Though Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery (136 E. Grayson St., Suite 120, 210-455-5701) opened its doors this April, the eatery operated by Jeff Balfour quietly added a lunch menu about a week and a half ago. You'll find dinner favorites, along with new sandwiches and salads, but the highlight for yours truly was the Celleman's Lunch Pail. At $11, with choice of entrée (the Southern pot roast was ridiculously good) and choice of green salad or market soup and a side, it's a total steal. Lunch runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday to Friday.
I had foolishly believed June would be a month free of any food events, but I was majorly wrong. For starters, this weekend kicks off with the first-ever Borracho Bean Festival and Cook-off at Two Step Restaurant & Cantina (9840 W. Loop 1604 N., 210-688-2686) on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. with live music, beer and margaritas. Admission is $10 for adults, $40 for food/drink package, $5 for ages 10-20 and free for kids under 10.
On Sunday, Alamo Drafthouse Westlakes (1255 S.W. Loop 410) will host an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil and screening of The Big Easy. The mudbug soiree kicks off at noon, with a screening at 1 p.m. Visit drafthouse.com for details.
Next Saturday, June 13, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Chef Cooperative will come together at the Spanish Governor's Palace (105 Plaza de Armas) to host "OfFISHal" a family- style dinner with seafood provided by Groomer's as prepared by chefs Stephen Paprocki, Chris Cook and Tyler Horstmann, along other representative of the city's culinary talent. It'll be Chuck Hernandez's introduction to the group. Tickets for the $65 dinner can be purchased through eventbrite.com. Proceeds will benefit Parr Vineyards.
Finally, details are set for Secret Ingredient: All Female Pop-Up benefitting The Chow Train and Peace Initiative on Sunday, June 14. Tickets ($65 for women, $75 for men) for the two seatings (7:30 and 9:30 p.m.) can be purchased through Andrea Peña (210) 427-8070 and Monica De La O at (210) 480-5433. Your all-female chef lineup includes Alex Zrinsk Mora of Cured; Caitlin Reagan of Citrus; Nadia Casaperalta and Jessica Perez of Hot Joy; Jessica Vargas of Locavore; Juliet Burley of Southerleigh; Kat Sees of Folc; De La O of Tailgate Bistro; Hillary Woodhouse of The Brooklynite. Also on hand will be private chefs Claire Sawtelle, Holly Dominguez and Libby Mattingsley. Beer, wine and liquor sponsored by Southerleigh, Blanca Aldaco and Jeret Peña, respectively.
