La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights: A Sweet Taste of France in Pflugerville

The French know how to do dessert, from their decadent pastries to their delicately flavored macarons. La Patisserie offers all of these French delicacies and more right in the heart of Austin’s Pflugerville neighborhood, and the bakery features a stylish interior that’s equally as sweet. Glass display cases show off La Patisserie’s colorful baked goods, while hardwood floors, antique bookcases, and gleaming chandeliers offer a touch of charm.

The shop’s brightly colored macaron is one of La Patisserie's most popular desserts, but regulars also adore the pain au chocolat and the cream puffs. La Patisserie serves traditional French quiches and croissants for breakfast, as well as a few American breakfast dishes. For lunch, the menu comprises hot sandwiches like croque monsieur and croque madame, simple cold sandwiches, and fresh soups to go along with them. Don’t forget to grab an espresso on your way out!

Note that La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights is closed on Mondays.

La Patisserie by Oven Fresh Delights
602 W. Annie Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 912-0033
www.lapatisseriepfl.com
www.yelp.com/biz/la-patisserie-austin

Upper Crust Bakery: Breads, Pastries, and More

With more than 28 years in the bakery business in Austin, Upper Crust Bakery has earned itself a bevy of loyal fans who flock there for freshly brewed coffee and yummy breads and pastries. Croissants are available here in a dizzying array of flavors, including cinnamon almond, marzipan, ham and cheese, and chocolate. Also in the pastry case are muffins, scones, cookies, cinnamon rolls and turnovers. Brioche, baguettes, rye, whole grain, and ricotta herb are among the bread options.

Stop by Upper Crust at lunchtime for a bowl of Italian stew with spicy Italian sausage, potatoes, garlic, mushrooms, and herbs. An apple, goat cheese, and pecan salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing is a fresh and healthy option. Sandwiches include chicken salad with pecans and grapes, tuna salad, smoked turkey, and avocado with vinaigrette.

Just a short drive from Hardrock Canyon in Austin, Upper Crust Bakery is open every day.

Upper Crust Bakery
4508 Burnet Rd
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 467-0102
uppercrustbakery.com

Read the reviews on Yelp.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/khawkins04

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar: Fine Wine and Dining in Austin

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar features flavorful Italian fare served in a richly hued setting with a long mirrored bar and walls decorated to create a delightful ambiance. Happy Hour is a great time to cruise in for great discounts on food and drink — visit the Gusto Italian Kitchen website to find out more.

Gusto's pizza offerings include the Italian Job with sausage, mozzarella & goat cheese, and the Bianco with ricotta, cream, roasted chicken, spinach & caramelized onions. Spinach Lasagna, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Rostini alla Crema with chicken, spinach, walnuts, parmesan & cream are among the pasta choices. If you'd like to order something else, Gusto's menu of entrées includes Cioppino with salmon, shrimp, mussels, calamari & spicy tomato sauce, Grilled 10-Ounce Strip Steak with Brussels sprouts, Pan Seared Black Drum with roasted fall vegetables, and Braised Lamb Shank with creamy gorgonzola polenta.

Just a short trip from Hardrock Canyon in Austin, Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar is open every day.

Gusto Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
4800 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 458-1100
www.gustoitaliankitchen.com
www.yelp.com/biz/gusto-italian-kitchen-and-wine-bar-austin

Meet Your Friends for Tasty Tex-Mex Fare at La Margarita

Right of I-35 is a fabulous Tex-Mex restaurant by the name of La Margarita. Here, fluffy flour tortillas are homemade daily, and the doors open at 7 a.m. if you're in the mood for a hearty breakfast burrito or migas plate. Choose from the lime-marinated chicken salad, a plate of enchiladas stuffed with your choice of meat and sauce, bacon wrapped jumbo shrimp with serrano peppers, or a sizzling fajita plate. Most dishes are served with Mexican rice and traditional refried beans, but there are also vegetarian black beans if you prefer.

Be sure to try one of La Margarita's margaritas. You can enjoy one of the traditional flavors, or be more adventurous and opt for the mango or strawberry varieties. La Margarita is a nice spot to grab a drink and dinner with friends or family after work. On Tuesdays, kids eat free!

La Margarita
1530 North I-35
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 388-1103
http://www.lamargarita.us/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-margarita-restaurante-round-rock

Public Domain/Public Domain

Vazquez Restaurant: A Round Rock Mexican Restaurant

For a casual Mexican restaurant experience, come to Vazquez Restaurant. Located in Round Rock, Texas, Vazquez Restaurant is a family place because it is family owned. For over two decades, the family has been serving authentic Mexican fare in the area. The restaurant isn’t fancy, but it is still comfortable and family-friendly. Come for breakfast and you can get a traditional Mexican plate that will start your day off right (people like the chorizo or sausage and egg taco). For lunch and dinner, you’ll find popular selections like Caldo de Res soup and the Al Pastor platter. And the service is always quick and friendly. Everything on the menu can also be ordered by phone for easy takeout.

