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There’s More Than Just Wine on the Menu at Austin’s Vino Vino

May 5, 2016 by

Vino Vino in Austin is more than just your neighborhood wine bar. Beyond vino, the restaurant offers a variety of specialty cocktails, beer, and an extensive food menu. Vino Vino offers over 20 wines by the glass, selected by the owner who may come check on you during your visit. The menu is full of tapas-style plates, as well as a few larger plates and even a take-out menu. The interior has a comfy casual environment with dim lighting and wooden decor, where you can graze on a cheese plate and sip on a bold, earthy red all night long.

Many locals agree that the Old Fashioned is one of the best in town, especially during happy hour when it is $2 off. Happy Hour offers $2 off all wine, beer, and house cocktails, as well as a selection of half-priced appetizers. Happy hour is held 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays.

The kitchen and bar have varied hours, so be sure to visit the website so you don’t miss the chance to try your favorite dish!

Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751-4222
(512) 465-9282
www.vinovinoaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vino-vino-austin

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Don’t Skip the Naan Wraps at Chicken Lollypop in Austin

April 28, 2016 by

Chicken Lollypop combines the cuisines of two cultures to create a flavor-filled dining experience in Austin. This small cafe serves Chinese-Indian fusion fare, boasting a succinct menu of sandwiches, wraps, soups, signature entrees, and fried rice.

The naan wraps are a popular choice here. Chef Imitiaz Shaikh cooks chicken or paneer (Indian cheese) in a Szechuan sauce and wraps it in naan with green chutney and a yogurt sauce. The chef also cooks chicken breast in a house ginger sauce and pairs shrimp with spicy Manchurian sauce. You can add such signature house items as sautéed spinach and herbs and Bombay potatoes with green peas and spices. While the flavor in each dish is great, the price is even better. Menu items are $10.99 and below.

You’ll find Chicken Lollypop inside the East Braker Lane Food Mart. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Chicken Lollypop
1005 E. Braker Lane
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 909-9826
www.facebook.com/Chicken-Lollypop-619479071400593/
www.yelp.com/biz/chicken-lollypop-austin

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Mother’s Cafe: Sink Your Teeth Into a Bueno Burger

April 7, 2016 by

Long before vegetarianism and veganism went mainstream, Mother's Cafe was already on board. It opened in Austin back in 1980 with a completely meat-free menu. Plant-based eating may be commonplace today, but back then, this eatery was blazing a new trail.

Perhaps that's why it's continued to thrive in the years since; vegetarians and vegans know that they can count on a fresh, carefully prepared meal here. Even if you're a meat-eater, you'll still be able to appreciate the fact that Mother's uses healthy ingredients such as non-GMO canola oil and offers purified water (which chefs also use when cooking). Locals suggest you try the Bueno burger, which showcases a patty made of veggies, grains, seeds, and tofu tucked inside a vegan whole-wheat sesame bun with tomato, pickle, red onion, and lettuce. Add vegan cheese or guacamole for some extra flavor. The artichoke enchiladas are a big hit, too, so opt for these if you're craving something spicy.

Mother's Cafe
4215 Duval Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 451-3994
www.motherscafeaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mothers-cafe-and-garden-austin

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North Italia Offers a Modern Take on Italian Cooking

March 24, 2016 by

Every once in a while, chain restaurants can pleasantly surprise you. The Austin location of North Italia is just one example.

North Italia is well known for its unique cocktail menu. The go-to drinks are the apple bourbon punch and the red sangria. North Italia also serves a variety of local beers from around the Austin area. As for the food, you can’t go wrong with the house-specialty Bolognese pasta, which is best paired with the crowd-favorite heirloom beet salad. It arrives piled high with roasted beets, apples, arugula, hazelnut, ricotta salata cheese, and lemon crème fraiche. You’ll want to save room for dessert: the salted caramel budino is a must-try!

As a bonus, North Italia has a cozy patio with ceiling heaters to keep you warm. A word of advice: Make reservations, especially if you’re planning on going during the weekend.

North Italia
11506 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, Texas 78758
(512) 339-4400
www.northitaliarestaurant.com/locations/austin

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Lucky’s Puccias: Try a Grilled Sandwich From This Famous Food Truck

March 3, 2016 by

A puccia is a type of flatbread from the Puglia region in Italy, but in Austin, most people would recognize it as the hearty sandwiches served by the famous Lucky’s Puccias. This often buzzed-about white and orange food truck is located in the Market District area of downtown, and it features a few small tables outside where customers can enjoy their sandwiches.

The menu includes puccia sandwiches made on fresh baked bread and topped with organic ingredients, and then the whole thing is baked in an oven to create a wood-fired taste. The signature sandwich is the Lucky’s Puccia, which features prosciutto, tomato, mozzarella, and chipotle mayo. Other puccias come with a variety of other meats or vegetables to accommodate vegetarian customers.

The wait at Lucky's can be a bit long, but regulars recommend stopping by one of the nearby bars for a drink while you wait for your tasty sandwich. Lucky’s Puccias is open daily.

