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Caffeinate Your Morning at These Two Austin Cafes

November 20, 2014 by

Although Austin is probably better known for its barbecue, the city's gourmet coffee scene is rapidly catching up. For those who love to treat themselves to a premium cup of joe in the mornings, you have more than a few options from which to choose. Here are just two of Austin’s best coffee shops to fuel your morning.

Epoch Coffee
If you’re searching for the hippest coffee shop in Austin to people watch, surf the web, and get caffeinated, Epoch just may be it. Epoch features the rustic, urban decor that Austin is known for combined with a menu of strong brewed blends and simple espresso drinks. While you won’t find a sugary, blended coffee here, you will find great roasts for coffee purists.
221 W. North Loop Blvd., Austin, TX 78751; (512) 454-3762

Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Mozart’s offers your morning cuppa with a stunning view on the side. The cafe’s outdoor patio overlooks a crystal clear lake, while inside friendly baristas create elaborate flavored lattes, seasonal coffee blends, and iced espresso drinks in a wide variety of styles. Although Mozart’s is best known for its sweet beverages, the shop offers more traditional cappuccinos and brewed coffees, as well. Order a coffee and a housemade pastry and enjoy it all while watching the sunrise over the lake outside.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd., Austin, TX 78703; (512) 477-2900

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Design Your Own Frozen Dessert at Front Porch Frozen Desserts in Round Rock

November 13, 2014 by

Front Porch Frozen Desserts is a family-owned and -operated self-serve frozen yogurt shop in Round Rock. Replete with Southern hospitality, this space boasts reclaimed wood walls and rustic pine tables, the latter of which were handmade by a family friend.

Front Porch’s high quality yogurt (“the true original good-for-you treat”) is sourced from Honey Hill Farms. The yogurt is crafted into inventive fro-yo flavors such as sea salt caramel pretzel, white chocolate mousse, and monkey bread. In addition to 16 flavors (some rotate seasonally), the yogurt shop has more than 90 toppings from which to choose. If you’d prefer something non-dairy, Front Porch Frozen Desserts serves sweet and refreshing sorbet. French press coffee, made with fair trade, locally roasted beans, is also on offer.

Front Porch Frozen Desserts is open seven days a week.

Front Porch Frozen Desserts
3107 S. IH 35
Round Rock, TX 78664
512-388-6330
frontporchrr.com
yelp.com/biz/front-porch-frozen-desserts-round-rock

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Cafe Java: Your Neighborhood Bistro

November 6, 2014 by

Delicious breakfast fare meets quality coffee at Cafe Java in Austin. Reviewers on Yelp may not agree about much, but they do think the coffee at this shop is excellent. Brunch is the best thing on the menu, according to customers, so be sure to try some pancakes or an omelet with a side of hashbrowns.

Breakfast is often a busy time at Java, so expect a bit of a wait before you order is served. Reviewers say the wait is worth the tasty reward, however! The migas (scrambled eggs and corn chips with your choice of toppings) come with high praise. As one reviewer put it, “If you're looking for a place that seems like Grandma is in the back cooking your breakfast, you've found it.”

Cafe Java is open seven days a week.

Cafe Java
2051 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 238-0700
cafejavaroundrock.com
yelp.com/biz/cafe-java-round-rock

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Enjoy Chinese Food in Round Rock at Sichuan Garden

October 23, 2014 by

If you're a fan of traditional Chinese cuisine, you'll be happy to know that Sichuan Garden serves up authentic Szechuan dishes right here in Round Rock. Don't be fooled by Sichuan Garden's low key, casual atmosphere. Here, dishes are artfully created and incredibly flavorful. Regulars recommend the cashew chicken, the egg drop soup with corn, or the sauteed clams with black bean sauce. There are plenty of spicier dishes, like the frog legs and jalapeno chicken. The menu is almost overwhelmingly large, so there is sure to be something that appeals to anyone in your group.

Sichuan Garden is ranked among the Top 100 Chinese Restaurants in America, but you shouldn't expect any Americanized dishes to come your way. Sichuan Garden is open for lunch and dinner and is happy to deliver your meal right to your doorstep.

Sichuan Garden
110 Interstate Highway 35 North
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 255-6952
www.austinsichuangarden.com
www.yelp.com/biz/sichuan-garden-round-rock

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How to Host Your Own At-Home Wine Tasting

October 16, 2014 by

Few things are more enjoyable than sipping a glass of wine with your closest friends. Hosting a wine tasting is a unique way that you can do just that, and it enables you and your fellow wine lovers to sample some wines that you may have never tried before. Here are a three tips for pulling off a successful at-home wine tasting.

  1. Choose a theme. Choose a theme for each tasting in order to cover all of the different types of wines, such as a Chardonnay night or an afternoon of Pinot Noirs. Tell each of your guests to bring a bottle from a different part of the world, a different year, or a different brand.
  2. Prepare the glasses properly. You don’t need to invest in expensive wine glasses, but be sure to provide one glass for each person. Fill the glass an inch below its equator. After tasting one type of wine, rinse the glass with the type of wine you’ll be tasting next in order to rid the glass of traces of the previous wine.
  3. Serve snacks. Provide small snacks like cheese, crackers, or delicate cookies to help guests cleanse their palates in between wines and provide some sustenance throughout the evening.

