Good Eats

East Side King and Épicerie go head-to-head in finals of CultureMap's New Restaurant Challenge

Will fare from a Top Chef or a French-inspired eatery reign supreme as Austin's best new restaurant?

After three weeks of voting, CultureMap's 2013 New Restaurant Challenge has reached the final match-up: Paul Qui's iconic East Side King goes head-to-head against Sarah McIntosh's peaceful épicerie.

The final four came down to the wire, but East Side King beat Banger's Sausage House and Beer Garden with 51 percent of the vote, while épicerie received 54 percent of the votes to overcome Ramen Tatsu-ya.

East Side King's first brick and mortar location opened at the end of 2012, bringing a new era of near campus dining to its Hole in the Wall abode:

UT alumni may find it hard to believe that today's students are passing up Kerbey queso for squid ink curry ramen, but the times they are a-changin'. The dish is a knockout, coming out pitch black and with a flavor to match. Earthy, thick and packed with deep flavors, it's a surefire winter staple that will warm you up as it fills you up.

A French-Louisiana inspired restaurant and grocery, épicerie established its Rosedale home in late December.

In addition to featuring a mouthwatering selection of soups, salads, snacks and entrées, épicerie boasts a selection of nearly 60 cheeses, a dozen charcuterie meats, a handful of pastries and an impressive selection of artisan products, such as sweet honey, gourmet jams, American sea salt, fine wines, handmade soaps and a number of other gourmet goods.

Voting for the final round is open through Sunday, March 31 (you can vote for your favorite once a day). The winner will be announced at the 2013 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards on April 11 and will receive the people's choice Tastemaker Award for New Restaurant.

The CultureMap Tastemaker Awards, benefiting the Austin Food and Wine Alliance, promises to be festive and delicious with plenty of drinks and decadent treats from the best in Austin's culinary and cocktail scene. Tickets are on sale now.

Épicerie.

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Fierce Competition

Austin distillery hosting bourbon cocktail showdown with $12,000 in awards

Photo by Preston O'Shea

Fierce Whiskers is looking for the perfect cocktail to show off its Texas Straight Bourbon.

With something as nuanced as bourbon, it might be impossible to nail down the definitive best way to showcase it. Austin's Fierce Whiskers Distillery is not deterred. It'll task a dozen local bartenders with creating the best cocktail for its Texas Straight Bourbon in the Third Annual Austin Bourbon Battle on October 26.

This is a serious competition with big prizes paid out by the distillery (which has hosting help from partners Liber & Co and Virtue Craft Spirits). A people's choice award will end in a $2,000 prize, and the expert judges will award $10,000 to their favorite creation. Stakes are higher this year; the people's choice prize is now doubled, and the grand prize is the biggest of any year so far. Fierce Whiskers is only four years old, making this third year of event organizing overachievement all the more impressive.

Of course, if the people are going to choose a cocktail, they have to taste it. And if 12 sample-sized sips are just a warm-up, there will also be full portions of "select cocktails" to purchase, according to a press release. Food trucks Tru Luv Empanadas and Midway Dogs will be on hand with snacks, and live music will complete the evening. Rivian Electric Vehicles, which recently opened an Austin showroom, will also be there showing off its latest model and offering test drives and VIP shutter service.

Guests can come to support their favorite bartenders or find somewhere new to hang out next time they've got a hankering for a great bourbon cocktail. The following mixologists will be representing their bars:

Fletcher Wright – UpRoot
Ben Robinette, Brian Bounds – Kinfolk Lounge & Library
Trenten Relles – Meanwhile Brewing
Matthew Owoseni – Stella San Jac
Jarad Crowell – Il Brutto
Zachary Moore – Hillside Farmacy
Trever Fehrenbach – Dumont’s Down Low
Kevan Ash – Roosevelt Room
Rick Routh – Higher Ground
Franceska Akel – Equipment Room
Jessy Rae – Taco Flats
Matthew Le – Nickel City

The judges also have some recognizable names: whiskey writer Gabby Pharms, OMG Squee owner Sarah Lim, and Foliepops owner and Top Chef finalist Kevin D'Andrea.

“The competition continues to get more and more fierce,” said Fierce Whiskers founder Tri Vo in the release. “We’ve seen some incredible creations come out of Bourbon Battle each year and are always blown away by the creativity of each mixologist. It’s a privilege to showcase their creativity to the Austin community and we just hope folks come out to see what they can do!”

The Austin Bourbon Battle will take place at 5333 Fleming Ct. on October 26 from 3-7 pm. Tickets ($40) are available on Tock.

cocktails bartenders competition whiskey bourbon food trucks