Bring Your Best Friend to Dogtoberfest Austin on Saturday!

Celebrate your doggie best friend at Dogtoberfest Austin, a day made for the dogs at The Domain on Saturday, Oct.17. The day kicks off with Dogtobertrot, which is a 1K walk through the mall that starts at 9 a.m.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you'll find everything from pet portraits (for just $5) to wiener dog races (at 12:15 p.m. and 1:40 p.m.). In celebration of Halloween, there will even be a doggie costume contest. The winner of each category — best ensemble, best duo (human and dog), sports stars, superheroes and best in show — will take home a prize.

Dogtoberfest Austin benefits local dog rescue groups, so you can have fun and help homeless dogs at the same time!

Not only is this a feel-good event, but an award winning event, too. Dogtoberfest has been voted the “Most Awesome-ist Pet-Related event” by readers of the Austin Pets Directory for six straight years! Best of all, it's just a quick drive from Folio.

Dogtoberfest
Saturday, October 17 starting at 9 a.m.
The Domain
3225 Amy Donovan Plaza
Austin, TX, 78758
dogtoberfestaustin.org

Portobello Brazilian Grill: A New Type of Steakhouse in Austin

Portobello Brazilian Grill bucks the Texas steakhouse tradition in favor of something a little bit different. This Brazilian-style eatery features South American versions of steakhouse fare at its buffet, which is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. Although Portobello only opened three months ago a few minutes from Folio, the buffet and standard menu are already drawing a crowd!

Load up on everything from white rice and black beans to fried yucca, lasagna, and collard greens at the weekday buffet, or Shepherd's Pie, beef with onions, and fried polenta on the weekend. You can also opt for a single platter, such as the classic picanha sirloin steak. It comes in 4-, 8-, and 12-ounce cuts with your choice of three sides. During the dinner hours, dig into some beef stroganoff or try the fejoada, a Brazilian style of bean strew with pork, sausage, and other dried meat.

Portobello Brazilian Grill
2113 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 436-8174
eatportobello.com
www.yelp.com/biz/portobello-brazilian-grill-austin

Start Your Day With Hot Coffee and Classic Breakfast Foods at Cafe Java!

Just a hop, skip and jump from Folio is Cafe Java (less than a half-mile away, to be exact), a popular breakfast and brunch spot that specializes in eye-opening cups of coffee and classic breakfasts.

You can start your day with a cup of coffee or tea and breakfast favorites like eggs benedict, omelettes, bacon and eggs, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, french toast, corned beef hash, breakfast tacos, egg sandwiches and much more. The cafe also offers free WiFi to those looking to get some work done while noshing on a great breakfast.

Cafe Java opens at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. on Sunday. The restaurant is open until 9 p.m. on weekdays (brunch for dinner, anyone?) and 3 p.m. on weekends.

Head down the street (seriously just .2 miles!) to Cafe Java for an answer to all of your breakfast dreams.

​Cafe Java
11900 Metric Blvd.
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 339-7677
www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-java-austin-2

Enjoy One of the Best Burgers in the City at Lebowski’s Grill!

Make your way through Highland Lanes (after a bowling game or two, or not) and feast on diner classics and burgers.

Lebowski’s Grill never loses its charm and always continues to provide the people of Austin (and Folio) with delicious meals and specifically, burgers. The menu consists of favorites like crispy chicken sandwiches, bacon cheeseburgers, chili cheese fries, fried shrimp and tater tots, patty melts, jalapeno poppers, pulled pork tacos, chili cheeseburgers and more.

Perhaps, though, the most popular plate on the menu is the Dude Burger, which is a nod to the film The Big Lebowski and Jeff Bridge's character, "The Dude." It's a burger with onions, lettuce, mayo, mustard, and tomato.

And since burgers go so well with beer, the restaurant promises a full bar of beer, cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Lebowski’s is open daily for lunch and dinner and is a go-to spot for anyone looking for a delicious burger!

Lebowski's Grill
8909 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 419-7166
www.facebook.com/lebowskigrill
www.yelp.com/biz/lebowskis-grill-austin

Whole Foods Market Hosts a Craft Beer Festival This Saturday!

Beer festivals are always a popular event, and a local craft beer festival is taking place at the Whole Foods Market at the Gateway Shopping Center this Saturday, Sept. 12, only 10 minutes from Folio.

Tickets are $20 for the beer extravaganza, which includes 18 drink tickets for 2.5 ounce pours of beer from Saint Arnold, Southern Star, Hops and Grain, Jester King, and Strange Land. Guests will also receive 12 snack tickets for a variety of light bites. Live music and games will help folks celebrate the evening.

Dogtoberfest and Texas Sweeties Dog Rescue will be at the festival for anyone looking to adopt a four-legged friend or support the cause.

The fun lasts from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Scoop up your tickets soon to this beer-fueled event!

Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, Sept. 12, 5-8 p.m.
Whole Foods Market at Gateway
9607 Research Blvd.
Austin, TX 78759
www.eventbrite.com/e/local-craft-beer-festival-tickets

Don’t Miss the Biryani at Hyderabad House, a New Spot in Austin!

