AAPI Foodways FTW, Dos Olivos in Dripping Springs, Wine All Over Town, Genuine Joe’s Gotta Go, and Treaty Oak’s Peach Julep Will Refresh Your Palate All Summer Long
By Wayne Alan Brenner, May 11, 2022, 3:10pm, On the Range
Here’s some of what’s happening in Austin’s culinary scene, as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.
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Yes, it’s your Food News Buffet for the second week in May, as we continue to simmer in the well-populated pot of this burgeoning urban hub…
Throughout May, Central Market is celebrating a plethora of Asian American- and Pacific Islander-owned businesses. Check out the diverse delights available from Bo.Lan, Kin Dee, Momofuku, Noona’s Ice Cream, Ying’s Kitchen, Fire Ox Foods, and more – via product samples, cooking demos, and general culinary good times… and, beyond the boundaries of the H-E-B empire, of course the likes of Tso Chinese Delivery and Chop Chop and Fierce Whiskers Distillery and Bao’d Up and so many other locals continue to honor their AAPI heritage, much to the benefit of Austin’s culinary landscape…
For a while it was all about the horseplay. And now the Kentucky Derby’s come and gone – congratulations, Rich Strike! – but that doesn’t mean you should ditch all those refreshing juleps. Especially not when Treaty Oak Distilling’s Peach Julep cocktail is still available in gorgeous, ready-to-drink bottles, bringing a delicious trace of the orchards to your most spirited summertime parties…
Treaty Oak is out near Drippings Springs, you know, and soon Dos Olivos Market will be right there in Dripping: The new marketplace – with its retail shop, butchery, and counter service for daily lunch and dinner; with artisanal goods from Texas and Spain, local, national, and international wine and beer selections, beverage tastings, and more – is scheduled to open in a few weeks, and we'll keep you updated…
Right in the heart of Downtown, though, it’s time for a little summertime rosé action – and what better place than the Four Seasons Hotel? You don’t even have to be a hotel guest to participate in weekly rosé and rosé Champagne tastings with Ciclo sommelier Joe Pena – that's on Saturday afternoons, May 14-Aug. 27 – featuring generous pours from acclaimed brands and fascinating intel on one of summer’s most refreshing varietals. Check the tasting schedule right here…
[image-3-right]Speaking of wine, elevated shoe seller Blue Suede (1600 S. First) is partnering with Republic Wines to host a ticketed tasting event (Tue., May 24, 5-7pm) where you can learn about a variety of light, bright wines – rosé, sparkling and white – while relaxing in their lounge and new outdoor patio space. (Bonus, footwear-seekers: Blue Suede’s been stocking their shelves with the cutest sandals and summery styles)…
It’s hard to even mention wine in this town, though, without thinking of Aviary on South Lamar. And they’ve got a new seasonal menu about to debut, too, from Executive Chef Andre Molina. Gonna be a hot summer this year, tell you what – but what a wealth of great places to dine and chill in…
Yeah, you’ve heard – endlessly, depending on who your friends are – about how good the food is at Lutie’s (4100 Red River). People glad to tell you of the wonders offered by husband-and-wife chef team Bradley Nicholson and Susana Querejazu, right? But the posh place is always booked, isn’t it? Well, hold on, citizen – because, as of May 17, Lutie’s will also be open on Tuesdays from 5 to 10pm. Yes, you’ll be able to choose from the new bar menu at the grand oak bar or the dinner menu in the dining room or patio, enjoying gastronomic splendor just a few blocks away from the Chronicle’s (more spartanly appointed) headquarters…
Beloved java mainstay Genuine Joe Coffeehouse isn’t expanding its hours, though. Partly because they’re going to be moving from their longtime venue at 2001 W. Anderson…
[image-2-right]And did you know that Tso Chinese Delivery, aforementioned, will be opening their fourth brick-and-mortar this fall? Lucky for those who live in Round Rock, the excellent kitchen and its brightly bedecked vehicular fleet will add North Mays Street #108 to its quartet of locations, in addition to the Tso outposts already in Austin’s Cherrywood, Arboretum, and South Congress neighborhoods…
Oh, and cabanas are now available for renting at Wax Myrtle’s, that elegant lounge on the fourth floor of the Thompson Austin Hotel (506 San Jacinto). They’ve also launched a full-service lunch menu (11am-2pm) in the main dining room, seven days a week, followed by a snack menu (2-4pm) to hold you over until the dinner service kicks in. (And, holy Brillat-Savarin, what a great dinner service that is.)
And, what else? Ah, yes – the Texas Whiskey Festival is this coming weekend… as is the Twist ’n Snap Crawfish Boil… and, out in Lockhart, Black’s Barbecue will be celebrating their 90th(!) anniversary…
WUXTRY! Meanwhile Brewing’s locally acclaimed lager just took gold in the Munich-Style Helles category at this year’s World Beer Cup in Minneapolis! Yasss! And Lazarus Brewing’s Black Pearl got a gold in the Herb & Spice category. Wooo! And Jester King’s Atrial Rubicite is golden in the Belgian Fruit Beer way. Huzzah! Note: Puga, you’re keeping track of all this shit, right?
Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and do yourself a solid with some liquid.
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