April 17, 2010 - Stars Across Texas Grand Tasting
Despite the constant
drizzle and 100% humidity, the annual Stars Across Texas Grand
Tasting pulled in the crowds last night. My culinary
sidekick Brian Alford joined me again this year for the
gastronomic feast that we end up discussing for months
afterward.
We lined up with about 100
other eager samplers
outside the doors of The Long Center; it
seemed that too many of us arrived simultaneously, and the fire
marshal thought the Long Center lobby was over-crowded.
But our wait we brief, and the rewards were many once we
were allowed inside.
 | ||
The chefs from Arcodoro and Pomodora restaurants in Dallas served up roasted suckling pig
on homemade, multigrain bread with a stone-ground mustard.
The presentation was as stunning as the flavors.
We chatted with Tyson Cole
from Uchi before sampling his team's wonderful
lightly-grilled amberjack served with apples and kemchi.
Uchi consistently stages the most popular table at Stars
Across Texas, as evidenced by the long line that continued to
grow through the night.
The Hotel Valencia on
the San Antonio Riverwalk showed off their signature restaurant
- Citrus - with a South Texas antelope tostada layered with eye
beans and grilled ramps. We agreed that the combination
proved to be one of our favorites from all the offerings.
 | ||
We also loved Moonshine Patio Bar and Grill’s inventive “Green Eggs and Ham,”
consisting of quail eggs lightly baked in the middle of a
cheddar bisquit - topped with ham and salmon. Creative
and tasty.
But our two favorite bites
came from locally sources ingredients. The
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts created a simple salad of seedless watermelon
with yellow pear tomatoes, topped with feta, pickled red
onions, and microgreens - all topped with a balsamic vinegar
reduction. The combination of the sweet fruit and the
tangy vinegar made our taste buds tingle.
And the Hyatt Downtown
demonstrated why Chef Javier Ortiz continues to garner raves
for his locally-sourced menus, offering Texas grilled shrimp on
sugarcane skewers, topped with microgreens and a mustard sauce.
It was probably one of the single best bites I have eaten
all year.
 | ||
Wineries and distilleries
were also out in full force, and Brian got to meet Bill
Samuels, Jr., the president of Makers Mark.
We also enjoyed the Cotes de Tables 2008 from Tablas Creek Vineyard, a 2008 Pinot Grigio from Ferrari-Carano
from the Russian River Valley region in California, and a
wonderful Albarino red from Spain's Rias Biaxas label.
We also spent some time
chatting with Austin American
Statesman food writer Addie Broyles and her husband Ian - who told us they are
expecting their second child in September. We also ran
into the Statesman's Michael Barnes, Sandra Spaulding from Twin Liquors, new AIDS Services of Austin executive director Paul Scott and his husband, and
Damon Holditch and his wife from Marquee Event Group - who supplied the elegant tents that kept
guests and chefs alike dry and comfortable.
True to the economic
times, this year's event saw fewer participating restaurants
than years past. But the offerings were just as robust -
and we believed more adventurous than
year's past.
 | ||
We ended the night with a
lovely Riesling from Texas label Messina Hof Winery and Resort, paired with a sinfully rich chocolate tart,
enhanced with caramel and sea salt, from Austin's Annie's Café. They went together beautifully with the
hand-made chocolates from Dude, Sweet out of
Dallas and the creative gelato flavors - Poteet strawberry,
cornflake, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Capt. Crunch - offered by
local favorite Teo. Stars Across Texas proved once again that too
much of a good thing - can be a very good thing.
Tonight’s
schedule includes the Rare and Fine Wine Auction at the Four
Seasons, and a VIP, invitation-only dinner at Parkside with New
Orleans celebrity chef John Besh. I know - my life is so
rough...
(Photos by Brian Alford - from top:
- Arcodoro and Pomodora's roast suckling
pig;
- Tyson Cole from Uchi;
- Makers Mark president Bill Samuels, Jr.
with Brian;
- Annie's Café owner Love Nance
talks pastries with Rob.)