Barley Swine: A Popular Foodie Spot in a New Home Near Folio

When adventurous food meets with tasty drinks in a welcoming spot, you get Barley Swine, a New American restaurant that recently moved to within about 10 minutes of Folio. Barley Swine was earning rave reviews and creating great memories in its former South Lamar location, but the chefs needed more space to amp up their cocktail program. The new location boasts lovely dim lighting and plentiful seating around the bar, making it perfect for a night out with friends or a date.

The drinks don’t disappoint. There are updates on old favorites like Obligatory Tiki #1—made with Black Seal Rum—and one-of-a-kind tastes like the pisco which includes fernet, egg white, winter citrus, and cilantro. The tapas-style menu offers dishes you can’t find anywhere else, like Cider Vinegar Pie, Grilled Octopus with Pig’s Foot Fried Rice, and Bacon Curd with Pinto Beans and Greens. Come for "Swine Time" happy hour, every Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 pm.

Barley Swine
6555 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 394-8150
barleyswine.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/barley-swine-austin-2

Two Hands Coffee Promises High-Quality Coffee in The Domain

Those looking for an ethical cup of java should head to Two Hands Coffee, a shop just one and a half miles from Folio situated inside the newest section of The Domain. Not only is it convenient, the owners make sure the growers are paid a fair wage, that they pick the best coffee beans possible, and that a meticulous process (that results in delicious coffee that one expects from Two Hands Coffee) is followed every time.

Two Hands also celebrates the local food and drink scene by serving up juices made from local fruits and veggies, and an assortment of local beer. Two Hands also calls on Quack’s Bakery, a local shop, to create an assortment of muffins, scones, breads and cookies.

There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for guests and free WiFi to boot. The open indoor space promises minimalist decor with an assortment of comfy couches for guests to lounge on.

The trendy shop is a must-visit for coffee fans, and even beer fans. Two Hands Coffee opens up early in the morning — 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. on the weekends — and stays open until 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.

Two Hands Coffee
The Domain
11501 Rock Rose Avenue
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 520-2822
www.twohandscoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/two-hands-coffee-austin

Eat and Drink For a Good Cause at O’Joy

O’Joy is a new kind of juice and frozen yogurt bar. The owners of O’Joy not only promise local and organic ingredients in their food, they spread their goodwill even further by donating a meal to a child in need for every item they sell. The worthy cause is enough on its own to visit O’Joy, and the highly reviewed juices and frozen yogurts don’t hurt, either.

The menu is full of fresh-squeezed juices and smoothies like the Governor Grapefruit (grapefruit juice, raspberry, and orange juice), the Capitol Carrot (carrot, ginger, habanero pepper, apple juice), the Raspberry Love (raspberry, lime juice, and sparkling water), and a classic green smoothie. Froyo flavors range from banana, date and yogurt to banana, cocoa and yogurt.

In addition to juice and frozen yogurt, O’Joy also sells a variety of salads, yogurt bowls, and acai bowls (both come topped with an assortment of fruit, granola and juice), wraps, coffee, and tea.

O’Joy is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday for all of your juice needs. Plus, it’s only one and a half miles from Folio, making a stop here an easy one.

O’Joy
11101 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 356-9520
www.ojoygives.com
www.yelp.com/biz/o-joy-organic-juice-and-organic-yogurt-austin

Celebrate Valentine’s Day (and Shop) at The Domain

You probably wouldn't think about going to the mall on Valentine's Day (unless you really put off buying a gift for your significant other), but The Domain is hosting two events this weekend that may change your mind. And not just because the mall is a mere 2.5 miles from your home at Folio.

You and your soulmate can step inside of the True Love Photo Booth Saturday or Sunday of this weekend. From 11 .m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, head to the photo booth near Sur La Table and snap a sweet pic with your partner. Or wait until Valentine's Day and bring the kids along for the fun. The SpringFree Valentine's Day Event welcomes families to jump on the trampoline from 2 to 4 p.m., enjoy some light treats, and participate in crafts. Just RSVP in advance to secure your family's spot at the event.

Valentine's Day at the Domain
11410 Century Oaks Terrace
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 873-8099
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stream/true-love-photo-booth
www.simon.com/mall/the-domain/stores/springfree-trampoline/stream/springfree-valentines-day-event

Savor Indian Fare for Less than $10 at Tarka Indian Kitchen

There are countless reasons to love Tarka Indian Kitchen. For one thing, its chefs use home-style Indian recipes they learned in their own childhood kitchens. For another, every single Indian dish on the menu costs $10 or less. And then there's the fact that the city of Austin has crowned Tarka Indian Kitchen as a Green Restaurant, meaning it meets a strict set of environmental standards. Regardless of which reason speaks to you, you should really check out the new branch of Tarka that opened two weeks ago only about a mile and a half from Folio.

Its menu contains a careful balance of curries, kabobs, and biryanis, including a spate of vegetarian and vegan dishes, so there's something for everyone at Tarka. Locals like to order the coconut curry with fresh chicken, but you can also opt for lamb, shrimp, veggies, or paneer.

