Michael Barnes is the Austin American-Statesman's social columnist. He lives in South Austin with his partner, Kip, two dogs and two cats. More on Out & About.
Champagne Dinner at Fleming’s Downtown
Our table resembled a fractional convocation of the Out & About 500. To my right was Pickie Pie Productions’ Rachel Elsberry. Across the table was Austin Wine Guy Rob Moshein. To his right were power pair Kevin Benz (CultureMap Austin) and Olga Campos (U.S. Money Reserve).
Dave Moore and Kelly Warren
New to me were Jenelle Shriner (KVUE) and James Cooke (operating manager of Fleming’s Steakhouse downtown). Like his cohort at the Domain Fleming’s, the recently profiled Darryl Wittle, Cooke is scrupulously open about his business, which he explained patiently for a social columnist still dizzy from the opening of steakhouse after steakhouse in Austin. (How many is too many?)
Rachel and Ian Hass
This one is pretty settled. Even without a major convention across the street, its 300 seats were occupied on a hot Friday. We dined with almost 50 others in the roomy banquet hall. The occasion: The introduction of Moshein’s four champagne pairings with chef Erick Nixon’s cleverly steak-free meal. The four samples: Heidsieck Brut Champagne NV, Louis Roderer Brut Champagne Premier France NV, Ruinart Bruse Rose NV (the best) and Moet & Chandon Imperial Champagne France.
Rachel Elsberry and Jenelle Shriner
While I learned more about the bubbly and the steakhouse businesses, the people around the table remained my main attraction. Noisy topics: Gov. Rick Perry running for president, Texas A&M University (perhaps) bolting for the Southeastern Conference and the way we news junkies follow the those culturally related stories. The key word here: South, in all its social and historical connotations.
