Austin Food + Wine Festival Kick-Off Event - 4.27.12

Last Friday I had the chance to attend the kick-off event for the inaugural Austin Food and Wine Festival. The event was held at Republic Square Park in downtown Austin. It served as one last chance for me to say goodbye to the Austin food scene that I have been a part of for so many years. I sure will miss it...a lot!!!

Chef Paul Qui's Strawberries and Lardo

Top Chef Runner-Up Sarah Grueneberg explains her dish to Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern as her mentor Beard Award Winner Chef Tony Mantuano watches on.

Barley Swine owner and 2011 Food and Wine Best New Chef, Bryce Gilmore

Chatting up Top Chef and 2012 James Beard Award winner Paul Qui

Grammy Award Winning Artist Lucinda Williams

How Bizarre

Smoke

Marcus Samuelsson

 

Austin at Dusk

Nice panoramic view of the Austin skyline from the Congress Ave. bridge.

"Didn't I see you down in San Antone on a hot and dusty night?" - Memo From Turner

Well over the course of the last decade or so, I have made several trips down to San Antonio to see my Lakers take on the hated Spurs. I would have to say that 90% of the time I come home sad due to the fact that the Lakers seem to never play well when I am in the building. So as I made my way down I-35 one last time before leaving Texas, I had no reason to believe this night would be any different; especially when the news came down that Kobe Bryant would not be playing. "Where's the rest of them? Surely a so-called elite NBA franchise such as the Spurs has won more than just four championships..."For my Gator friends out there - Matt Bonner draining a 3-pointer.Pop trying to figure out WTF is going on. A 26 point lead in the second half? Get Out?!?!Well, I must admit that I was MORE than surprised that the Lakers not only showed up and played well, but laid the smackdown on one of the best teams in the NBA. And on their homecourt!! And without Kobe!! Haha! Lakers 98 - Spurs 84 - Laker fans celebrate on the front steps of the AT&T Center.San Fernando Cathedral - Founded in 1731, it has the distinction of being the oldest cathedral in the US.The Tower Life BuildingLate night eats at Mi Tierra Cafe As much as I hate the Spurs and mostly their fans, I have to admit that I am going to miss these jaunts down to San Antonio. Take care SA, I am quite sure I will see you again someday!!