News Around Town
Congratulations to Austin chocolatier Tom Pedersen, who e-mailed with the news that his Cocoa Puro Chocolates are now available at GrapeVine Market, Breed & Co., and Gardens. And our sincerest apologies to generations of his Danish ancestors for misspelling his name in a previous column… Additional information about Kelty Christman‘s recent Paella Party came in after press time two weeks ago and was unfortunately omitted from that story the first time around. Karina Falbo describes herself as the “master chef” who did the cooking for the team that took the runner-up prize, and Cristina Carrasco was the third judge… Though we didn’t hear about the benefit for ailing Güero’s (1412 S. Congress, 447-7688) bartender Jim Keating until after it was over, the management there assures us it’s still possible for Keating’s longtime friends and customers to make donations at the restaurant office to help with his living and medical expenses following a serious illness… Talented local chef/restaurateur couple Emmett and Lisa Fox have just signed a lease on the upstairs space at 29th and San Gabriel to be vacated by Granite Cafe (2905 San Gabriel, 472-6483) at the end of the month. The Foxes will open a Mediterranean restaurant there in the late spring… Austin’s premier pastry chef, Tony Sansalone, has recently left the Four Seasons and will soon open his own full-service pastry and coffee shop specializing in distinctive wedding cakes. He’s busy refurbishing the near-downtown spot that was formerly home to Rather Sweet and plans for the new shop, Sansalone’s (814 W. 12th), to debut at the beginning of the year… And now that he’s found a tenant for the bakery, look for Ranch 616 (616 Nueces, 479-7616) owner Kevin Williamson to go full steam ahead with his plans to turn the Clement Paint store next door to the Ranch into a bar called the Rattle Inn some time next year… Pizza lovers in Westlake have been raving about how pleased they are to have Pizza Nizza (2712 Bee Caves Rd., 474-7070) in the neighborhood for takeout, delivery, and catering. Same good pizza, pasta, and salads with a greatly expanded service area.
Event Menu: Dec. 3-9
• The Austin Children’s Museum (201 Colorado, 472-2499) offers Gingerbread House Workshops for birthday parties, business groups, and families. The cost is $30 and $25 for museum members. Take-home decorating kits are also available. For more information or to make reservations, call the museum. Now through Dec. 22.
•Texas Culinary Academy (11400 Burnet Rd., 289-5589) hosts the annual Gingerbread House Competition this weekend with categories for professionals, adult amateurs, teens, and kids under 12. There will also be a cake-decorating demonstration by Kerry Vincent, who will sign copies of her new book, Romantic Wedding Cakes. Noon, Sunday, Dec. 5.
This article appears in December 3 • 2004.