Austin Film Society’s AFS Cinema, has released an exclusive first look at their menu and announced the hiring of head chef, Peter Klein, joining ts the WHM Hospitality team, in developing a fresh, Austin-centric menu for the cinema.
Chef Peter Klein’s experience includes work at Bark Hot Dogs restaurant based in Brooklyn, New York as well as Olamaie here in Austin, where he garnered a deeper respect for and understanding of sustainable sourcing practices. AFS Cinema’s dining menu features a selection of clean, fresh and easy to order offerings made for a quick grab on the way into the theater or to enjoy in the lobby before or after screenings.
Some of the grab-and-go cinema fare, available to eat in the theater and pre or post show in the theater’s lobby, will include sausages and hot dogs from East Austin’s Smokey Denmark, one of Austin’s original smoked meat purveyors; Antontelli’s Cheese Plate, with selections showcasing both domestic and imported cheeses, ranging from a bloomy-rind, sheep’s milk cheese from Spain, to a Texas cow’s milk offering smoked over three different hardwoods. Cheeses will be paired with various accoutrements, such as pickles and grainy mustard; AFS Popcorn, a small batch specialty made with heirloom kernels. Fully loaded the popcorn will come dressed in clarified butter, nutritional yeast, and ourAFS spice blend, a savory combination of dried herbs and spices. An olive oil and sea salt option will also be served; heartier savory items such as Classic Egg Salad Toast with hickory smoked trout roe, served on a white Pullman bread from Houston-based Slow Dough Bread Co, dusted with pimento and finished with a fresh mix of chives, parsley and dill; and a variety of sweet options, including seasonal fresh fruit with a honey crême fraîche and a selection of nostalgic boxed theater candies.
The theater’s bar will feature a variety of draft and canned beer centered around Texas breweries, including Austin Beer Works, Live Oak Brewery, and Adelberts Brewery. The bar menu also features several signature cocktails including the AFS Gin Tonic made with dry gin, Lillet Rose, lime and Mediterranean tonic, garnished with lime, juniper berries, mint and basil.
The AFS Cinema is being redesigned by architect team Michael Hsu Office of Architecture and Designtrait; Hsu says the space is designed to be “a hub for Austin’s vibrant arts community to share the film experience and engage with each other.”