Boil Water Notice Inspires Donations and Creative Drink Options

There’s no better way to start the week than with a city-wide boil water notice, issued this morning (while many were in transit to and from school and work) after what seems like weeks of rain and all the subsequent flooding.

Residents are advised to boil all water used for consumption and reduce their water use in general. With more rain on the way (cue the Eurythmics), one local water purveyor issued a helpful statement in light of the potential debacle: “Richard’s Rainwater, which is unaffected by this ordinance, is donating as much of its real rainwater as possible during this period. If you are a school, nonprofit or shelter in need, please email [email protected] and we will be in touch. Our commitment to Austin is to do our very best to provide clean water in this time of need while supplies last.”

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Fluff Meringues and More celebrates their public Grand Opening on Tuesday, October 23, 5-7pm at the Rosedale Village locale (4800 Burnet Rd, Suite 450). In addition to free samples of the tasty treats – meringues, pavlovas, scones, and more – customers will receive 10% off of the food order, and normal happy hour specials ($2 off wine btg, $8 off bottles, 20% off beer) will be extended. Yes, Virginia, this new patisserie offers savory bites too: cheese plates from Antonelli’s and house-made rosemary crackers, plus as may fancy hot teas as you could drink in a day. In conjunction with The Scout Guide Austin, Fluff will also feature a lovely installation by Melody’s Joy dessert table design. If you hurry, you can sneak in some fresh patio air before the rains descend again, and if not, the bright modern interior is a perfect spot to cozy up.

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On Tuesday, October 23, Jack Allen’s Kitchen Oak Hill celebrates their 10th annual Pepe Z Tequila party. Whether it’s an anniversary, a high school reunion, or a birthday, a decade of anything is something worth celebrating, and Jack Allen’s is doing it in style, with $6 cocktails, food specials inspired by the flavors of Pepe Z, and, of course, live music, so you can sip in style as you contemplate what it is, exactly, that you’ve been up to for the past 10 years.

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Also on Tuesday, The Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery hosts a tap takeover at Buzz Mill from 7-10 pm, with four options: Hive (dry-hopped peace cider with honey-infused vanilla elderberry), Rosé (distinct aromas of strawberry, plus hints of cherry and watermelon), Tempranillo (smooth light-bodied red, satisfyingly smoky with a hint of brown sugar), and Viognier (hints of orange blossoms, nectar, and tangerine with baked honeyed apricots and muted lemon).

The Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery will continue the celebration on Wednesday, October 24, with a night of educational swirling and sipping. For $20, you can spend an evening learning about the history of Texas wine country and the background of Infinite Monkey’s Texas roots from the brand’s guest wine educator, Kristen Lindbeck, while tasting their way through some of IMT’s most popular Texas grown wines, including their Merlot, which was recently rated 87 by Wine Spectator. There will be cheese, crackers, and other light snacks during the tasting, and live music following it, so you can kick back and order a full glass (or bottle!) of your new favorite.

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Steve and Heather Potts, the owners of beloved gastropub Cedar Door opened a new venture – La Volpe – right next door on Brazos street last month. The space combines Italian flavors with a touch of Southern comfort, including entrees like their signature white truffle lasagne with porcini mushrooms and thin sheets of fresh housemade pasta, which combine classically Italian techniques with locally sourced Texan ingredients.

They’ve also announced the launch of their Foxy Happy Hour, which will run Tuesday to Friday, 5:30-6pm. During the happy hour, there will be a rotating selection of $7 wines by the glass, $5 pints, and $7 seasonal cocktails. This month’s selections are an Aperol Spritz, Old Cuban, and Raspberry Basil Gin. Additionally, they’ll be offering selected snacks from the appetizer menu, discounted to a range of $8-12. Think chicken liver mousse and scallop crudo, or pasta dishes like blue crab risotto and mushroom pappardelle – an elegant way to end a stressful day at the office.

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New(ish) Dripping Springs barbecue joint, The Switch, is hosting their Oktoberfest celebration on October 26, with a special menu item of house-made beer brats served with sauerkraut, German potato salad, and pretzels, paired with an Altstadt Brewery Kolsch beer – the perfect accompaniment to live music from the Off The Grid! Polka band.

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Chef Amir Hajimaleki, chef and co-owner of District Kitchen + Cocktails and Oasthouse Kitchen + Bar is paying homage to his Persian roots with a one-night-only kabob pop-up event at Eden East Farm on Thursday, October 25, 6-9pm. The event, which benefits Austin Food & Wine Alliance’s Culinary Grant Program, will be a preview of Hajimaleki’s forthcoming concept Roya, which means “dream,” a family-style Persian dining experience showcasing the flavors and approaches Hajimaleki plans to feature on the menu.

For $100 you’ll have access to an evening of dining under the stars on the Eden East lot, and a meal that features a variety of kabobs, both traditional and avant-garde, including koobideh, a ground beef kabob made using locally sourced meat from Capra Lamb. Grilled vegetable sides will be made from produce sourced from the onsite farm, and William Chris Vineyards will provide a selection of red and white wines along with a Petillant Naturel toast to kick off the evening. Dinner will end with a surprise Persian dessert served with traditional cardamom tea, the perfect culmination to what promises to be a delightful meal.