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Donut 7: Get Your Morning Off to a Sweet Start
April 7, 2016 by
Whether you have a sweet tooth or you’re craving a hearty, bacon-topped breakfast sandwich, Donut 7 is a dependable choice for a casual breakfast in the North Austin area. Since 1983, this small bakery and cafe has given hungry early risers a place to grab breakfast tacos, breakfast sandwiches, and freshly baked doughnuts and kolaches in the wee morning hours.
Stop in before work to pick up a dozen glazed doughnuts for the office, or treat yourself to an apple fritter or a cinnamon roll. Those who prefer savory fare can go for a kolache, which arrive stuffed with cheese, sausage, and jalapenos. The breakfast sandwiches also receive high marks. These handheld creations layer egg, cheese, and breakfast meats between your choice of croissant or biscuit. Of course, no order at Donut 7 is complete without a piping-hot cup of coffee, and this Austin eatery has plenty to go around!
Donut 7 is open 6 a.m. to noon Mondays through Saturdays.
Donut 7
11005 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 837-9221
www.donut7austin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/donut-7-austin
Experience More Than Just A Meal At Wink in Austin
March 24, 2016 by
“Dining at Wink is more than just a meal, it’s an experience.” That’s how a guest describes her time at this intimate, cordial dining venue in Austin. When you walk through the door at Wink, you instantly feel welcome. Wink only uses the freshest food and ingredients from local and national farms and purveyors. Therefore, the menu at Wink is updated on a daily basis.
The employees at Wink know their stuff, and they're very knowledgeable about the food they prepare and the wines that go with them. There's no pretense here, however. Instead, the staff wants every guest to explore and try new things and ask questions so they can have the best experience possible.
Wink is open Mondays through Saturdays. Because of the restaurant's attentive staff and popular, fresh menus, it is strongly recommended that you reserve a table in advance.
Wink
1014 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com
Chemical-Free Ways to Clean Your Oven at Hardrock Canyon
March 17, 2016 by
You’re always on the hunt for chemical-free ways to clean your home, but when it comes to really heavy duty cleaning in areas like the oven, it may seem almost impossible. Luckily, it is possible to clean your oven without using chemicals—it just takes a bit of ingenuity and a few smart tips from the pros.
- Take out the oven racks and let them soak in a tub of hot water.
- Make a paste of ¼ cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and just enough warm water to create a thick consistency.
- Using a durable sponge, scrub the paste into the stained parts in your oven. Concentrate on areas that see a lot of spills and drips, such as the bottoms and around the racks.
- Let the past sit on the stains for an hour or two, depending on their severity.
- Using the same sponge rinsed out with clean water, wipe away the paste and give it a second good scrub. You may also want to use a finer grade steel wool for difficult stains.
- For extra cleaning power, spray the entire oven with a spray bottle filled with white vinegar, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
- Before replacing the oven racks, scrub them using simple steel wool and an all-natural dishwasher detergent to break down grease.
How To Clean an Oven Without Harsh Chemicals [Apartment Therapy]
Natural Oven Cleaning Recipe [Wellness Mama]
How To Clean an Oven With Baking Soda & Vinegar [The Kitchn]
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March 17, 2016 by
May your day be touched with a little bit of the luck of the Irish!
Black Lagoon Art + Yoga: Cultivate Flexibility in an Inspiring Space
March 10, 2016 by
Part art gallery, part yoga studio, Austin's Black Lagoon promotes healthier bodies and imaginations in Austin. Not that Austin needs much help staying "weird," but this indie art gallery and fitness studio certainly helps. When it first debuted in 2010, its founders likely had no idea the profound impact it would have on yogis and artists alike—although they probably hoped.
Today, it's become a staple of the neighborhood. Exercisers flock to the art gallery for yoga classes amid the masterpieces hanging on the walls. There's a class appropriate for every level of ability, even if you've never stepped foot in a yoga studio before. And with multiple yoga classes offered on a daily basis, you should be able to squeeze in practice even if you have a busy schedule. If you're just interested in seeing the art, make an appointment to check out what's on display right now or attend one of the receptions held at Black Lagoon Art + Yoga.
