Whether you love kitschy, quirky trinkets or you know someone else who does, Monkey See Monkey Do! is one of Austin’s most popular gift shops. This wacky store is like a toy store for adults, and it is positively packed full of all of the magnets, action figures, whoopee cushions, and novelty candies that you can imagine. There’s also a number of Austin-themed gifts!

None of these items are particularly useful, but once you spend a while in this silly shop you'll realize that that’s what makes them great. And of course, Monkey See Monkey Do! even carries a vast assortment of—you guessed it—monkey paraphernalia!

Monkey See Monkey Do! is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Monkey See Monkey Do!
1712 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 443-4999
www.facebook.com/MonkeySeeMonkeyDoAustin
www.yelp.com/biz/monkey-see-monkey-do-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/allison_mcdonald

Porter Ale House co-owners Neil, Joe, and Trevor share many common interests, namely good food, good drink, and good music. In fact, Johnny Cash's ditty Hey Porter inspired the name for their Austin eatery. The moniker's meaning is two-fold, though, because it also obviously refers to porter ale—historically the drink of choice for the English working class. The trio attempts to create a comfortable atmosphere that caters to the everyman, the type of folks who would drink porter, at their gastropub. If its widespread popularity is any indication, they've succeeded.

Of course, customers don't come just for the atmosphere. The food and drink also play a major role in Porter Ale House's constant crowds. The beer cheese fondue, in particular, earns raves. It comes with apples and caraway pretzels for dipping. You can also start your meal with oxtail croquettes or a kale salad with beer-battered anchovies on top. When it comes to the main course, try the bangers and mash, curry-fried chicken thighs, or porter burger topped with triple cream brie. Don't forget to sample one of the many beers and cocktails on the drink list.

Porter Ale House and Gastropub
3715 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 291-6299
porteraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/porter-ale-house-and-gastropub-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr ThreeIfByBike

When you’re running short on ingredients, you might have to get creative in the kitchen. There are a few well-known replacements for some common ingredients if you don't have everything you need on-hand. Here are four cooking substitutes for when you're in a pinch in the kitchen.

1. If you're missing eggs: It might seem impossible to replace this unique ingredient, but you can do so with half a banana mashed with 1/2-teaspoon baking powder.
2. If you're missing mayonnaise: If you’re whipping up a summer salad and find you're short on this condiment, substitute one cup of sour cream, yogurt or cottage cheese pureed in a blender for one cup of mayo.
3. If you're missing vinegar: Don’t give up if you're running low and the recipe calls for 1/4 cup of white vinegar. You can use 1/4-cup of apple cider vinegar or 1/3-cup freshly squeezed lemon juice instead.
4. If you're missing soy sauce: You won’t have to stop in the middle of your stir-fry to run out and by more soy sauce. Just use four tablespoons Worcestershire sauce mixed with one tablespoon water.

Top 3 Ingredient Substitutions [All Recipes]
Ingredient Substitutions [University of Nebraska]
Baking Ingredient Substitution Table [Joys of Baking]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Chris Martin