People, not food, are at the heart of Austin's food scene. What we care about comes first, and this week that includes our pets, the natural world of plants and veggies, and better conditions for hospitality workers — among many other things.

Openings and closings

The Austin-based C.L. Butaud Wines is one of the leading Texas wineries, with recognition from Texas Monthly, Forbes, and many other respected reviewers. Austinites may already be familiar with the black label, but a new way to get in touch with these wines is opening on May 4: a new tasting room at 415 East Saint Elmo Rd., Suite 4F. This relocation from far west Austin near Dripping Springs brings the company significantly closer to many Austinites. Opening day will include the regular wine flights and glass offerings, and La Bonne Merde is bringing fancy cheese from 1-5 pm. Reserve at clbutaud.com. New tasting room hours are Thursdays through Saturdays from 1-8 pm, and Sundays from 1-6 pm.

One of Austin's leading pop-ups for fresh veggies and artisan foods, Texas Farmers’ Market is moving its well-known Saturday market to a new location. Now the Lakeline market be housed in the Bell District development in Cedar Park. Although this move — about a 15-minute drive northwest — will be sad for Lakeline locals, the new location will supposedly have better parking, more shade, and more seating, plus good access to the new Cedar Park Public Library. Visit at 200 S. Bell Boulevard on Saturdays, starting May 25, from 9 am to 1 pm. This market will be open year-round.

Try Hard Coffee Roasters has closed unexpectedly after, according to the company's Instagram account, took on too much debt. Management set up a GoFundMe to help workers who had been let go; Community members questioned why staff were not given sufficient warning, and Try Hard replied, "[H]ad a loan lined up and it fell through. No money left, couldn’t ask our staff to work with no plan to pay them." The roaster known for its vinyl record sales is still following through on the latter pursuit, and says that more info is coming soon about who will be replacing the shop at 1115 E 11th St.

ICYMI: This past week was about fancy cocktail bars. Prélude, by Bocuse d’Or winner Chef Mathew Peters, is making a very chic debut on May 2, ahead of a larger restaurant coming in 2025. Meanwhile, something new is coming at Hotel Van Zandt, already known for its live music and cocktails at the rooftop restaurant Geraldine's. Now a new bar called Brass Poppy is being planted on the ground floor, along with a lobby redesign.

Other news and notes

Things are looking different than usual on the Distant Relatives menu on May 3, as Chef Damien Brockway hosts Chef Deepa Shridhar for a collaborative "BBQ Biryani popup." Brockway's food truck is known for its African-inspired slow roasts, and Shridar brings a South Indian flavor from her personal background and her Sicc Palette podcast for a unique crossover. The collaboration includes smoked oxtail or smoked chicken biryani, with sides like fried flat bread and pickles. There are no RSVPs — just go to the Distant Relatives food truck at Meanwhile Brewing (3901 Promontory Point Dr.).

Growing herbs for cooking and wellness is one of the most common gateways into gardening, and the American Botanical Council is ready to unlock it at its annual HerbDay celebration on May 4. The council is welcoming Austinites into its home of 35 years at 6200 Manor Rd. for a presentation "on the biological and spiritual co-evolution between hummingbirds, plants, and humans," plant walks with local herbalists, a medicinal plant sale, local vendor pop-ups, and children's activities. More information about the event and HerbDay is available at herbday.org.

Southern Smoke Foundation, founded by James Beard Award-winning Chef Chris Shepard to support hospitality workers, is teaming up with MML Hospitality for a 2024 partnership lasting "several months," and starting with a $40,000 donation. Shepard is cooking up a celebratory dinner on May 8 at Pecan Square Cafe, with the help of PSC's Chef Chelsea Fadda. The menu, served alongside the restaurant's regular menu, will include Korean-inspired braised goat dumplings and other tasty treats that haven't been announced yet. Reserve via OpenTable.

Emancipet, a nonprofit for low-cost veterinary care, is hosting a Paws & Plates Dog Dinner with both dog and people food at Central Machine Works on May 9. Dogs will get a five-course tasting menu, and humans can join in on frozen treats by Amy's Ice Creams. Supported by Tito’s Vodka for Dog People, Tomlinson’s Feed, and The Acre Dog Boarding & Daycare, this event will help raise funds for Emancipet nonprofit veterinary clinics. Tickets ($45) include a beer, a "photo moment," and the pup tasting menu. Reserve at emancipet.org.