Garbo's Restaurant is the bricks-and-mortar extension of Heidi Garbo's popular local food truck. Like the original food truck, Garbo's Restaurant specializes in fresh, buttery lobster rolls served either "Maine style" or "Connecticut style" and accompanied by fries or clam chowder, but this Austin restaurant also offers an expanded seafood menu.

Yelp reviewers recommend trying the smoked fish dip, served with crackers or grilled French bread, as well as the crispy clam fritters accompanied by a gribiche sauce for dipping. Main dishes include whole gulf shrimp simmered in a spicy herb and lemon broth, as well as beer battered fish and ships served with house-made ketchup and tartar sauce. Don't forget a bowl of creamy, New England clam chowder, topped with scallions and served with traditional oyster crackers to round out your meal.

Don't worry if seafood's just not your thing, either, because the restaurant also serves a popular Texas wagyu burger accompanied by fries and a pickle.

Garbo's Restaurant
14735 Bratton Lane
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 350-9814
garboslobsteratx.com/restaurant
www.yelp.com/biz/garbos-restaurant-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/intenteffect

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin coffee, even pumpkin soup – no matter what it is, we can’t get enough pumpkin foods. Something about the warm, rich flavor of pumpkin feels so soothing on a cold winter day, and its versatility makes it the perfect ingredient for both savory meals and sweet desserts.

These four pumpkin recipe websites will make you rekindle your love for everyone’s favorite cold weather flavor:

How to Cook with Pumpkin [AllRecipes]

Pumpkin [Food Network]

My Favorite Pumpkin Recipes [The Pioneer Woman]

14 Great Pumpkin Recipes [Real Simple]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Jeremy Seitz

Many music lovers say that few things in this world are better than an evening of foot-stomping, hand-clapping live music, and that's just what The Roost delivers. Once you visit this Austin club, you'll likely understand exactly why it’s such a local hotspot. Shows range from blues performers to rock bands, small local acts to internationally-known musicians, so there's something to suit just about everyone's taste.

With professional lighting that creates a concert-like atmosphere, several bars located throughout the venue, and a lively, dancing crowd, The Roost cultivates a festival-like atmosphere. Yelp reviewers say that sight lines and acoustics are top-notch, and there's plenty of seating available for music aficionados who prefer to sit and relax. The Roost does not serve food, but patrons are welcome to bring in snacks from the neighboring taqueria or crawfish shack.

Check the website for a current calendar of shows and to buy your tickets before they sell out.

The Roost
2113 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 394-5727
theroostaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-roost-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/carlota