We were a little bored just the other evening so we put in our monocles, threw on our spats, had a spoonful of Grey Poupon, hopped in the Bentley, and drove on down to the Triangle where Joe Bedard at Mandola’s Market helped us pick a split of Prosecco and a fine Montepulciano while we waited for our Margherita Pizza and our Bruschetta. Their wine selection is good, and we recommend an extra loaf of bread if you insist on ordering that second bottle. Bravissimo, Joe!

Before dinner, we joined Rose Russell at the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Foundation’s Fine Wine, Watches, Jewelry & Cuisine event at Russell Korman Jewelers where sparkling volunteer Mary Ellen Krautter kept our glasses full of Raventos I’Cava Brut. We have to give a shout out to Zoot Restaurant’s Stewart Scruggs for the food, including chilled leek soup, a fresh pasta salad with spinach and sundried tomatoes, and some blackberries in balsamic vinegar. (More than a few partygoers remarked on Ms. Russell’s big purple beaded resin necklace designed by Austin artisan Sue Gibson.)

While we’re fawning over everyone and their dog, we have to mention Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Foundation’s executive director Rebecca Robinson. Not only is Robinson an integral part of Austin’s culinary community, she’s a remarkable actress as well. Give her some tap shoes and she’ll be a triple threat!

Everyone loves a dame, and we were lucky enough to join the Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier last night at their annual meeting at Mercury Hall. Salads by Beth Pavand Chef Diane Tucker’s white bean and chicken cassoulet made us do little back flips and we have to admit, with attendees like Dr. Foo Swasdee, Kitty Crider and Pat Sharpe, we were a little star-struck.

Image (c) Roland on Flickr