Food Matters: Indian fusion solution to work-night meals, Tommy's Foods, Juicebox & Soup Peddler

An Indian fusion solution to work-night meals

Some nights, especially during the work week, you just don't feel like cooking.

Eating out is always an option, but Curries by Design, a local catering and meal delivery service company, allows you to order Indian fusion meals for same-day delivery during the first half of the week. Owner Aparna Nayani says that as long as you order online by noon on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, one of her staff will deliver your order between 6 and 9 p.m. the same day. (Delivery to just about anywhere in Central Texas is free for orders over $40.)

Nayani, who first started to cook as a teenager living in Houston, says the menu is different each week because she's always coming up with new dishes like tikka paneer quesadillas, spicy creole pasta and kebab-inspired sliders and meatballs to serve alongside traditional fare including samosas, curries, korma and keema. "I take world cuisine and try to incorporate Indian flavors into it," she says. "It's a never-ending process."

During the second half of the week and weekends, Curries by Design switches gears into catering mode, preparing food for corporate events and weddings, and in a few weeks, the company is launching "Lap of Luxury," a line of cookies that will feature flavors including masala chai, rose pistachio and saffron cardamom. www.curriesbydesign.com

- Addie Broyles

Didn't take Tommy long to start food company

It's not far from the truth to say that any time Tommy Williams wasn't on the baseball field, he was thinking about food. But because you can't get a scholarship to college by cooking barbecue, the 23-year-old Austinite held off on starting his own food company until after he graduated last year from Concordia University. He started developing a line of salsas (roja, fire-roasted corn and black bean, pineapple de arbol and roasted ancho chile, $4.99 for 16 ounces) last summer, launched Tommy's Foods in April and within just a few months was selling his products in every Whole Foods in Texas. This summer, he's added spice rubs ($7.99 for 10.9 ounces) in four flavors: Southwest, coffee, Mediterranean and an all-purpose flavor called the Mix. Next up: peach salsa and white and blue corn chips. www.tommysfoods.com .

- A.B.

Austinville adds a blend of soup, juice peddlers

Soup Peddler David Ansel and Daily Juice owner/co-founder Matt Shook have announced plans to open Juicebox & Soup Peddler - a walk-up building at 2801 S. Lamar Blvd. The quick-service spot will become the latest addition to the Austinville 78704 complex that will include Amy's Ice Creams, Phil's Ice House, Gaga, Thundercloud Subs and Papalote. Juicebox & Soup Peddler is expected to open in November and will serve eight smoothies and juices, along with about eight soups. Ansel said that everything on the menu will be less than $6. Located at the corner of South Lamar Boulevard and Manchaca Road, the building will be designed by Michael Hsu, with construction additions expected to begin in the next couple of weeks. Ansel says he expects the new business - which will offer take-away service as well as a seated area - to be open seven days a week, with hours to be determined.

- Matthew Odam

Openings, closings and coming soon

• Open: La Sombra Bar & Grill , a Latin American restaurant with food from Peruvian-born executive chef Julio Cesar-Florez, at 4800 Burnet Road. 458-1100, www.lasombra-austin.com .

• Open: Phoebe's Mud, a mobile espresso trailer found often at the East Austin Trailer Park and Eatery, 2326 Cesar Chavez St. www.phoebesmud.com .

• Open: Rita's Italian Water Ice, a store at 29th and Guadalupe streets selling Italian water ice and custard. 476-7482, www.ritasice.com .

• Closed : Takorea, the Korean taco truck most often found at the Longhorn Food Court at Rio Grande Street.

- Mike Sutter, A.B.