Tazas Cafe: Enjoy A Famous Cinnamon Roll at This Unique Cafe

Taza’s Cafe has secured a place in the Universal City food community because of its well-made coffee, and, most of all, its incredibly popular cinnamon rolls. The stylish cafe features a modern coffee bar, comfortable wooden tables, and fireplaces that add to the interior’s ambiance.

The eclectic menu's most popular items are its personal pizzas, salads, and croissant sandwiches for both breakfast and lunch, and the expansive bakery options include brownies, cookies, and those famous cinnamon rolls. For those who enjoy working on their computers or finishing some homework, there’s also free Wi-Fi for customers. Whether you come early in the morning for breakfast and coffee or pop by after dinner, Tazas Cafe is a quirky alternative to the chain coffee shops in the area.

Tazas Cafe is open 6:30 a.m. to midnight daily.

Tazas Cafe
3126 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 658-2927
www.tazalicious.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tazas-cafe-universal-city

Three Interior Design Rules Everyone Should Know

While you may not be an interior designer yourself, there’s no reason why your home shouldn’t look like you are. Even if you live in a rental, there are a few simple things you can do that will completely transform the look of your home. Here are three interior design rules that everyone should know.

  1. Move slowly. It’s very tempting to buy furniture all at once when you move into a new space, but that’s actually one of the most common interior design mistakes. Be thoughtful about the things that you incorporate into your home to ensure that you like them a few months (or years) down the line. Even if this means living with a bare living room for a while, it’s almost always worth it.
  2. Avoid buying sets or furniture all in one place. If you purchase furniture in a set or buy an entire room’s decor from one store, it’s always very easy to tell. To avoid creating a monochromatic room that looks like a child’s bedroom, mix and match materials, colors, and textures from a few different sources.
  3. Don’t fight against the quirks. Many spaces, especially rentals, have built-in architectural details that you simply can’t change. Rather than trying to hide them or “fix” them, purchase furniture that works with your home’s little quirks. For example, add a window seat against a bay window to maximize the views rather than covering it with a large sofa.

6 Basic Interior Design Rules [Suite]
The 3 Principles of Interior Design [HGTV]
The 7 Rules of Interior Design [Zillow Blog]
5 Rookie Mistakes You’ll Never Make Again [Apartment Therapy]

Bite Into New York-Style Pies at Ray’s Pizzaria

Upon stepping through the door of Ray's Pizzaria in Universal City, you're immediately transported to a small New York neighborhood pizza joint resplendent with movie posters, photos, and jerseys adorning the walls.

The menu is extensive and offers extra-large slices of pizza, hot and cold subs, pastas, calzones, stromboli, salads and more. Kid-friendly, Ray's offers a terrific children's menu. Pair your meal with a frosty beer, glass of wine, iced tea, or soda. After your meal, be sure to order a cannoli or a slice of tiramisu or chocolate cake.

Ray's Universal City location is open 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sundays.

Ray's Pizzaria
12000 East Loop 1604 North
Universal City, Texas 78148
(210) 658-5000
www.rayspizzaria.com
www.yelp.com/biz/rays-pizzaria-universal-city-2

Universal City Park: Fun in the Sun

Looking for a little fun in the sun? You'll find 32 acres of sunshine at Universal City Park, a city park offering something for the whole family. Pack a lunch and the kids for a fun-filled day of activity. The park boasts two playgrounds, a jogging path, volleyball courts, a regulation sized football field, an 18-hole disco golf course, and restrooms.

Also located within the park, the 7,000-square-foot Universal City Pavilion is a popular spot for birthday parties and other special events. The open-air pavilion is covered, offering protection from the elements. Universal City Park is open to the public 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Universal City Park
1100 North Boulevard
Universal City, TX 78418
(210) 658-5364
http://www.universalcitytexas.com/index.aspx?nid=563

Shop and Dine at The Forum at Olympia Parkway

One of the largest shopping centers in Texas, The Forum at Olympia Parkway is home to an alluring mix of specialty retailers, restaurants, and beauty salons. There's something for every member of the family here. Department stores include Target and Kohl's, while home goods stores include Pier One Imports, T.J. Maxx, and Bed Bath & Beyond. Find a new pair of shoes at DSW, then shop for electronics at Best Buy.

Outback, Panda Express, Panera Bread, Papouli's Greek Grill, Sea Island Shrimp House, and more will appease even the pickiest of eaters. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and have a lot of patience, as the mall can get very crowded and congested. For a complete listing of stores and restaurants, consult The Forum at Olympia Parkway website.

