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Get Ready For Austin’s 2015 Pride Festival!

August 26, 2015 by

It’s that time of year again! The Austin Gay and Lesbian Pride Foundation is hosting on the city’s Pride Festival on Saturday, Aug. 29, and it’s only three miles away from Elan East. Every year the number of guests and accompanying events grows, and it looks like 2015 may have the biggest celebration yet!

The Pride Festival is the largest LGBTQ fundraising and advocacy event in all of central Texas, and people from around the state and country come to town to celebrate. More than 140 vendor booths from local businesses will be on hand, in addition to some lively entertainment.

The Pride Festival begins at 11 a.m. at Fiesta Gardens, and performers such as singer Martha Wash and others will grace the main stage throughout the day, and DJs will be spinning tunes. The parade will start at 8 p.m. at the state capital, and it’s safe to say that the floats, pageantry, and fun will make for an unforgettable night.

The list of special guests keeps growing, so be sure to check their website for details on the day’s full lineup!

Austin Pride Festival 2015
Saturday, Aug. 22 beginning at 11 a.m.
Edward Rendon, Sr. Park at Festival Beach
2101 Jesse E. Segovia St.
Austin TX, 78702
(512) 468-8113
www.austinpride.org

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Celebrate Spice at Austin’s 25th Annual Hot Sauce Festival!

August 19, 2015 by

If you love spicy food, but your tastes go beyond what the average person considers “spicy,” you can finally enjoy a truly spicy meal surrounded by people who share your taste buds at Austin’s 25th Annual Hot Sauce Festival. An estimated 15,000 spectators attend every year, and there are more than 350 entries every year. This year's festival will take place at Fiesta Gardens on Aug. 23, and if you’re planning on attending you should be prepared to taste some of the spiciest foods imaginable!

All of the food and fun at the Hot Sauce Festival is for a good cause — it doubles as a fundraiser for the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas, and last year’s festival raised over 45,000 meals in just six hours!

The event is only three miles from Elan East, and it's free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to donate three nonperishable food items or $5 to the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

25th Annual Hot Sauce Festival
Sunday, Aug. 23 starting at 11 a.m.
Fiesta Gardens
2101 Jesse E. Segovia St.
Austin, TX 78702
www.austinchronicle.com/hot-sauce

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Meat Lovers Rejoice — Dai Due Butcher Shop and Supper Club Has Achieved National Acclaim!

August 12, 2015 by

Humans are omnivores by default, but those who love meat might use the word “carnivore” to describe their tastes. The chefs at Dai Due Butcher Shop and Supper Club love meat just as much, and you can experience their creations close to home — it's less than a half-mile away from Elan East. Dai Due was named one of Bon Appetit’s 50 best new restaurants of 2015, and once you taste a few things off of their menu you’ll understand why it was given this honor.

Dai Due doesn’t just create delicious dishes from prime cuts of meat. The chefs and owners also support local farmers and ranchers that share their vision of providing eaters with the highest-quality food possible. If you want to chow down on a meat-heavy meal and do something to support the community, make reservations at Dai Due!

Dai Due Butcher Shop and Supper Club
2406 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 524-0688
www.daidue.com

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Unit D Pizzeria: A Brand New Upscale Yet Casual Spot Specializing in Neapolitan Pies

August 7, 2015 by

Some pizzerias take pride in having huge menus. Others, like Unit D Pizzeria, takes pride in keeping the offerings "deliberately concise," focusing on excelling at a handful of winning dishes. This pizzeria, which opened about two weeks ago in a spot that's less than a half mile from Elan East, seems to have hit a home run with this formula, if reviews are any indication — diners praise the well-curated menu.

Start your meal with the kale salad, which features pickled peaches, golden raisins, and millet, before moving onto the cheese and charcuterie board. When it comes to pizza, the mushroom pie has its share of fans, but reviews agree that you can't go wrong with any of the pizzas here. They're all thin-crust Neapolitan style pies made by hand by chef Chris Turgeon.

The atmosphere is casual but upscale, with dark, curved wood as well as stellar service. Note that Unit D doesn't deliver or offer takeout, so reserve this place for when you're in the mood to sit down and enjoy a meal in the dining room. Chances are you'll be happy with your choice!

Unit D Pizzeria
2406 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 524-1922
www.yelp.com/biz/unit-d-pizzeria-austin

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The Halal Corner: A New Restaurant Offering High-Quality Mediterranean Fare

July 23, 2015 by

A great new restaurant located less than two miles away from Elan East, The Halal Corner offers authentic Halal and Mediterranean food made with love and care. Run by a Jordanian family who also owns Kismet Cafe, The Halal Corner is has the same friendly service diners have enjoyed for years at the family's first restaurant.

Open for just a few weeks, The Halal Corner is already gaining a reputation for serving high-quality, delicious and reasonably-priced cuisine. Kebobs, falafel, and hummus are all seasoned with spices imported from Jordan. Combination plates like the gyro over rice with white sauce and the Mediterranean BBQ are sure to please. If you can't decide what to order, staffers are happy to offer you samples. The restaurant has plenty of seating both inside and on the patio, and with order-ahead pick-up and catering services, too, The Halal Corner is a great new dining option in the area.

