Here are the top five things to do in Austin this weekend

Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We’ve got you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

aperture

From a food truck to an adventurous neighborhood restaurant, The Peached Tortilla has become something of a staple on the Austin food scene. A blend of Asian and South American comfort food 13 years in the making, the menu is available at three locations throughout Austin, with a fourth coming to Cedar Park in late 2023 at 1915 East Whitestone Boulevard. The new location will to have 82 seats inside and 38 outside on the patio, it will look similar to the locations Austinites are already familiar with and feature the same menu items before adding more that are specific to the new location.

Michelin-starred chef Curtis Stone, who runs Georgie restaurant in Dallas, is working to democratize the private culinary experience. A platform he co-founded, Gathar, launched into Austin’s concert economy during South by Southwest (SXSW) at a secret house party, and plans to expand to Houston and Dallas later, as well as Florida. Rather than being organized around specific chefs, the website offers menus with small customizations like choosing between one appetizer or another. The most obvious no-filter meals are event-based and pay-per-person (up to $35), but there are also options available for preparing meals at home (starting at $610, but topping out at about $25 per person). ration). Book at gathar.com.

Austinites who want a free group workout are likely familiar with Swift Fit Events, which offers yoga, cardio and even fireside tarot at easily accessible downtown locations. The group is opening a new “wellness oasis” at 918 Congress Avenue, which includes an alcohol-free cocktail bar, Sans Bar. One Sans Bar location already exists on East 12th, offering cocktails, tours, events and even classes for aspiring non-alcoholic mixologists. The space will be open to the public on Fridays starting at 5:00 p.m., starting March 31.

Other news and notes

James Beard Award-winning chef Iliana de la Vega is hosting Mexico City chef Billy Maldonado of Fónico at El Naranjo, one of Austin’s most popular Mexican restaurants. On March 23, Chef Maldonado takes charge of five of six courses, including a ceviche, a local fish with beans and habañero ash, a pork chop with spicy broccoli puree and vegetarian options. The 8:30 seats still have space. Reserve ($110) at elnaranjorestaurant.com.

The always-anticipated Butcher’s Ball will return to Round Top on March 24th and 25th. All ingredients are sourced within 100 miles of the Central Texas city, so Austinites can enjoy some foods local to them, plus some further east in just half a drive. In addition to cocktails and bites from Houston’s celebrity chefs, there will be live music and a fun barn atmosphere. A few tickets (starting at $175) remain available on Eventbrite.

It’s pretty easy to have a beer with dinner, but The Driskill is escalating things to a multi-course affair as it is wont to do. She’s relaunching the Beer Dinner Series on March 28 with the help of her launch from (512) Brewing Company, which will later lead into a four-part summer series in June. This installation will pair four beers (half IPA) with salmon tartare, burrata and citrus salad, osso buco and chocolate peanut butter semifredo. Tickets ($80) are available at Tock.