FOOD MATTERS

Hurricanes and World Wise Grains

Plus: Once Over Coffee Bar, Father's Day brunch sampler, Field of Dreams and Iron Drink wine events, Dripping Springs farmers market, La Condesa's a finalist for design award

New Orleans natives go with grain

Hurricane Katrina has led to millions of happenstance projects, among them a new gluten-free grain product developed by New Orleans natives Kim Wirth and Kristen Erdem, who moved to Austin after the storm. Wirth and Erdem didn't know each other pre-Katrina, but a mutual friend introduced them, and before long, they were creating a line of gluten-free grains for their new company, World Wise Grains. The first product, Arzu, a mix of quinoa, buckwheat and legumes, was released at the end of 2008. Erdem says they were inspired to create a nutrient-packed grain mix because of the lack of healthy food choices in schools and hospitals. "We designed it to be a healthy food," Wirth says. "We knew what we wanted in the nutrition panel, and we worked backward from there."

High in protein and fiber, Arzu can be made into a simple breakfast similar to oatmeal, but Wirth and Erdem say people are using it in cookies or with vegetables and meat. Look for a new product called Tasfa, which will include the Ethiopian supergrain teff, early next year. Arzu is available at People's Pharmacy and in several shops inside Dell Children's Medical Center and Cedar Park Regional Hospital. Wirth and Erdem will be hosting a tasting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday at the People's Pharmacy at U.S. 183 and RM 620. You can also order online ($2.50 per 1/2 cup package, or $68 for a bulk order of 31 packages) at www.worldwidegrains.com.

— Addie Broyles

A year of opportunity for a new coffee shop

2009 must be Jenée and Rob Ovitt's lucky number. After years of honing their coffee shop skills at Izzy's Coffee Den in Asheville, N.C., they moved back to Austin to open Once Over Coffee Bar in March. The location? 2009 S. First St. In just a few months, the former motorcycle shop has become a favorite for South Austinites who come in for French-press coffee that baristas make in small batches all day, carefully made espressos and a shaded back deck. People can bring in outside food, an easy thing to do with El Primo taco truck right outside. Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 326-9575. www.onceovercoffeebar.com.

— A.B.

La Condesa wins praise for restaurant design

Austin's La Condesa has been named a finalist for the 2009 Restaurant Design Awards by the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles. The building at 400-A W. Second St. was conceived by Austin's Michael Hsu Design Office and designer Joel Mozersky. La Condesa joins projects from Los Angeles (Bottega Louie) and Dallas (Five Sixty by Wolfgang Puck), along with entries from Brazil and China. Winners will be announced June 26.

— Mike Sutter

Farmers' market coming to Dripping Springs

Dripping Springs is getting a farmers' market. Starting on Saturday, farmers will be selling seasonal crops at the northeast corner of U.S. 290 and RM 12 in Dripping Springs. City Secretary Jo Ann Touchstone says the market — a first for the city — will be limited to produce growers, but they might add food artisans in the future. The markets will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month through October. Call 512-858-4725 for more information.

— A.B.

'Iron Drink': Ventana Restaurant at the Texas Culinary Academy and the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas present a five-course dinner paired with wines and beers in a showdown over which drink pairs best with food. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ventana, 11400 Burnet Road. $85, $75 for foundation members. Reservations at 327-7555, www.winefoodfoundation.org.

'Field of Dreams':A tasting of foods from more than a dozen restaurants (includingMcCormick & Schmick's, Nolan Ryan Beef, Cool River Cafe, North and the Salt Lick) along with wines from theFrancis Ford Coppola Presents Winery. Plus a 'Soles for Souls' charity silent auction of shoes autographed by sports figures such as Nolan Ryan, Mack Brown, Ben Crenshaw, Quan Cosby, Sanya Richards and others. Presented by the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas. 6:30 to 9 p.m. June 25 at the United Heritage Center at the Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $45, $35 for foundation members, $100 for ticket plus autographed poster. Reservations at 327-7555, www.winefood foundation.org.

— M.S.

Area restaurants doing Father's Day in style

Father's Day is Sunday. Here's a sampling of what Austin-area restaurants are doing for Dad that day. Look for more online at austin360.com/forklore.

Blue Star Cafeteria (4800 Burnet Road, C-300, 454-7827, www.bluestarcafeteria.com): Regular brunch menu, plus two specials: tenderloin steak and eggs ($13.50) and beef filet Benedict ($14.95). 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Crossings (13500 RM 2769, 877-944-3003, www.thecrossingsaustin.com): Brunch featuring barbecued brisket, ribs, chicken and sausage, plus an omelet station, salads, soups and desserts. Also with live country music and roping lessons. $39.95, $19.95 for children 6 to 12 years old, free for children 5 and younger. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

European Bistro (111 E. Main St., Pflugerville, 512-835-1919, www.european-bistro.com): Choices on a five-course fixed-price menu include Uzbekistan samosa, chicken-and-vegetable soup, Hungarian cucumber salad, steak au poivre, jagerschnitzel, wienerschnitzel, pork tenderloin and roasted duck leg, plus orange mousse cake or chocolate mousse cake. $45. A la carte menu also available. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (11600 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 140 at the Domain, 835-9463; 320 E. Second St. 457-1500; www.flemingssteakhouse.com): Three-course fixed-price brunch. Starters: wedge salad, onion soup, fruit. Main course: filet mignon Benedict, crab-cake Benedict, pork chop, salmon quiche. Dessert: berry cobbler, crème brûlée, turtle pie. Fathers also receive a $25 gift card for a future visit. $29.95. 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Roy's of Austin (340 E. Second St., 391-1500, www.roysrestaurant.com): Three-course brunch. Appetizer choices include a Yamaguchi sushi roll, lobster pot stickers and blackened ahi. Main course choices include beef short ribs with poached eggs, macadamia-crusted mahi mahi and crab cakes Benedict. Desserts include warm banana cake, chocolate mousse and guava chiffon-lillikoi cake. Fathers also receive a $20 gift card. $30-$46 for three courses, $12 for children. 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Ruth's Chris Steak House(107 W. Sixth St., 477-7884, www.ruthschris-austin.com): Three-course fixed-price menu (salad or soup, steak, chicken or fish, side and dessert) for $39.95 or $49.95. Opens at 4:30 p.m.

Sagra (1610 San Antonio St., 535-5988, www.sagrarestaurant.net): A special menu, plus a PG-rated burlesque show by the Jigglewatts. The menu includes batter-fried vegetables with marinara and herbed fontina, a dessert choice and a main course choice of quail with polenta, spinach and mushroom lasagna, shrimp with tomato risotto or Chicken Diavolo. The show starts at 2 p.m. $24.

Sullivan's Steakhouse (300 Colorado St, 495-6504, www.sullivansteakhouse.com): Three-course fixed-price menu. Starters: mushroom bisque or spinach salad. Main courses: sesame-seared tuna steak, 12-ounce filet or 16-ounce barbecue-spiced rib-eye. Dessert: wild berry cobbler. $35. Regular menu also available. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

— M.S.