Food

When the final drop of vodka was poured, the last martini glass set down, and the last votes tallied, the 6th Annual Austin Cocktail Throwdown announced a winner Thursday evening. Ladies and gentlemen: Nate Wales of La Condesa has taken the prize. more ›

A few weeks back, The Informed Drinker spoke to FINO'S Bill Norris, one of Austin's best-known bar darlings. Last June, his protégé Dave Alan—one of two gentlemen behind Austin's local cocktail catering operation, Tipsy Texan—took over the bar at Annies on Congress. Originally a quaint lunch spot/bakery and catering service, Annies has recently expanded into a bustling Euro-bistro café and happy hour destination. more ›

Austin Restaurant Week is back and bigger than ever. The semi-annual citywide event, put on by the new crew at Rare magazine, affords Austinites a chance to try out special $25 and $35 prix fixe menus at over fifty upscale eateries. Participating restaurants include relative newcomers like Perla's, Sushi Zushi, and Frank, plus classic Austin institutions such as Hudson’s on the Bend and Jeffrey's. more ›

Austin Restaurant Week is back, and bigger than ever. The semi-annual citywide event, put on by the new crew at Rare magazine, affords Austinites a chance to try out special $25 and $35 prix fixe menus at over fifty upscale eateries. Participating restaurants include relative newcomers like Perla's, Sushi Zushi, and Frank, plus classic Austin institutions such as Hudson’s on the Bend and Jeffrey's. more ›

As students of alcohol history know, the production and importation of absinthe was illegal here in the United States until very recently: December 2007. Thanks to the Prohibitionists (seriously, thanks guys), the stuff had been banned Stateside since 1912, due to health concerns that its high alcohol content and compositional character caused madness. But who's madder than a drunk Austinite? No one, that's who. more ›

For the past couple of weeks, we've been speaking with local bartenders about their recommended libations. But you know what? The Informed Drinker has some drinking recommendations of her own, based on thorough field research gained from office happy hours, various dates, Alamo Drafthouse sing-alongs, “you go girl” confidence-building sessions, lunch meetings gone awry, feigning interest in spectator sports, and celebrating the fact that it's Tuesday. more ›