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Friday, March 12, 2010
SXSW Eats: Weekend farmers markets near downtown
March is one of the best times to check out the Austin farmers markets. Lucky for you visitors for the South by Southwest festivals, there are two within walking distance of the convention center.
On Saturdays, the Austin Farmers Market takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Republic Square Park (Fourth and Guadalupe streets, about six blocks west of the convention center. You’ll find tons of farmers selling fresh produce, as well as ranchers selling meats including chicken, pork, beef, lamb and even fish. There are also a handful of local food artisans selling things like whole cocoa beans covered in layers of dark chocolate or even specialty charcuterie. Through the end of the month, you’ll be able to get sausage and biscuits and gravy and Ethiopian food that are cooked on site. (For more information about why the city is changing how it handles food vendors like Dai Due and Aster’s, check out this post.)
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, the HOPE Farmers Market takes place just east of Interstate 35 at the intersection of Fifth and Waller streets, which is about six blocks east of the convention center. This market doesn’t just focus on farmers, it also features art from local artists. Just for March 14 and March 21, the HOPE Market will move one block to the north of its current location to Sixth and Waller streets.
If you get a free minutes to check out either of these markets, you’ll get a real glimpse of true Austin. Lots of families, locals and, most importantly, some of the freshest and carefully crafted food you’ll enjoy during your time here.
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SXSW Eats: Parties where food is the headliner
(Updated with Taco Journalism breakfast taco meet-up on Sunday and the miracle berry party on March 21.)
You can’t throw a stick during the 10 days of the South by Southwest Music, Film and Technology conferences without hitting a party that’s offering free food.
But an interesting phenomenon has been happening in the past few years: Parties where food is the headliner, not just a trick to get people in the door.
(If you’re looking to subsist on free food, check out @sxswfreenoms, whose blog is a running list of just about every free morsel of food to be found within the city limits.)
Here’s a list of parties for foodies, which I’ll be updating with more events as they pop up. (If you are throwing or know about a food-focused party that I’ve missed, e-mail me and tell me about it.)
Thursday, March 11
BBQ Crash Course / 6 to 9 p.m. at Emo’s
The second year for the BBQ Crash Course is limited to badgeholders, who have already snapped up all of the $35 tickets. No worries if you didn’t get in; here’s my list from last year of all the close-ish places to downtown where you can get true Texas barbecue like brisket, ribs and sausage.
Friday, March 12
Chartreuse Beignet Breakfast / 9 to 11 a.m. at Frank, 407 Colorado St.
Austin’s Tipsy Texan cocktail team is pairing up with Live the Lush Life and Chartreuse Ambassador Adam Richman for a boozy breakfast with gourmet coffee, Chartreuse breakfast cocktails, including hot chocolate with Chartreuse, and beignets. Free.
Pastries and Pasties! / 8 p.m. at Emo’s
Burlesque and cupcakes. Enough said. $12-$15 or free with SXSW Interactive badge.
Saturday, March 13
TECHmunch Food Blogger Workshop / 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Parkside
Jaden Hair of Steamy Kitchen and Babette Pepaj of BakeSpace are putting on a workshop for food bloggers at Parkside, but don’t think that just because they’ll be talking about serious food bloggery stuff that they won’t be eating, drinking and having fun. $55. Buy tickets here.
Foodspotting Street Food Fest / 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Brush Square Park, 400 Neches St.
To celebrate the launch of Foodspotting’s new iPhone app, the food Web site is hosting a scavenger hunt and a street food fest, which will feature food from Austin trailers including Mmmpanadas, Chi’lantro BBQ, Good Pops, Holy Cacao, Sugarstar Cupcakes and TaKorea. Go here to find out more about the scavenger hunt and sign up.
Sunday, March 14
NEW: Taco Journalism Breakfast Taco Meetup / 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Brush Square Park
To help out-of-towners get acquainted with the Austin treasure that is the breakfast taco, resident taco bloggers (aka taco journalistas) behind Taco Journalism are giving away breakfast tacos from Tacodeli on Sunday.
WordPress BBQ / noon at Conjunctured
The folks behind WordPress will host their second barbecue at Conjunctured, 1309 E. Seventh St. They’ll be passing out barbecue from Rudy’s until it runs out.
M&S Austin Music Showcase / 2 p.m. at United States Art Authority
The Capital Area Food Bank serves 300,000 people a year in Central Texas, including tens of thousands of children, so why not support them while hearing music from Austin bands like Del Castillo, Mother Truckers and Suzanna Choffel. $5 or four canned good donation.
Bacon Takedown / 4 p.m. at Emo’s
Hosted by Brooklynite Matt Timms, the Bacon Takedown will pit bacon-laced dishes from Austin cooks against one another. $10 tickets include samples of the entries plus a chance to vote for the winner.
Cupcake Social / 4 to 6 p.m. at Tiniest Bar In Texas
For the second year, Cupcakes Take the Cake and BakeSpace are hosting this cupcake party at the Tiniest Bar in Texas, which is mostly outside and isn’t so tiny. Free cupcakes from some of Austin’s best bakers, so get there early before they are gone.
