Markets Sprouting All Over
Summertime means farm stands and farmer’s markets can be found along
roadsides, at small family farms, and even in the city. From Gillespie County
peach orchards to Craftsman Farm in Dripping Springs to the South Austin
Farmer’s Market across from St. Ed’s on South Congress; from Boggy Creek Farm
and the East Side Farmer’s Market off East Seventh at Hidalgo and Robert T.
Martinez to the Travis County Farmer’s Market at 6701 Burnet Road, farm stands
are in full bloom. Here are some helpful tips for farmer’s market shopping
adapted from The Farmhouse Cookbook by Susan Herrmann Loomis (Workman,
$14.95 paper). Use them while you can.
1. Take along your own re-usable shopping bags.
2. Take plenty of cash in small bills and some change.
3. Go bright and early for the best possible selections.
4. Seasons will dictate what is available, so go with an open mind.
5. Check out everything in the market before you start spending
money.
6. If you plan to do any canning or preserving, buy the produce when you
see it, because you may not see it again.
7. Develop a relationship with individual farmers, so you’ll know what they
grow in every season and can plan ahead.
8. Ask how produce is grown and whether it’s organic.
9. If you are driving, keep a cooler in you car for perishable
purchases.
10. Ask the farmers for preparation tips and recipe ideas, especially about
canning and preserving.
Celebrating Summer’s Crop
Shoreline Grill, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard
Wednesday, June 14, 9:30am-12:30pm
Call Andrew Smith at 462-1771 for reservations; $100 per person.
Former Texas Governor Ann Richards and celebrated local chef David Garrido
will host a cooking class and luncheon to benefit Communities in Schools –
Central Texas. Guests will enjoy a delicious, three-course Southwestern menu
complemented by Texas wines. The meal will be prepared by Garrido and Richards,
his celebrity assistant.
The event is sponsored by the Shoreline Grill, Fall Creek Vineyards, Heart
of Texas Produce, Jeffrey’s Restaurant, the Mozzarella Company of Dallas, and
the Texas Beef Council. The funds raised at Celebrating Summer’s Crop will
benefit Communities in Schools-Central Texas, a nonprofit organization
dedicated to reducing the drop-out rate by helping at-risk youth stay in
school. Garrido’s food, Richards’ humor, and a good cause. What a deal!
Good Taste Presents Flag Day Dinner
1205 North Lamar, 472-1813 for reservations
Seatings at 6pm and 8:30pm; $24.95 per person
After your lunch has settled, swing by the Austin Land and Cattle Company
for a six-course dinner that will feature such specialties as a Shrimp Sampler
Trio with Shiner Bock-battered shrimp, Texas Sizzlers (beef kebabs) with
Ocatillo Verde Sauce and Prickly Pear Salsa, Grilled Salmon with Tomato Basil
Salsa, and a Chocolate Pocket with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The Texas Beef
Council and Good Taste are the movers behind this presentation. Good Taste
wants to introduce you to one of the most popular restaurants that participates
in their reduced-price entertainment service.
Magnolia Cafe Guest Chef #5
2304 Lake Austin Blvd, 478-8645; fixed-price menu, 6-10pm
The popular Guest Chef series continues with a New Orleans Creole-style
menu presented by Tom Churchill, long-time cook at the Magnolia West. Churchill
will whip up some Louisiana specialties, and there will be several wines
suggest-ed to accompany the meal. Regular patrons of this series suggest that
you go early before the special items sell out.
Restaurant Openings to Anticipate
The much-anticipated Coyote Cafe opening is slated for June 13; be there at
612 West Sixth Street to check it out. In the following weeks, keep your eye
out for Brio, the new effort from Z Tejas Grill that will make Raymond Tatum’s
cooking available to the Austin public again; at the corner of Fourth and
Lavaca, watch for the Mustang Diner, a new bistro that will feature Napa Valley
wine-country cuisine; and on restaurant row in August, you’ll be able to dine
at Pulpo Loco (Crazy Octopus) from Adam Gonzales at Serrano’s.
– Virginia B. Wood
This article appears in June 9 • 1995 and June 9 • 1995 (Cover).