The Forum at Olympia Parkway
8320 Agora Parkway
San Antonio, Texas 78154
(210) 566-7604
www.shoptheforumsa.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-forum-at-olympia-parkway-schertz

Taza’s Cafe: Tasty Treats in Universal City

With cinnamon buns to die for and excellent coffee from the espresso bar, a trip to Tazas Cafe in Universal City is worth the trip. Classical music abounds as customers relax and enjoy a drink or light bite from the reasonably priced cafe menu. Serving breakfast, lunch, and light dinner fare, menu choices include omelettes, quiches, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and soups, as well as desserts. Be sure to try the mushroom brie soup and the fresh lemon and garlic caesar salad. After a relaxing meal, head into the Hooka lounge which is open from 6:30 am to midnight daily. Taza's currently stocks more than 50 flavors for your smoking pleasure and adds new ones monthly. Not particularly child friendly, it is recommended to leave the little ones at home when heading to this local hot spot.

Tazas Cafe
3126 Pat Booker Road
Universal City, Texas
(210) 658-2927
www.tazalicious.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tazas-cafe-universal-city

Clever Cooking With Fresh Oregano

Outside of Italian fare, many home cooks are at a loss when it comes to cooking with oregano. This warm, aromatic herb is actually much more versatile than you might think, however, and it can be added to dishes ranging from meats to pastas and even to sweet desserts. Check out these creative recipes for ideas that will have you craving oregano.

Blackberry-Oregano Pie
You’ve tasted sweet blackberries and you’ve likely used oregano, but you’ve probably never had the two seemingly opposite ingredients together in one dish. This sweet and flavorful pie combines fresh blackberries and tart lemon juice with finely chopped fresh oregano to create a traditional berry pie with just the right amount of savory flavor. Add an intricate pattern in the crust and this sweet treat makes an impressive dessert for your next gathering!

Charcoal-Grilled Pork Shoulder with Fresh Herbs and Roasted Garlic
Grilling juicy, tender pork shoulder over hot charcoal gives the meat a perfectly crispy exterior that’s well worth the extra effort. The addition of a thoughtful blend of herbs, including oregano, bay leaves and parsley, makes a perfect seasoning that really completes this main course. Because the recipe calls for both a brine and a garlic herb rub, you can feel confident that this pork shoulder will be full of flavor.

Expect a Cornucopia of Texas Produce at Straight From the Crate

Straight from the Crate is a popular farmers' market in Universal City. The draw here is locally-harvested, farm-fresh fruit and vegetables intended to make healthy eating easy and affordable for all. If it's in season, you're likely to find it on display at Straight From the Crate, along with fresh eggs and honey. Straight from the Crate is also known for its selection of sausages and cheeses, plus fruit and veggie tray that are ideal for special events.

Straight from the Crate is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. The market is closed Sundays.

Straight from the Crate
904A Pat Booker Road
Universal City, Texas 78148
(210) 566-5557
www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-From-the-Crate/118292981560932
www.yelp.com/biz/straight-from-the-crate-universal-city

Don’t Skip the Lunch Buffet at Thai O Cha

Loved by locals and visitors alike, Thai O Cha is a must if in the Universal City area. Authentic to its roots, this Thai restaurant boasts a small lunch buffet for $10, as well as an extensive menu of traditional Thai fare. Fresh and plentiful, buffet items include pad Thai, penang beef, curries, spring rolls, ribs, as well as other tasty Thai dishes. Don't miss the papaya salad, cream cheese rolls, tom yum soups and laab, a mixture of ground meat with crushed rice, onion, cilantro and lime juice.

With more than 80 items, the menu is very reasonably priced and will not disappoint. Additionally, the service is attentive, friendly, and courteous, which enhances an overall very pleasant dining experience.

Thai O Cha is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and noon to 8 p.m. Saturdays.

Thai O Cha
220 Aviation Boulevard
Universal City, TX 78148
(210) 659-3310
www.facebook.com/pages/Thai-O-Cha/116125621742377
www.yelp.com/biz/thai-o-cha-universal-city

Your Seafood Favorites Are on the Menu at Sea Island Shrimp House

In the San Antonio area and looking for good seafood? Sea Island Shrimp House will not disappoint. This award-winning establishment serves fresh seafood daily. Specialties of the house include the lemon pepper fish and grilled shrimp entree, a delicious combination of lightly breaded fish served with seven seasoned grilled shrimp. Other entrees include broiled freshwater rainbow trout, Mexican style ceviche, and fresh shucked oysters.

Not in the mood for seafood? Sea Island Shrimp House also serves chicken a beef entrees, such as beef kabobs and grilled chicken. In addition, Sea Island Shrimp House offers kids' meals, seniors' meals, and large family meals to-go. Beer and wine is also served.

Open daily, Sea Island Shrimp House's Rector Street location is behind the Rector North Star Mall.

Sea Island Shrimp House
322 W. Rector Street
San Antonio, Texas 78216
(210) 342-7771
www.shrimphouse.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sea-island-shrimp-house-san-antonio

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