Austin Food + Wine Festival Tips for Festie Virgins

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Kay Marley-Dilworth

AFWFestSlushies

You decided that this year is your year to experience as many of Austin’s flavors as possible, and you bought a ticket to the Austin Food + Wine Festival. But what’s the best way to make the most of the merrymaking? Festie virgins, this post’s for you. It’s my tried and true guide to revelry and satisfaction.

First and foremost, though, let’s talk about getting to the festival. Whether you grab a cab, Uber it, Lyft it, peddle power on your bike, utilize Cap Metro buses, or have someone chauffeur you to and fro, trust me when I say it is in your best interests not to drive your car unless you are the designated driver and will not be drinking.

Friday evening, if you’ve purchased the add on ticket for Taste of Texas or are an All In pass holder, where it is included in your ticket price, you will enjoy a pleasant night of wine, Hendrick’s Gin signature cocktails and/or Stella beer. I say “and/or” because heck yeah you want to try it all! I’ll caution you that the fest is an endurance race, so please imbibe responsibly so as not to miss out on anything due to a debilitating hangover.  TOT lines Republic Square park with tents where Texan chefs are serving up all sorts of deliciousness. There will be lines at some tents, but with a fresh drink in hand and live music from Jamestown Revival, you won’t feel like it is too much of a wait.  I suggest hitting the most popular chefs early on, and then make your rounds. My picks: Diego Galicia & Rico Torres of Restaurant Mixtli (San Antonio), Ned Elliot of Foreign & Domestic (Austin), and Steve McHugh of Cured (San Antonio).

Saturday of the festival always fills me with excitement and anticipation. So much to do! So much to see! So much to taste! My best advice for both days is this: wear sunscreen, and drink plenty of water between sampling the copious libations available. There are always bottled water coolers scattered around the festival grounds. Scope out restroom locations because with all the tasting and hydrating, you’ll be visiting them several times during the day.

If you sprang for the All In Pass you have access to the incredibly popular Hands On Grilling with Tim Love, and you must not miss that. If you’ve bought a Weekender Pass, don’t worry, you can certainly hang out just past the grilling area fence to watch, listen, and learn, courtesy of the demo’s jumbotron.  Just like everything Texan, it’s big.  Definitely hit the festival swag booth early, as the coveted tee shirts sell out fast. Ringing the festival grounds are small booths that house both food and drink vendors, from bubbly (first stop of the morning) to small bites. Last year Kim Crawford wines went all out with a super fun patio for their booth, featuring a tennis match-style referee chair overlooking a butterfly bedecked ping pong table, while brand ambassadors handed out frozen versions of their signature wines (pictured above). You never know what you’ll find at the fest!

Don’t miss the action at the Fire Pit! The Fire Pit chefs always have something phenomenal for you to try, a singular taste sensation of their choice, roasted over coals, grilled, or smoked. Vegetarians, you won’t be completely left out. Last year I noshed on beautifully grilled carrots and a selection of fire roasted veggies from Fire Pit chefs.

The Grand Tasting and Chef’s Showcase can be a bit overwhelming. The Grand Tasting is part social soiree, part culinary feast where you interact with other attendees as you circle around the food booths, and zig zag along the interior food and drink tables.  You never know who will be next to you, reaching out for a nibble or holding their glass out for a sip.  It’s fun, but can be a tad crowded.  Just know you can leave and come back if you feel like you need a bit of breathing room.

Let’s pause for a moment for an important Public Service Announcement: respect what you are tasting. If you don’t enjoy it, use the spit bucket (or for food, the nearest trash receptacle). Don’t chug your wine. This isn’t a frat party and you aren’t winning friends by shooting a pinot noir. Take the time to enjoy the wine, spirits or beer. Again, if it isn’t your flavor profile, dump it. Feeling tipsy? Drink more water. You can’t fully taste (or at least won’t recall) the flavor of a sample if you’re intoxicated.

Plan in advance which demos and drink tastings (found on the schedule in individually named tents) that you want to experience, but always have a backup plan, as seating for some fills fast. In the time between demos, visit the Grand Tasting (don’t miss Delysia Chocolatier!).  My picks for Saturday’s demos & tastings: 2015 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: NYC, Jonathan Waxman (seafood demo), Vilma Mazzaite of LaV (sparkling wine demo), and Austin’s massively talented Top Chef Paul Qui (cambodian food).

