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Dazzle Coffee: A Dazzling Way to Start Your Day

April 8, 2013 by

A dazzling way to start your day? How about a trip to Pflugerville's Dazzle Coffee? For seven years, this drive-through coffee spot been charming local coffee aficionados with its expertly crafted drinks. High quality ingredients – like Ghiradelli chocolate syrups – are used in their beverages, and the prices are very affordable. Try the Zebra Mocha with both white and dark chocolate and is topped with their house-made chocolate whipped cream. Dazzle's drinks come with oompf: large drinks have three shots of espresso, instead of the industry standard two, and you can get a smoothie blended with Red Bull if you want the caffeine but not the coffee. If you're sold on Dazzle Coffee after your first trip, ask for their frequent customer punch card, and after 10 drinks, you’ll get one free.

Dazzle Coffee
100 N. 2nd Street
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 670-1100
www.dazzlecoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dazzle-coffee-pflugerville

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Fridge & Freezer Food: How To Plan Ahead

March 26, 2013 by

Quick meals are all about planning ahead, and there's really no better way to do that than to utilize your freezer and fridge. Check out the guides below to ensure that you always have the basics on hand to create a home cooked meal. 

8 Freezer Staples for Stress-Free Entertaining

Best Ingredients for a Quick, Healthy, Weeknight Meal

5 Make-Ahead Freezer & Pantry Staples

10 Simple Ingredients to Make Your Soups Even Better!

Guides from  theKitchn.

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Under the Sea Fun at Scubaland Adventures

March 20, 2013 by

Have you ever wanted to try SCUBA diving but never knew where to start?  Scubaland Adventures offers everything you need to get started, or expand your hobby.  This aquatics training and dive center offers diving courses and a great selection of equipment to accommodate beginners and experts.  There are three locations in Austin, and the Crestview location features the largest and deepest indoor heated training pool in Austin.  The staff are professional and helpful, and the stores regularly have sale items.  Join their dive club to meet new friends and enjoy your hobby.  Their travel agency coordinates trips to Texas’s top diving spots for the club and can even help you make your own travel plans for your next dive trip.  Scubaland also offers swimming lessons for kids and adults looking to improve their strength and comfort in the water.
 

Scubaland Adventures
1001 W Anderson Ln
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 323-6999
www.yelp.com/biz/scubaland-adventures-austin-2

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Culinary Cultures Combine at Round Rock’s La Cocina Bar and Grill

March 13, 2013 by

From Little Mexico to Little Italy, La Cocina Bar and Grill has it all. The Round Rock cantina serves up Italian and Mexican favorites and makes a great compromise if you and your date can’t decide. Although it might sound like a strange combination, this place will surprise you. La Cocina is family owned and operated; their roots are in both Mexico and Italy. The Guisado de Puerco is Grandma’s recipe for tender pork in a red sauce. Customers rave about the chips and spicy salsa. For a fusion dish, try the Italian Enchiladas stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach.  If you’d prefer an Italian meal, the Pasta ala Chicago with Italian sausage, mushrooms, and spicy marinara is a customer favorite. The atmosphere here is causal and features murals of iconic landmarks from Mexico and Italy. 

La Cocina Bar and Grill
602 McNeil Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 716-1703
www.yelp.com/biz/la-cocina-round-rock

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Try a Flight and Buy a Bottle at Vino 100

March 6, 2013 by

Round Rock's Vino 100 is an easy and elegant way to shop for wine. Tucked away in an unassuming shopping center, it's a distinctive wine bar and store. Chef and owner Bryan Gano has created a cafe that features light meals and an extensive wine selection. Bryan and his staff are happy to help you choose a wine flight (several small samples) to pair with your meal. The menu offers unique and flavorful dishes like the spicy shrimp diablo or new twists on old classics, like lamb burgers. Customers rave about the bread pudding for dessert. It's a great place for a fun date — after finishing your wine flight and meal, you can put your new knowledge to use and take home a bottle. All wines in their store are accompanied by Vino 100’s standardized information sheet, which includes a wine barometer that indicates its flavor (fruity to dry) and body (light to full).  The store is laid out accordingly, which helps you find the best wine for you.