Vazquez Restaurant
910 Sambass Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 218-7900
http://vazquezrestaurant.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vazquez-restaurant-round-rock-2

Keep The Vampires Away: Garlic Breath Pizza Company

Garlic Breath Pizza Company offers inventive pies and free delivery to Round Rock. Specialty pizzas are perfect for those with a large and adventurous appetite, consider the taco pizza with refried beans instead of sauce, Tex-Mex toppings including crushed Doritos and salsa. Their signature pizza is is an Alfredo sauce based pie topped with garlic, Roma tomatoes and fresh basil. If you want to create your own, Garlic Breath Pizza Company has two homemade crusts to choose from, herbal white and honey wheat, as well as a long list of toppings making the creations virtually endless. In addition to pizza, there are many pizzeria favorites on the menu like garlic cheese bread, and hot subs, like the pizza steak.

Garlic Breath Pizza Company
1711 N. Mays Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-5500
www.garlicbreathpizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/garlic-breath-pizza-company-round-rock

Go for the Spicy Oyster Gumbo at Louisiana Longhorn Cafe

Louisiana Longhorn Cafe happily offers Round Rock residents a place to enjoy authentic Creole cooking in a friendly, relaxed environment. The walls of this restaurant are decked with Cajun themed decorations, including a longhorn sporting Mardi Gras beads. 

Most dishes are based off family recipes and have a heavy emphasis on crawfish, shrimp, fish, a generous amount of spices, and plenty of creamy sauces. Try the fettuccini alfredo with crawfish, the crab cake stuffed flounder filet, or the spicy oyster gumbo. If you're craving etouffee or a po'boy, Louisiana Longhorn Cafe has those, too. Dishes are spicy, but not hot enough to put off those with a more delicate palate.

With a free five story parking garage nearby, this is a great place for large parties to get together and enjoy each other's company over some great food.

Louisiana Longhorn Cafe
200 East Main Avenue
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 248-2900
http://www.llcafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/louisiana-longhorn-cafe-round-rock

Saltgrass Steak House: Fit For A Cowboy

The popular Texas-based chain, Saltgrass Steak House brings casual and reliable dining to Round Rock.  All their steaks are Certified Angus Beef, grilled to order, and topped with garlic butter and their signatures Saltgrass-7 Steak Spice.  There are many cuts and combos to choose from, and favorites are the Cowboy Ribeye and Maudeen’s Center Cut Filet.  If you come with a cowboy appetite, start with the thinly-sliced, french fried onions, a large portion perfect for sharing.  Salads are dressed with homemade vinaigrettes and served with Saltgrass’s Shiner Bock Beer Bread.  The decor plays up the Western theme with rustic wood, stone elements and Longhorn heads.  If you enjoy your experience, get their frequent diner card.  Although it costs $25, you’ll earn it back on your next visit, as well as an additional $25 discount for your birthday and bonuses the more you dine – not to mention priority seating to avoid long waits.

Saltgrass Steak House
2300 N. I H 35
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 238-0091
www.saltgrass.com
www.yelp.com/biz/saltgrass-steak-house-round-rock

Enjoy Generous Portions of Italian Fare at Gino’s Pizzeria

Gino's Pizzeria serves authentic Italian food in Round Rock. Owner Gino Minardi hails from Gela, Italy and has been in the business of delivering authentic Italian cuisine to hungry clientele since 1959.

Here, regulars love the friendly atmosphere and huge portions that lend themselves to leftovers. Try the baked cheese or beef ravioli, the crusted trout smothered with a creamy sauce, or select one of Gino's expertly crafted pizzas. You can also order your favorite Italian dishes in the form of a sub or get a calzone generously filled with two cheeses and topped with marinara sauce. 

No Italian restaurant is complete without a selection of fine wines and coffee to accompany your meal. Gino's also offers catering for formal events and family-style to-go orders for when you need to feed a large group.

Gino's Pizzeria
1701 South Mays Street
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 218-9922
http://ginosroundrock.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ginos-pizzeria-round-rock

It’s Always Morning in Rosedale at The Omelettry

The Omelettry proves that omelets don’t just have to be for breakfast. Located right on the corner where Burnet Road meets West 47th Street, the Omelettry is a place where it's always morning. That’s because the Omelettry serves breakfast until dinnertime! This is a cool spot with funky paintings on the outside walls and a dining area that defines casual. But the word is out, so be prepared to wait a bit on the weekends. The menu features many traditional breakfast plates, but locals really like the specials (try the Popeye Omelet with spinach, the Eggonomica, or the Gingerbread Pancakes). You can also create your own omelet! Come back for the lunch specials, or just have breakfast again! And remember, this is a cash-only establishment.

The Omelettry
4811 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 453-5062
http://theomelettry.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-omelettry-austin-2

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