Bowl a Strike, Bite Into Baked Brie at The Goodnight in Austin

The Goodnight is a retro-inspired bowling alley with more style and polish than some older alleys from decades past. This smaller venue hosts just eight bowling lanes and four custom billiards tables within its atmospheric space, which boasts pendant lights that hang from the ceiling and luxurious leather chairs that offer ample seating for you and your friends. Meanwhile, the 80-person dining room and two private lounge areas create a relaxing space to enjoy food and libations before or after your game.

Enjoy baked brie, pulled pork sliders, and fresh salads along with a handcrafted cocktail, or stop by for the weekday happy hour to enjoy special prices on food and drinks (as well as half off bowling and billiards!).

The Goodnight
2700 West Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 459-5000
www.thegoodnight.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-goodnight-austin

Franklin Barbecue: Possibly Austin’s Most Buzzed-About Barbecue

If you’re searching for great barbecue in the South Austin area, simply drop what you’re doing and head to Franklin Barbecue. This old-fashioned barbecue joint uses family cooking traditions passed down from generation to generation, but its brick and mortar location is the ideal blend of Austin’s signature eclectic decor and a sleek, modern flair.

The menu is very small, but each dish is so expertly prepared that you won’t even think of anything else. Plates and sandwiches made with chopped beef, pulled pork, sausage, and other smoked meats are served with your choice of pinto beans, slaw, or potato salad, and Franklin Barbecue has sold out of its famous pulled pork every day since its opening in 2009.

Hailed as one of the top barbecue restaurants in the country by Bon Appetit, the New York Times, Southern Living, and many other esteemed publications, Franklin Barbecue is an absolute must-try Austin restaurant.

Franklin Barbecue
900 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 653-1187
www.franklinbarbecue.com
www.yelp.com/biz/franklin-barbecue-austin

Happy Memorial Day

Today we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country. We hope you have a great Memorial Day!

Zed’s Restaurant: Enjoy Music With Your Meal

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

Everything Green is New Again With These Cool Ways to Display Houseplants

Instead of the usual terra cotta pots and windowsill planters, why not try displaying your houseplants in a new and innovative way? If you're feeling a bit blue about the current state of your in-home greenery, try out one of these fun and stylish ways to show off your plants.

  • A hanging air plant. Air plants are truly unique, as these spider-like greens require absolutely no soil to grow. Because of this, it's easy to display them just about anywhere you like! Search the web for hanging ceramic planters that dangle from the ceiling to display your air plants.
  • A framed wall hanging. Love succulents? Rather than displaying them in the usual pots, line a picture frame with chicken wire and moss and grow a succulent garden right on your wall.
  • A zoo of planters. If you're a fan of all things fun and whimsical, create your very own "zoo" of clay plant pots. Browse stores or websites for planters in the shape of animals (you might be surprised just how many you find!) Fill them with succulents, cacti, or small plants and arrange the whole gang on a tabletop or sunny shelf.

Planters [Etsy]
20 Unforgettable Indoor Plant Displays [Decoist]

Take a Dip at Shipe Park

Shipe Park only claims two acres of Austin's Hyde Park, but it packs a lot of opportunities for outdoor recreation into that relatively small outdoor space. One of the biggest draws—or, more accurately two of the biggest draws—is its set of pools. Between the shady swimming pool and slowly ebbing wading pool, there's an appropriate spot to dive in no matter the age of your kids, or if you don't bring any kids along at all.

You'll want to cool off in the pools after spending time enjoying Shipe Park's other features, like the pair of basketball courts or tennis courts. It also boasts a multi-purpose field and a picnic area where you can set up camp after a day of running around. You can also bring your youngsters to the playground, surrounded by towering trees, and let them explore the playground in the shade.

Shipe Park
4400 Avenue G
Austin, TX 78751
www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=329
www.yelp.com/biz/shipe-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 June 30, 2016. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

How to Strike a Balance Between Life and Work

With the technology around today, employees are pretty much always "on the clock." Still, it's important to learn techniques to help you strike a healthy balance between work and your personal life. Follow these tips to find the work-life balance that works for you.

  • Try not to be a perfectionist. Strive for excellence rather than perfection.
  • Live in the moment. When you're spending time with friends or family, put away your cell phone. Quality time is something that you should value, and you could miss a lot by always checking on your email.
  • Take care of yourself. Your body and mind need to be refreshed as well. Take some time to exercise or meditate to help lift your mood or to relieve some stress.
  • Respect your "me" time. Give yourself time to get enough rest and sleep so that you can be more productive during work hours.

6 Tips For Better Work-Life Balance [Forbes]
5 Secrets to Achieving and Maintaining Work-Life Balance [Entrepreneur]
4 Tips For Maintaining A Healthy Work-Life Balance [Career Realism]

Have You Tried the Chile Relleno at Mesa Rosa Mexican Restaurant?

There are ample opportunities to enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine in Austin, but Mesa Rosa Mexican Restaurant is a local favorite that’s certainly worth checking out. This casual eatery offers sizzling fajitas, enchiladas, and tacos made with high quality meats, cheeses, and vegetables, and they come in a variety of different styles. If you’re looking for something more filling, you might enjoy the combination platters or a traditional entree (don't skip the chile relleno!), or if you’re feeling a bit less adventurous, opt for a juicy hamburger or chicken tender platter.

Mesa Rosa offers large portions for reasonable prices, and the daily lunch specials make it even more affordable. Pair your meal with an icy margarita or the famous Austin Iced Tea, and be sure to stop by during the festive weekday happy hour.

Mesa Rosa Mexican Restaurant
10700 Anderson Mill Road
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 335-3335
www.mesarosa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mesa-rosa-restaurant-austin

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