The Halal Corner
1200 Barbara Jordan Blvd.
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 480-0048
thehalalcorner.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-halal-corner-austin

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La Barbecue Joins in Texas Barbecue Week with its La Frito Sandwich

July 16, 2015 by

You have a lot of options for barbecue in Texas, and there's no better time to sample a slew of them than Texas Barbecue Week. However, if you prize convenience first and foremost, make La Barbecue your top priority during the week-long feast. It's located only three miles away from Elan East, and it's joining in the fun until July 18.

Like the other eateries involved in Texas Barbecue Week, La Barbecue serves up a special plate in honor of this Texas version of Restaurant Week. Of course, La Barbecue's legendary brisket will star. The La Frito sandwich, the centerpiece of the Barbecue Week platter, contains chopped brisket, chipotle slaw, sliced jalapenos, gooey cheese, and, for some added crunch, corn chips. During Texas Barbecue Week, you can snag the decadent sandwich for $12.75. While you wait in line, you might even get a complimentary pour of beer, as is customary at La Barbecue.

La Barbecue
Texas Barbecue Week
July 12 to 18
902 E. Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 605-9696
www.tmbbq.com/events/texas-barbecue-week-2
www.labarbecue.com

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Learn More About Wine This Weekend at a Free Tasting at the Austin Wine Merchant

July 9, 2015 by

You might think that becoming a connoisseur of fine wines is an expensive hobby, but the folks at Austin Wine Merchant are out to prove you wrong. They strive to make top-shelf wines accessible to everyone by hosting weekly complimentary wine tastings in-house. And since Austin Wine Merchant is less than 10 minutes away from Elan East, you can easily join in the fun this weekend.

Just head to the wine shop on West 6th Street at noon on Saturday, and you'll be treated to a flight of three to five wines. You can never quite predict what'll be on tap on any given week, either. Austin Wine Merchant's barkeeps pour everything from $8 bottles that you'd crack open on a girls' night in to $100 wines fit for a fancy celebration. Each week focuses on a different varietal, so the hosts simply pour whatever makes sense to keep with the overarching theme.

Austin Wine Merchant
Free weekly wine tastings
12 to 3 p.m. every Saturday through Dec. 19
512 W. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 499-0512
austin.culturemap.com/eventdetail/austin-wine-merchant-weekly-wine-tasting-2015
www.theaustinwinemerchant.com/index.html#

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Fourth of July Free Admission at the LBJ Library: From Lyndon B. Johnson to The Beatles!

July 1, 2015 by

Even if you spent every open hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., exploring the collection at the LBJ Presidential Library on July 4, you wouldn't come anywhere close to seeing every document in stock. It's home to more than 45 million pages worth of historical papers, and this Independence Day, you have access to all of them free of charge.

Since the LBJ Presidential Library is only roughly a mile away from Elan East, take full advantage of complimentary admission on the Fourth of July to delve a bit deeper into your country's history. The LBJ is one of just 13 Presidential Libraries across the nation, and it plays host to papers that changed the course of history—including pages documenting Lyndon B. Johnson's entire career. On July 4, you can also enjoy Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles!, a temporary exhibit created by the Grammy Museum. More than 400 items pay homage to the meteoric rise of the world's first record-busting boy band, including records, artifacts from tours, and even instruments played by The Beatles.

4th of July Free Admission at the LBJ Library
LBJ Presidential Library
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4
2313 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78705
freefuninaustin.com/2015/06/dont-miss-free-events-in-austin-this-july-2

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La Madeleine: French Cuisine in a Charming Cafe Setting

June 25, 2015 by

Beloved chain French cafe La Madeleine has opened a new location in Austin, about two miles away from Elan East. A favorite for Texans since the late '80s, La Madeleine brings lovely and delicious pastries, soups, sandwiches and entrees all with French flair. It offers high-quality coffee paired with breakfast treats like almond croissants, chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, and of course Madeleines. There's also a complimentary bread-and-jam station to pair with your morning brew.

The offerings for lunch and dinner include staples like French onion soup and beef bourguignon, along with salads and lighter fare that'll fill you up – but be sure to save room for dessert! Though larger than some of the other locations, this La Madeleine features a welcoming working fireplace to keep you cozy in colder months. The service is friendly, with staff members calling a cheerful "bonjour!" to everyone who sets food in the eatery. Their enthusiasm is all part of an overall delightful experience.

La Madeleine
1201 Barbara Jordan Blvd.
Austin, TX 78723
lamadeleine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-madeleine-austin-6

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The Omelettry Has Moved to a New Location! Have You Checked Out the New Digs Yet?

June 18, 2015 by

After about a month into its new location (its former home was in Rosedale), The Omelettry seems to have hit its stride. Reviewers have been giving this legendary Austin breakfast spot two thumbs up for the larger space and the fact that it now accepts credit cards! And, it’s a bit closer to Elan East, too.

But don’t think that these changes have any bearing on the menu. No, The Omelettry still serves the same breakfast favorites it’s been offering since 1978, when owners Kenny and Joni opened their doors. Now run by Kenny and son Jesse, the eatery puts a high value on consistency, assuring eaters that whatever breakfast meal they might have fallen in love with as a child is still available today.

If you’re an Omelettry newbie, some popular options include the cheese omelet and the Spanish omelet, as well as the gingerbread pancakes. But, regulars say you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Not only that, everything is under $10!

The Omelettry
4631 Airport Blvd.
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 453-5062
theomelettry.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-omelettry-austin-3

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