Southwest Regional Assemblage Austin, Texas FOOD…WINE…FRIENDS…AUSTIN! March 2-4, 2018 Join us in Austin, Texas for an exciting Southwest Region Assemblage! Find out why this city offers something for every taste – the sophistication of the state capital, the youthful energy generated by the University of Texas, the modern high tech mecca, and some of the finest, most cutting-edge food in the nation. All this may pale, however, in comparison to Austin’s status as the “Live Music Capital of the World!” Your Assemblage weekend in Austin includes: The regional Young Chefs competition A Texas-sized celebration of Texas Independence Day A Caviar Tasting with hints of Old Russia Opportunities to tour historical and cultural sights A formal dinner with perfectly paired wines Easy transporation now that Uber and Lyft, and of course, cabs are back in town A chance to check out the world’s most famous live music scene The Venue: The Westin Hotel, 310 East 5th Street The Westin, one of Austin’s newest, hippest and most convenient hotels, is located on 5th Street, just one block south of the historic 6th Street Entertainment District, five blocks north of the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail and five blocks south of the Capitol. In tune with the Live Music Capital theme, the contemporary lobby boasts a living wall in the form of Waylon Jennings’ favorite guitar, Stella. The lobby bar and highly rated, Stella San Jac restaurant, are welcoming gathering spots for Chaîne friends. The rooftop bar and swimming pool offer great views of the city skyline and formidable cocktails. Forgot your workout clothes? No fear, the Westin provides what you need at no charge. Self-register by January 31, 2018 at: https://aws.passkey.com/e/49543619 Friday, March 2, 2018 2:00 p.m. Southwest Regional Meetings Hear the latest news from the region and the nation! All officers are encouraged to attend and everyone is invited. Dress: Business casual with Ribbons 6:00 p.m. Reception and Texas Independence Day Celebration Parkside, 301 East 6th Street Located directly behind the Westin is Owner/Chef Shawn Cirkiel’s flagship restaurant, Parkside. Specializing in American fare with an emphasis on locally-sourced and sustainable products, the Chef has proposed a menu worthy of an Independence Day Celebration deep in the heart of Texas. (Because Parkside is in an historic building without an elevator and our event is on the second floor, a chair lift will be provided for those needing assistance.) Dress: Texas Chic with Ribbons and Boots Cost: $175 Saturday, March 3, 2018 -Touring, Tasting & Toasting 8:00 a.m. Regional Young Chef Competition, The Art Institute of Austin 101 West Louis Henna Boulevard, Suite 100 Round Rock, Texas Support your Young Chef at the annual competition. The winner of the Regional event will go on to compete in Charleston for the national title with a chance to go on to the international competition in Taipei, Taiwan. An observation room is available for viewing the competition. Dress: Casual with Ribbons 10:00 a.m. BULLOCK TEXAS HISTORY MUSEUM TOUR Remember the Alamo! Join a docent-led tour of one of the top tourist attractions in Austin to learn about the diverse history of the largest state in the continental U.S. View the reconstructed La Belle which was shipwrecked near Matagorda Bay in 1686 and trace the roots of Texans back to its earliest inhabitants. Please register to procure your ticket. The admission fee will be $20 and you will meet your docent and Chaîne Chevalier, Don Barlow, in the Rotunda near the admissions desk. Local carpooling will be available. PLEASE NOTE: The Bullock is across the street from the Blanton Museum of Art. If you’d like to tour both museums, you can walk from one to the other and stop for lunch at either the Bullock or the Blanton Café. While we had planned a tour of the Blanton, there is an open house for the community that day and they are not offering tours. If you’d like to stay on your own, return transportation will not be provided. TOUR THE STATE CAPITOL AT YOUR CONVENIENCE: Walk west to Congress Avenue, then turn right to tour the State Capitol on your own. Visit the tallest State Capitol in the United States - of course, everything is bigger in Texas! Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. You will find a copy of the brochure in your registration packet. (The Capitol is eleven blocks from the hotel) 3:00 THE ULTIMATE AFTERNOON SNACK: CHAMPAGNE AND CAVIAR Russian House, 307 East 5th Need a not so every day taste treat before preparing for the Grand Reception? The Russian House (directly across the street from The Westin) is arranging a Caviar Tasting for those of discerning taste. Sip some Russian “Champagne” while experiencing five types of caviar, including the esteemed Beluga. Russian House also offers an award winning selection of vodkas and nearly100 “house infused vodkas.” You might also want to visit Thursday or Friday afternoon for their customized vodka tasting – write four descriptors that best describe your persona and they’ll create an infused vodka flight that fits your personality! Dress: Casual with Ribbons Cost: $75 TOAST-VIVE LA CHAINE! 