In the Fall of 2009, Chef Rene Ortiz and La Condesa owner Jesse Herman found an innovative and clever way to contribute to the Sustainable Food Center: in an effort to both be charitable and foster collaboration, they offered up their kitchen and restaurant twice a year for an all-star, Top Chef-style parade of locally sourced food from Austin's best culinary talent. After a quiet first event, the word spread: this was perhaps one of the greatest nights for Austin food all year - full-stop. more ›

There has never been a shortage of great eats at ACL Fest, and this year, with the HOPE Farmers Market selling artisanal, local and prepared foods and an impressive 12 newcomers added to the mix (denoted by an asterisk below), the food court is looking especially promising. more ›

Oh, those pesky marching bands. Due to the Capital City Marching Band Festival taking over the grounds of the Toney Burger Center, the Sunset Valley Farmers' Market makes a one-time move this Saturday to Brodie Lane and Home Depot Blvd. This alternate location is a special one-time move, so spread the word and stop by to support the vendors. All usual features (live music, free parking, and an outdoor cafe) will be the same as on other weeks. more ›

Edible Austin's winter fundraiser, Eat Local Week continues through Saturday. Area restaurants and markets are participating by donating a portion of their proceeds from locally sourced menu items to Urban Roots. There are just a few more days full of Eat Local events to enjoy - we're particularly excited about the Local Brewers Happy Hour on Friday. more ›

Edible Austin's winter fundraiser, East Local Week, starts tonight with a multi-media celebration of sustainable food hosted by BookPeople from 6-8pm. Pamela Walker, the author of Growing Good Things to Eat in Texas will be joined by Ana Sofia Jones, director of the film FRESH, and Chef Alain Braux the classically trained chef who holds the unique distinction of cooking delicious, healthy food at Peoples Rx. more ›

People, we need to talk about food some more. Awhile back I was discussing my addiction to food memoirs, particularly in the audiobook format. The past couple of weeks—as if purposefully trading in soft creamy brie spread across hot crusty French bread for Dickensian gruel—I swapped out those delicious bits of ear candy for more somber audio food fare. Which is to say I listened to The Omnivore’s Dilemma and currently am in the midst of The End of Overeating. Those books have left me with enough food for thought to merit a two-part series. I’m going to save the grimmer news for Part II—next week. For now, I’m going to tell you about the positive upshot of taking in exposes on the industry of food. Months ago, even before I checked out the books, I’d already made a note to myself on my Goals For 2009 list to eat better and more local foods. more ›

Surrounded by the literal fruits of area vendors' labors, the proclamation that this week shall heretofore be known as Eat Local Week will ring from the booths of the downtown Austin Farmer's Market this morning, accompanied by a 24 carrot salute, trumpeting (or should we say "rooting") in a week of events that highlight the bountiful goodness that is to be had in our fine city. more ›

This month's Green Drinks is kicking the New Year off with some eat-right type resolutions. Salila Travers, organizer of the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market and owner of Aztec Organic Pest Service for over 25 years, will be on tap to share her passion for organic foods and nutritional expertise with the environmentally aware and sustainability professionals that make up Austin Green Drinks. more ›

Image from www.sustain-a-ball.org Sustainable Shopper’s Ball, "Have a Green, Green Christmas!" FestivalSaturday, December 1Burger Center (3200 Jones Road)9am-2pm, FREE[info]It's time for the second annual Sustainable Shopper's Ball Green Holiday Festival! Over 60 local vendors will be at the Sunset Valley Farmer's Market at Burger Center this Saturday with plenty of sustainable products and gift ideas to choose from. You can finally buy that sun oven for your brother-in-law, or an electronic motorcycle for yourself. You... more ›

Photo from Soundcheck Magazine Austin's 2nd Annual Green Holiday Festival, "The Sustainable Shopper's Ball!", returns to the Sunset Valley Farmers Market with over 60 local vendors and educators offering everything from bamboo homewares to luxury organic linens SXSW Film Festival Producer Matt Dentler shares some insider tips on what the film programming team is looking for - "Should you spend money on a fancy press kit? Should you check your DVD screener 4 different times... more ›

Original menu image courtesy the Frisco Shop With the Brentwood Tavern and the Travis County Farmer's Market both closing last month, the Allandale culinary scene is certainly undergoing some transition. The Austin Business Journal and the Statesman's Dale Rice report that the Frisco Shop (North Central Austin's haven of pie and artery-clogging comfort food) has found a new home and will not close its doors after learning last year that its location would soon house... more ›

