news you can eat
A new cheese tasting room and oyster classes instruct Austin food news
It's a tame week for food news in Austin, but more is coming soon. Once again, South Lamar is the place to be. In between all the openings and events, CultureMap is taking an evening to reflect on what some of the city's top chefs and restaurants have achieved.
Openings
Love&Cookies, known for its online and H-E-B sales alongside its original Lakeway location, is now open at 1701 South Lamar Blvd. — its first brick-and-mortar in Austin proper. This business started with family at its heart, as owner Ashley Cameron baked for her son with Kawasaki Disease (IVIG); The bakery now supports other kids with the same condition. The cookies come in 10 classic and rotating flavors, with gluten-free options, brownies, cinnamon rolls, cookie cakes, and an ice cream bar by Howdy Homemade. Operating hours are 9 am to 8 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 9 am to 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays.
After much anticipation, the cultishly popular Antonelli's Cheese Shop has opened its doors just down the road at 1100 S. Lamar Blvd., #1130. Besides the appeal of shopping local for high quality cheeses, Antonelli's has charmed Austinites with tasting classes that consistently sell out and a monthly cheese club. In fact, this spot is mostly for hosting tastings. Who doesn't want to know more about their favorite cheeses? Shoppers can pick up trays Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 am to 5 pm. Check the calendar for class times.
ICYMI: Surprise, surprise. South Lamar does it again, with Austin's first location for the Arizona-based wine chain Postino Wine Cafe. After that summer opening, a second location is coming (presumably not on South Lamar) next year. As mentioned above, we'll be announcing this year's Restaurant of the Year, Chef of the Year, Best New Restaurant, and more at the Tastemaker Awards tonight — in a few hours, actually. Check our editorial series around 9 pm for the big reveal.
Other news and notes
Loro, the joint Asian smokehouse effort of famous chefs Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole, is now shipping its unique barbecue around the United States via Goldbelly. Shipping barbecue will always be a little pricy, but these meals are good for parties and cheer-up packages. They include a smoked pork shoulder bo ssam dinner for 4 ($79.95), a DIY chicken karaage kit for 2-3 ($69.95), an oak smoked brisket sandwich kit for 4 ($99.95), and two or four racks of smoked baby back duroc pork ribs ($119.95 or $189.95). Meals come with cooking instructions and are delivered about 48 hours later. See more via Goldbelly.
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is approaching, spanning April 13-15. Celebrations in Austin are already underway, starting with Sway in West Lake Hills. Specials are available through April 15. That includes drunken noodles, stuffed bass, khao chae, shaved ice, "botanical installations," and more. On April 13, one of Austin's best-known Thai chefs, Chef Jam Sanitchat, is also offering specials at Thai Fresh in the form of a crawfish boil. This was a private event for restaurant staff, but now all Austinites are invited to enjoy the tom yum and lemongrass soup boil, plus grilled pork, sticky rice, Thai moo ping, Thai grilled chicken, and chicken satay.
If your cooking routine is getting a bit rote, consider trying something more tropical. Central Market is carrying tropical specials from April 10-20 to introduce Texans to more tropical ingredients: different mango varieties, marinated meat and seafood (Caribbean rum, Hawaiian teriyaki, coconut shrimp), tropical fruit sushi, and more. Stop by the Westlake location April 13 from 2-5 pm for a free $5 coupon. (North Lamar coupons are "sold" out.) Resister via Eventbrite.
Garbo's is known for its fresh Maine lobster, but its sister pop-up Shuck It focuses on oysters — a favorite of nerdy foodies who like knowing exactly where each flavor comes from. If that sounds fun but your knowledge isn't there yet, you can brush up at a fancy, yet educational dinner experience held by Shuck It and Island Creek Oysters from April 20-21, depending on the location. Marisol Bradford and Stacy Hopp of Island Creek will share knowledge on oyster cultivation, flavor profiles, and shucking techniques; Garbo’s co-owner Samantha Garbo will cover things on the caviar side. The learning will be followed by a sit-down dinner. Reserve via Eventbrite at the following links:
- April 19 — Dripping Springs ($150)
- April 20 — North Mopac ($150)
- April 21 — North Lamar ($120)