Fuel Up on Local Coffee at Texas Coffee Traders

If you’re the type of person who can’t start your day without a good cup of coffee, Texas Coffee Traders is a great place to get your java jolt in Austin. This local cafe and roaster creates its own blend of coffees from high-quality beans and expert roasting techniques, and it’s sure to impress even the most knowledgeable coffee fan.

Inside, Texas Coffee Traders has natural decor and an open, airy atmosphere, complete with walls of coffee filled with all kinds of brews that you can take home with you. There is also another retail section that boasts shelves filled with Chemex systems, pour-overs, and other methods for preparing coffee at home. The tasting area displays a few styles that customers can sample before buying, while the outdoor patio is the perfect place to sip a steaming mug with other local coffee lovers.

Texas Coffee Traders
1400 E Fourth St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 476-2279
www.texascoffeetraders.com

Julio’s Cafe: Don’t Miss the Breakfast Tacos

From its green enchiladas to the breakfast tacos, the authentic Mexican fare dished out by Julio's Cafe has been impressing Austin eaters since 1983. Thanks to that fresh, carefully crafted fare, one really seems to mind that this laid-back eatery is cash only. Patrons are more than happy to make an extra stop at the ATM if it means they can slurp up a bowl of Julio's chicken soup for dinner.

The soup features roasted chicken, one of the menu's mainstays, mixed with fresh, colorful veggies. You can also get the chicken all on its own by the quarter, half, or whole. Enjoy it with a smorgasbord of accouterments, including pinto beans, Spanish rice, tomatoes, lettuce, and salsa. If you come by a little earlier in the day (before 11:30 a.m.), you can dig into one of the popular breakfast tacos. Pick your own ingredients from a list that includes eggs, bacon, Mexican sausage, pinto beans, cheese, and rice. Migas, huevos rancheros, and even French toast are also on the morning menu.

Julio's Cafe
4230 Duval Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 452-1040
www.juliosaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/julios-caf%C3%A9-austin-2

Delicious Holiday Gifts You Can Make Yourself

Forget a present for someone on your gift list this year? Not to worry; with some DIY skills and bit of imagination, you can make your own holiday gifts that your friends and family will appreciate—as long as they love tasty treats, that is! Here are just a few great ideas.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix in a Jar [verybestbaking.com]
Gift that avid baker friend of yours this cute cookie mix in a jar. Simply fill an attractive glass jar with all of the ingredients for homemade chocolate cookies, measured out in portions so that all he or she will have to do is dump and mix. On the tag, hand write the recipe and a sweet, personalized note to go along with it.

Easy Cinnamon Chip Scones [hersheys.com]
You don’t have to be a skilled baker to make these deliciously wintery cinnamon chip scones. When you’re pressed for a gift for a friend or loved one, whip up a batch of these to make all of their post-holiday breakfasts a bit easier.

Peanut Brittle [foodnetwork.com]
Everyone loves candy, and this tried-and-true classic is always a hit. It has a rich, nutty flavor that’s accented by the chewy texture, and because of its hard texture, it is also made to last for weeks on end.

Happy Winter!

As sweater weather approaches we hope you all stay warm and cozy this season! What are some of your favorite winter activities?

Beware Coffee: A Startlingly Good Cup of Joe

There’s nothing to be afraid of at Austin’s Beware Coffee, a quaint, tiny coffee truck near the University of Texas campus. With only a small green truck and a nearby tent instead of the usual brick and mortar storefront, this is a unique alternative to the city’s numerous other coffee shops. Despite its small size, Beware Coffee churns out expertly brewed coffees, frothy cappuccinos, and ice cream-topped affogatos. For those who like a sweeter beverage, lattes (like the beloved Fantasy Sweet) get a touch of rich, creamy sweetness from the addition of coconut oil and real honey.

The owners are also the baristas at this independent operation, and they really know their stuff when it comes to crafting the perfect cup of joe. If you’re a coffee lover who cares more about the quality of the drinks than the bells and whistles in the shop itself, Beware Coffee is a must-try.

Beware Coffee
2908 Fruth St
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 571-3392
www.bewarecoffee.com

Fork and Vine: New American Fare with Austin Flair

The "Austin-inspired" dishes at Fork and Vine are almost too pretty to eat—almost. Head chef Camden Stuerzenberger plates his New American cuisine beautifully, but it tastes even better than it looks. Case in point: the ptrtzel bread pudding. Smothered with mustard-caramel sauce and topped with a dollop of whipped cream, the pretzel bread pudding walks the line between dinner and dessert.

Before you indulge in something sweet, try one of Chef Camden's entrees or a few tapas. The small plates include PEI mussels in guajillo chile broth, wood-fired veggies with shrimp and Thai curry, or house-made chips with eclectic dips. Full entrees range from wild grouper with pickled shrimp to a massive 36-ounce cowboy ribeye steak, served with crunchy onions and bleu cheese butter. Any of the eats pair well with a pint from the expansive beer list or a glass from the equally impressive wine list.

Fork and Vine
3010 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 489-7000
www.forkvine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/fork-and-vine-austin

Have Lobster at Garbo’s Restaurant

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
www.garboslobsteratx.com/restaurant
www.yelp.com/biz/garbos-restaurant-austin

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends! What are you thankful for this year?

Plan Your Dream Wedding With Help From These Two Websites

The wedding-planning process is an exciting time in the life of any bride or groom, but it can difficult to know exactly where to start. Whether you're planning backyard nuptials or an elaborate affair on a tropical island, these two image-heavy websites can help point you in the direction of your dream wedding.

Style Me Pretty
Arguably the most popular wedding blog out there, Style Me Pretty posts user-submitted photos from newlyweds. Each post tells the story of the bride's day through beautiful photos, which are supplemented with wedding planning advice and tips from the bride.

Once Wed
Similar to Style Me Pretty, Once Wed is eye candy for brides-to-be. Ooh and aah over images of real brides' gowns, bouquet, and shoes, then scroll down to learn how she coordinated her bridal party, decorated her tablescapes, and decided upon invitations. Borrow some of her ideas for your own wedding.

Design Your Own Dessert at Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt in Austin

With reliably friendly service, a clean, modern atmosphere, and ample seating inside and out, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt. This might just be one of the best places in North Austin to satisfy your sweet tooth (without too much guilt!), as the cafe offers an ever-changing selection of frozen yogurt flavors and a vast array of toppings.

Banana pudding, original tart, cotton candy, and caramel salted popcorn are just a few of the flavors loaded into the colorful self-serve stations along the wall. Dose out your chosen froyo flavor, then add toppings from the toppings bar. There, you'll find cookie dough bites, fresh fruits, granola, and candies, and you can add as many as you want before paying by the ounce at the end.

Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt
13429 US Highway 183 N
Austin, TX 78750
(512) 257-0886
www.tfyogurt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tutti-frutti-frozen-yogurt-austin

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