The next few days are jam-packed with the debut of new apps focused on Austin food, food-related SXSW events, plenty of tasty street food, and cool parties. Be sure to check with us for the scoop on things you won’t want to miss.
Chefs Feed is a new mobile app offering recommendations for top dining destinations all over the country and the Austin edition goes live on March 8. What is unique about Chefs Feed is that the tipsters in each market are among the top chefs in that city. So some of Austin’s most respected chefs will not only be sharing their personal restaurant recommendations, they’ll suggest the best dishes to order, as well. Check out the list of contributing Austin chefs at www.chefsfeed.com and then download the app for free from the website or the iTunes store.
The TODAY show will be all over South by Southwest Interactive and their daily food coverage will include reports from food editor Vidya Rao and her crew. TODAY’s Munchie Mobile will serve free breakfast menu prepared by Eric Silverstein of the very popular Peached Tortilla local food truck,(also including papaquiles from Austinite and Home Chef Challenge Champ Julie Munroe), from 8am-11am at Fourth and Trinity during Interactive. Late nights on those same days, look for the Munchie Mobile at the corner of E. Sixth and Red River, where they’ll be offering warm food and the opportunity to win prizes by taking pictures in their cool photo booth. Follow their activities @TODAYFood.
The folks at Tito’s Handmade Vodka are doing their part to encourage responsible drinking during South by Southwest by sponsoring a private trolley. The Tito’s Trolley will run along a set Downtown route from March 9-18. Drinks featuring Tito’s award-winning vodka will not be served on the rides, but each trolley stop will have recognizable signs at select Downtown destinations. Follow the trolley’s progress using the hashtag #TitosTrolley.
Keep an eye out for which of your favorite Downtown restaurants have made special promotional deals during South by Southwest. For example, Max’s Wine Dive (217 San Jacinto) becomes the CNN Grill once again this year, with special menu items and limited access. The Cedar Door (201 Brazos) becomes the Fast Company Grill presented by Lincoln from March 10-13, offering complimentary food and drinks to celebrities, artists, media, and VIP’s.
Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant (506 West Ave.) and Austin Music Weekly are hosting a Power Lunch from noon-2pm on March 9 to kick-off South by Southwest. $10 tickets get you access to live music, two tacos, and one non-alcoholic beverage. 50 cent margaritas will be on sale from 11am-5pm and they’ll cap things off with a big crawfish boil (market price) beginning at 5pm. For complete information and to buy tickets, go to www.lucysretiredsurfers.com.
The foodie entry in South by Southwest Film 2012 is Eating Alabama, a thoughtful and often humorous documentary about the pursuit of local food. Our Melanie Haupt will be weighing in with her thoughts on the film at some point. See it Saturday, Mar. 10 at Ritz 1, 11am; Sunday, Mar. 11 at Canon, 10pm; Tuesday, Mar. 13 at Ritz 2, 4pm; and Thursday, Mar. 15, Lamar C, 11:30qm.
The Warby Parker Citizen’s Circus will set up on the grounds of the historic French Legation Museum (802 San Marcos) from Monday, March 12 through Wednesday, March 14. Each day begins at 1pm when guests can shop for fashion-forward glasses in a yurt, nosh on delicious foods from local food trucks, learn about active citizenship at information booths, enjoy eclectic music during the afternoons, and attend theatrical performances in the vaudeville style after dark.
This article appears in March 2 • 2012.