Tarka Indian Kitchen
11501 Rock Rose Avenue
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 719-3311
tarkaindiankitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tarka-indian-kitchen-austin-5

4th Tap Brewing Co-Op: A Worker-Owned Brewery Nearby

Touting “peculiar beers on tap,” 4th Tap Brewing Co-Op is the place to go in Austin for unique and experimental brews you certainly can’t find anywhere else. 4th Tap Brewing Co-Op is a first of its kind in Texas because it's both worker-owned and cooperatively governed. And, lucky for you, it's less than two miles from Folio.

The people working here day in and day out, developing the brews, are committed experts. The beers incorporate many ingredients sourced in Texas, including the rosemary in the Sun Eater ale and the tamarind fruit in the Renewal brew. There’s a homebrew system, in addition to the favorites on tap, that allows the brewers are crafting very small batches of new tastes. So if your timing is right, you can try a brand new beer before it’s available to everyone else. On Fridays and Saturdays, there is a rotating series of food trucks parked outside, like Pick a Chili, Best Wurst, and Burro Grilled Cheese Kitchen.

4th Tap Brewing Co-Op
10615 Metric Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 956-4224
4thtap.coop
www.yelp.com/biz/4th-tap-brewing-co-op-austin

Summermoon Coffee: Popular Cafe with an Upgraded New Location

Already making waves throughout Austin for its delectable coffee, Summermoon Coffee has opened an awesome new location just a mile and a half from Folio. Fans love Summermoon for its wood fire-roasted coffee beans, roasted by hand daily (and it takes three people to make it happen!). Another highlight is the secret-recipe Moon Milk, a smooth, rich milk added to the lattes. It’s super addictive and pretty sweet, so if that’s not your thing, there’s also a Half-Moon option of half-moon milk and half-regular milk.

As for the food, pastries from Russell’s and breakfast tacos are a delicious addition to the amazing coffee. This location wins points for being larger than the other Summermoon Coffees, with a more spacious seating area and bathrooms inside. The wood paneling and industrial pipe shelving make the space cool and trendy, but inviting. With all this to consider, you’re lucky to have a new Summermoon Coffee nearby.

Summermoon Coffee
11005 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78758
woodfiredcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/summermoon-coffee-bar-austin-4

Visit Nosh & Bevvy for Gastropub Fare

This time of year is the ideal time to visit any pub and cozy up with some hot food and a brew, so why not make a trip to Nosh & Bevvy? It's a new British-inspired gastropub that's just a few miles from Folio. Since opening recently, the restaurant has received rave reviews for its expansive beer list and comforting pub food. Previously known as Baby Blues, a well-loved dive bar, Nosh & Bevvy has everything Baby Blues offered and more.

The bar is known for creating some of the city’s best fish and chips, fried pickles, bacon mac and cheese, shepherd's pie, and bangers and mash. A number of Indian-inspired dishes like chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo can also be found on the menu.

Nosh & Bevvy plays host to both television and pool tables for those who want something fun to do with friends. Have you been here yet?

Nosh & Bevvy
8440 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 454-8636
www.facebook.com/Baby-Blues-146131925407703
www.yelp.com/biz/nosh-and-bevvy-austin

Cajun Pizza Place: A Unique Spot to Take in a Game

Cajun Pizza Place combines Italian staples with the spiciness of Cajun cuisine, taking your typical pies to the next level. Piled atop its authentic, thin-crust pizzas, expect ingredients that reflect Italian-Cajun fusion, like mushrooms and shrimp. There are a few strictly Cajun entrees, too, such as gumbo, red beans and rice, and fried shrimp po' boys, which also set this place apart from other pizza joints.

Cajun Pizza Place is the home of the North Austin Saints Fan Club, and now that it has a beer and wine license, it’s the perfect spot to take in a game. Since it recently reopened less than 10 minutes from Folio, it's also a convenient one. Take-out is very fast here, and you can still expect the customer service that was famously great at the old restaurant.

Cajun Pizza Place
6001 W. Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78727
(512) 291-7997
cajunpizzaplace.com/index.html
www.yelp.com/biz/cajun-pizza-place-austin-2

Slurp Up Something Different for Dinner at Pho Phi

When Pho Phi debuted a couple of weeks ago, less than two miles from Folio, it only added to the already vibrant culinary scene in Austin. The city is obviously known for keeping things "weird," and its eclectic mix of brick-and-mortar restaurants, food trailers, and food trucks certainly contributes. So Pho Phi fits nicely into the equation.

The Vietnamese restaurant is aptly named, since it serves up piping-hot bowls of pho. This classic soup is heartier than your typical chicken noodle.It's filled with noodles and veggies, plus the meat of your choice. Beef is the traditional protein, featured in many different versions (from tripe to meatballs), but you can also opt for chicken, seafood, or tofu in your pho. Save some room for iced coffee with condensed milk after you've eaten.

Pho Phi
1700 Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78727
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-phi-austin

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