Congratulations on being the potential winner of two spots on the guest list for the 2009 Austin Cocktail Throwdown! If you win, you’ll be part of the exclusive event at the super cool Gibson Guitar Showroom in Penn Field on Thursday, Sept. 24. This is an invite-only event where the drinks will be free and a’flowin!

Since 2004, the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB) and Tito’s Handmade Vodka have awarded “The Official Drink of Austin” to a local drinking establishment. For the first four years, bartenders competed to create a …

The Winston Churchill High School class of 1996 is having a good week in the world of food media — Dhani Jones was on Man v. Food, David Freedenberg will be on No Reservations, and I was on the KGSR “Late Show” for my weekly Tasty Touring segment.
While a local radio gig may not be as big a deal as being a regular guest with Anthony Bourdain, or having your own show like Dhani Tackles the Globe, my mom still thinks it’s cool.

This Monday, Sept. 7 at 9 p.m. CT, …

David Alan of the Tipsy Texan and Annie’s Cafe & Bar will join us on the KGSR Late Show this Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. to talk about what life is like as a bartender, mix some drinks from Annie’s new bar menu, and hopefully share some tips on how to make great drinks at home.
My go-to cocktails are either a vodka soda or margarita on the rocks made with freshly squeezed lime juice.
When I’m feeling literary, I’ll go for a Papa Doble, also known as a Hemingway Dauquiri. Ingredients …

This morning was truly a sausage fest on the KGSR “Late Show” for a visit with the chef and owners of Frank, purveyors of artisan sausage in downtown Austin. I arrived and walked in to the kitchen only to see the kitchen table transformed into a prep line where Matt (the chef) and Geoff and Daniel (the owners) were preparing fresh hot dogs.
Daniel poured me a bloody mary — mind you it wasn’t yet 8:30 a.m. and I was headed to work after the show. It’s called a Red Headed …

Happy Tuesday! What are you doing for Happy Hour tonight? What is your favorite spot to meet a group of friends? Today’s topic made me think of some of my favorite sitcoms.
Where do you and your friends like to hang out and why? During my over five years in Austin, some places my friends and I have enjoyed gathering include:

Jo’s Coffee Shop on South Congress (delicious pastries, crushed ice, beer)
The dog park at what used to be called Windsor at Spyglass apartments (BYOB)
The Four Seasons (love their 1/2 price happy …