in historic Gruene. For complete details and tickets, call or go online. Thu.-Sun., Oct. 4-7 Gruene Historic District, New Braunfels, 830/629-5077. www.gruenemusicandwinefest.org