Lucky’s Puccias
817 W 5th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 739-8785
www.facebook.com/LuckysPuccias
www.yelp.com/biz/luckys-puccias-austin

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Truluck’s: Fete a Special Occasion Over Steak and Seafood

February 25, 2016 by

The next time you’re celebrating a special occasion, consider making a reservation at Truluck’s. This upscale steak and seafood restaurant in Austin has a festive feel, from its light-covered marquee and beautiful stone patio to its romantic, old-fashioned interior. The eatery is very large and features a dark wooden bar and spacious tables that can accommodate the whole family.

On the menu, Truluck’s offers premium cuts of steak, Florida stone crab, and Chilean seabass, and its extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktails pair perfectly with any entree. Appetizers like the famous smoking shrimp cocktail start the meal off right, while the dessert martinis and extravagant cakes conclude every meal on a sweet note.

Truluck’s serves dinner seven days a week. Happy hour is held between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. daily.

Truluck’s
10225 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 794-8300
www.trulucks.com
www.yelp.com/biz/trulucks-austin-2

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Jasper’s: Gourmet Cookout Cuisine

January 28, 2016 by

While the words “gourmet” and “cookout” aren’t normally used in the same sentence, they are at Jasper’s restaurant in Austin. This uniquely conceptual eatery is stylish and upscale, but its menu of so-called backyard cuisine is anything but pretentious.

Enter the sleek, modern dining room, with its dim lighting and artistic décor, and you’ll be met with a menu filled with Maytag bleu cheese potato chips, Texas gulf crab cakes, and Pimentón Rotisserie Chicken, as well as slow-smoked baby back ribs prepared just like they are in backyards all across Texas. Cast iron sides are the perfect accompaniments, and Jasper’s full bar churns out thoughtful cocktails, craft beers and premium wines to go along with the meal. For a gourmet spin on a taste that’s truly Texan, Jasper’s is one of the very best spots in town!

Reservations can be made online or by calling Jasper’s directly.

Jasper’s
11506 Century Oaks
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 834-4111
www.jaspersaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jaspers-austin-7

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Beluga Modern Japanese Cuisine: From the Sushi Bar to the Sake Bar

December 23, 2015 by

Beluga Modern Japanese Cuisine offers a creative, inventive take on classic Japanese cuisine, blending the best of both old and new culinary techniques.

For lunch and dinner, you’ll find delicious sashimi options, unique maki rolls, and even rice-free sushi dishes for those who are cutting carbs, and each one is almost to pretty to eat! (Because Beluga encourages a “shared table” style of dining, guests are encouraged to order a number of small plates to share amongst the table in order to experience every dish.) Beluga also features a full bar of wines, beers, and spirits, as well as traditional Japanese sake to make your experience feel truly authentic.

Visit Beluga for the two-for-one weekday sushi lunch special, then return for the post-work happy hour discounts!

Beluga Modern Japanese Cuisine
661 Louis Henna Blvd
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-6454
www.belugasushi.net
www.yelp.com/biz/beluga-japanese-cuisine-round-rock

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Try Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar for All Your Seafood Favorites

November 27, 2015 by

Whether you want to grab a quick bite on the go or relax with friends to watch the game, Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar is a popular choice in Austin. This eatery offers all the Cajun cuisine classics you'd expect, including a spicy gumbo, jambalaya filled with shrimp and sausage, and crawfish etouffee.

In fact, it's crawfish in any form that's the main draw for this place. Yelp reviewers report traveling for miles to feast on the Crawfish Shack's crawfish, which is best simply ordered by the pound, hot from the pot. Choose a few add-in extras, like corn, potato, and fried oysters for a truly decadent meal. Whatever you order, don’t forget to ask for the restaurant's signature moist towelettes to clean up your fingertips after you're finished eating!

The restaurant itself is clean, with brightly colored walls and offbeat decorations, like fishing nets draped here and there. There's even free Wi-Fi in case you've got a few emails to answer while waiting for your meal.

Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar
2013 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 252-7556
www.crawfishshacktx.com
www.yelp.com/biz/crawfish-shack-and-oyster-bar-austin

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Troy Restaurant: Don’t Hum-Miss Out on This Mediterranean Eatery

November 5, 2015 by

The delicious combination of Turkish and Mediterranean fare is a treat that you won’t find just anywhere, which is exactly what makes Troy Restaurant such a gem in North Austin. Its bright red walls and modern decor create a unique backdrop for your traditional Mediterranean meal, but the long, shared tables and natural light make the entire experience feel friendly and relaxing.

Troy Restaurant’s sampler plates are arguably the best way to get a true feel for the menu, as they include an assortment of meats, rice, and salad, as well as unlimited tea and an authentic Turkish dessert at the end of the meal. Made-from-scratch hummus and Turkish coffee are made true to Turkish tradition, and the prices are affordable, as well.

Stop by for the lively Thursday night karaoke or a quiet weekend lunch and you’ll likely see why so many locals love Troy!

Troy Restaurant
8105 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 897-2860
www.facebook.com/troy.restaurantaustin
www.yelp.com/biz/troy-austin

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