6:00 p. m. Induction and Awards Banquet Westin Hotel, 310 East 5th Street Join us for an induction and the announcement of, and celebratory banquet for, our new Southwest Regional Young Chef Winner. The formal dinner in the contemporary ballroom will be worthy of this festive occasion. Dress: Black Tie with Ribbons Cost: $225 WHAT TO DO IN AUSTIN COME EARLY…OR STAY LATE Gliding Revolution Sedgway Tour of Downtown 602 East 4th, , Austin Visitors Center (0.3 miles from hotel) http://www.glidingrevolution.com/ Austin Duck Adventures – tour Austin by land and by water! 602 East 4th, Austin Visitors Center (0.3 miles from hotel) http://austinducks.com/ Texas State Capitol 11th and Congress Avenue http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/plan/tours/tours.html Bob Bullock Texas Museum Congress Avenue at Martin Luther King Boulevard http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/ Blanton Museum of Art Congress Avenue at Martin Luther King Boulevard http://blantonmuseum.org/ Other Highlights: LBJ Library 2313 Red River http://www.lbjlibrary.org/ Shop Along South Congress or West Second Street - Enjoy the funky little shops along SOCO or the somewhat more upscale venues along West Second. Great restaurants in both areas. 11:00 a.m. Sunday Brunch Foodie Bike Tour – Hop on an electric bike and visit some of the hottest restaurants and trailers in Austin. https://rocketelectrics.com/rentals-tours/public-electric-bike-tours Day Trip to Fredericksburg/Hill Country Wine Country. Enjoy eating, drinking and shopping in this charming German town only 70 mile west of Austin. Vaudeville is a fun restaurant/shop to try and there are plenty of opportunities to taste some of Texas’ best wines on the way out there. There are over two dozen wineries along Hwy 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg! Some of the best stops include William Chris, 4.0 Cellars and Becker Vineyards. STAY OUT LATE… (after all, Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World!) … The legendary Antone’s (jazz and blues nightly. Big Henry’s record store and gift shop is located inside Antone’s and is open 12 noon -10 p.m.) 305 East 5th (directly across the street from the hotel) Post Westin Dinner on Saturday, 3/3: 10:00 Show – Perpetual Groove https://www.antonesnightclub.com Continental Club (an Austin institution-multiple bands daily) 1315 South Congress http://continentalclub.com/#intro Maggie Mae’s (rockin’ the night away) 323 East 6th Street www.maggiemaesaustin.com The Elephant Room, Jazz (only 5 blocks from The Westin) 315 Congress www.elephantroom.com Broken Spoke, Honky Tonk (Texas friendly-you have to see it to believe it!) 3201 South Lamar www.brokenspokeaustintx.net The Driskill Piano Bar (fun without travelling) 604 Brazos www.thedriskill.hyatt.com Dirty 6th - The young and brave at heart may want to stroll east on 6th Street and observe the amazing party scene with music blaring from a dozen venues. Lunch Hot Spots The Corner Bar, JW Marriott 110 East 2nd Street http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/ausjw-jw-marriott-austin/ The 1886 Room, The Driskill 604 Brazos https://thedriskill.hyatt.com/en/hotel/dining/1886-cafe-and-bakery.html Second, American 200 Congress www.secondbarkitchen.com Cooper’s Barbecue 217 Congress http://coopersbbqaustin.com/ Bars The Driskill Bar, piano bar 604 Brazos http://www.driskillgrill.com/driskill-bars/austin-texas-bars Stephen F. Austin (just across from The Driskill at 7th and Congress) 701 Congress http://austin.intercontinental.com/austin-dining-entertainment/index.php Four Seasons, lake view bar 98 San Jacinto Boulevard http://www.fourseasons.com/austin/dining/lounges/the_lobby_lounge/ J.W. Marriott (The Corner Bar sells more alcohol than any other spot in town, also a good lunch spot) 110 East 2nd and Congress http://www.jwmarriottaustin.com/austin-restaurants/op-wine-bar/ Second Bar & Kitchen (good place for lunch or a snack-across from the Marriott) 200 Congress www.secondbarkitchen.com Rainey Street Pub Walk (several blocks of pubs, restaurants and food trailers) Rainey Street is within 10 blocks of The Westin. Dinner Downtown (within five blocks): Counter 3-5-7 (front row dining-reservations required – 5 blocks from hotel) 315 Congress http://www.counter3fivevii.com/#introduction-1 Driskill Grill (Texas style elegance within The Driskill Hotel-unbeatable steaks – 3 blocks from Westin) 604 Brazos http://www.driskillgrill.com/ Italic (High quality rustic Italian - 8 blocks from the hotel) 123 West 6th http://italicaustin.com/ Parkside (American Bistro-1 block from the hotel) 301 East 6th http://parkside-austin.com/ “The Original” Eddie V’s (Upscale seafood/steaks-music in the bar after 7:00 p.m.