truffle shuffle

Global burger joint Shake Shack brings limited, truffle-infused fine dining experience to Austin

Shake Shack will fancy things up next week.

Courtesy of Shake Shack

Global burger juggernaut Shake Shack may have its roots as a stand in a New York City park, but the restaurant will dabble in fine dining next week (Monday, February 27-Thursday, March 2).

To celebrate its white truffle menu, 10 restaurants across the country — including Austin's Domain location — will host the Truffle Table. Pitched as a VIP experience, the $20 per person ($40 per couple) menu starts with a table for two covered in a white tablecloth and set with fine china.

The meal includes all three of Shake Shack’s white truffle dishes — the White Truffle Burger, the White Truffle ‘Shroom Burger, and Parmesan Fries with White Truffle Sauce. In addition, diners have the option of pairing their meals with unlimited red or white Shack canned wine, a milkshake, and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages of choice. Since every fine dining meals needs a take away, diners will leave with a chocolate truffle from Thierry Atlan and bottle of Regalis truffle oil.

White truffles are prized by chefs around the world for their unique, earthy aroma. Since they’re only available for few months per year and must be foraged, they can sell for hundreds of dollars per ounce. Instead of freshly shaved truffle, Shake Shack’s white truffle dishes use a sauce made with Regalis Foods’ Organic White Truffle Arbequina Oil.

“We can’t wait to test this new fine dining experience with our guests to honor one of the most exquisite and luxurious ingredients in our pantry, the white truffle,” Shack Shack executive vice president of culinary innovation John Karangis said in a statement. “From start to finish, we want guests to feel the most premium experience at Shake Shack from the food and wine to the table settings and music. It will be a night you won’t forget.”

Currently, all of the reservations are spoken for. However, a representative tells CultureMap that more seats may become available soon. To get on the waiting list, diners should email their name and city to events@shakeshack.com.

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Grocery news haul

Grocery service Farmhouse Delivery returns to Austin with fun surprise

Courtesy photo

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After suddenly halting its operations in May, grocery service Farmhouse Delivery is on its way back, with an extra surprise for Austin: a new storefront.

Known for offering locally prepared foods and produce from small Central Texas farms, the subscription-based service emailed its loyal customers on Monday, November 18, to share the relaunch news and outline its plans for the future.

“We’ve missed you and are beyond grateful for your patience as we’ve been hard at work planning the next chapter of Farmhouse Delivery,” the newsletter reads. “Soon, you’ll once again have fresh, local food delivered straight to your doorstep[.]”

Farmhouse Delivery is aiming for a December date to resume deliveries, they say. They've used the intervening six months to not only revamp their existing business model, but to expand their offerings.

The biggest surprise in the newsletter was a revelation of plans for a new storefront in Austin, blending a cozy farmer’s market vibe with what they call “the best parts of your favorite grocer — where you can discover fresh foods, refill on essentials, connect with other members on sustainable living, and, of course, [shop] our best local products — all in innovative, reusable packaging.”

The email did not divulge details for the location or timing of the storefront project.

The company also plans to introduce a new membership model with exclusive benefits such as sneak peeks of new products and promotions.

Underscoring its commitment to sustainability, Farmhouse also announced that it’s working toward a completely plastic-free delivery:

“Expect to see your favorite items in sustainable packaging, with rewards for returning and reusing Farmhouse materials. Together, let’s reduce waste and make sustainable choices the coolest thing to do.”

The newsletter invited customers to complete a survey to help shape the ongoing Farmhouse experience. There, customers can indicate their desired delivery day (or days) and the factors that influence that preference (meal planning, work schedule, etc.), as well as specific products they would like to see in future deliveries.

Survey participants can also designate their preferred price point for memberships and the most appealing benefits from a long list, including free deliveries, additional delivery days, free products, members-only cooking classes, exclusive content, and more.

Neither the newsletter nor the Farmhouse website announced a specific date for relaunching, but returning and new customers can keep an eye on the website and social media for further details.

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