Austinist celebrates culinary diversity with Satay Restaurant, Twin Liquors, Charlie's Austin

We don’t know what you’re doing Saturday afternoon but we’re going to a birthday party for the Queen of Thailand and you’re totally invited. Chef and all-around culinary superstar, Dr. Foo Swasdee, is celebrating both the queen's birthday and the grand opening of her new outdoor garden and patio at Satay Restaurant featuring Thai classical dance, Thai music, complimentary Thai tapas and a cash bar. Now stop sitting around this house complaining about not having anything to do.

Satay Restaurant
3202 W Anderson Ln

Timothy Graham at Twin Liquors has been steering people toward the right wines for years. A note from Timothy reminded us we have not one but two chances to enable our inner wino this weekend:

On Friday Aug. 11, 4-7pm, join Timothy for a discussion and tasting of Merlot, the Red Headed Stepchild of Grapes. Timothy says whether it was “due to an overabundance of offerings or the fact the movie Sideways railed against it so heartily, Merlot has seen its popularity wane in the past few years. I do believe it is time to take another look at this misbegotten grape and try two fine examples from the Napa Valley: Rutherford Hill Merlot 2002 and Ballentine Vineyards Estate Grown Merlot 2001.”

On Saturday Aug. 12, 2-6PM, Timothy reminds us to Blend But Don't Break. “Did you know that the majority of wines that you drink are actually blends of two or more grapes? Even though a label may read Cabernet Sauvignon, there is a good chance that up to 25% of the wine may be a combination of Merlot, Cab Franc, or other grapes. Here are three blends that we adore: Marquis Philips Holly's Blend 2004, Chusclan La Ferme de Gicon Cotes du Rhone 2003 and Veramonte Primus 2003.”

Twin Liquors
9901 Brodie Ln

Can’t decide among eating, drinking, piano music and almost-naked athletic males who may or may not have substance abuse problems? If so, Tuesday nights at Charlie’s Austin just may be the solution for all your peculiar indecision. Come for happy hour, get your $5 steak or chicken dinner with all the “fixins,” snap your now-greasy fingers to the piano stylings of Charles Robinson, and watch your friends and neighbors get (almost) naked at the wildly outrageous behest of sassy drag queens. Fancy!

Charlie’s Austin
13th and Lavaca