Franklin Barbecue: Possibly Austin’s Most Buzzed-About Barbecue

If you’re searching for great barbecue in the South Austin area, simply drop what you’re doing and head to Franklin Barbecue. This old-fashioned barbecue joint uses family cooking traditions passed down from generation to generation, but its brick and mortar location is the ideal blend of Austin’s signature eclectic decor and a sleek, modern flair.

The menu is very small, but each dish is so expertly prepared that you won’t even think of anything else. Plates and sandwiches made with chopped beef, pulled pork, sausage, and other smoked meats are served with your choice of pinto beans, slaw, or potato salad, and Franklin Barbecue has sold out of its famous pulled pork every day since its opening in 2009.

Hailed as one of the top barbecue restaurants in the country by Bon Appetit, the New York Times, Southern Living, and many other esteemed publications, Franklin Barbecue is an absolute must-try Austin restaurant.

Franklin Barbecue
900 E. 11th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 653-1187
www.franklinbarbecue.com
www.yelp.com/biz/franklin-barbecue-austin

Tadashi: Upscale Sushi and Japanese Fare

With dim lighting, contemporary furnishings, and fresh sushi, Tadashi is a unique experience for all of your senses. This authentic Japanese restaurant is located in an upscale plaza near a movie theater and other restaurants, and its interior features a spacious sushi bar, a wall of wine, and a comfortable outdoor patio filled with sleek tables and bold red chairs.

Tadashi takes great interest in using only the highest quality ingredients in every dish, and the restaurant even flies in hard-to-find types of fish from all over the world. Each roll is beautifully prepared and features artistic garnishes arranged on the plate, and the menu also lists other Japanese small plates and entrees for those who don’t prefer sushi. Tadashi offers a full wine, beer, and sake menu for of-age guests, and the welcoming staff is always available to recommend a good pairing.

Tadashi
12820 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-3200
www.home.tadashiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tadashi-bee-cave

Add a Touch of Summer to Your Rental Home — Here’s How!

Summer is just around the corner, and even in a rental, you can't help but want to make some warm weather improvements to your home. Outdoor space or not, there are a number of ways to add a summer flair to your decor — and these stylish tips will show you how.

  • Let the light in. Take advantage of the brighter sunlight and longer days by making the most out of your home's windows. Replace your heavy winter drapes with light-colored, sheer curtains, and give your windows a good scrubbing inside and out.
  • Mix up your throw pillows. While cozy, rich hued throw pillows are great in the cold of winter, they feel stuffy and too dark once the summer rolls around. Store your usual throw pillows in plastic bags during the summer months and replace them with pillows that are bright, colorful and even a bit eclectic.
  • Keep the cold beverages on hand. Whether you frequently host guests on a porch or patio or you simply want to create a cool, relaxing place to hang out inside of your home, creating a well-curated bar cart is a must for summer entertaining. Stock yours with ice buckets, various types of glasses, cocktail napkins and your favorite libations (alcoholic or otherwise).
  • Fill your place with plants. Another great way to take advantage of the summer sunshine is by creating an indoor garden. Hang plants from the ceiling using macrame plant hangers, place them in pots on bright windowsills and even add larger plants to fill empty corners of a room.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice: Cool Off With a Sweet Treat

Jim Jim’s Water Ice offers a cool, refreshing way to escape the Texas heat. Water ice is a traditional Italian treat that is most popular in Philadelphia, and it's made by blending real fruit with finely shaved ice to create a velvety soft texture.

Jim Jim’s operates out of a colorful storefront in downtown Austin, and customers order their water ice right from the front window like you would at an old-fashioned ice cream stand. The prices are just as old fashioned, and the friendly employees dole out extremely generous servings in each styrofoam cup. In addition to its classic fruit flavors, Jim Jim’s offers water ice with cream on top or smoothies and cups with soft serve ice cream blending into any water ice flavor.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Jim Jim’s Water Ice
615 E. Sixth Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 708-8285
www.jimjimswaterice.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jim-jims-water-ice-austin

Mingle with Peacocks at Mayfield Park

It may be tucked away in the heart of a major city, but Mayfield Park still manages to retain an atmosphere of calm. That's despite its particularly flashy residents, about two dozen peacocks. The promise of seeing them sunbathing, tree-climbing, or just meandering around draws many locals to Mayfield Park time and time again. After all, they look a little bit different depending on the season, so it's a new experience each time. Perhaps the best time to visit is late winter or early spring, when the male peacocks fan out their colorful feathers in an attempt to attract the ladies.

