Food-O-File

The generous, talented Brackenridge Hospital chef responsible for the Red Wagon Salsas is Paul Landers, not John. Also, in a recent piece about two large local farmstands currently being without farmers, I neglected to mention that the South Austin Farmer's Market, located at 2910 S. Congress in the El Gallo parking lot, is open every Saturday, 8am-1pm. Organizer Tony Piccola, of P/2 Organicsin Coupland, reminded me that he and other Central Texas growers are always there with whatever they have to sell, rain or shine, drought or frost. The Wednesday afternoon farmer's market at the downtown Whole Foods Market (West Sixth & Lamar) is open through the winter as well.

---

Bocaditos

Synchronize your watches! Guinness brewmaster John O'Sullivan was in Austin last week educating vendors about the unique and ideal conditions necessary for dispensing the legendary Irish beer. O'Sullivan was also spreading the news about the fifth annual Great Guinness Toast, set for Friday, February 26, at 10pm CST, when beer drinkers worldwide will raise a pint to break the world's record for the largest simultaneous toast. Considering that Austin consumes more Guinness per capita than any other Texas city, it should be easy to find plenty of "patrons of the pint" that night...

Two big winners at the recent Central Market Gumbo Contest were chef Luke Bibby of Your Heart's Desire Catering (459-3390), in the commercial category, and Cyndi Smith of Taylor, who won both the exotic category and the $1,000 Grand Prize shopping spree with her "Tale of the Wild Turkey" Chili. To check out the recipes, log onto http://www.centralmarket.com...

Z'Tejas Grill (1110 W. Sixth) celebrates its 10th anniversary with the debut of its new treetop bar, expanded dining area, and private party room. The popular West End restaurant now features an elevated walkway that connects it to the restored Victorian house next door. Enjoy appetizer and drink specials in the new bar February 25-27...

Sun Harvest (4006 S. Lamar, 444-6313) has joined the wine tasting craze. Wine steward Carol Hintz holds free wine tastings on Saturdays, 11am-3pm. Also, check out a Taste of Sun Harvest at both locations (South Lamar & 2917 W. Anderson, 451-0669) on Saturday, March 6, 11am-5pm, when the grocery will feature samples of many wonderful foods...

The Body Balance programs by Kristy Walker (329-6696) continue at both Whole Foods Markets with support from cooking classes, pre-prepared diet meals in the deli cases, and menu specials from the Fresh Planet Cafe (West Sixth & Lamar, 476-0902). The Gateway (Hwy 360 & 183, 345-5003) store offers a gardening series on Saturday mornings in March with guest lecturers from Central Texas farms...

Fans of the Tex-Mex fare at Taco X-press (2529-A S. Lamar, 444-0261) who can't get there before 2pm will be pleased to hear that the funky little taco joint will be open for dinner as of Friday, February 26. Taco queen Maria Corbalan has hired Lalo Lozano, formerly of Serrano's and Taco Cabana, to manage the restaurant at night. She has also added the necessary second bathroom required for a license to sell beer and margaritas. She's even toying with the idea of adding very late hours on weekends, which should be music to the ears of all the local pickers who crave Maria's comida.