Until the end of this August, if you went searching for authentic biryani in Austin, you might've turned up empty handed. Now you only need to venture 10 minutes from Folio to find some. Hyderabad House just debuted to the public at the end of August, and already locals have started showing up for its fresh, carefully crafted biryani.

If you've never tried the classic Indian dish, allow Hyderabad House to introduce you. Biryani pairs your choice of flavorful meats or veggies, both steeped in exotic spices, with basmati rice. You can order a single serving or enough to share among the entire family, and your options are ample. Try the goat dum biryani if you're feeling adventurous, or opt for the chicken fry biryani to sample something a bit more familiar. Hyderabad House boasts a slew of other authentic Indian eats, too, so pay it a visit to try a few different international dishes.

Hyderabad House
11150 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 342-1985
hydhouseaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/hyderabad-house-austin-2

Bombay to Kathmandu Kitchen: The Only Restaurant in Austin Serving Cuisine From Nepal

It had its grand opening July 1, and Bombay to Kathmandu Kitchen has been wowing diners ever since. It's easy to see why — this restaurant is the only one in Austin serving authentic cuisine from Nepal, which is similar to Indian food. As the name suggests, Bombay to Kathmandu Kitchen also serves Indian cuisine, and the two blend together perfectly, diners say.

Dig into Nepalese specialties like dal, which is a soup made with lentils and spices. Or how about momo, one of the most popular dishes in the country? They're spiced dumplings filled with chicken or vegetables. And a Nepalese meal isn't complete without chutney. Those who've tried Bombay to Kathmandu Kitchen praise the freshly grilled mutton as well as the chicken momos. The specials can't be beat, either. Veggie samosas are on special for 99 cents every day here — deal! Make the 10-minute drive from Folio for a taste.

Bombay to Kathmandu Kitchen
9616 N. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 490-6432
bombaytokathmandu.com
www.yelp.com/biz/bombay-to-kathmandu-kitchen-austin

Get French Fries Your Way at the Newly Opened Boise Fry Company!

If you live at Folio and you're a true fry lover, you’re in luck. Boise Fry Company opened in late July a little less than two miles from Folio, giving you easy access to this haven of fried potatoes and toppings! You don't have to settle for white potatoes — you can choose whatever type of potato or other veggie you want (and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try some of their Brussels sprout fries), and you also have the option of choosing your own cut style. Are you a curly fry type, or are you more of a shoestring person? You can get it all here.

You can’t have fries without a burger, and Boise Fry Company knows how to make burgers. The popular bison burgers are made fresh, and they go great with their own special fries. Whether you’re craving fries for a snack or burgers for lunch or dinner, Boise Fry Company is the place for you to be.

Boise Fry Company
11005 Burnet Road
Austin TX 78758
(512) 614-1663
www.yelp.com/biz/boise-fry-company-austin

LA Crawfish, a New Austin Eatery, Combines Crawfish with Vietnamese Flavors!

Combine Vietnam and Louisiana with a little Houston flair and what do you get? LA Crawfish! Based in Houston, this mini chain has just expanded to Austin and has taken up residence in a spot that's 10 minutes away from Folio.

Houston has become a boomtown for the Vietnamese crawfish craze — think boiled crawfish flavored with Cajun spices, garlic butter, or hot and sour spices. And now Austin has welcomed this dining trend with open arms. In addition to boiled crawfish, the menu is filled with a variety of other tempting dishes, like the crawfish pho, five-spice basil chicken wings, and Cajun curry. This location is owned by a local family who provides above-and-beyond service, according to Yelp reviews. As a bonus, LA Crawfish is a BYOB, and the portions are huge, making a meal here a great value.

LA Crawfish
2525 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 243-5599
www.yelp.com/biz/la-crawfish-austin

Offering Breakfast Until 4 p.m. on Weekends, Galaxy Cafe Continues to Satisfy Diners

With four locations in Austin, Galaxy Cafe is a local chain that recently opened a new location about 15 minutes from Folio. Galaxy Cafe has a mission of offering superior service as well as great food made with all-natural ingredients and, judging from the Yelp reviews, it's succeeded.

The breakfast menu ranges from its signature wraps to “breakfasts from around the galaxy” with plates inspired by Mexican, French, and Mediterranean cuisines – and it serves breakfast until 4 p.m. on weekends! Lunch offers a wide selection of wraps, salads, and sandwiches, and guests rave the most about the sweet potato fries. There are additional specials for dinner, including the delicious Galaxy Buddha Bowl, all for reasonable prices. A highlight of Galaxy Cafe is the extensive gluten free menu, which diners applaud. Galaxy Cafe also scores points from patrons for its eco-friendly policies — it uses biodegradable to-go packaging and it converts its used vegetable oil into biodiesel.

Galaxy Cafe
1000 W. Lynn St.
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-3434
www.galaxycafeaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/galaxy-cafe-austin-6

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