East Side Show Room: A Contemporary Speakeasy

Step into a modern speakeasy at the East Side Show Room. This restaurant and bar in East Austin has a dark, classy feel to it with floor to ceiling shelving holding just about any type of liquor you could want. You'll find a rotating selection of local artists' works throughout the restaurant. Reservations are recommended for the dining room since this place can get very busy. The bartenders are friendly and knowledgeable, able to create a delicious array of creative cocktails. Most nights of the week live music is featured. The small menu features dishes like gourmet mac and cheese, pork belly, a burger, and goat meatballs. Stop in for a drink and a show at East Side Show Room. Visit the website for a calendar of events.

East Side Show Room
1100 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 467-4280
www.eastsideshowroom.com
www.yelp.com/biz/eastside-showroom-austin

Happy Memorial Day

Today we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country. We hope you have a great Memorial Day!

Koriente: Fresh Fare in Austin

Koriente serves Korean cuisine and more to Austin diners. All dishes are house-made and are prepared without MSG or preservatives, using only natural sweeteners and without excess fat. The ambiance is classically uncluttered and simply elegant with a comfortable, relaxed vibe.

Appetizers include edamame, soups, Korean pickled vegetables, and summer rolls. Featured entrees include pan-seared ahi tuna, sweet potato or mung bean noodles loaded with vegetables, bowls filled with your choice of protein, mushrooms, broccoli and carrots over rice, and traditional Bibimbap. Party trays for your next event can be ordered in advance and include all dishes served on the menu. All dishes can be prepared gluten-free and dietary requests can be accommodated.

Koriete is open 11 a.m. to to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Fridays and 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Koriente
621 E. Seventh Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 275-0852
www.koriente.com
www.yelp.com/biz/koriente-austin

Clever Ways to Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Neat and Tidy

Make cleaning less of a hassle by organizing your supplies. A neat and clean supply area will save you time and make you more motivated to clean. Follow these simple, clever tips to make your chores a little easier to tackle!

  • Use a cart with wheels to store all of your supplies. You can move all of your products from room to room as you go.
  • Free up your shelves by using a hanging shoe organizer to store your spray bottles, wipes, and cleaners.
  • Buy a few plastic tubs for each room of your apartment and label them to make it easier to sort through what you need for each room.
  • Get more use out of the space under your sink by using a tension rod. The handles of spray bottles sit perfectly on top of the rod, freeing up more space for other supplies.
  • Use hooks to hang your brooms to keep them from falling out every time you open your closet door.
  • Make it easier to find your supplies by placing them on a Lazy Susan underneath your sink. The spinning turntable keeps all of your items easy to grab and within reach.

10 Ways to Organize All of Your Cleaning Supplies [Good Housekeeping]
Clever Solutions for Under-Kitchen-Sink Storage [House Logic]
Stylish Storage: 10 Ways To Organize Under Your Sink [Apartment Therapy]

Vintage Heart Café: Austin Espresso and More

Austinites take their coffee very seriously, and there are many espresso shops vying for their business. East Austin’s Vintage Heart Café has built up a loyal clientele who rave about every drink that comes from their baristas’ talented hands.

Using coffee beans sourced from local roaster Third Coast, they produce exceptional lattes, cappuccinos and Americanos at reasonable prices. One of the first things you’ll notice when you walk in the door is the décor – it’s classy and minimal without sacrificing comfort, and regulars hunker down for hours to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi and soft couches. They also play music at a very manageable volume. Whether you’re just stopping in for a quick drink or plan to make a day of it, the staff here is helpful and welcoming.

Vintage Heart Café
1405 E. 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 524-0583
www.vintageheartcoffee.com
www.yelp.com/biz/vintage-heart-coffee-austin

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate Mom! Are you doing anything special for your mother today?

Qui: Fine Dining in East Austin

One of East Austin’s most talked about new restaurants, Qui is the eponymous restaurant opened by Top Chef winner Paul Qui after he made his place at Uchiko, and the food here is as good as it gets. Moving away from the traditional sushi preparations that made him famous, Qui explores the world of fine dining with exceptional results.

The menu here changes daily depending on the availability of ingredients, so it’s hard to recommend a particular dish. Past standouts have included an unbelievable chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard, the dish that won Qui the title of Top Chef), rabbit seven ways and a poached salmon butter that has to be tasted to be believed. For dessert, go for the unique cheddar cheese ice cream sandwich, a sweet and savory delight. Note that they don’t take reservations.

Qui
1600 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 436-9626
www.quiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/qui-austin

The Vegan Yacht: Vegetarian Cuisine in Austin

Austin is the most eclectic city in the great state of Texas, so it’s not surprising that vegan food has found a foothold here amidst the taco shops and barbecue restaurants. The Vegan Yacht is a favorite spot among the meat-eschewers of Austin, and their menu offers a bounty of healthy, flavorful food.

The top-selling item here is the “Freeto Burrito,” a pile of organic tempeh chili and corn chips wrapped in a flour tortilla. It’s an awesome take on a Tex-Mex classic that is guaranteed to fill you up. Other favorites include the mock chicken wrap with carrots, avocado and sprouts in a grilled flour tortilla and the organic cold-pressed pineapple kale lemonade, which can quench even the biggest thirst. Portion sizes are said to be enormous, so plan to arrive hungry.

The Vegan Yacht
1110 E. 12th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 619-7989
www.theveganyacht.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-vegan-yacht-austin

Recipes to Make With Spring Vegetables

Spring always means a plethora of fresh, seasonal vegetables that you’ve been missing all winter. Because fresh produce tends to go bad quickly, it’s helpful to shop with a few recipes already in mind. Here are some favorite recipes made with vegetables that grow in the springtime.

Glazed Carrots in Tarragon [Fine Cooking]
Cooked carrots may bring back memories of being forced to eat your veggies as a child, but this unique recipe is a grown-up take on the common side. The tarragon adds a little kick to the carrots' sweet flavor to make a complex and delicious dish.

Quick-Braised Baby Artichokes [Fine Cooking]
Cooking artichokes in lemon juice is one of the simplest ways to prepare the tasty vegetable, but this recipe also braises them for a smoky flavor that’s perfect for warm weather.

Asparagus with Butter and Soy Sauce [Oprah]
It’s safe to say that asparagus is having a moment in the food world, and there are so many new recipes popping up that it may seem overwhelming. This easy recipe is quick to make but still adds a bit of sophistication to your meal.

Warm Three-Onion Dip [Oprah]
Adding fresh spring onions that only grow in warm weather makes this savory dip a bit more special than your usual restaurant onion dip. Serve it with crusty bread or crisp chips at your next gathering.

Tour the Oval Office at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

There’s plenty to learn and even more to enjoy at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum. The museum features numerous exhibits and mementos of the presidential career of Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), including his presidential limo and a replica of the Oval Office. The library and research rooms also offer personal appointments with an archivist to source materials of interest during LBJ’s presidency. A single visit to the 10 level facility just isn’t enough.

The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Though regular admission is only $8 for adults, the museum admits children under 12 for free and offers several Free Admission Days, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, August 27 (LBJ’s Birthday), President’s Day, and the Fourth of July.

Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum
2313 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 721-0200
www.lbjlibrary.org

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