Garden Spot Cafe: A Hidden Gem Offering Salads that Hit the Spot!

Garden Spot Cafe is easy to miss. It’s a small spot on Burnet Road, about three miles from Folio. It’s also easy to miss the dining hours, which are just four hours per day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and only on weekdays. But, if the planets align and you’re able to make it to this quaint eatery, you’re sure to be pleased with the food.

After all, it’s been around since 1982, serving lunch fare that’s made fresh every day. Some customer favorites include the Majestic Salad (smoked turkey breast, carrots, cabbage, provolone, cranberries, toasted pecans, tomatoes, and cucumbers with your choice of dressing), the Red Baron (smoked ham, cream cheese, mushrooms, and smoked provolone) and the tuna melt. Garden Spot also caters, so keep it in mind if you’re hosting a gathering.

Garden Spot Cafe
9415 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 835-1985
www.gardenspotcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/garden-spot-cafe-and-catering-austin

Visit Adelbert’s Brewery This Weekend for a Tour and Some Tastes

Scott Hovey was a prolific home brewer before he took the plunge and opened his own brewery in 2011. He named it Adelbert’s Brewery after his deceased brother, George Adelbert Hovey, who was a true beer lover. Adelbert’s Brewery specializes in Belgian-style ales, and it’s been collecting kudos from both local beer drinkers and beer fans from across the country as well as awards from beer-tasting competitions.

Adelbert’s beers are available in retailers and bars all over the city, but given that the brewery is just two miles from Folio, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t stop in and see for yourself how its made (while also getting to sample some of the freshest beers available, right off the conveyor belt.)

Tours are $13 and include a glass that you can take home. On the tour you’ll have the chance to sample six beers of your choice and hang out in the indoor part of the tasting room, which is equipped with a ping pong table, foosball table, and dart board. Or, claim an outdoor picnic table and enjoy the company of your dog (dogs are permitted outside only.) Food trucks are parked outside the brewery on a regular basis, too, in case you get hungry.

Adelbert’s Brewery
Tours and tastings
5-8 p.m. Fridays and 1-4 p.m. Saturdays
2314 Rutland Drive
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 662-1462
adelbertsbeer.com
www.yelp.com/biz/adelberts-brewery-austin

Hungry? Order Food From One of These Nearby Restaurants!

Ah, modern technology. With a few taps on your smartphone, you can get food delivered right to your door at Folio thanks to apps like Eat24, Seamless, and Grubhub. The next time your stomach is growling and you don’t feel like cooking, check at one of these nearby restaurants, place your order, and get ready for your doorbell to ring:

Mi Pizza
If you could have a pizza any way you wanted, what would you choose? At Mi Pizza, that’s the question you’ll be posed, and it’s up to you to decide. Regulars love the create-your-own-pizza aspect of this eatery, and the prices are reasonable, too. Delivery is $3 and a minimum order of $15 is required.
6001 W. Palmer Lane, Austin, TX, 78727, (512) 258-5700
www.yelp.com/biz/mi-pizza-austin

Bamboo Bistro
If you can’t decide between Chinese or Thai cuisine, you don’t have to if you order from Bamboo Bistro. This fusion restaurant has a 4 ½ star rating on Yelp, with diners praising the crab wontons, the tom kah noodle soup, and the pot stickers. Delivery is $3 with a minimum order of $20.
11101 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78758, (512) 821-0022
bamboobistroonline.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bamboo-bistro-austin

Madras Pavilion
Most Indian restaurants serve cuisine from just one or two regions of India, but Madras Pavilion offers fare from six different regions of the country. Each region is represented by a chef who creates his or her region’s specialties. Regular diners love the dosas, the saag paneer, and the samosas. Delivery is $7.99 with a $15 minimum order.
9025 Research Blvd., Austin, TX, 78758, (512) 719-5575
www.madraspavilionaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/madras-pavilion-austin

The Domain: More Than Just a Mall Near Folio in Austin

The Domain in Austin has more than 100 high-end stores and restaurants, but it’s more than just a mall. The grassy, bucolic setting is also the perfect backdrop for community events, and since it’s less than three miles from Folio, it would be a snap for you to check out what The Domain has to offer.

FXfit Austin holds Vinyasa flow yoga classes on the lawn at The Domain several days a week, including 6 p.m. Mondays. And, until April 30, the classes are free of charge. And through the end of October, The Domain features a free concert series every weekend. This weekend, April 24-26, several singer/songwriters are in the lineup, as well as Salero, a Latin tropical band, from 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

The Domain also features an 800-square-foot outdoor play area with slides, climbers, and plenty of interactive equipment to keep the kids busy. If you get hungry, there’s no need to venture into a restaurant, just check out the food trucks that line up at the curb and go for whatever you’re craving.

The Domain
11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 873-8099
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain
www.yelp.com/biz/the-domain-austin

The Hightower: Fine Austin Dining not far from Folio

The Hightower brings fine dining to East Austin. It's located just a short trip from Folio, and it presents a menu filled with inventive, upscale fare. Visit for dinner and you'll find an array of options ranging from gnocchi with ricotta, butternut square puree, and turnip confit to fried gulf oysters served with pork rind, sriracha aioli, and sunflower sprouts. Each plate is meant to be shared, so diners typically order a few plates for the table to taste while enjoying a glass of wine, a pint of craft beer, or an expertly-made house cocktail.