How To Have The Perfect Wine Tasting At Home [HuffPost Taste]
How to Host a Wine Tasting Party [Real Simple]
How to Host a Wine Tasting [Food & Wine]

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Faulk Central Library: Check Out This Historic Downtown Library

October 9, 2014 by

Since 1926, the Austin Public Library has provided Austin residents with access to classic works of literature and more modern literary offerings. The current building, which was constructed in 1979, was renamed the Faulk Central Library, but it still aims to provide locals with the same reading resources entirely free of charge. The building is a large, square structure with three floors and a parking garage, and it serves as the reference and collection epicenter of the entire Austin Public Library System.

In addition to its many books, this library also offers a very impressive selection of DVDs and CDs. Educational programs for adult and children are frequently offered at the Faulk Central Library, including computer classes, Spanish lessons, and an all-ages story time.

The Faulk Central Library is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Faulk Central Library
800 Guadalupe Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 974-7400
www.library.austintexas.gov/locations/Faulk%20Central%20Library
www.yelp.com/biz/faulk-central-library-austin-public-library-austin

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Iron Cactus: An Austin Classic at the Hill Country Galleria

October 2, 2014 by

A branch of the popular restaurant on Austin’s Sixth Street, Iron Cactus brings authentic Mexican cuisine to the Hill Country Galleria. There are few sit-down dining options at the mall, so it’s a welcome stop for hungry diners who want to fill up on traditional Tex-Mex favorites and let off steam at the tequila bar. There are over three-dozen varieties on the menu and they make for big, strong, memorable margaritas.

Cocktails get the most praise, but regulars call the food decent and the Sunday brunch (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $14.99 for adults, $8.99 kids 5-12) a tasty, affordable treat in an area with few options.

Visit the Iron Cactus website for hours, menus, specials, and more information!

Iron Cactus
13420 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-7636
www.ironcactus.com
www.yelp.com/biz/iron-cactus-bee-cave

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Mimi’s Café: French-Inspired Bites at Hill Country Galleria

September 25, 2014 by

“What makes a perfect bite?”

Mimi’s answer is a bit sweet, a bit savory — a surprising combination of tastes and textures. No one does this better than the French, of course, so Mimi’s brings you a variety of French-inspired soups, sandwiches, and snacks. From goat cheese to orange zest, ingredients are sourced from France where possible, sauces are made in small batches, and chefs are trained in traditional techniques.

Locals like much of the retooled menu, singling out the croissants, pies, and desserts for special praise. Service is decent, and while there’s something for everyone here, diners point out that dishes are variably successful depending on your taste. There’s a full bar and reservations are recommended for nights and weekends.

Check Mimi’s site for menu details and location information.

Mimi’s Café
12316 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-9731
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mimis-cafe-bee-cave

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6 Easy Ways to Deal With Difficult Coworkers

September 18, 2014 by

When you’re around the same people for eight hours every day, sometimes personalities can clash. Getting along with difficult coworkers may seem impossible, but these reliable tips will help you work together in harmony.

1. Choose your words wisely. By removing direct pronouns like “you” from your discussions, your coworker will feel less accused or targeted. Make your directions and criticisms about the project, not the person.
2. Talk face-to-face whenever possible. It’s easy to sound brash in an email, and speaking on the phone or in person can eliminate that worry (and your coworker’s resulting anger).
3. Minimize contact. If you frequently chat with a whiny or sullen coworker simply to be polite, start keeping things short and sweet. A simple "good morning" works in place of your usual "how are you," which often leads to unwanted conversation.
4. Be tactful about complaints. If you have to bring a problem to your boss, plan what you’ll say beforehand to avoid sounding angry or accusatory.
5. Avoid gossip. Respond with uninviting phrases like "Oh really?" when you’re faced with office gossip. If you act disinterested, gossip will likely start to pass you by in the future.
6. Just breathe. Take a deep breath when you feel yourself start to get angry and you may avoid a nasty altercation.

Tips on Managing Difficult People [Harvard Business Review]
20 Ways to Deal with Difficult Coworkers [iVillage]
Ten Tips for Dealing with Difficult Coworkers [All Business]
How to Deal with Difficult Coworkers [Forbes]

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Get Fit on a Dime at Clay Madsen Recreation Center

September 15, 2014 by

If you're looking for a convenient place to work out without breaking your wallet, look no further than the Clay Madsen Recreation Center. Supported by the city of Round Rock, Clay Madsen offers great rates on annual, quarterly, and monthly memberships for families, couples, and individuals. You get a lot of bang for your buck, too. You can take advantage of racquetball courts, free exercise classes, an indoor swimming pool, cardio and weight rooms, and locker rooms to store your belongings.

Parents will be happy to know there is a professionally supervised babysitting service on site that costs only $2 an hour. Most group exercise classes, like Zumba and water aerobics, are free for members, but you'll have to pay a little extra for personal training or the indoor boot camp training. You'll probably always find space available in the cardio and weight rooms, but classes fill up quickly, so be sure to arrive early to ensure you get a spot.

Clay Madsen Recreation Center
1600 Gattis School Road
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 218-3220
http://www.roundrocktexas.gov/home/index.asp?page=210
http://www.yelp.com/biz/clay-madsen-recreation-center-round-rock

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