Black Lagoon Art + Yoga
4301 A Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 534-6719
www.blacklagoongallery.com
www.yelp.com/biz/black-lagoon-art-yoga-austin
The Scarlet Rabbit: Cuisine and Cocktails Keep Getting Curiouser and Curiouser
March 3, 2016 by
On the patio, teal picnic tables are scattered across a massive chess board beneath a 200-year-old oak tree covered with twinkling lights. In the dining room, ceramic letters spell out, "EAT ME" with antique utensils hanging beneath them to help get the job done. By the bar, a row of doors leads nowhere and clocks run backwards. Everything is a little bit topsy turvy at The Scarlet Rabbit, an homage to the classic tale Alice in Wonderland.
The quirky nature of the eatery extends to the menu of contemporary bistro fare, as well. Start your meal at The Scarlet Rabbit with a whimsical appetizer like fried oyster nachos, a flatbread topped with quail and caramelized onions, or fried Portobello mushroom strips. Then move on to the braised short ribs, Hatter's burger made from ground brisket, or gumbo with smoked rabbit and andouille sausage. Wash it all down with a drink from the list of "Curiouser and Curioser" cocktails, like the Chesire Cat with Bacardi Silver, lime, ginger, hibiscus, mint, and grenadine.
The Scarlet Rabbit
410 W. Main Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 502-5164
www.thescarletrabbit.com
www.yelp.com/biz/scarlet-rabbit-round-rock
Zed’s Restaurant: Enjoy Music With Your Meal
February 25, 2016 by
Austin is known for its numerous live music venues, and at places like Zed’s Restaurant, you can even enjoy the eclectic sounds of live music over a gourmet meal. This combination restaurant and venue has a modern, casual style and a scenic location that’s a bit off the beaten path, but its sunny patio areas and warm wooden interior make it feel like truly hip hotspot.
On Sundays, Zed’s Restaurant hosts a jazz brunch with the lively sounds of live jazz music accompanying egg dishes and morning libations, while dinner on the weekends usually features some of the best in local musical talent. With a menu filled with dishes like Ahi tuna steaks, pancetta cheeseburgers, and petite filets, a decadent dessert menu, and a long wine and beer list, Zed’s Restaurant is the perfect place to visit for an evening (or afternoon) out in Austin.
Zed’s Restaurant
501 Canyon Ridge Drive
Austin, TX 78753
(512) 339-9337
www.zeds.bz
www.yelp.com/biz/zeds-austin-5
How to Speed Through Household Cleaning Tasks
February 18, 2016 by
Whether you’re pressed for time before dinner guests arrive or simply overwhelmed with the amount of items on your to-do list, just about everyone could use some help when it comes to cleaning. Here are a few smart ways to help you speed through household cleaning tasks.
- Work in a circle. Instead of attacking things in each room at random, make a plan to work in a circle. In the kitchen, that might mean wiping down the refrigerator and tossing out expired foods, giving the stove a good scrub, wiping down counter and tabletops, then loading the dishwasher last.
- Start with the worst first. If you dread cleaning the bathroom or tidying up the bedroom, start with that room first. By getting the hardest part out of the way when you have the most energy, you’ll speed through the rest of your chores.
- Take inventory while cleaning. If you notice that something doesn’t need to be cleaned, such as the already-spotless windows, then eliminate it from the list to save time. Unless it’s something requiring sanitization, like the toilet, there’s no shame in leaving it be.
- Do a final sweep. Once you’re done with the major cleaning tasks, give your home a final sweep, putting everything in its right place and creating an organized look.
Speed Cleaning [The Inspired Room]
30 Quick and Easy Cleaning Tips [Woman’s Day]
9 Tips For Speed Cleaning [About Home]
Clean Your Home in Less than 20 Minutes [SheKnows]
Happy Presidents’ Day
February 15, 2016 by
On this day we honor all of the Presidents of our great country. If it weren’t for them, our country would not be what it is today!
Equal Housing Opportunity