Starting tonight and continuing each Thursday in June, juice experts from Daily Juice (1625 Barton Springs Rd., 480-9501; 2307 Lake Austin Blvd., 628-0782; www.dailyjuice.org) join forces with mixologists at the Belmont (305 W. Sixth, 457-0300, www.thebelmontaustin.com) to create a completely new cocktail culture. Enjoy a menu of innovative libations made with fresh, organic juices and herbs, imported salts, and premium liquors ($11-13) on the Belmont patio with music from the Juice Crew. June 5, 12, 19, & 26, 8pm-12mid.
Central Market Cooking School (4001 N. Lamar, 458-3068) hosts Atlanta chef/teacher/author Virginia Willis for a brunch class this Sunday. Willis is on the road promoting her wonderful new cookbook, Bon Appétit, Y’all (Ten Speed Press, 312 pp., $32.50), a treasure-trove of three generations of classic Southern recipes presented by a gracious daughter of the South, who also happens to be a French-trained chef. I met Willis at a food writers conference at the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia years ago when she worked as an assistant to renowned cooking teacher Anne Willan, and I’ve kept an eye on her career ever since. The book is just delightful. I can’t wait to renew our acquaintance and taste some of her cooking. $60; there are still a few spaces available. Sunday, June 8, 11am-2pm.
If celiac disease keeps you from enjoying restaurant meals very often, here’s an event designed with you in mind. Ciola’s Italian-American Restaurant (1310 RR 620 S., 263-9936, www.ciolas.com) presents a seven-course vegetarian/gluten-free dinner created by chef Louis Ciola. $45, limited seating, reservations necessary. Thursday, June 12, 7pm.
This article appears in June 6 • 2008.