› Trento Ristorante (3600-D Capital of TX Hwy. N.) hosts a multi course dinner featuring dishes made with olive oils from Con’ Olio Oils & Vinegars and Aceto Balsamico de Monticello, paired with wines from Fall Creek. $50; reserve at 328-7555. Friday, May 11, 6:30pm.
› Thirty food trucks from around the state, including several from Austin, are in the Valley View Center parking lot in North Dallas for the first annual TX Food Truck Festival. Info at www.txfoodtruckfest.com. May 11-12; Friday, 5-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm.
› Taste more than 50 pink and Rosé wines at Pink Fest at Vino Vino (4119 Guadaulpe). $20. Saturday, May 12, noon-2pm.
› Barefoot Wines and the Central Texas chapter of the Surfrider Foundation invite volunteers to participate in a beach cleanup at the Expedition School at Festival Beach (34 Robert T. Martinez) followed by a celebration at Aussies (306 Barton Springs). RSVP: www.beachrescue2012.com. Saturday, May 12; clean up, 9-11am; party, noon-2pm.
› The North Austin Trailer Yard (1012 W. Anderson) brings the food truck experience to North Austin. The opening party features Snarkys Moo Bawk Oink, Genuine Joe On the Go, Big Fat Greek Gyros, the Dog Pound, and Michi Ramen. Saturday, May 12, 1-9pm.
› Lucky Sibella of Lucky’s Puccias will serve the authentic wood-fired puccia sandwiches of his Puglian homeland outside Con’ Olio (10000 Research #130). Saturday, May 12, 11am-2pm.
› North by Northwest Brewery & Restaurant (10010 Capital of TX Hwy. N.) commemorates American Craft Beer Week (May 14-20) with the release of its award-winning Barton Kriek beer (Tuesday, May 15, 4pm), a beer trivia challenge (Wednesday, May 16, 7pm), and more.
› Snap Kitchen (4616 Triangle Ave., 1014 W. Sixth) celebrates its second anniversary by offering a free taco with each food purchase. Tuesday, May 15, at the Triangle; Wednesday, May 16, Downtown; 11am-2pm, 5-8pm.
› Earlier this spring, the Mayor�s Fitness Council challenged local restaurant chefs to develop healthier dishes for their menus and now the 15 finalists from that competition will participate in A Taste of Health: Austin Chef Showdown (www.austinchefshowdown.org) at the Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St.). Celebrity food critics will judge the entries and the public is welcome at this free event. Saturday, May 12, 11:30am-2:30pm.
› Kinky Friedman will sign bottles of his Man in Black tequila at Spec�s Wines, Spirits, & Finer Foods (4978 Hwy. 290 W.) in southwest Austin. Saturday, May 12, 2-5pm.
› Representatives of the Food Network and Time Warner Cable will join State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) and some Austin kids at the planting of a Good Food Garden at the River City Youth Foundation (5200 S. Pleasant Valley). The local garden is one of many around the country being financed with five-year grants from the Food Network in conjunction with Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit dedicated to ending childhood hunger in America. The garden program provides all necessary planting materials and a teaching curriculum for the next five years. Tuesday, May 15, 11am.
› The Homegrown Revival dinner for May takes place at Springdale Farm (755 Springdale Rd.) where chef Sonya Cote will present a multicourse dinner based on Gulf oysters and axis venison from Broken Arrow Ranch. Complimentary beverages will be provided by Dripping Springs vodka and Dos Equis. $55 per person; BYOB. Reserve at www.thehomegrownrevival.com.
› Cenote Cafe (1010 E. Cesar Chavez) co-owners Cody Symington and Mary Jenkins invite everyone to their official grand opening party featuring two sets of live acoustic music and happy hour prices all night. Tuesday, May 15, 5pm-midnight.
This article appears in May 11 • 2012.