It is the Fourth Annual, but it was my first time dining al fresco, on a cool if faintly humid evening, on a red iron bridge suspended over Onion Creek: Moore's Crossing was the site of Inherit Austin's fourth annual fundraiser, which they appropriately entitled, "Somewhere in Time."
Per the Inherit Austin site for the event, "Built in 1884, this iron bridge was part of the original Congress Avenue Bridge. In 1910, it was placed in storage and then rebuilt over Onion Creek at Moore’s Crossing in southeast Austin in 1922."
And sure there was a lot of neat information we heard about the bridge, after the appetizers were passed, such as the bridge's role in national and local architectural and other regular historical history, but all I wanted to do was step back from the crowd and watch the light change over the table and the delicate red iron work, and then wait impatiently for the servers to light the jumbo tea light votive candles on the long table extending all along the bridge.
We met some new best friends during the pre-dinner-party party. I think some more fabulous parties are afoot for 2014.
Say la V, who did the catering, did a good job of getting those appetizers out fast. Experience shows, from my attending too many not-well-executed events like this, people want two things when they show up--and fast: (1) alcohol and (2) food.
If you get the invitees fed and watered this way--and early--warm happy feelings about the event are a foregone conclusion. These folks really did a good job. (See what getting the food and wine out fast does to a person?)
Music on vintage phonographs, courtesy of Austin Phonograph Company, also helps soothe the hungry masses.
Sure the Figs with Blue Cheese Espuma on Fennel Cracker were nice and charming to behold for their visual appeal.
But I could have sat down with a platter all to myself of the "Chickpea & Salt Cod 'Fries' with Piquillo Ketchup." No pictures. Ate them too fast.
The courses, once we were excused after the speeches to make our way politely to find a seat---felt like musical chairs a bit--were served family style. So the way to go for these things. The first course served on a giant square white platter: Tuscan Kale Caesar Salad with Giant Ciabatta Croutons, Roasted Garlic Dressing and Grana Padano. That dark, dark green again the white platter, plus the tangy garlic and those chewy garagantuan croutons....makes me think that kale will be back in rotation at my house very soon.
Somehow the Roasted Carrots & Zucchini with Walnut Gremolata never made it my way. I did not miss it. I was riveted by the love story of the 50+ somethings next to us: hthey have 6 kids; she, a busy executive of an arts/design company, is having surgery soon.
I managed to inhale dessert -- Polenta and Almond Cake with Pears and Honey and Chilled Marsala Zabalgione. It was so lovely, but I neglected to ask the servers to leave some for my GFs who had gone to Los Baños, and I heard all about that when they returned. But I was seriously lost in the story-telling of the people around me. I wondered if I would someday have a story as charmed as theirs. Maybe I already do, and I don't even know it.
Tonight was an abundance of riches for Austin food events in and around architectural gems. It also was the night for Pearl Dive at The Plant, which broke my heart not to attend and help out those Rude Mechs for their fundraiser and spend an evening immersed in some Lake|Flato architecture at The Plant. Who knows what I missed not making that event. But for now, I'm just glad I did not miss out on dinner at Moore's Crossing with Shelly and Mollie. And our many new best friends.
That looks like a wonderful evening! What did you shoot those photos with? The medium format says "Hipstamatic," but they are so dang CRISP!
Posted by: Optimista | 09/30/2013 at 01:41 AM