The farm-to-table culinary movement is the backbone of a number of Austin’s most popular restaurants, and although the ingredients come from local suppliers, eateries like Uchi prove that they can be used to create cuisines from around the globe. This Japanese farmhouse restaurant and sushi bar serves creative, modern takes on traditional Japanese dishes using meats and produce from farms around the Austin area. The restaurant is located inside of a renovated bungalow-style house in South Austin, and it is decorated with colorful cherry blossom wallpaper, rustic wooden tables, and an elegant sushi bar where guests can sit and watch as talented chefs prepare each roll by hand.

Uchi’s menu includes a tasting menu of small hot and cool dishes, a full list of sushi, soups and other Japanese fare delicacies. There is also a sake social menu that offers the perfect sake pairing for any dish on the menu.

Uchi
801 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-4808
www.uchiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/uchi-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Ken Hawkins

Borne out of humble beginnings as a food truck hunting down the best farm-sourced ingredients, Odd Duck brings farm-to-table cuisine to Austin. In a modern-rustic setting, this 110-seat eatery serves dishes that rely on seasonal ingredients.

Menus vary by the season, but past highlights have included the steaming hot onion bread with housemade butter; the ham and cheese pretzel; Cajun grilled shrimp over okra stew; and a soft cooked duck egg with fried rice and gourmet mushrooms. Next, order the succulent lamb ribs in a soy glaze, or go for the foie gras mousse with a cured duck breast and figs. Save room for the fig trifle, lime panna cotta, or a coconut latte popsicle for dessert. Draft beer, signature cocktails, and wine are also served.

The restaurant serves dinner daily, while lunch is served weekdays. Swing by for happy hour 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, and don't miss brunch 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Odd Duck
201 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 433-6521
www.oddduckaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/odd-duck-austin-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Elsie Hui

Whether you're shopping for yourself or a friend, a monogram instantly transforms an ordinary gift into a keepsake. Here are a few places to shop monogrammed items online.

1) Mark and Graham
Chic and classic personalized gifts are the focus of this online-only retailer, a sibling brand to Williams-Sonoma, West Elm, and Pottery Barn. Shop initial pendants and wristlets for her, monogrammed tech cases and pocket squares for him—even customizable leashes and collars for Fido. Note that Mark and Graham's sibling brands also offer personalized gift items.

2) C. Wonder
Marking the spot where preppy meets playful, C. Wonder specializes in initial monograms. Cutting boards, jewelry boxes, bangle cuffs, stationery, and trinket dishes can be emblazoned from A to Z.

3) 2PreppyGirls.com
The web presence of this online retailer is rooted in "Southern charm and a love of all things pink and green." If your style skews preppy, you'll be delighted to peruse everything from monogrammed flip flops, aprons, and belt buckles to beach towels, car decals, and coasters.

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/allison_mcdonald