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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr beije

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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Brave Sir Robin

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]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr tompagenet