Late October Food Event-Palooza

October is always a wildly popular month for special events in Austin, but this year the calendar is packed with more delicious choices than ever before. Between this list and our regular weekly Meal Times listings, if you can’t find more than one tasty event to attend every day, you’re just not trying hard enough

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd 7:00-10:00pm

Austin Film Festival’s 11th Annual Film & Food Gala

The Mezzanine of the historic Driskill Hotel (6th & Brazos) is the setting for this party that kicks off the film festival every year and benefits the AFF’s Young Filmmaker Program. The menu always offers signature bites from many of Austin’s top restaurant chefs and the wine and cocktails flow freely. Rub elbows with the featured screenwriters in town for the festival and bid on very cool silent auction items. Tickets are available here and at the door: $80 for AFF members; $100 advance; $125 walk-up.

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd 7:00pm

34th Street Café Chef’s Table Dinner (1005 W. 34th St.)

Executive chef Jason Tallent presents a four-course international meal based on locally-sourced ingredients, paired with wines from Spain, Argentina, Italy, and France. $75; make reservations here.

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd through Sunday, Nov. 3rd

Salty Sow Spooky Sips and Haunted Parts Menu (1917 Manor Rd.)

The proprietors of Salty Sow swear the little house that is part of the business is home to the ghost of legendary Austin jazz piano man Robert Shaw, a former tenant. In honor of Shaw and in the spirit of Halloween, indulge in a Piano Man or Corpse Reviver ’85 cocktail and order something from chef Harold Marmulstein’s specially designed offal menu of beef and pork parts.

Thursday, Oct. 24th 6:00-9:00pm

La Dolce Vita at Laguna Gloria (3809 W. 35th)

The pastoral grounds of the lakeside estate of Laguna Gloria will be resplendent in twinkling lights and festive booths offering dishes from some of Austin’s best restaurants, overseen by honorary chef event chef David Bull. Visit the sold-out cocktail lounge with drinks curated by Tipsy Texan David Alan and enjoy wines from some of Texas’ award-winning vintners. As always, there will be music for dancing and a festive atmosphere. There is no on-site parking at Laguna Gloria, so plan to park in the TxDot lot and ride the shuttle. Tickets are $150, available here.

Thursday, Oct. 24th 7:00-9:00pm

Dames Across Texas at the AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center (1900 University)

The Austin chapter of this women’s culinary service organization is hosting the Les Dames d’Escoffier annual convention this weekend and this sip and stroll tasting is the only public event. This party will showcase foods and wines from the companies of Texas Dames and the proceeds will benefit the chapter’s culinary scholarship fund. Tickets are $45 for members and $55 for the general public; available at the door and here.

Thursday, Oct. 24th 6:00pm

Live at the Switch - Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew (6610 N. Lamar Blvd.)

Enjoy music on the patio from the Patton Sparks Band while the folks from Independence Brewing are on hand for an Austin Amber pint night.

Thursday, Oct. 24th Zed’s Restaurant Reopens (501 Canyon Ridge)

This attractive watering hole is reopening with an expanded bar that’s now offering a selection of local craft beers and Hill Country wines, comfortable dining rooms showcasing an American regional menu, and lovely covered patio for al fresco dining. Open daily at 11am and the bar stays open until midnight Thursday through Saturday.

Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 25th-26th

Texas Book Festival Cooking Tent, Food Truck Vendors, & TMBBQ ‘Cue Court (Capitol of Texas grounds, 11th St,. and Congress Ave.)

A stellar line-up of Texas and visiting authors will headline the H-E-B Cooking tent and participate in panel discussions during the festival. The food vendor line-up along 11th St. in front of the Capitol will include Travaasa Austin (locally-sourced, organic dishes); Heros Gyros (beef & lamb, chicken, veggie, and falafel gyros);Crepe Crazy (sweet and savory crepes);Lavassa Espression (Italian food, gelato, and coffee drinks); Hey Cupcake ! (local cupcakes); Amy’s Ice Cream (limited flavors); and Snowie Shaved Ice (snow cones with an array of syrup choices). The new feature this year is the Texas Monthly BBQ ‘Cue Court (Congress Ave. and Ninth St.) featuring three barbecue vendors from their popular Top 50 in Texas list: Two Bros. BBQ Market from San Antonio, Blue Ox BBQ, and a mash-up of Miller’s Smokehouse and the Peached Tortilla.

Saturday, Oct. 26th 5:15pm

Dog Days - On Nation Underdog at Galaxy Highland 10 (6700 Middle Fiskville Rd.)

This documentary feature screening is part of the Austin Film Festival. The timely subject matter about struggling food truck entrepreneurs should appeal to food truck-loving Austinites and director Laura Hinson will be in attendance at the screening. The filmmakers also intend to participate in the Truck by Truckwest Trailer crawl that kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 29th at the Trailer Food Tuesday on the Long Center Terrace. Movie trailer here.

Sunday, Oct. 27th 3:00pm

All of Me -A story of love, loss, and last resorts at Galaxy Highland 10 (6700 Middle Fiskville Rd.)

Alexandra Lescaze’s AFF entry follows a group of obese girlfriends as they bond over food and shared experiences, then observes as the group drifts apart after some members have weight loss surgery and their lives change forever. The director will attend this screening.