Vino 100
3021 S. Interstate 35
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-0526
www.yelp.com/biz/vino-100-round-rock

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Fresh Seafood and Cold Drafts at Deckhand Oyster Bar

February 27, 2013 by

Next time you want to go out to watch the big game, consider Deckhand Oyster Bar in Round Rock. This casual bar is a great place to kick back with a pitcher of beer and a group of friends.  The menu features fresh, casual seafood favorites like fried catfish and crawfish poboys.  Oysters are shucked in front of you, and served on the half shell.  Regulars love the gumbo!  There are several Asian items on the menu too – like tom yum soup, a sweet and sour seafood soup with a little kick. If you order oysters, try the thai sauce, which is a unique complement to their mild flavor. Prices are reasonable and get even lower during happy hour from 3-6 p.m.  The Deckhand serves beer in frosted mugs, but don’t expect craft brews – it’s mostly American favorites. The Thai Tea is a tasty non-alcoholic alternative.  
 

Deckhand Oyster Bar
500 Parker Dr
Round Rock, TX 78728
(512) 368-3379
www.yelp.com/biz/deckhand-oyster-bar-round-rock

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Hummus and More at Zorba Greek Restaurant

February 20, 2013 by

Zorba Greek Restaurant serves up fresh and flavorful Greek and Mediterranean dishes for lunch and dinner. Diners recommend starting with the “saganaki” or flaming cheese – get it with either halloumi or feta – which is flambeed table-side and served with lemon and fresh pita.   Their gyros are juicy without being greasy and customers rave about the flavorful tzadziki sauce.  Zorba Greek Restaurant makes a great casual date place; get the “feed me platter,” a several-course meal for two that features soups, salads, kabobs, gyro meats, many sides and dessert. Consider trying the choclava – a piece of baklava drizzled with chocolate fudge.  If you’re in a hurry for a quick lunch, Zorba’s has you covered with their lunch buffet that moves you in and out fast, without compromising taste.  They also have a great takeout service and deliver through a third party company, Eat Out In.

Zorba Greek Restaurant
2601 S I H 35
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 716-0100
www.yelp.com/biz/zorba-greek-restaurant-round-rock

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Enjoy Hot Soup at Round Rock’s Pho Viet

February 13, 2013 by

Pho Viet is Round Rock’s spot for a great bowl of Pho. Their menu offers 16 different versions of this classic Vietnamese soup with different combinations of meat — to let you have it your way.  

Customers love the Pho here because the broth is flavorful without being too salty.  The menu has many traditional dishes like a beef clay pot with sautéed beef and mushrooms served with rice.  A unique option is the Vietnamese Crepes which are stuffed with your choice of meat, seafood or veggies and are accompanied by a refreshing salad.  Pho Viet is vegetarian-friendly and offers several tofu dishes – try the vermicelli bowl with tofu. Their Thai tea is highly recommended.  

Service is excellent and they bring the food out hot, so not everyone in your party may get their food at the same time. The staff is welcoming and will likely remember your favorites.  This is a popular lunch spot, and may be busy during peak hours, but fast service and tasty food make it worth the wait. 

Pho Viet
603 Louis Henna Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-7800
www.yelp.com/biz/pho-viet-round-rock

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Salvage Vanguard Theater: An Independent Theater Arts Group

February 6, 2013 by

With a credo like “Keep Austin Weird,” it’s not surprising that the city boasts a large number of independent arts and theater organizations. One of the most well-established is the Salvage Vanguard Theater, which has presented exceptional plays and other performances for years. The company stages a wide variety of materials, from drama to comedy and even puppetry. Tickets are sold on a sliding scale as well, making it affordable for the community. The performance space is small but comfortable, with good sightlines and decent seating. The theater also hosts a wide variety of educational programs and other creative venues for actors, directors and more. The Merlin Works Institute for Improvisation is one Austin’s best resources for developing your improve skills, both for actors and non-actors. The theater also runs a series of summer day camps for kids, yoga seminars and more. It’s a fantastic resource for the whole community.

Salvage Vanguard Theater
2803 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
http://www.yelp.com/biz/salvage-vanguard-theater-austin

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See a Show at the Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts

January 29, 2013 by

It’s been 95 years since the Paramount Theatre opened its doors and since then, this renowned theater has continued to serve as the place to please the cultural, artistic palate. Through its years, the theater has hosted prima ballerinas, national touring companies, Broadway plays, and is one of the only theaters left to have shown Casablanca when it was originally released. There are a number of film series and performances scheduled for the upcoming season, so check out the website event calendar for more information and to purchase tickets. Besides shows, there is also an annual Paramount Break-a-Leg 5K to support the Paramount and State Theaters.

Paramount Theatre for the Performing Arts
713 Congress
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 472-5470

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