A Taste of Tastemakers

Foodies gather at Tastemakers to celebrate the best of Austin's restaurant and bar scene

At the Tastemaker Awards, we celebrate Austin's top food and drink talent. And on Tuesday, guests of the fourth annual affair got a taste of some of the best — and newest — culinary offerings in the city.

Chefs, bartenders and foodies sipped signature cocktails, sampled fabulous fare and celebrated this year's stellar group of nominees. Winners of the 2015 Tastemakers were announced live throughout the evening, starting with Jason Stevens of Bar Congress. The bartender, who is a fixture in Austin's craft cocktail scene, snagged the Bartender of the Year award, and Bar Congress was named Bar of the Year.

Drinks in hand (silver coin margaritas made with Herradura Tequila, beer by Alaskan Brewing Company and Odell Brewing Company, and wine from The Austin Winery were a hit), guests circled the room sampling bites from 2015 Tastemaker nominees. Highlights included Kin & Comfort's Asian fusion offering, savory pumpkin panna cotta from soon-to-open Juliet, and signature puccias from Lucky's Puccias and Pizzeria. The line for legendary Black's Barbecue was well worth the wait.

Sweet cravings were satisfied by an assortment of desserts, including adorable offerings from Tiny Pies, Tiff's Treats courtesy of Cadillac, and several goodies from Pastry Chef of the Year winner Callie Speer of Swift's Attic.

Spotted in the crowd: Erica Waksmunski, Brandon Fuller, Drew Curren, Shawn Cirkiel, Evelyn Sher, Rene Castro, Dania Abbasi, Tom Thornton and Matt McGinnis. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Austin Food & Wine Alliance.

A sold-out crowd gathered at Brazos Hall for the 2015 Tastemakers.

Photo by Shelley Neuman

A sold-out crowd gathered at Brazos Hall for the 2015 Tastemakers.

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The 'Brothers' Are Back

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson spotted with film crew in Austin

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Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were seen on South Congress Avenue in mid-November.

One of Hollywood's favorite duos, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, were spotted on South Congress in mid-November with a camera crew.

Nobody is exactly sure what these two are up to, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning. Some say it's for their upcoming Apple TV+ series, Brother From Another Mother. It'sa 10-episode comedy that is a "heartfelt odd couple love story," according to The Wrap, quoting an early press release. It takes place on a ranch in Texas, so filming around town would make sense.

South Congress Avenue certainly doesn't look like a ranch, though. The actors looked foppish, Harrelson in an all-maroon suit and shiny leather shoes, and McConaughey in a loud, royal purple patterned shirt.

Another theory was that they were shooting Salesforce ads, and someone in the same thread suggested (without a source) that what they were filming wasn't a narrative feature.

And of course Reddit is doing what it does best:

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey and Harrelson starred together in the first season of True Detective.reddit.com

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey said on Access Daily that his mom started the rumor that he and Harrelson are half-brothers.reddit.com

But even though no one knows for sure what the two are doing here, we do have reason to believe that the two real-life best friends and former EDtv and True Detective co-stars are still around. According to an insider, who can't say much because the project is still in the works, the two are "still shooting a bunch of stuff around town," though where they'll be next is a mystery.

And remember, "Time is a flat circle. Everything we have done or will do we will do over and over and over again — forever.” So if you don't catch them this time, sounds like you'll have another chance.

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