As farmer's markets gain popularity nationwide, Austinites can stand proud as the Austin Farmer's Market does its part to support local farmers. Greenlight Magazine highlights the top 10 markets in the nation in its most recent edition, and Austin hits the list. According to the magazine: This growers-only market is limited to local (within 150 miles) farms, and boasts a distinct Southwestern flavor. Pick up Creole pralines, pecans, as well as heirloom zipper, cream, black-eyed,... more ›

Anyone interested in learning about the farm bill, buying some sustainable grass-fed beef and fresh local eggs and long beans, or just finding somewhere nice to walk around with a fair-trade, locally-roasted coffee should consider heading to one of Austin’s farmers markets this Saturday. Figs, apples, pears, purple long beans, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, squash blossoms, greens, basil, garlic, shallots, onions, and summer squash are among the fresh seasonal picks available at the markets this... more ›

Londonist are starting to think their city is getting just a little bit too expensive, when even Christian Slater can't afford to go out there. And there's no escaping, as local singer Lily Allen discovered when she was barred entry to the US. The British mapping agency caused further bad karma, by blocking a 3-D representation of London in Google Earth. But the smiles returned to Londonist's faces as they interviewed Baroness von Reichardt,... more ›

WEDNESDAY [6] film • "Gunga Din" at The Paramount film • "The Man Who Would Be King" at The Paramount film • "5-25-77" at Alamo Downtown film • "Welcome Home, Brother Charles" with Jamaa Fanaka at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesday: "Penitentiary" at Alamo Downtown film • Austin Film Festival screens "I'm Reed Fish" at Regal Arbor music • Ozma, Eastern Conference Champs, The Actual, The Laughing at The Parish Room music • Chris... more ›

WEDNESDAY [30] booze • "Sir Chris" and "Lord Gates" from Car Stereo Wars and Learning Secrets guest bartend at The Mohawk (5-8pm) music • Locals @ La Zona Showcase Two wih AM Syndicate, The Drawing Board, Jets Under Fire at La Zona Rosa music • Hawnay Troof, Best Fwends, The Carrots at Emo's music • Pompeii, Ryan Lindsey, Gazelles, The Heirs at Emo's music • Tribute to Sublime with Badfish, Indofin, Under the Gun at... more ›

WEDNESDAY [16] music • Locals at La Zona Rosa Showcase with Zookeeper, The Laughing, A Pocketful of Deng at La Zona Rosa (Free with RSVP at Do512) books • The Intimacies Group with Guest Rick Lannoye discuss "Sex Drive" at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • "Willy Wonka" Chocolate Feast at Alamo Downtown film • Open Screen Night at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesday: "Daydream" at Alamo Downtown food • (The Original) Willy Wonka Chocolate... more ›

WEDNESDAY [9] books • Amy Guth presents Three Fallen Women at BookWoman (7:00pm) comedy • Jimmie Roulette at Cap City Comedy Club film • Texas Doc Tour: "Ten Under Ten 2007" at Alamo Downtown film • "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" with Golden Ticket Giveaway at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesdays: "Cop Killers" at Alamo Downtown food • Angel Valley Organic Farm Farmstand at Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road (10am-2pm) food... more ›

An elderly woman plowed her car into a West Austin Randall's market yesterday, after becoming disoriented in the parking lot. Much like the man who crashed his Buick Le Sabre through a Santa Monica farmer's market several years ago, the woman reportedly experienced a bout of "pedal error," stepping on the accelerator instead of the break. Four people inside the market were injured by flying debris, including the woman's son, who ended up pinned under... more ›

WEDNESDAY [2] DJ • The Black (DJ Set), Gerald Cosloy at Scoot Inn (10pm, Free) books • Poetry on the Plaza: The Book of Poetry at The Harry Ransom Center (12noon) books • Jeffrey Greene presents Water From Stone at BookPeople (7:00pm) dance • Stomp at The Paramount Theatre exhibition • UT Department of Theatre & Dance's Annual Design and Technology Exhibition at Oscar G. Brockett Theatre, Winship Drama Building (9am) film • "Plagues and... more ›

WEDNESDAY [25] comedy • Tig Notaro and Steve Burr at Cap City Comedy Club books • BookPeople's First Annual Spelling Bee at BookPeople (7:00pm, 13 and under) books • Jacqueline Taylor presents Waiting for the Call: From Preacher's Daughter to Lesbian Mom at BookWoman (7:00pm) dance • Fetish and Other Dances, part of Refraction Arts' Fuse Box Festival at The Off Center (8pm) film • "The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico" at Alamo... more ›