Saturday evening’s Rock Your Taco is an additional ticket for Weekend Pass folks, but included for the All In passes.  Last year’s RYT champion Richard Blais is defending his title against the likes of Hugh Acheson, Tyson Cole, Tim Love, and Antonia Lofaso, an all out battle for the absolute best taco. It’s always a tasty treat to see what the chefs will put inside a tortilla! Again, lines will be long for the high profile chefs so grab wine, a Stella brew, or craft cocktails from Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Herradura Tequila to sip while you wait. It’s a sure bet that Lee Fields & The Expressions will have you dancing before the night is over. My picks: Jenn Louis of Sunshine Tavern (Portland), Chris Shepherd of Underbelly (Houston), and “I’ll eat anything he makes” Paul Qui of Qui and the can’t-open-soon-enough Otoko (Austin).

Sunday will be just as buzzing as Saturday, unless you went against my advice to pace yourself. You’ll find different chefs manning the Fire Pit, and a whole new round of demos and tastings. Tim Love will be drinking and grilling with the All In pass holders who didn’t attend his demo on Saturday. This is the day you’ll go back for a sample from the Grand Tasting vendor that you just couldn’t stop raving about on Saturday evening (Celtic Seafare, I’m looking at you). My picks for Sunday’s demos & tastings: Levon Wallace of the soon-to-open Cochon Butcher Nashville (breaking down a pork shoulder), always humorous wine expert Mark Oldman (special occasion wines), and Austin/Houston restaurant tycoon Tyson Cole (sushi making).

For those of you who love Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, make sure you include the official festival hashtag #AFWfest on your posts. When you’re taking a break in the tree-shaded lawn chairs area of the festival you can scan social media and have instant insider intel on tempting treats and exquisite sips.

Did I miss anything? Add your Austin Food + Wine Festival tips for noobs in the comments.

Categories: Beer, Festival, Food Event, Wine | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment

It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Surviving SXSW

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Kay Marley-Dilworth

SXSW is in full swing, with SXSWedu wrapping last night. Thursday’s badge pick up for SXSWi was quiet, calm, and with almost no line. Today is a different story. Remember the 70’s Five Man Electric Band song “Signs?” Let’s just change that wording a bit and sing it together, “lines, lines, everywhere a line, blockin’ out the scenery, breakin’ my mind….”  I always preach the obvious of playing nice, buy local, dispose of trash properly, and be polite, but here are a few more tricks and tips for happiness at the festival.

1. Plan your schedule, but leave plenty of room in it. You’ll need rest breaks. The fest can feel overwhelming and having a gap in your schedule of “must see/must do” events leaves you time to breathe, find a quiet space, refresh and refuel. My friends who attend annually swear by noise canceling headphones.

2. If you’re drinking adult bevies, be sure to have a cup of water for each alcoholic drink you quaff. Dehydration (and hangovers) are for newbs. Getting smashed at the fest is a social faux pas. Everyone has a smartphone and you really don’t want sloppy drunk photos of you circulating on social media.

3. Ladies, bathroom lines can be longer than waiting to get in to Rachael Ray’s Feedback party. If you have a minute and spy a restroom, take your opportunity. Also, mini-packs of tissue are easy to carry in even the smallest of purse, and come in handy, if you know what I mean.

4. Yes, there are charging stations and yes, there is #mophieRescue, where a St. Bernard will bring you a fresh battery, but having a portable power bank on hand is always a good decision.

5. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and walking offsets the food choices you’ll makes (tacos, barbecue, more tacos) but there’s no shame in your game if you need to take a Lyft, Uber, pedicab, taxi cab or bus. Don’t forget the official SXSW Shuttles, which this year includes a boat taxi. They are usually crowded, but patience is a virtue.

6. Wear comfortable shoes. Wear whatever feels good to your feet knowing that you’ll be doing a ton of walking and standing. Kudos to you if you’re that girl, the one who can bandy about in 4″ spike heels all day long without pain, but allow me to caution you that our downtown sidewalks are uneven in places, and may not be the friendliest to your fashionable footwear.

7. Always have a back up plan. That session you are super excited about? Yeah, that one? You aren’t the only one. Having a back up plan means your disappointment will be fleeting. I highly reccomend this panel.

