If there is one thing that we love, it’s a good party. There are stipulations of course: there needs to be great people, great food, great drinks, great entertainment and of course, the crowning factor, we must have had absolutely nothing to do with organizing it. Thankfully, we can always count on the Austin Film Festival to do the heavy lifting for us and on Wednesday, October 10th, they are serving up just what we... more ›

The Austin Chronicle kicked off its 19th Annual Restaurant Poll yesterday with a ballot deadline of April 23. Each year the Chronicle covers all the bases from best comfort food to best bathrooms to best wine list. The results will be featured in the May 18 issue of the Chronicle. Here's who we're voting for: FAVORITE RESTAURANT One: El Gringo Two: Vespaio Enoteca Three: Uchi BEST DISHES Appetizers: The Bar at the Roaring Fork... more ›

Let's be honest: everyone loves SXSW week, but when it ends, you are secretly very ready to move on. Before we do, let's take a look at some of the isolated, crazy, and wonderful moments that make SXSW such an over-the-top sensory experience. – The dude at Girl Talk dancing with a broken pinata on his head. Then passing said pinata to someone else to dance with. – Isaac Hayes talking in his famous... more ›

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Zagat's 2007 America's Top Restaurants Survey is out and although the setup on this one begs for an immediate rimshot, it's true - we love eating out. In fact, only Houston residents eat out with more frequency *snicker* than Austinites. Hungry Houstonians are eating out an average of 4.2 meals per week while residents of Austin and Dallas/Ft. Worth eat out an average of 4 times per week. Trailing in weekly eating-out outings are... more ›

Although not officially part of the Austin Film Festival, tomorrow night, the AFF hosts the 4th annual Film & Food party to benefit its Young Filmmakers Program. Considered by many to be the finest party of the year, the evening begins at the Paramount Theatre with a 6:30 p.m. retrospective screening of the classic film The Black Stallion followed by a Q&A with screenwriter and Austinite Bill Wittliff (Legends of the Fall, Honeysuckle Rose, “Lonesome... more ›

Things we learned at the 2006 Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Tour de Vin at Whole Foods Market: more ›

At the top of the Austinist don't-miss list for people who eat and/or drink is The Wine & Food Foundation of Texas' fourth annual Tour de Vin on the downtown Whole Foods Market terrace next Thursday, October 5, from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Participating chefs and restaurants include Austin culinary heavyweights; Amuse Bouche – A Catering Company, Aquarelle, Bistro 88, Castle Hill Café, Cibo (Will Packwood, a Food & Wine’s 2001 Best New Chef... more ›

Yet another trip to Taverna has us convinced that Robert Montez is a front-of-the-house genius. Chef Andrea Volpi treated us to a deliriously intoxicating risotto made from mushrooms sent to him by his mother, Giovanna, who lives in Milan. As in Milan, Italy, y'all. Seriously, we’re not worthy. Bust down the doors at Central Market and hoard as much double-sweet corn from Florida as you can. It’s so sweet, we wanted to tell you... more ›

It seems everything and everyone is getting their own national month these days. This month alone, Barbecue; Bikes; Eggs; Hamburgers; Physical Fitness & Sports; and Salsa all get their time to shine. Nothing the overrated food item eggs need more than their own damn month, after already single-handedly trying to take down the taco industrial complex. But we digress. As all of these categories own a special place in Austinist's heart, we will be doing... more ›

Everyone ballyhoos Austin's status as live music capitol of the world, but the pink elephant in the room that no chamber of commerce or visitors bureau would ever touch is that fact that Austinites truly like to get their drink on. More than that, they like their drinks served with snacks. You know it's true. A few quick thoughts as we approach the summer drankin' and snackin' season: In the category of best junk... more ›

This week, July 25-July 31, Majic 95.5 is bringing us Restaurant Week. Your fine dining experience will help Austin's needy. You spend $25 and $5 becomes a contribution to Caritas of Austin, which is a local non profit benefitting Austin families and individuals in need by helping provide rent, utilities, food, and general support. more ›