Bloody Marys and Tamales for the Weekend

Remembering an Austin classic, and more local bites.

Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew "Barbecue Wife" Catherine Stiles hosts a Christmas shopping pop-up party in the restaurant's private event space where guest can shop for gift items from No. 4 St. James, Kathy Armstrong Designs jewelry, Yellowbird Sauce, and Barbecue Wife signature Bloody Mary mix. Folks who bring their own vodka can have a Bloody Mary whipped up right on the spot. Saturday, Dec. 12, noon-5pm.

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Back by popular demand, both outlets of Santa Rita Tex Mex Cantina are offering freshly made chicken tomatillo or pork adobo tamales from Dec. 11- 24. The tamales will show up in dishes on both the lunch and dinner menus and can also be ordered for $16 a dozen to take out from either location. No phone orders accepted.

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Flat Creek Estates offers the opportunity to create a very unique Christmas gift for the port lover on your list. This year, they'll let you bottle your own port. For $65, each participant in the port bottling process will receive one bottle of port plus a glass of wine of champagne, with each extra bottle of port being $40.

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Friends and extended family of international chef Terence Anthony “Tony” McGonagle will gather for a celebration of his life this weekend. Originally from Birmingham, England, Tony spent the late Seventies and Eighties working in Austin at such restaurants as Mike & Charlies, English's, Carmelo's, and his own Moonlight Cafe. After leaving Austin, he worked at various places around the country, including Florida and Alaska. Most recently, he'd been running a small fishing resort near Seward, Alaska, where he died unexpectedly after a short illness on August 26, 2015. Tony's former sister-in-law, Beth Rolinson, is organizing a pot luck luncheon at the picnic tables just above the Zilker Hillside Theater. Bring a dish to share and you favorite memories of McGonagle. Sunday, Dec. 13 at noon.