Film Florida Fish Fry / 7 p.m. at The Wave
For the fourth year, the Florida Film Commission is hosting a free fish fry for SXSW badgeholders.
March is one of the best times of the year for fresh vegetables in Central Texas, and New York chef Michael Cirino is hosting a cooking demonstration and dinner to showcase what he only wishes he could get in the Northeast at the time of year. E-mail him for more information, and he’ll disclose the location to confirmed guests. Tickets cost $99 and include classes, meal and beverages.
Monday, March 15
Austin360 Food Blogger Bash / 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cedar Door
Local and national food bloggers will be mingling over food and drinks at the Cedar Door for the second annual Austin360 Food Blogger Bash. The first round of tickets have sold out, but keep your eye out. We’ll hopefully be adding tickets soon. Free.
Nuclear Tacos / 6 p.m. at Brush Square Park
If you just can’t get your fill of capsaicin elsewhere, check out the eighth annual Nuclear Tacos party, where members of this underground group will be serving some of the hottest tacos in town.
Sustainable Media Happy Hour / 6 p.m. at the Gingerman
This happy hour/networking event doesn’t promise any spectacular food, but it is aimed at bringing together activists and others interested in promoting sustainability, which will surely include a lot of folks interested in agriculture, aquaculture and, my favorite, composting.
BeerCamp SXSW / 7:30 p.m. at Emo’s
Beer pong doesn’t count as food either, but if you’re into keg parties, you won’t want to miss this suds fest.
Plutopia 2010 SXSWi After Party / 7 p.m. to midnight at the Mexican American Cultural Center
While Plutopia, “an extravaganza of music, performances, art, and talks based upon ‘The Science of Music’ “, is taking place inside the Mexican American Cultural Center, and Edible Austin and the Tipsy Texans are hosting a foodie fest and cocktail bar outside the beautiful facility just southeast of the convention center. Explore Austin’s growing distiller and brewer community by meeting and sampling spirits and beer, and try foods from local restaurants and supper clubs as well as artisans including Rio’s Brazilian and Nada Moo. Event is free to SXSWi & Platinum Badge Holders and $15 for general public
Tuesday, March 16
Daily Juice Boat Party / 5:30 p.m. at 3700 Lake Austin Blvd.
The Austin juice company is throwing a boat party with free beer, cupcakes and the store’s famous fresh squeeze juice and drinks. No RSVP required, but once the first 200 people load the boats, they’ll be off for a cruise around Lady Bird Lake downtown for one of the most unique happy hours during all of SXSW.
Milwaukee Beer and Brat Bash / 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Cedar Door
Tech geeks from Milwaukee are bringing their style of tailgating to help wrap up SXSW Interactive. Enjoy Milwaukee beer, brats, potato salad and cookies for free.
Empanadas at the IFC Crossroads House / 5 to 7 p.m. at 612 Brazos St.
‘Food Party’ host and creator Thu Tran, whose wacky and surreal videos on the IFC Channel have earned her profiled in the New York Times and The Washington Post, will be handing out free empanadas from Austin’s Mmmpanada food trailer. Entry restricted to badgeholders.
Wednesday, March 17
The Shed BBQ Trailer Grand Opening / 2 p.m. to midnight at East Sixth Street and Chicon
A Mississippi-based barbecue restaurant is opening an Austin trailer on March 17, and to celebrate, they are bringing in bands including The Greyhounds, Papa Mali and Good Bad People. Don’t come expecting free grub, but if it’s a new trailer and it’s serving barbecue, you know Austin’s food crew will be there.
Canadian Blast BBQ / 3 p.m. at East Tent in Brush Square Park
They eat barbecue in Canada, too, you know. Enjoy music from Canadian artists as well as food.
Thursday, March 18
South by Suds / 4 to 8 p.m. through March 21
Whip In is a quintessential example of quirky Austin. The hybrid convenience store/restaurant/bar, located on the southbound frontage road of Interstate 35 just south of Oltorf Street south of downtown, has evolved from selling snacks and sodas to some of the best Indian food in town and a large selection of wine and beer, including some on tap. The music showcase is raising money for Whip In’s latest project: a brewery.
Cocktails with Sam Mason / 5 to 7 p.m. at the IFC Crossroads House (612 Brazos St.)
‘Dinner with the Band’ host and rockstar chef Sam Mason will be shaking cocktails during a happy hour at the IFC Crossroads House. Sorry, ladies, you have to have a badge to get a drink served personally by the uber-hip former pastry chef at Manhattan’s wd-50.
Lunch With the Germans / noon to 3 p.m. at Parkside
This networking event hosted by the German music industry will feature food from Hayk Seirig and Phillip Patzig, the two gourmet chefs behind Berlin’s outdoor venue/gastropub Bar 25, and music from several heavyweights in the German house music underground scene. Free, but you have to RSVP here to get an invite.
