While Austin is getting a near-miraculous amount of rain this week, it’s only a matter of time before the temperatures climb back up into the triple-digits. Eater is launching an interview series with Austin’s best bartenders on how to drink the heat away. Superstar mixologist Jason Stevens of Bar Congress starts us off with recommendations for drinking vinegar and advice on how to achieve the perfect frost on a rum swizzle.
Arguing with Lists: A List
1. Local blog A Taste of Koko threw down with “The 100 Things You Need to Eat This Summer in Austin.” While it contains a number of extremely respectable recommendations, such as grilled peaches at Swift’s Attic, blue coconut snow cones from Sno Beach, ceviche at La Condesa and thai tea ice cream from Thrice, other items don’t scream summer. Franklin‘s brisket is just as delicious in January as July, and ESK‘s brussel sprout salad is an Austin classic. No summer eats list is truly complete without paletas from Cold Ones, peanut butter mole ice cream at Ice Cream Social, and the most tweeted dessert in history: Qui’s cheddar ice cream sandwich.
2. Arguing with Buzzfeed is like arguing with that uncle who always brings up abortion at Thanksgiving: you’re playing into their hands. That said, their list of 34 Things Austinites Love gets it mostly right on the food and nightlife front. Two exceptions: Lick is the new Amy’s, and no one loves Sixth Street.
3. Zagat’s Summer Hot List includes all of Qui as well as Swift’s Attic’s new “Big Ass Burgers.” No argument there.
Eaterwire
DOWNTOWN – The twittersphere is abuzz with pics from Arro’s soft opening last night. Kate Thornberry at the Chronicle has a first look at some of their dishes, including a classic moules frites, and suggests that the French-focused spot from the group behind 24 Diner and Easy Tiger “is likely to be a fixture downtown for years to come.”
MUELLER – The Statesman’s Addie Broyles cryptically tweeted about incredible BBQ she had a yet-to-be-opened H-E-B. The ensuing conversation revealed the location to be Cafe Mueller. Broyles reports their brisket was “super-moist” and house-smoked.
EAST SIDE – Tonight is East Side Showroom’s fourth anniversary, and it promises to be a blowout. Not only will they be revealing a new menu, but a drag show is also in the mix.
All The Jobs
A bevy of high-profile openings means job opportunities galore. The soft-open Arro is hiring pastry cooks, Bufalina is looking for a garde manger, and School House Pub is now interviewing for all positions weekdays between 1 – 4. Also, check out this beefy rundown from Poached jobs, including your chance to cook for Franklin. Fire skills!
Farm to Table: Boggy Creek Farm Tomatoes
In Austin, farm to table dining is de rigeur. In this new series, Eater charts the progress of an in-season ingredient from a local farm to the tables of some of Austin’s hottest restaurants. First up is the newly minted snailblazers Boggy Creek Farm’s heirloom tomatoes. Chef Maximillian Price of Olivia lets us into his process and his passion for working with local ingredients and Chef Kristine Kittrell of Mulberry shares her long association with Boggy Creek, as well as the seasonal salad she’s “in love with.”
Beat the Hype
Last week, MM Pack highlighted 12-year-old Wink as a major player on the Austin dining scene, even if they’re no longer “trendy.” Austin’s dining scene is booming with new openings, but Wink has a few venerable companions. While sixteen-year-old Cafe Josie has recently changed hands, its mission to feature adventurous tropical cuisine remains unchanged. Downtown stalwart Chez Nous remains a destination to visit as well. Found in 1975, Fonda San Minguel is still turning out well-acclaimed interior Mexican thirty-eight years later.
Eater Test Blog 