Food-O-File

Kon-Tiki Party Barge on Lake Travis

Reservations, 327-0000

A nice way to enjoy the picture-perfect fall weather October usually brings to Austin would be to round up from 15 to 40 of your nearest and dearest and rent the Kon-Tiki, a festive new Lake Austin party barge. The 45 ft. covered pontoon barge departs from the dock at Jeff's Marina Cafe, roughly across the lake from the Hula Hut. Owner/operator Dr. Walter Meier (former owner of Heidi's German Bakery) is willing to make arrangements to pick up clients at alternative dock locations, if possible, and says that the standard Kon-Tiki trip runs from the dam area to the 360 Bridge and back - about 3 hours. The basic rental cost is $20 per person if guests bring their own food and drink; more if the Kon-Tiki provides catering.

DINE WITH JORDAN WINES

Sfuzzi Fall Menu Wine Dinner

311 W. Sixth, 476-8100 ($50 per person)

Sfuzzi continues its series as an alternative to that famous Monday night sports tradition. During the first quarter you can enjoy Warm Roasted Foie Gras with an Apple Compote and a 1992 Chardonnay; half-time refreshments consist of a Terrine of Autumn Vegetables and Goat Cheese served with a 1991 Cabernet Sauvignon. The game winning entrée is a Grilled Venison and Sweet Potato Polenta with Black Fig and Bordeaux Sauce, complemented by an Estate Bottle of 1988 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon. The post-game highlight is a Poached Pear with Hazelnut Mascarpone and a glass of "J" Sparkling Wine. Call for reserved seats.

TELL IT LIKE IT ISN'T

Wolf Brand Chili Texas Tall Tale Contest

3131 Turtle Creek Blvd., Suite 500

Dallas, Texas 75219

If your quest to win a food-related contest is hampered by a lack of cooking skills, never fear. The Wolf Brand Chili Company is celebrating it's centennial with a Texas Tall Tale Contest. Contestants 18 years or older are encouraged to use Texas humor to highlight or exaggerate some aspect of Texas life (historical or current events, famous Texans, etc.) in a 500 word story. The writers must mention the terms "Wolf Brand Chili" and "100 years" at least once in their stories and entries must be postmarked by December 31, 1995. Prizes include a Big Bend River Rafting Trip plus round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines, a bed and breakfast weekend in Fredericksburg, and a pair of Justin Boots with a Resistol hat. The contest will be judged by Texas authors John Erickson (Hank the Cowdog), Anne Dingus (The Truth About Texas, The Book of Texas Lists), and Skip Hollandsworth, editor of Texas Monthly. Pick up a November issue of Texas Monthly for a complete explanation of the rules and then Write On!

NEVER TOO MANY BAGELS

Bruegger's Bagels Opening Celebration

2514 Guadalupe

October 17, 7am-7pm

Bruegger's Bagels, the largest bagel retailer in the United States, is celebrating the opening of their first of 10 projected Austin locations with day-long festivities. The restaurant is built so patrons can watch bagels being kettle-boiled and hearth baked in the old-fashioned, traditional method. According to their press material, Bruegger's certified bake masters never produce pocketbooks (misshaped bagels with an off-center hole), winkers (an underboiled bagel that swells too much during baking and has no center hole) or bracelets (bagels with a center that is too large). While you are there meeting Bagel Boy, their seven-foot-tall baker, you can check for yourself.

THAI SMORGASBORD

Little Thailand

4315 Caldwell Lane in Del Valle, 247-3855

October 21 and 22

Dick and Surin Simcoe of Little Thailand restaurant invite old and new customers alike to the first Thai Smorgasbord in their brand new location. Diners will sample a menu including spring rolls, fish paddies, lemon grass soup, Thai Beef Salad, Thai curry stir-cook rice and rice noodles, fried bananas, and other various entrées and vegetarian dishes. Complimentary Thai Bloody Marys and Champagne will accompany the meal. Evidently, this is a regular event which fills up quickly, so proprietors urge folks to make reservations early. This sounds like a Thai-Texas celebration of an old Scandinavian tradition that shouldn't be missed.

OCTOBER IS TEXAS WINE MONTH

The Texas Department of Agriculture's Vintage Texas marketing program proclaimed October Texas Wine Month with a ceremony at Randall's in Austin attended by owners of Fall Creek Vineyards of Tow, and Cap*Rock Winery of Lubbock. Texas Wines are growing in sales and popularity and because the wineries are becoming big tourist attractions, The Texas Wine Marketing Institute at Texas Tech has created "Wine Trail" maps of both the High Plains and Hill Country appelation area (call 806/742-3077 for a map). Kick off your winery touring with a visit to A Celebration of Good Health at Fall Creek Vineyards this Saturday October 14, 12-5pm. Visitors can stroll the vineyard, taste the award-winning wines and sample the healthy and delectable cuisine of chef Terry Conlan of Lake Austin Spa Resort. Fall Creek's Austin Office also has a supply of the Wine Trail Maps (476-4477). -Virginia B. Wood