Flying Dog SXSW Happy Hour / 5 p.m. at the Flying Saucer
Austin’s microbrewery scene has exploded in the past year, so I’m surprised there aren’t more events like this at the Flying Saucer, at a place called the Triangle north of downtown. (I guess the Austin brewers are too busy providing great beer for all the other parties, which makes sense.) This happy hour is hosted by Flying Dog to celebrate the Texas launch of the Maryland brewery’s 20th anniversary Belgian-style IPA, Raging Bitch.
Friday, March 19
Muzzle of Bees Backyard BBQ / noon to 7 p.m. at a private residence
Music blog Muzzle of Bees is hosting a free barbecue in an Austin backyard from noon to 7 p.m. on March 19. You’ll have to RSVP to find out where (and who is the lucky person who gets to host all those bands and people). Band includes The Loom, Still Life Still and These United States. Free food and drinks.
Vegan Bake Sale / noon to 6 p.m. at Club de Ville
VegAustin.com and Austin blogger Lazy Smurf, aka Stephanie Bogdanich, are hosting a second vegan bake sale during the BrooklynVegan party to raise money for Food for Life, an organization feeding Haitian and Chilean earthquake survivors vegan meals.
Full Irish Breakfast / 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at B.D. Rileys
Enjoy music from Irish bands and a hearty Irish breakfast at the Sixth Street Irish pub B.D. Riley’s. Don’t dare show up without e-mailing this guy to RSVP.
Saturday, March 20
East Meets Fest / 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Uchi
Uchi regularly tops the list of Austin’s best restaurants, and for the second year, it is hosting a SXSW party featuring bands as well as Japanese street food from chef Tyson Cole and his super-talented staff. It’s a cab ride or a long hike from the convention center, but well worth it if you want a sample of some of Austin’s best food. The Octopus Project will be playing DJ between sets from Dana Falconberry, Woven Bones and The White White Lights.
Aussie BBQ / noon to 6 p.m. at Maggie Mae’s
Like the Canadians, the Aussies like to show off their music with a barbecue on the side. Free, but RSVP here.
Mr & Mrs T and Rachael Ray’s 2010 Feedback Festival / 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stubb’s
Rachael Ray loves Austin. For the past few years, she’s been hosting one of the most talked about parties during SXSW, which always feature great food and strong headliners. This year’s lineup at Stubb’s includes She & Him, Jakob Dylan, Neko Case, Dr. Dog and Mishka. More information is available on theFacebook page, but there is no RSVP. It’s first come, first to get in, so show up early if you don’t want to wait in a line around the building to get in.
Here’s the video we did at last year’s Ray Ray Feedback:
Sunday, March 21
NEW: Miracle Berry Flavor Tripping Party / 3 to 5 p.m. at Emo’s
Want to go on a flavor trip? The miracle berry, a West African fruit, takes your taste buds on a wild ride, where sour and bitter foods taste sweet. Try a berry with Houston’s The Berry Fairy and taste food that will showcase its magical powers. Tickets cost $20 in advance. Buy them here.
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‘Food Party’ creator Thu Tran: What’s in Your Fridge Friday?
Weird rules, not just in Austin.
I’ve written about Thu Tran’s wacky ‘Food Party’ video series that appears online and on IFC. The host and creator (her first name is pronounced “Tu”) has imagined a world even stranger than the one on Yo Gabba Gabba, which is easily one of the most imaginative kid shows in TV history.
Tran’s hand-crafted sets and use of green screens have drawn fans of all ages, as well as profiles New York Times and The Washington Post.
Tran will be in town for the South by Southwest Film Festival next week, and from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, she’ll be handing out free empanadas from Austin’s Mmmpanada food trailer to badgeholders at the IFC Crossroads House at the corner of Brazos and Sixth streets.
I talked to her earlier this week about her show, coming to Austin and, of course, her fridge.
Tran says she’s flattered by comparisons to other offbeat shows, saying some call her show “Pee Wee’s Playhouse” meets Rachael Ray. “I like fun colors and being goofy,” she says.
“I always loved food and eating and making food just for fun,” she says. Growing up in Cleveland, she didn’t know there was a whole culture of Asians like her who were obsessed with eating and the cute side of food. When she moved to New York, she found a community of other food-crazed creative types, and the idea for “Food Party” was born.
Even though it only takes a week to film two episodes, it takes a month to build the sets. “We go through tons of paint just because we can.” She originally aired the episodes online and in art galleries before being picked up by IFC last year.
Tran is in Austin for the film festival, but she’ll hit up some food parties, too. “I plan to go to some parties, ham it up with the industry types, mainly film stuff, but some food blogger events, too,” she says.
When she returns to New York after SXSW, she and her crew will be wrapping up episodes for the upcoming season, which will air on IFC on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. (CST) starting April 27.
What three things are always in your fridge?There’s always ketchup, something that’s leftover and something rotting. “You caught the fridge in a good time,” she says. “I had just thrown out rotting celery, parsley and asparagus.”
What’s your favorite condiment? Sriracha, kewpie mayo
What’s your go-to late-night snack? It’s always different, but yesterday it was salted vinegar potato chips. I love pizza rolls by Totino’s, Doritos and anything flaming hot.
Photo by Thu Tran.
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