If you aren't going to the launch party tonight, you can watch the first episode of Downtown's third season tomorrow night from the comfort of your own home. For those unfamiliar with the show, KLRU's award-winning series focuses on, well, the downtown area. Topics covered in past seasons have been: Waller Creek, First Night Austin, bicycle messengers, Austin's hip-hop scene, the Austin Farmer's Market, urban density, and more. Each thirty-minute episode is made up of... more ›

WEDNESDAY [18] lecture • KLRU's SPARK Series Welcomes Douglas Rushkoff at The Paramount (7:30pm, Tickets are HALF OFF from Noon-7:30pm!) benefit/film • Friends of the Festival Anniversary Celebration (Cine Las Americas) at 2308 Fortune Drive ($100, 6-9pm) books • Poetry on the Plaza: Living Poets at The Harry Ransom Center (12 Noon) books • The Intimacies Group with Karen Kreps at BookPeople (7:00pm) books • Stephanie Elizondo Griest presents 100 Places Every Woman Should... more ›

WEDNESDAY [11] books • JoAnna Barrett presents The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom at BookPeople (7:00pm) film • Texas Doc Tour: "Fish Kill Flea" at Alamo Downtown film • Open Screen Night at Alamo Downtown film • Weird Wednesdays: "Marta" at Alamo Downtown film • Jim Jarmusch Film Series: "Dead Man" at Alamo Village film • "Babe" Organic Vegetarian Feast at Alamo Village film/discussion • Screening of Israeli film director Eytan Fox's "Walk... more ›

WEDNESDAY [4] film •"Harold & Kumar" with All-You-Can-Eat Mini Burgers at Alamo Downtown film •"8-Bit" at Alamo Downtown film •Weird Wednesdays: "Kill Or Be Killed" at Alamo Downtown books •Dr. Errol Friedberg presents From Rags to Riches: The Phenomenal Rise of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas at Intellectual Property (7:00pm) books •Alfredo Estrada presents Havana at BookPeople (7:00pm) comedy •Paul Varghese at Cap City Comedy Club food •Angel Valley Organic... more ›

WEDNESDAY [28] film •AFS presents "Grindhouse" at The Paramount Theatre books •Larry Speck presents Technology, Sustainability, and Cultural Identity at BookPeople (7:00pm) books •Mayor's Book Club, First Discussion of Around the Bloc by Stephanie Elizondo Griest at International Center of Austin (7:00pm) film •Third Coast Night screens "Sacco & Vanzetti" at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film •"Transformers: The Movie" at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film •Weird Wednesdays: "Erotic Adventures of Superknight" at Alamo Drafthouse Downtown film... more ›

austinist is an Official Media Sponsor of The Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival photo of Chef John Ash courtesy The Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival Sure, think about the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival and the Sunday Fair in Georgetown is the first thing to come to mind. One of our favorite events, though, is this Saturday from 10am-1pm - then outdoor farmers’ market-inspired tasting event - From... more ›

Every year - from large festivals to more intimate tastings, from foodie seminars to elegant galas - the Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival showcases many of austinist's culinary favorites. At locations throughout town, the festival highlights not only local restaurants and culinary talents but local products as well. This year, the festival includes old favorites such as demos and classes by local and national celebrity chefs as well as the ubiquitous Sunday... more ›

WEDNESDAY [21] books • Jeff Stone presents The Crane at BookPeople (10:00am) books • The Intimacies Group at BookPeople (7:00pm) food • Angel Valley Organic Farm Farmstand at Asian American Cultural Center, 11713 Jollyville Road (10am-2pm) food • Market Days at the Farm at Boggy Creek Farm, 3414 Lyons Road (8:30am-1pm) food • Austin Farmers Market at Whole Food Parking Lot, 525 N Lamar (8:30am-Noon) drink • Mojito Tasting at Dona Emilia's, 101 San... more ›

WEDNESDAY [7] music • The Shins, Viva Voce at The Backyard music • Love and Dancing, with Daetron Vargas, Disco Nihilist, Majora Y Minora, and John Gomi at The Peacock music • Spinto Band, Dios, The Changes at Emo's music • Invincible Czars, Bee vs Moth, Golden Arm Trio at Emo's Lounge music • Woodgrain Wednesday with Bavu Blakes, DJ Rapid Ric, D-Madness at The Parish Room music • Patty Griffin at Waterloo Records... more ›