It’s Black Friday at almost 3 p.m., and we haven’t left the house because we’re afraid of all the shoppers out for Black Friday! With my fear of dealing with traffic and lines and general frustration, it seemed like perfect timing to share some holiday gift ideas for those who like me, want to buy as many gifts as possible online.
One of my favorite gift ideas are cookbooks and coffee table books. I love something that is both useful and beautiful at the same time. When the PR firm for …

It’s election season and Central Market is creatively branding their October focus on cheese to “melt” in nicely with all the political talk. It’s called “Hail to the Cheese” and the celebration will continue through Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Adam and I were at Central Market North this weekend, and picked up the “Cheese Guide” below to thumb through. Most “marketing material” is the kind of thing I pick up and almost immediately throw away, but this one is a keeper!
It includes suggestions for cheese plates, descriptions of different kinds of cheeses, …

Austin is kind of a grocery store mecca. Just consider that:

Whole Foods Market started in Austin almost 30 years ago — and is home to the corporate headquarters and flagship store.
Central Market opened it’s first store here — on North Lamar in 1994.
Wheatsville Co-op is the only retail consumer food co-op in Texas and its right here in Austin!

Others in town include HEB, Randalls, Fiesta, Royal Blue Grocery, Asia Market, Fresh Plus, MT Supermarket, Newflower, Sprouts, Sun Harvest, and more.
Last week alone, I visited the Triangle Farmers Market, Central Market, …

Adam and I attended the most wonderful extra virgin olive oil tasting at Central Market Cooking School last week.
We walked in and were greeted by the very kind staff and a gorgeous winter produce filled table with grapefruit, orange, and ruby red oranges.
It’s Citrus Fest at Central Market right now and I can’t wait to buy blood oranges, a 5 lb. box of clementines for $6, Texas grapefruit for $.99 a lb., berto’s grabefruit sorbet for $3 and Aliseo Blood Orange Juice from Italy for $4.50.

Below is Daniele Salvagno, …

This is kind of bittersweet — the third in the Austin Food Deals series. Thanks to everyone that shared their tips in the cocktail throwdown post. Thank you again to Moriah Butler for the research assistance.
Random Tips
This one is from Adam — If you get a meal at Wendy’s you can upgrade from a soda to a Frostee for 15 cents.

If you happen upon a farmers market about an hour before they close, there may be discounts on over-ripe or slightly imperfect fruit and veggies that are perfectly good. David …