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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

Austin is known for its numerous live music venues, and at places like Zed’s Restaurant, you can even enjoy the eclectic sounds of live music over a gourmet meal. This combination restaurant and venue has a modern, casual style and a scenic location that’s a bit off the beaten path, but its sunny patio areas and warm wooden interior make it feel like truly hip hotspot.

On Sundays, Zed’s Restaurant hosts a jazz brunch with the lively sounds of live jazz music accompanying egg dishes and morning libations, while dinner on the weekends usually features some of the best in local musical talent. With a menu filled with dishes like Ahi tuna steaks, pancetta cheeseburgers, and petite filets, a decadent dessert menu, and a long wine and beer list, Zed’s Restaurant is the perfect place to visit for an evening (or afternoon) out in Austin.

Zed’s Restaurant
501 Canyon Ridge Drive
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 339-9337
www.zeds.bz
www.yelp.com/biz/zeds-austin-5

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Brave Sir Robin

Since water and electronics don’t exactly go well together, you may wonder how you can safely (and still effectively) clean your much-used tech devices. Since these things accumulate a ton of bacteria due to frequent touching, it’s important to clean them frequently. These tips will show you how.

1. Use a disinfectant. While you likely want to clean your gadgets to remove those signs of smudging and fingerprints, it’s far more important to clean them to remove germs and bacteria. Use a disinfectant by spraying it lightly on a soft cloth and gently wiping the screen or keyboard—never by using pre-soaked wipes, which can drip into your device.
2. Care for your touchscreens. Touchscreens may become damaged if they come in contact with alcohol or a disinfectant, so you might want to invest in a cleanser designed especially for them.
3. Use compressed air. To clean dust from keyboards and crevices in other devices, use a can of compressed air, which can be purchased at your local office supply store.
4. Clean earbuds. Constantly sticking your earbuds or headphones into your ears isn’t exactly sanitary, so you’ll want to regularly wipe them with an alcohol-dampened cotton swab.
5. Go easy on the TV. Experts advise against cleaning your flatscreen television with glass cleaner or even water. Instead, wipe the screen gently with a microfiber cloth to remove dust and fingerprints.

How to Safely Disinfect and Clean Your Gadgets [Lifehacker]
How to Clean Your (Disgusting) Cell Phones and Tablets [The Mac Lawyer]
Find out how to clean your cell phone and other dirty gadgets [Today Home]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr flickingerbrad