Food-o-File

We've got a lightning round of food news this week, so hang on. Austin's own Soup Peddler, David Ansel, was in touch to announce the official re-branding of his business as the Soup Peddler Real Food & Juice Bar (501 W. Mary; 2801 S. Lamar) with a new line of fresh juice drinks and smoothies made with interesting spices and exotic ingredients, both sweet and savory, in addition to the soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrées they've always carried. Ansel expects his third location in the Austinville 78750 center (13265 Hwy. 183 N.) to be open later this year, and he's very excited about moving the food production of the business into a new 2,500-square-foot commercial kitchen outfitted with vent hoods, soup kettles, walk-in space, and specialized soup-chilling equipment this fall.

Chef Paul Hargrove at Pleasant Storage Room (208 W. Fourth) is now offering a Caribbean-inspired lunch menu – along with Cuban coffee and plenty of cocktails – Tuesday–Friday beginning at 11am.

At the customer appreciation pig roast held at the original El Chilito (2219 Manor Rd.) last Saturday, they announced that another Eastside El Chilito will be opening in the former home of a Church's Fried Chicken at 1623 E. Seventh, even before their expansion into South Austin.

Henri's Cheese & Wine (2026 S. Lamar) is pleased to have Keegan Archer back in the kitchen. They have a new happy hour from 3-6pm Monday-Saturday, and are now serving dinner from 5-10pm Monday-Saturday.

The original Mandola's Italian Market (4700 W. Guadalupe #12) in the Triangle has added a new weekend brunch menu that is available Saturday-Sunday from 9am-1pm and includes pastries and frittata, coffee drinks, and lemon-basil mimosas.

Through the end of July, restaurants in the ELM Group (24 Diner, Arro, Easy Tiger) will be donating 50% of the proceeds from select tomato dishes to the Sustainable Food Center. Arro also has new happy hour offerings, including 50% off wines by the glass, $5 draft beers, and 50% off the entire bread section of the menu.

Ski Shores Cafe (2905 Pearce) has entered into a partnership with New Braunfels-based Texas Ski Ranch to offer a retail outlet for swimwear, equipment, and accessories; qualified instruction in waterskiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing; as well as boat and pontoon rentals at a new venture called Ski Shores Marina.

The folks at Flat Creek Estate (24912 Singleton Bend E., Marble Falls) are looking for volunteers for their 2014 harvest, which should start the last weekend of July and run five to six weeks. Email events@flatcreekestate.com for complete details.

The new Scarlet Rabbit (410 W. Main, Round Rock) from chefs Rob Snow (Greenhouse Craft Food) and Rich Taylor (Quality Seafood) was just opening in Round Rock's downtown historic district as this week's feature story was being completed, but we will be checking out the imaginative bistro with the Alice in Wonderland theme in the near future.

Mettle (507 Calles) celebrates their first anniversary with the unveiling of a new summer menu and a special happy hour on Thursday, July 17, from 6-8pm.