Recycled Reads: Support Austin’s Library System

Support Austin's public library and get fantastic used books at a bargain price at Recycled Reads. It’s the perfect place to stock up on reading material for a fraction of what you’d pay if you bought it new. CDs, DVDs and vinyl record albums are also on sale here.

Whether your favorite reading material is mystery, literary fiction, science fiction, poetry, travel, how-to, self-help, art, biography or history, you’re sure to find something to float your literary boat while you spend hours lost in the world of words. Kid’s books are also on their shelves, as is a small selection of new books.

Got books at home gathering dust on your shelves at home at 95twenty? Bring them in and donate to help fund the Austin library system!

Recycled Reads is open Thursday through Sunday.

Recycled Reads
5335 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 323-5123
http://www.recycledreads.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/recycled-reads-austin

Public Domain/Public Domain

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar: Homestyle Italian Cuisine

Good Italian food is easy to find in Rosedale – just come to the Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar. Located on Burnet Road across from the Sunshine Community Garden, Gusto stands for fun and enjoyment in Italian. Here at Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, you’ll enjoy both the ambiance and the food. The restaurant has a quiet and casual atmosphere with subdued lighting, making it a nice place to go for a date. It’s also a good happy hour spot, with a nice selection of beers on tap and wines (try the house-made sangria), along with deals on apps and pizzas. And you can’t go wrong with the freshly made antipastos, pastas, and pizzas! Folks really like the signature polenta fries and the risotto. Try to come on the weekends for the brunch buffet!

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
4800 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 458-1100
http://www.gustoitaliankitchen.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gusto-italian-kitchen-and-wine-bar-austin

There’s Lots of Sushi to Try at Maru Sushi

The tasty art of sushi is celebrated at Maru. Located right on the corner of Burnet Road and West 47th Street, Maru doesn’t look like much from the outside, but your opinion will change when you come in. Inside, you’ll find a bright modern-casual spot with a nice sushi bar and comfortable seating. Your level of comfort will rise when you meet the friendly wait staff, who will be more than happy to help you with your dining choices. Both the traditional and spicy sushi selections are always made with the freshest seafood and other ingredients (locals like the spicy J-Roll and fresh Tuna Roll). Your order might take a while, but it’s worth it! The kitchen prepared items are also good, especially the Spicy Teriyaki and Udon Bowls. The lunch and dinner specials are tasty deals, and everything is available for takeout.

Maru
4636 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 458-6200
http://www.austinmaru.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maru-austin

Simple, Healthful Poultry Recipes

Poultry is one of the healthiest meats you can cook with, and it’s also incredibly versatile. From juicy chicken to hearty turkey, these delicious and nutritious recipes will help mix up the ways you prepare poultry.

Chicken Picadillo
Using just one pot and only 162 calories, this incredibly flavorful chicken dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Bell peppers add extra vitamins and a serving of vegetables, while tomato sauce, cumin and lemon juice gives this meal a flavor that really stands out.

Asian-Style Chicken Wraps
Using lettuce as a wrap eliminates extra carbohydrates, and the spicy and refreshing sauce adds a healthy kick to the tender chicken strips inside.

Oven-Crusted Chicken Breast
The traditional dinner staple gets a healthy makeover in this low-calorie dish. Substituting the usual fatty breading for egg whites and rolled oats offers the same crispy texture without the added fat.

Cornbread-Crusted Turkey
Turkey isn’t just for Thanksgiving dinner, and this simple yet delicious dish proves how versatile turkey can be. The addition of a cornbread coating and Dijon flavor makes this poultry meal both hearty and healthy.

For more nutritious poultry recipes, visit the NIH website here.

The Steeping Room: Terrific Teas

Any time is tea-time at the Steeping Room. Located in a little shopping center on N. Lamar Boulevard, the Steeping Room is dedicated to not just serving tea, but the art of brewing and leisurely enjoying the drink. Come in and you will immediately like the cozy ambiance, with high ceilings that keep the noise low and lots of window seating. You might have had tea, but there are so many different teas to choose from, don’t be afraid to ask your server for suggestions. In the morning, try your tea with a freshly baked scone, or go for one of the breakfast entrees. The lunch and dinner menus are also good, with many vegan and gluten-free options — try the breakfast sandwich or the soup and tea sandwich combo. 

The Steeping Room
4400 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 102
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 467-2663
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-steeping-room-austin-2

Our New Facebook Sweepstakes Has Started! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, Like our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends February 28th, 2014.

For mobile users ONLY, like our Facebook Page, and then click here to enter!

Chow Down on All-American Homestyle Diner Fare at the Austin Diner

For home-style breakfast, lunch and dinner dishes, come to the Austin Diner. Located on Burnet Road near the North Loop Boulevard, the Austin Diner is an all-American spot for equally all-American food. Breakfast is a favorite here because you can get it in the morning or all day and night! Everything’s good, but folks really like the breakfast tacos, and some think the homefries are the best in town.

The lunch and dinner menus also feature tasty American diner fare that’s made with fresh ingredients and to order; nothing is frozen. The diner recently moved to a new location, so it’s a whole lot bigger. The décor is really cool and comfortable, with lots of chrome, blue walls, and oval windows. Can’t stay? There’s also take-out. And the Austin can cater your next party or event.

Austin Diner
5222 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 467-9552
http://austindineronline.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/austin-diner-austin

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014!

Kick Start Your Day With Proper Breakfast

A proper breakfast is the best way to start the day, so why not do so at the Proper Breakfast restaurant? Located where Medical Parkway meets Marathon Boulevard, Proper Breakfast was founded by two friends who wanted to make tasty food using local products. That’s why most of the ingredients at Proper Breakfast are procured from neighboring farms. Everything — the eggs, dairy, meat, even the syrup and coffee — is grown or produced close by, which translates to a fresh, delicious breakfast for you! It is not a big menu here, but you don’t need it when you’re drinking fresh, locally roasted coffee and eating the freshest egg you’ve ever tasted outside of a farm. And the pancakes are gluten-free! Proper breakfast is open every morning until 2 p.m.

Proper Breakfast
4001 Medical Pkwy
Austin, TX 78705
http://properbreakfast.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-proper-breakfast-austin

Get New Books Every Month With These Subscription Sites

Give the book lover in your life a gift that will last all year long with a book subscription. These fun and surprising websites give members the chance to read books from authors they may have never encountered otherwise, and receiving a new book every month makes members feel like they’re a part of one big, digital book club.

Oyster
Oyster is an affordable membership site that allows members to download unlimited books from over 100,000 titles. The service works with iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, and it features an easy-to-navigate library and simple layout that makes mobile reading easy and convenient. Oyster costs less than 10 dollars each month, but the site offers a one-month free trial for new members to try out the service without spending a penny.

Open Letter
This nonprofit literary translation press affiliated with the University of Rochester publishes ten translated titles every year from all over the world, giving English speakers access to books from a number of different countries. Open Letter's subscription service delivers one of their new releases to members’ homes every month, as well as a thoughtful letter from the publisher about the book and how it was published. Open Letter offers either a 6-month or 12-month subscription.

Public Domain/Public Domain

Pin It on Pinterest