![_The Preservation, The Dalles and SuperLiteBike at Beauty Ballroom [Show Preview]](http://austinist.com/assets_c/2012/05/the preservation-thumb-250x250-716401.jpg)
Wine & Food Festival Preview: It's Over The Top. It's Worth It. It's Stars Across Texas.
Friday, April 11
Hilton Austin Downtown (500 East 4th Street)
$130, 7-10pm
[info] | [tickets]
As Elvis Costello once said: "Oh, I just don't know where to begin." How does one describe Austin's best food and wine event of the year? Let us simply say that if you're a foodie, and you don't plan to attend this...perhaps your credentials should be revoked.
This is prom night, homecoming, and the big game all in one. The top wineries are pouring. The best restaurants in the state are competing to one up each other. And the sheer volume of it all is overwhelming. Stars Across Texas is the marquee event of the festival, an expensive but amazing feast for your palate featuring everything that's great about Texas food and international wine and spirits.
The focus of this event is Texas food, so you will not find chefs from New York or San Francisco here. This is a good thing, as ultimately the event shines because it proves that Texas is a culinary destination...and the proof is there to taste. To simplify things a bit, we will simply list our top twenty (!) restaurants, as far more are participating. The ones you shouldn't miss: 62 Main, Aquarelle Restaurant Francais, Dallas Fish Market, Driskill Grill, Hayashi Sushi & Grill, Hudson's on the Bend, Imperia, Jasper's Restaurant, Jeffrey's, Mars, Max's Wine Dive, NoRTH Modern Italian, Olivette at the Houstonian, Shade, Siena, Starlite, The Lodge Restaurant, TRIO, Uchi, and Zoot. And to think, that's only about half of what's on offer.
To limit this food to the still youthful Texas wine industry would be tough, so Stars Across Texas imports wines from around the world to compliment the diverse food offerings. Our favorite wineries that should top your list include: Belle Glos, Casa Lapostolle, Caymus Vineyards, Ferrari-Carano Vineyards & Winery, J Bookwalter, Jordan Winery, l'Aventure, MacMurray Ranch, Medusa, Mer Soleil, Moet and Chandon, Quintessa, Tablas Creek, Terrazas de los Andes, and Wente Vineyards.
Wine isn't the only beverage on offer: multiple liquor vendors will be sampling cocktails and or shots of their wares. These premium spirits are plentiful, among them: 10 Cane Rum, Cuervo 1800, 3 Olives Vodka, Boru Vodka, Gentleman Jack, Herradura Tequila, Sauza Hornitos, Kahlua French Vanilla, Paula's Texas Spirits, Stoli Blakberi, Tito's Vodka, Treaty Oak Platinum Rum, Tuaca, and XO. We don't suggest trying all of those - just pick a few. And please keep some taxi numbers handy.
For those less prone to alcoholic indulgence, there will also be offerings of sodas, teas, coffees, chocolates, and desserts. If you are still with us, we suggest splurging on a ticket, and skipping lunch on the day, as this event will simply be ridiculous! Get ready for all the food and drink you can sample...tenfold.
