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As the capital of Texas, it’s only right that the best desserts can be found all around Austin. When it comes to ice cream shops, there are plenty that’ll make you wish you had gotten a double scoop. From creamy, dreamy, to delicious, these ice cream shops are worth a pit stop.
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Did you know that the average spice spans a 15-person supply chain before making it to your table? When Amanda Munden of Vecina Provisions heard this, she knew something had to change. When formulating her product, she wanted to work directly with smallholder farmers to elevate their status and tell their stories. And that she did. If you’re looking for an incredible, unique spice with just the right amount of heat, look no further than Vecina Provision’s Pasilla Chile Magic.
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Ready to indulge in the best pasta in Austin?
Guest article by Ashley Alkek
Pasta. Arguably the greatest creation involving flour, water and eggs. There are literally thousands of ways to prepare and enjoy each flavorful shape.
Some talented folks in the Austin culinary community are serving up dishes that are designed to rip you away from reality and into a glorious food coma. Here is a handful of restaurants to check out around town! [Read more…]
As I’ve visited local markets and grocery stores in Austin that many neighborhood residents frequent, it quickly became apparent what Austinites value: organic food, local products, and craft beer.
Though the atmosphere of these local businesses varies, they all make shopping local convenient and offer easy access to unique foods that are difficult to find anywhere else. Here’s a list of what I consider the best local grocery stores in Austin.
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A really good chocolate chip cookie just can’t be beat. I would even argue that they are the best dessert of all time! Chocolate chip cookies are classic and comforting, but the coolest part is that they can be made so many ways. Whether you like chewy, bakery-style cookies or giant, thick cookies or crispy and flat cookies, there’s definitely a perfect chocolate chip cookie for you in Austin.
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If you are into local restaurants, wineries, and farmer’s markets at all, you’ve likely sampled or bought Con’ Olio’s Ultra Premium olive oil or balsamic vinegar. They are offering their popular Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar class online.
That’s right, now we can experience this virtual burst of knowledge and flavor comfortably in our own homes. Con’ Olio is one of those places in town with a reputation that precedes it. I’ve long heard great things about their Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar 101 classes from foodie friends.
This Austin business has been on my radar for some time now, ever since I met owner Tabatha Conarko at a wine tasting and class at the outstanding El Gaucho Winery. I am so looking forward to this!
Disclosure: Con’ Olio invited me to join in a Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar 101 class. Look for social media coverage on Oct. 22, when I actually participate.
Con’ Olio’s classes are about so much more than olive oil and balsamic vinegar, although those ingredients are the core components of the class. The classes include an educational aspect and pairings with complementary flavors. I’m really looking forward to trying out their new classes, scheduled once weekly through mid-November.
Current dates for the Con’ Olio Virtual Class: Olive Oil + Balsamic 101 are October 22 and 27, and November 5 and 12. The classes are $40 per person, plus tax.
Here is the lowdown from the class description and press release.
Conarko will lead the class, guiding attendees through a variety of flavors: intense and robust, mild and buttery Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs), and light and dark balsamic vinegars. She’ll go over when and how to use each one. In the Con’ Olio class, Conarko will also pair these EVOOs and balsamics with lots of tasty goodies, like Antonelli’s cheese and prosciutto, apples, caprese salad, artisan bread, and Amy’s Ice Creams.
In the class, Conarko will go over the myths and truths of the Mediterranean diet and its health benefits. She’ll also talk about how the fine Con’ Olio EVOOs and balsamic vinegars are produced and will teach participants how to detect the freshest olive oil and when they have gone bad or are low quality.
Guests will be asked to pick up their plates via contactless curbside pickup at the Con’ Olio Arboretum location, from 1-4pm the day of the class. That same day, participants will receive an email with a Zoom link to the class. Classes should run about 45 minutes, with a 10-15 minute Q&A at the end.
I’m getting excited to see how many long-established Austin eateries are finding their online groove with these classes. Like many of you, I’m still staying home more often than not and avoiding crowds in an effort to socially distance myself safely for as long as necessary.
These virtual classes, cooking kits, and tastings help bring people together. Even while we are physically apart, the need for human connection is real. We also want to support our local businesses and enjoy the excellent food and drinks these Austin eateries have to offer.
I’m grateful to Con’ Olio for adding this fun – and tasty – class to the growing number of ways to virtually experience Austin’s best at home. If you sign up, let me know what you think!
10000 Research Blvd, #130 – Con’ Olio Virtual Classes
@theAustinot wants to know:
What is your favorite Austin local online class or tasting you’ve tried in 2020?
No more boring dinners! If you have run through your repertoire of go-to recipes, and can’t stand the thought of looking at that sourdough starter mess again, El Alma is here to help!
Now you can sign up for an absolutely genius El Alma At Home monthly membership program. They have considered a wide range of budgets and perks, so that everyone can join if they’d like. El Alma At Home membership tiers start at $5 and go up to the VIP membership at $75.
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Want to channel your inner Argentinian? Buenos Aires Café is here to make it easy! Besides dancing the tango and tossing back some Malbec, the make-at-home empanada kit from Buenos Aires Café is a fun way to show off your South American style.
Their take-home Amaro tastings and date night kits from their Milonga Room speakeasy are also excellent ways to do so for drinkers with a sophisticated or adventurous palate. Another way to celebrate Argentinian flair is to enjoy an upcoming cooking class with Chef Reina Morris and Paola Guerrero-Smith. Or you can try a date night with Guerrero-Smith and her husband.
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Well, I done did it. When I moved here from NYC six years ago, if you told me I’d end up having a kid and living in an Austin suburb, I would’ve called you insane. Yet two months ago, my wife, three-year-old, and I moved into an adorable home in Cedar Park. It’s even on a cul-de-sac for Pete’s sake. We’re officially ‘burbing.
While the cool kids in Austin proper consider Cedar Park a cultural wasteland, I’m here to set the record straight. Sure, it may not be a bastion of foodie goodness like the city’s hipper neighborhoods, but Williamson County dwellers have more than chain restaurants and fast causal to keep the taste buds tantalized.
Here’s an insider’s guide about where to eat in this fine town of friends and families, including a couple spots just outside the city limits.
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If you are looking for incredible food, local wine & craft beer, and great ambience, look no further than Los Olivos Market in the heart of Buda, TX. From their menu to their retail shop, they offer a unique experience for each person that walks through their door.
I visited with my wife and our 2-year-old son. We all sincerely enjoyed our time and were amazed by the wonderful food and friendly people.
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