Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2010
The Pachanga Latino Music Festival, which took place on Saturday, May 22 at Fiesta Gardens in East Austin, was a lively party indeed. Now in its third year, the event had a stellar lineup, including local and international acts ranging from DJs to mariachis and traditional Tejano to electronica infused with Latin sounds. There was [...]
The Souvenir Menu: Estancia Beef at Central Market’s “Passport Argentina”
May 12 through the 25th, Central Market held its “Passport Argentina” event, featuring a wide variety of produce, guest chef cooking demonstrations, and even tango demonstrations. I had the real pleasure of meeting Bill Reed, CEO of Estancia Beef, a new meat supplier to Central Market. Bill’s company provides free range, grass-fed beef from Argentina, [...]
The Souvenir Menu: Maggiano’s Domain delight
Although it has only been open in Austin for two months, Maggiano’s Little Italy at the Domain has already become a popular destination for many Italian food lovers in Austin. Established in Chicago in 1991, the brand has grown to 44 restaurants nationwide and even has a franchise location in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Despite the many [...]
The Souvenir Menu: Houston’s, not your ordinary chain
Update: It was recently announced that Houston’s will be renamed Bartlett’s. Franchisee Tim Bartlett’s contract with Hillstone Restaurant Group is up this year and it will now be independently owned. Restaurant snobs will invariable bristle at even the thought of a chain restaurant; but the words “chain restaurant” no longer guarantees frozen cookie cutter food [...]
Cine Las Americas film review: Amorosa Soledad (Lovely Loneliness)
Can’t help but love Soledad The opening night for the 13th Cine Las Américas International Film Festival kicked off with the 2008 Argentinean film, Amorosa Soledad (Lovely Loneliness), produced by Hernan Musaluppi and Natacha Cervi. Starring in this romantic comedy are Inés Efron, Fabián Vena, and Nicolás Pauls; however, it could be said that Ms. [...]
Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out)
Mil gracias, truly a thousand thanks, to Cine Las Américas and the Consulate General of Mexico for the presentation of the Mexican movie Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out). Directed by Roberto Sneider and based on the highly acclaimed novel by Ángeles Mastretta, the movie was a phenomenal cultural treasure that honored Austin a [...]
Date Night: A marriage misadventure comedy
And you thought you’ve had bad dates. Phil and Claire Foster, played by Steve Carell (The Office, The 40-Year Old Virgin) and Tina Fey (30 Rock, Baby Mama), are a typical married couple with two kids from the ‘burbs of New Jersey. After finding out that one of the couples they hang out with is [...]
Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out)
Mil gracias, truly a thousand thanks, to Cine Las Américas and the Consulate General of Mexico for the presentation of the Mexican movie Arráncame La Vida (Tear This Heart Out). Directed by Roberto Sneider and based on the highly acclaimed novel by Ángeles Mastretta, the movie was a phenomenal cultural treasure that honored Austin, Texas [...]
The Souvenir Menu: Sweet Celebration
For my mother’s 60th birthday, I hedged my bets. I bought several bottles of Champagne for her party, but also brought along several bottles of Moscato d’Asti. Over the years I have received consistently good feedback whenever I’ve served this wine. For orientation, Moscato (Bianco) is the Italian name for the Muscat grape, and Asti [...]
Justine’s: A French story d’amour
Tucked away among the factories and warehouses on East Fifth Street, you will find a house with a pétanque, or bocce ball, court and garden tables. As you walk through the courtyard, you begin to smell the aroma of butter and garlic. A few more steps and you are greeted with the sound of classic [...]
