We never think it’s funny when a good eating establishment fails, but the e-mail announcing the demise of Shuggie’s really was hilarious. Chef Michael Rypka‘s innovative outdoor burger joint was part of the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery on South First, and the demise was cleverly blamed on “drive-bys” committed by national burger chain mascots. However, I think it’s just as likely the business died of heat stroke. The persistent, oppressive heat and drought conditions are taking a toll on everyone from burger joints to farmers. Apropos of that, the folks at the Downtown Farmers’ Market (Fourth & Guadalupe) have adjusted their hours and will be open from 8am to noon on Saturdays for the rest of the summer. Get down there and shop before the thermometer cracks 100! Hours at the Wednesday Triangle market remain the same, 4-8pm… In another effort to take our minds off the heat, the good folks at Jo’s Downtown (242 W. Second, 469-9003, www.joscoffee.com) have added a free music series on the patio Tuesday and Thursday evenings, complete with food and drink specials such as buy one, get one free on their great burgers and $2 Lone Star tall boys. Check out the musical lineup online, and stroll on down… Chef/owner Mark Spedale debuts his new Sunday brunch menu this weekend at Primizie Osteria (1000 E. 11th #150, 236-0088, www.primizieaustin.com). The Italian à la carte menu ($5-13) will be available from 10am to 3pm on Sundays, and reservations are accepted… The owners of Stubb’s Bar-B-Q (801 Red River, 480-8341, www.stubbsaustin.com) are eager for the restaurant and its food to be as highly regarded as the famous music venue. To that end, they’ve recently done some refurbishing of the dining rooms and upgraded both the quality and diversity of the menu. The new Southwestern-inspired menu items they’ve added to complement the traditional barbecue offerings look promising, and they are on our list of things to check out… Austin’s newest sushi bar, Koi Sushi & Japanese Grill (815 W. 47th #102, 452-6666, www.sushikoi.com), is open for both lunch and dinner in the Triangle… Draught House Pub (4112 Medical Parkway, 452-6258, www.draughthouse.com) proprietor Josh Wilson is at it again, tapping cask ales on Firkin Fridays. Drop by around 3pm this Friday to sample the Bear Republic Hop Rod Rye… If you are like me and were confused about what happened to the excellent PBS program Gourmet’s Diary of a Foodie when KLRU2 became KLRUQ, never fear. The program has moved to 5pm on Sundays and is repeated on Wednesdays at 1:30pm. New segments are over for the time being, and KLRU has restarted the series from the beginning… Olivia (2043 S. Lamar, 804-2700, www.olivia-austin.com) chef/owner James Holmes and his wife, Christina, welcomed a second daughter to their household early this month. Olivia’s baby sister, Lucy Basilia Holmes (8 pounds, 20 inches), arrived on July 3.
This article appears in July 17 • 2009.