8. Visitors, please spend your tourist dollars with locally owned businesses. Our restaurants, coffeehouses, bars, and shops thank you. Want a great Texas souvenir and you’re sober enough to veto the idea of a tattoo in the shape of our state? Venture out to the boutiques in the 2nd Street District, the tee shirt shops on Dirty 6th, or primo eclectic shopping along South Congress south of the river. Head over to Bookpeople for a cheeky “You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas” Davy Crockett flask.

9. Get some sleep. You can’t give a credible pitch if you look haggard, and feel worse.

10. Socialize. Not everyone’s an extrovert, but this is one time when faking it means you’re making it. You’ll be surprised at how many interesting people you can meet when you step outside a venue for a moment of sanity saving calmness. At the very least, smile. Austin is a friendly city, but we’re wary of visitors who don’t appear to love our city as much as we do. The local cardinal rule of SXSW is for out-of-town/state/country guests to fall in love with Austin, and then go home. We promise to welcome you with open arms on your multiple return visits.

Categories: SXSW | Tags: | Comments Off on It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint: Surviving SXSW

It’s SXSW, Your Fav Restaurant is Mobbed, Now What?

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Kay Marley-Dilworth

Welcome to the “eat this, not that” post for surviving SXSW crowds at your local favorite restaurants. Yes, it is that time of the year, when tourists descend upon Austin and non-festival locals go into veritable lockdown. Here’s a handy set of options for dining that won’t include the need to elbow check a hipster, or three, in order to reach the hostess stand.

Barbecue. When Franklin’s is mobbed…BAHAHAHAHA! When is Franklin’s not mobbed? When the line at John Mueller Meat Co., LA Barbecue, Micklethwaite Craft Meats and of course, Franklin’s is just too long, head over to Blue Ox BBQ. Open from 11am to midnight Sunday – Thursday, and until 2am on Friday & Saturday or until sold out, this is one of the few spots for ‘cue that has evening hours. Conveniently located in the fenced courtyard of Buzzmill Coffee, you can get much needed caffeine, or enjoy your meal with something from the full bar.  Oher options are Freedmen’s, Stiles Switch BBQ & Brew, Mann’s and Brown’s Bar-B-Que.

Tex-Mex. You know that La Condesa, Tamale House East, Licha’s Cantina, Guero’s and Chuy’s will be swamped, as will all the taco trailers you love in the downtown/East Austin corridor. Here’s your chance to explore your options. Yes, you can go to Veracruz All Natural at Radio coffeehouse, but you can also get your breakfast taco on at Habanero. Needing a plate of nachos compuestos to soak up last night’s excess? Amaya’s Taco Village’s North Central location and Southpark Meadows promises to meet your cheese-laden needs. If it’s enchiladas you’re after, visit Enchiladas y Mas or any of the Maudie’s locations. There is a reason that Maudie’s has seven restaurants in Austin, and it isn’t just their solid margarita (get one topped with prickly pear or sangria). If it’s past last call, and you are in desperate need of huevos a la mexicana, a cup of coffee and a campechana, then La Mexicana is your 24 hour savior.

Date Night Dining. We all know that a good majority of Austin’s fine dining is in the epicenter of festival madness. Yes, you probably still can get in to Qui, or Uchi or Bufalina, but avoiding the crowds in favor of a more romantic atmosphere is the best way to impress your date. Whether you choose the glamorous Green Pastures, the vibrant beauty of Fonda San Miguel, lush and hearty flavors from Siena Ristorante Toscana, or a decadent sushi experience at Musashino Sushi Dokoro, it will be a meal to remember. Bonus points for contacting the restaurant to plan your menu and wine pairing in advance. How romantic would that be, to walk in and be seated, cocktails or bubbly immediately appear, and the dishes arrive magically, with perfect timing?

Brunch. You want it, need it, won’t give it up just because it’s SX. I suggest Cherrywood Coffeehouse (crawfish omelette), Lucy’s Fried Chicken (Chicken N Waffles, or The Kinky-Fried-Egg Man), Chinatown Westlake (dim sum), or Russell’s Bistro (crème brûlée French toast).

Have I left off one of your favorite escapes from SXSW? Let me know about it in a comment.

Categories: Barbecue, Brunch, SXSW | Tags: , , | 2 Comments