Sunlight streams into the lobby at The Driskill Hotel, drenching its historic accents in a warm and inviting glow. It's easy to see why afternoon tea at The Driskill would be such an enjoyable experience. After all, it's hosted in the lobby. And while afternoon tea usually only happens one day each month, except for around the holidays, The Driskill is making an exception in honor of all the hard-working moms out there. You have three chances to celebrate Mother's Day at The Driskill with afternoon tea offered on May 11th, 12th, and 13th.

Make a reservation for teatime ($55 per person) and come to the hotel lobby promptly at 3 p.m. That'll give you ample time to enjoy the variety of loose-leaf teas and sparkling wines that The Driskill serves at afternoon tea. Nibble on finger sandwiches, flaky scones, and other pastries as you enjoy your leisurely teatime—you're invited to stick around for as long as you like.

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It's fitting that the Pecan Street Festival unfolds in the Sixth Street Historic District. After all, this is where Austin's world-renowned music scene was born, and the Pecan Street Festival showcases some of the best local musical acts. It boasts three stages on Trinity, Red River, and Neches streets that play host to almost 50 different solo performers and bands at the spring festival on May 5th and 6th.

Head to the free fest to enjoy the live music and a huge array of artisans selling their handcrafted items. These local artists work with a variety of materials, from metal and wood to fiber and leather, so you'll find a large mix of home decor, accessories, and other gifts for sale. After you peruse the retail, stop to grab a hot meal from one of more than 30 vendors. Funnel cakes, crepes, and international eats are among your options.

Public Domain/Photo by Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash

Turmeric-infused rice pancakes topped with pork, shrimp, and coconut sauce. Sour-spicy tom yum soup teeming with chicken, veggies, and basil. Chicken wings smothered with a house-made sweet chili sauce. These are a few of the small bites that headline the menu at Mandala Kitchen & Bar, which just opened its doors in March.

Chef Kieu Pham takes the helm in the kitchen, a self-taught chef who learned the ins and outs of Vietnamese and Thai cuisine from her mother. Chef Kieu takes the family recipes and makes them over with an infusion of modern flair. Case in point? The Mandala crawfish, a dish that features the seafood dressed in a Viet-Cajun seasoning with a smorgasbord of corn, red potatoes, sausage, mushrooms, and Cajun-garlic butter. The Cajun fried rice also melds a few different culinary styles with its crawfish tails, hickory-smoked pork, beef sausage, and Cajun seasoning.

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