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— Texas director Richard Linklater’s next anti-Ted Cruz political advertisement spotlights his love of White Castle in light of his attempts to imply that Beto O’Rourke being a “triple meat Whataburger liberal” is a bad thing. “Everybody I know in Texas likes Whataburger,” actor Sonny Carl Davis said, and then proceeded to call out Cruz’s recorded love of White Castle, which doesn’t even have locations in Texas. Both ads were filmed at House Park Bar-B-Que, according to an Eater tipster.
— Before New York-based chef Lidia Bastianich’s dinner with Austin restaurant L’Oca d’Oro on Thursday, November 8, the Italian chef and cookbook author is being honored at a lunch event. People will be able to see the chef participate in a discussion, meet her, get their cookbooks signed (My American Dream: A Life of Love, Family, and Food which will be on sale as well), while eating a three-course meal from chef Shawn Cirkiel. The lunch is being hosted by (and benefits) the Austin Food & Wine Alliance and the Les Dames d’Escoffier from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at event space 7co on East 7th Street. Tickets are $125.
The day before, Bastianich is also participating in a Celebrate Italian event at Whole Foods Market’s North Lamar location, with another book-signing, the cracking of a parmesan Reggiano wheel, and samples of her wine. It takes place on Wednesday, November 7, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
— Whataburger teamed up with Texas jewelry designer James Avery for another charm. This time, it’s the iconic tumbler in all of its orange glory. The sterling silver charm is available for $80.
— Austin-based chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar is expanding into a new city with its first-ever Waco restaurant opening next summer.
— New downtown Italian restaurant La Volpe added a happy hour. Selected cocktails (Aperol spritz, old Cubans, raspberry-basil gin) and glasses of wines are $7, draft beers are $5, and some appetizers will range from $8 to $12, like meatballs, scallop crudo, and blue crab risotto. It’s available from Tuesday to Friday from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
