Turf N’ Surf Po Boy: Take a Bite Out of This Classic New Orleans Fare

The famous po' boy is a sandwich made famous in Louisiana, but Austin’s Turf N’ Surf Po Boy does a great job of imitating the sandwich's crispy French bread, fried seafood, and generous toppings. This dark, nondescript restaurant looks unassuming from the street, and the inside is decorated with eclectic wall art and industrial decor that is fairly standard in the Austin area.

It's the food that really makes Turf N’ Surf Stand out, however, and the menu lists fried favorites that are served piping hot and positively packed with seasonings. The hush puppies are arguably the most popular menu items, but the fish tacos and, of course, the po' boy sandwiches come in close behind. The menu also includes fresh fish salads, cilantro fries, and pulled pork platters that are equally as tasty.

If you’re looking for a taste of New Orleans in the Austin area, this is the place to get it.

Turf N' Surf Po Boy
407 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 276-2763
www.facebook.com/pages/Turf-N-Surf-Po-Boy/364351950938
www.yelp.com/biz/turf-n-surf-po-boy-austin

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

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

Blank Wall, Blank Slate: How to Transform a Wall into a Focal Point

Plain, bare walls are blank canvases just waiting to be filled with accessories or décor. Hang almost anything on your wall and your space will instantly feel homey and more personal. Follow these tips to bring some life to your bare walls.

  • Use a variety of different patterns or colors of washi tape to create a custom design on your wall. This is great because you can easily switch it up if you get bored of the same design and want to switch it out for something new.
  • Add an oversized photograph or piece of art that is almost as big as your whole wall.
  • Hang or lean a large mirror with a detailed frame to your wall. They make a really strong statement and can make your room feel larger.
  • Frame a large chalkboard to write messages on, display photos, or to write recipes. You can even use unique frames or frames to match the rest of your framed photos on your wall to bring the whole look together.
  • Give your wall an elegant touch by hanging a large, oversized clock.
  • Add character to your wall by hanging modular shelves. Not only do the shelves look great, they also provide space for more decor. Use them to display your photos, vases, candles, books, or more.

​25 Ways to Dress Up Blank Walls [HGTV]
http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/how-to/g451/blank-wall-solution/?How To Decorate A Large, Blank Wall [Elle Decor]
Wall Decor: How To Fill Your Blank Walls [Style At Home]

Explore Hiking Trails and Watering Holes at St Edwards Park

For active residents of 95twenty, St Edwards Park might be one of the best spots in the area for hiking, swimming, and simply exploring all that Mother Nature has to offer. This scenic park is home to a number of different trails that wind their way through the lush green forests, and if you’re new to hiking, they’re even well marked with clear signs so that you can be sure you won’t get lost. The stream is always nearby in St Edwards Park, and it provides a great place to do some wading or casual swimming on a hot summer day. There are also shady picnic areas that make great spots to settle in for a meal outdoors.

With ample parking and a family-friendly atmosphere, there are few better places to spend an afternoon than St Edwards Park.

St Edwards Park
7301 Spicewood Springs Road
Austin, TX 78798
(512) 974-6700
www.yelp.com/biz/st-edwards-park-austin

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends August 31st, 2016. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

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

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

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you a Fourth of July filled with pride, honor, and lots of fun!

North Italia Offers a Modern Take on Italian Cooking

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

Happy Father’s Day!

Today is a chance for us to recognize some very important people in our lives. May this day bring you many reasons to smile!

Happy Father’s Day!

You Just Have to Try This Recipe for Strawberry Shortcake This Summer

If you're only going to make one strawberry shortcake recipe this summer, let this be the one! It's a recipe for classic strawberry shortcake that's deliciously old-fashioned—because why mess with a good thing? We love the recipe because it's easy to put together in a pinch, and it highlights one of summer's sweetest crops: strawberries! Here's how it's done:

1) Cut strawberries (32 ounces' worth) into quarters, then toss them in 1/2 cup white sugar and set aside.
2) Beat one cup of whipping cream at high speed, gradually adding 2 tbs of sugar. Chill the whipped cream once soft peaks form.
3) Make the shortcakes using 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 4 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/4 cup sugar. Cut in 3/4 cup cold butter.

Get the full recipe on Myrecipes.com!

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