On the weekends, The Hightower serves brunch from a menu full of dishes like chicken and waffles and ceviche. A daily happy hours offers deals on dishes and drinks, making it a popular time for diners to visit the restaurant.

If you'd like to visit The Hightower, the website recommends making a reservation one the phone or via email. The restaurant's closed on Mondays, but serves lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Fridays and brunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Hightower
1209 East 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702
thehightoweraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-hightower-austin

See Austin Fashion Week near Folio

Adore fashion? Whether you're a budding designer or simply appreciate inventive, well-tailored clothes, you might enjoy the events happening during Austin Fashion Week. It takes place from April 10 through April 18, 2015, bringing runway shows, soirees, and other events to Austin spots not far from Folio.

Runway shows might be the most iconic fashion events, and Austin Fashion Week has a few to see. On Thursday, April 16, for instance, the Austin Music Hall will host the "Discover" show, a showcase featuring the latest work of up-and-coming designers. One night later, the same venue will welcome another set of designers and offer fans the chance to meet some who have appeared on Project Runway.

Other Austin Fashion Week events include a kick-off brunch with tasty food and the opportunity to see styles from local shops, soirees happening throughout the week to highlight emerging fashion trends at Austin shops, cafes, and salons, and a number of trunk shows.

It all happens from April 10 through April 18, and you can learn more by visiting the Austin Fashion Week website.

Austin Fashion Week
April 10 – April 18
Austin, TX
afw.fashionxaustin.com

Find the Great Outdoors near Folio at Austin’s Zilker Nature Preserve

In a city known for its close ties to nature, Zilker Nature Preserve offers an extra 60 acres of outdoor space. Located just a short trip from Folio, Zilker Nature Preserve boasts a labyrinthine network of hiking trails. They're ideal for a jog, a stroll, or even a bike ride on a sunny day in the city.

You should allow plenty of time to stop and smell the roses, though—or rather, to take in the picturesque views. One Yelp reviewer depicts his favorite scene in a photo: a sun-washed pond flecked with visiting birds. They perch on the dry gray stones protruding from the water, seemingly presiding over the lily pads and ebbing waters like royalty. While you hike, you'll also encounter moss-laden stone faces and trickling creeks. Make your way to the Overlook Trail for a breathtaking view of Austin's entire downtown.

Zilker Nature Preserve
302 Nature Center Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 327-8181
www.austinparks.org/our-parks.html?parkid=696
www.yelp.com/biz/zilker-nature-preserve-austin

S-H Donuts: Austin Pastries near Folio

An unassuming Austin donut shop, S-H donuts offers donuts, kolaches, and other sweet treats to area diners in a spot not far from Folio. Donuts are the name of the game here: they're served fresh and available in varieties ranging from classic cake to chocolate covered, eclairs, honey rolls, strawberry frosted, and many more. Other pastries are on hand, too, making this a great place to pick up either a small snack for yourself or a box of treats to share at the office. A dozen is affordably priced, checking in at under $10.

S-H also offers coffee, tea, and juice so you can pick up breakfast on the go. If you visit, it may be worth trying the apple fritter, as it's quite well-regarded. Check out the S-H Donuts Facebook page to learn more about this Austin donut shop.

S-H Donuts
5313 Manor Road
Austin, TX
https://www.facebook.com/pages/S-H-Donuts/843863682314059?rf=160245893994881
http://www.yelp.com/biz/s-h-donuts-austin

Classic Comfort Food near Folio at Austin’s Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill

Austin's Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill boast a menu of inventive comfort food. On it you'll find sandwiches like the Pimento Cheeseburger, the Backyard Chicken with bacon, avocado, and pepper jack cheese, and the B.A.T. with bacon, arugula, and tomato. Of course, if you're craving something more hearty, Moonshine also has an array of larger platters with options like chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, meatloaf, catfish, steak, salmon, and ribs.

Can't decide what to order? An all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch starts at 9 a.m. and offers diners the chance to taste a number of different dishes. It starts at 9 a.m. and it's likely best to get there early, as Moonshine doesn't take reservations. As you might guess from the name, Moonshine also serves some creative cocktails, like a take on the Old Fashioned and a Hard Lemonade that pairs lemonade with mint and vodka.

If you'd like to learn more about this Austin eatery, visit the Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill website.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
http://moonshinegrill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/moonshine-patio-bar-and-grill-austin

Daito: A New Japanese Restaurant near Folio in Austin

Daito's a relatively new addition to Austin's dining scene, having opened just a few months back in a spot not too far from Folio. This Japanese restaurant, however, has already earned a number of positive reviews from both diners and local publications. One of the big draws here is the menu of Udon noodles. They're house-made here, served either cold or hot. Some of the heartiest varieties feature chicken, pork, or shrimp, but you could also try the vegetarian-friendly Cha-Soba-Salad with tomatoes, asparagus, daikon, and carrots.

Sushi's prominent on the menu, too, with rolls featuring salmon, tuna, shrimp, squid, eel, egg, and pickled mackarel to delight those who love sushi. You can also order vegetable or seafood tempura, and Daito's long list of wine and sake includes many great complements to the rest of your meal.

Interested in learning more about this Japanese restaurant in Austin? Check out Daito's website to find out more.

Daito
2716 1/2 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78705
http://www.restaurantdaito.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/daito-austin-2

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