Cris Mueller, Author at The Austinot

6 Ways to Love Dai Due Butcher Shop and Supper Club

November 17, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Behind the scenes at Dai Due Supper Club (Credit: Cherrywood 78722 via Flickr CC)

Roughly translated, Dai Due means by, or from the two. At their recently occupied brick and mortar butcher shop and supper club, located at 2406 Manor Road, Dai Due has positioned itself as a finely understated concept, bringing together foods “from the two kingdoms of nature.”

Serving coursed meals since 2006, today the well oiled engines at Dai Due offer breakfast, lunch and a dinner menu consisting of the nightly Supper Club menu and an a la carte selection, all of which has food seekers filing in by the dozens and regularly.

Two entrances separate the cluster of foot traffic into Dai Due, one at the butcher shop and one at the restaurant front. The cozy dining room, bar and rustic kitchen are filled with a tightly wound system of food and beverage deliveries to an arrangement of tables that sit comfortably close, in a community dining environment. [Read more…]

Black Fret Awards $100,000 to Austin Musicians

November 10, 2014 by Cris Mueller 1 Comment

On left, Black Fret founders Matt Ott and Colin Kendrick (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

The red carpet was aglow with paparazzi flashes as Austin’s music royalty arrived at The Paramount for Black Fret’s inaugural Black Ball. A surge of music and energy was brought to the stage at 7 PM this past Saturday night, kicking off five hours of unique performances from 16 of the 20 grant nominees.

Black Fret lined up a night that will forever remain unmatched (at least until next year’s Black Ball), including talent from [Read more…]

Light a Fire and Blow at Hyde Park’s Blue Moon Glassworks

November 3, 2014 by Cris Mueller 1 Comment

Glass blown ornaments at Blue Moon Glassworks

Glass blown ornaments from Blue Moon Glassworks

Tucked neatly into an envelope of leafy boughs in Hyde Park, Blue Moon Glassworks and owner Jim Berry have breathed life into an artistic niche in Austin for more than 14 years.

The store is filled with a colorful and ingenious array of one of a kind glass creations, and today my own unique collection of blown glass ornaments sits among these treasures.

Jim grew up in a home filled with artistic craft projects which he learned to recreate later in life. After retiring, he found himself learning new techniques and even selling pieces, soon setting out with a personal agenda to teach. At that, Blue Moon Glassworks was born. [Read more…]

UT Food Lab Analyzes Our Food System

October 20, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Editor’s Note: The Food Lab was renamed Food+City in mid-2015.

You’ve embraced farm to table, but have you considered the path of your food in a scientific and cultural manner? That may sound like a lot to take in. But in my food loving reality, I can honestly say I don’t spend nearly enough time acknowledging this aspect of my cooking, nourishing and noshing enjoyment.

The Food Lab based at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is awakening the exploration, experimentation and innovation that forms the underlying map of our global food system. [Read more…]

St. Philip: Get Baked with Uchi’s New Concept in Sunset Valley

October 6, 2014 by Cris Mueller 2 Comments

Bialys in the oven at St. Philip Bakeshop Erica Wilkins Photography

Editor’s Note: As of Nov. 2, 2015, St. Philip is ceasing operations. Uchi Restaurant Group President John Baydale announced, “We learned many lessons with St. Philip, made some mistakes, but also realized where our strengths lie.”

Editor’s Note: As of September 2015, St. Philip is closing its bakeshop to focus on the restaurant.

It all began with St. Philip, who iconically holds a basket filled with bread and is the patron saint of pastry chefs and bakers.

Today, Executive Pastry Chef and Director of Culinary Operations for Uchi restaurants, Philip Speer, is embracing the representation of the patron saint.

Speer has found his place as chef and partner at St. Philip Pizza Parlor and Bakeshop, Uchi’s newest yeast devoted concept. [Read more…]

Local Chefs Converge on Austin’s Urban Springdale Farm

September 22, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Springdale Farm owners and farmers, Glenn and Paula Foore

Journey three miles from the Texas Capitol and you will find yourself at an unexpected urban farm. Owners and farmers Glenn and Paula Foore have harvested quite the business venture, brought together by food, surrounded by the bustle of the budding streets of East Austin and cinched by a foundation of nearly 20 local and successful restaurateurs.

Located at 755 Springdale Road, upon 4.83 acres of land, sits Springdale Farm. [Read more…]

This Weekend: 7th Annual Dripping with Taste Festival

September 10, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Each September, as Autumn peeks around the nearest small town corner, some of Texas’ best and brightest businesses come together to celebrate the Dripping with Taste Festival in Dripping Springs, TX.

Pull up your boots and prepare for a day of fine cuisine, wine, craft brews, spirits and more as the 7th annual Dripping with Taste comes together. On September 13, 2014, thousands will gather at the Ranch Park Events Center to celebrate and raise funds for the preservation and promotion of the character, tradition and historical charm of one of Austin’s closest Hill Country cities.

The community of Dripping Springs, which was recently named the Wedding Capital of Texas®, will play host to guests, along with local and neighboring artisans of gourmet food, beverages, music and art from 12–7PM. Let this be your opportunity to indulge in the local [Read more…]

6 Late Night Eats in Austin

August 26, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

The time comes at the end of every great night when you hear the famous last words from your friendly bartender, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” In that moment, my mind goes a flutter with flashback images of every late night food venue I’ve stepped foot in. As this happens, my inner writer creates a list of the best places to find a bite late at night. Today, I’ll share with you exactly what this food flutter looks like…dessert first.

Sweets First

Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery

Freshly baked! Credit: Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery

Since 1948, Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery has been serving up hot donuts [Read more…]

The Scarlet Rabbit’s Cuisine Drops You Down the Rabbit Hole

July 15, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

The Scarlet Rabbit in Round Rock, TX features Alice in Wonderland decor

Editor’s Note: Scarlet Rabbit closed May 14, 2017.

Chef Rob Snow breezes out from behind a curtain just as you might imagine the Cheshire Cat to appear, billowy in the night sky. And with that, I began my journey down the rabbit hole at The Scarlet Rabbit.

This fresh faced restaurant concept features cowboy cuisine using the flavors of Texas and the Gulf Coast, complimented by a Cajun flair.

Sound like a mouthful? Wait, there’s more. Rob and his business partner, Rich Taylor, methodically pair southern style comfort food with an Alice in Wonderland themed bistro. The result is sophisticated plates with whimsical finesse and imagination. [Read more…]

Tastes from Abroad at Celtic Seafare Supper Club

July 2, 2014 by Cris Mueller 2 Comments

Sebastien Caillabet of Celtic Seafare Supper Club (Credit: Kelly Stevens)

Many times I have found myself harboring some of the most special finds I come across, for the sake of holding them dear to their community. Occasionally, the time strikes when I’m confident that the people involved with those gems will maintain the integrity of the brand, and my sharing their story will only drive them to even greater success. This happens to be one of those moments.

Celtic Seafare Supper Club is initiated every Friday evening beginning at 5:30 PM, until the last reservation spot at 8:00 PM. It’s located at 2001 W Hwy 290 in Dripping Springs, just a short drive from the city limits of Austin.

Four courses of a well thought epicurean feast are presented to each of the 24 reserved guests. Host Sebastien Caillabet and each of his kitchen and front of house team members add their own unique touch of charm and finesse to each plate that is brought to the table at Celtic Seafare Supper Club. [Read more…]

Sweets First

Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery

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