If you’re interested in learning a new skill or hobby but don’t want to commit to a set time for a class, Austin’s CRAFT might be just the place for you. At any time during business hours, you can come into CRAFT and grab a workstation for a very reasonable rate of just $10 an hour. That rate includes access to a staggering amount of materials, including paint, paper, ribbons, stamps and ink, both air dry and polymer clay, collage materials, screenprinting screens, and much more. They also sell additional supplies, including canvases and frames, at a very reasonable rate.

If you’re not the free form type, CRAFT hosts a wide variety of events and workshops throughout the week. Some of the most popular include the weekly Intro to Screenprinting class, which gives you everything you need to print t-shirts, tote bags, and other fabric projects, as well as the Hearts & Crafts workshops on Wednesdays that focus on crafting as a means of personal development and self-expression.

CRAFT
1632 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 900-9957
www.craft-austin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/craft-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/ricky_artigas

Austin’s Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar believes in supporting small farms and sustainable agriculture, and it is a member of the international slow food movement. Wink sources more than 75% of its menu items from within 100 miles of the restaurant, and the menu changes daily depending on what ingredients are fresh and available.

For diners who want to take a tasty tour of the day’s best offerings, Wink features a daily chef’s tasting menu of five or seven courses. Wink also features a daily farm and garden vegetarian tasting menu. Appropriate wine-pairings enhance each course. The elegant and intimate restaurant space fills up quickly, so reservations are recommended. Guests can also enjoy the full menu, and a more casual environment, in the Wine Bar.

The Wine Bar opens at 5 p.m. daily. The dining room opens its doors to dinner guests from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 5:30 p.m. ‘til 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Wink Restaurant & Wine Bar
1014 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/wink-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jenny-pics

Austin’s a pretty relaxed town, all things considered, so many of its eateries keep a pretty casual vibe. One place that locals love to hang out is Red’s Porch, a fun and funky Southern restaurant that draws a big crowd of diners. Located around the back of the building, the space is airy and open, with patios on both sides of the restaurant that fill up quick on nice days.

Start out with a glass of sangria or margarita. When you move on to food, don’t miss the chicken-fried steak; it’s moist, tender, juicy and served with copious amounts of delectable gravy. Other fine menu options include the bacon-wrapped shrimp and jalapeno skewers with remoulade sauce and dirty rice, as well as the po’boy sandwiches (get the crawfish!).

Red's Porch
3508 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 440-7337
www.redsporch.com
www.yelp.com/biz/reds-porch-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Simon Doggett