Even if you don't spot one of the majestic birds, though, your trip to Mayfield Park will still be well worth the time. Its 21-acre nature preserve contains snaking trails, perfect for a hike or a stroll through the trees. After your hike, stop by the picturesque Mayfield Cottage and Gardens for a glimpse inside the way Austin's elite lived in the early 20th century.

Mayfield Park
3505 W. 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 974-6797
www.mayfieldpark.org
www.yelp.com/biz/mayfield-park-austin

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you a Fourth of July filled with pride, honor, and lots of fun!

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Modern American Food and Drink

The Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill was revamped in time to open its doors in 2003. This Austin establishment offers modern American food and libations in a laid back atmosphere.

The bar serves classic cocktails, including house-made moonshine and hard lemonade as part of the extensive full bar menu. Start your meal with the corndog shrimp, the creamy and hot bacon dip, or a steaming bowl of spicy chicken tortilla soup. Overstuffed sandwiches and salads are loaded with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The platters are known to be hearty and feature Southern favorites such as chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, large, classic cowboy flat-iron steaks and baby back ribs smothered in the restaurant's secret barbecue sauce.

If you’re interested in letting Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill host your next event, check out the banquet facilities that are available for private parties.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599
www.moonshinegrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/moonshine-patio-bar-and-grill-austin

Happy Father’s Day!

Today is a chance for us to recognize some very important people in our lives. May this day bring you many reasons to smile!

Happy Father’s Day!

Plan a Warm-Weather Dinner Party With These Delicious Desserts

Now that the weather is warmer and the days are longer, you're likely planning more social events to add to your calendar. This also means that you're on the hunt for warn-weather recipes for all of those cook-outs and dinner parties. Here are just a few fresh desserts that are perfect for the spring and summer seasons.

Ina's Lemon Yogurt Cake [foodnetwork.com]
With its bright, zesty flavor and moist texture, Ina Garten's recipe for lemon yogurt cake is perfect for your spring and summer brunches and other occasions. It also features a light drizzle of glaze on top to add even more sweetness.

Ducle de Leche Crepe Cake [foodnetwork.com]
With layers upon layers of homemade crepes, this is one of the most unique desserts that you'll try this spring. The recipe also features a creamy icing and a gooey caramel topping that creates that recognizable dulce de leche flavor.

Lemon Sherbet Cupcakes With Buttercream Frosting [myrecipes.com]
While you likely already enjoy sherbet during the warm weather of springtime, you'll love it even more in this innovative cupcake recipe. These cupcakes feature the citrus flavor of sherbet in their base, while the buttercream frosting on top makes them taste rich and creamy.

Tap Your Foot to the Beat at The Roost in Austin

Many music lovers say that few things in this world are better than an evening of foot-stomping, hand-clapping live music, and that's just what The Roost delivers. Once you visit this Austin club, you'll likely understand exactly why it’s such a local hotspot. Shows range from blues performers to rock bands, small local acts to internationally-known musicians, so there's something to suit just about everyone's taste.

With professional lighting that creates a concert-like atmosphere, several bars located throughout the venue, and a lively, dancing crowd, The Roost cultivates a festival-like atmosphere. Yelp reviewers say that sight lines and acoustics are top-notch, and there's plenty of seating available for music aficionados who prefer to sit and relax. The Roost does not serve food, but patrons are welcome to bring in snacks from the neighboring taqueria or crawfish shack.

Check the website for a current calendar of shows and to buy your tickets before they sell out.

The Roost
2113 Wells Branch Parkway
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 394-5727
www.theroostaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-roost-austin

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