Austin TX restaurants: Restaurant reviews, happy hours, bars, drinks, dining

Rachael Ray brings NY Dolls, mac ‘n’ cheese to ‘utopia’

Comments

Home > Relish Austin > Archives > 2009 > March > 26 > Entry

By Addie Broyles | Thursday, March 26, 2009, 10:16 AM

Rachael Ray’s blow-out bash at SXSW was everything it was hyped to be. The mojitos were flowing; her jalapeno popper mac and cheese was rich and thick. The bands, including New York Dolls, the Hold Steady, The Airborne Toxic Event, Semi Precious Weapons, Bob Schneider and her husband’s band The Cringe, rocked the upstairs and downstairs stages of Maggie Mae’s, while hundreds of Ray Ray and music fans waited for hours outside to get in.

(If you want to go next year — she assures me they will be back — plan to arrive when the doors open or expect to enjoy the view of Sixth Street while the bands play and fans eat.)

Most people were thrilled about every morsel of food they could snag, but it was hot-dog flavored water if you ask me. (Dry biscuits and merely passable chilaquilles and chicken soft tacos.) But when is catered food, even if it is inspired by the top earning chef in the world, ever really that good? She gets an A for effort and an A+ for her genuine goodwill toward the people of Austin. Her kind words during our interview, below, nudged me away from my snarky attitude toward her and her incessant cheer.

(Her star power to pull in some really fantastic bands also earned her an A+. While waiting for our interview, we chilled in the artists’ lounge right by the punktastic New York Dolls and everybody’s favorite, The Hold Steady. I’d give anything to see the heels-and-tights-wearing lead singer of Semi Precious Weapons on the cover of her magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray.)

Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment Categories: Playing with your food

More archives...

Click here to report comment abuse.

By rachel @ boots in the oven

March 26, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this

I’m so excited that you got into the party, and that Ray Ray was a pleasure! I’m actually looking forward to her upcoming vacation show, with the dai due and farmer’s market shots.

By rachel @ boots in the oven

March 26, 2009 7:32 PM | Link to this

ooh! And speaking of the glam lead singer of Semi-precious Weapons, Logan got a great shot of him downtown during SXSW without knowing who he was! http://www.flickr.com/photos/bootsintheoven/3386691284/

By Carly

March 27, 2009 1:31 AM | Link to this

Rachael Ray is AWESOME!! I could not make it to her party - so thanks for the report and video- Rach you are a rock star girl!! Oh and your dress was FABULOUS!

By mama

March 27, 2009 9:03 PM | Link to this

Good times, Addie. I am excited about your experiences in SXSW!!