Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve at Highballoween This Year

If you're the type of person who always means to go out on Halloween, but somehow seems to end up snuggled up inside instead, The Highball is making things painfully easy for you this year. The bar is located a mere 300 feet from Lamar Union—it's actually in your complex. So that "I don't feel like going out" excuse is going to fall extra flat this year.

That's fine, though, because you won't want to miss Highballoween anyway. How often does Halloween fall on a Saturday? You need to take full advantage. The bar's ballroom morphs into a haunted house, complete with creepy music videos playing in the background and constant pranks. Don your best costume and jump in the photo booth with friends, but get professional help from a face painting artist before you do. You might snag $200 if your costume wins the contest. There will also be plenty of candy on hand, not to mention other autumn activities (think bobbing for apples).

Highballoween
The Highball
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct. 31
1120 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 383-8309
thehighball.com/events/detail/27726
www.yelp.com/biz/the-highball-austin-2

Pasta Artigianale: Freshly Crafted Italian Fare from a Food Trailer

Austin's laid-back approach to dining enables even chefs with modest means to get their food out there, particularly thanks to the rise of the food trailer. The chefs working in the cramped kitchen at Pasta Artigianale only recently joined that subset of chefs, unveiling their food trailer in August. It's permanently parked less than two miles from Lamar Union.

Don't let the size of the "restaurant" fool you; this Italian food is the real stuff. Chefs have time to really perfect each dish because they keep the menu so small, offering only six dishes. Each showcases freshly crafted pasta, starting with the bucatini alla amatriciana and ending with the lasagna. Rigatoni al ragu, spaghetti al pesto, penne al ragu di tonno, and spaghetti alla carbonara fill in the space in between. Enjoy your plate of fresh pasta at the picnic table situated right in front of the food window.

Pasta Artigianale
​900 Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 915-4855
www.yelp.com/biz/pasta-artigianale-austin

Tibetan Momo: A Fresh (But Traditional) Take on Dumplings

If you actually ordered momos in Tibet, they'd probably be packed with yak meat. But the chefs who recreate this traditional dish in Austin cater to American eaters with some more familiar fillings, namely ground beef and veggies. Even so, the Tibetan-style dumplings are a departure from the fare you'll find elsewhere in Austin, even at its many eclectic food trucks and trailers.

Since it opened over the summer, Tibetan Momo has set up shop just about a mile from Lamar Union. So if you're still wondering exactly what a "momo" is, you can easily taste a few for yourself. They come steamed or pan-fried, filled with veggies or beef, and they're not the only thing on the menu. Tibetan Momo also doles out dishes like beef chow mein, tingmo (steamed buns), and fried rice.

Have you tried these momos yet?

Tibetan Momo
2323 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/tibetan-momo-austin
austin.eater.com/2015/8/31/9233833/best-austin-new-food-trucks

Barley Swine: A Hotspot For Local, Seasonal Fare in Austin

Before Bryce Gilmore debuted Barley Swine in 2010, he was already making waves in Austin's culinary scene with his legendary food truck, Odd Duck. Many current patrons of Barley Swine still fondly recall the food truck with its ever-present line—a testament to high caliber of Gilmore's grub. And if that fare was worth standing in line for, then Barley Swine's locally sourced cuisine warrants an overnight camp out. Thanks to the brick-and-mortar location, though, you won't have to go to such extremes.

You can just take a short stroll down the street from Lamar Union, step inside, and grab a table. Eater Austin recommends you do so this month, crowning Barley Swine one of its 38 Essential Austin Restaurants for October 2015. Don't worry about picking a dish. The kitchen team only offers a seasonally inspired, locally sourced prix fixe menu each evening. Expect to spend up to two hours tasting everything on it.

Barley Swine
2024 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8150
barleyswine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barley-swine-austin

Shake Shack Makes its Debut in Austin!

Shake Shack started off as a small cart that served burgers and shakes in New York City, but it's expanded far beyond The Big Apple. People on the East Coast can’t get enough of these eclectic burgers and shakes, and now Austin residents can fall under the spell of Shake Shack's tasty treats.

Austin was lucky enough to be the recipient of Texas’ first Shake Shack, and Lamar Union residents will be happy to know that its newest location is right in the same building. Be sure to true their Lockhart Link burger, it’s exclusive to the Austin location! Fans of Shake Shack also recommend the crinkle fries (the crinkle cheese fries are particularly delicious!) It's possible you might not have room for a shake once you've had a burger and fries, but eaters recommend getting one to go to enjoy later.

Shake Shack
1100 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 717-0430
www.shakeshack.com/location/south-lamar-austin
www.yelp.com/biz/shake-shack-austin

Honor the Austin Food Scene at Stella San Jac!

You’ve heard of contemporary American cuisine, and may have even dined at an American fusion restaurant, but have you eaten at a place that serves Austin-American food?

Stella San Jac opened a few weeks ago inside the Westin hotel, just two miles away from Lamar Union, and the menu honors the city’s unique culinary scene. Reviewers have described this chic restaurant as having a straightforward approach to Southern food, with standouts such as deviled eggs with sausage, crispy Brussels sprouts, crab cakes, fried avocado salad, and s'mores fondue for dessert. You won’t find any fusion dishes or “______-style takes” on your favorite foods at Stella Jan Jac, just good old fashioned Austin cuisine. The open kitchen, inspired menu, and live music are sure to make this restaurant a must dine for Austin foodies.

Stella San Jac
310 E. 5th St.
Austin TX 78701
(512) 391-2333
www.stellasanjac.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stella-san-jac-austin-2

Odd Duck: A Top Choice For Brunch in Austin

Winning rave reviews for its superb cuisine, especially its to-die-for brunch, and only about 400 feet from Lamar Union, Odd Duck has made a splash in the Austin culinary scene. It started back in December 2009, when owners and chefs Bryce and Dylan Gilmore turned a trailer they dubbed Odd Duck into a go-to restaurant for locally-sourced, delicious cuisine.

The runaway success of their trailer restaurant led them to built a brick-and-mortar location of Odd Duck on the same spot in 2013, and now Odd Duck is a brunch destination restaurant. The menus change frequently due to the in-season only ingredients, but some recent brunch choices include the crushed duck egg with jalapeno, togarashi mayo, and fried okra, and the creme brulee doughnut with pear and maple custard. The service is said to be wonderful and creates a relaxed feel. Reservations are recommended for this must-try eatery.

Odd Duck
1201 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 433-6521
oddduckaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/odd-duck-austin-2

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

To enter the Sweepstakes, visit our Facebook Page and then look for the Sweepstakes tab (image shown below) located on our Facebook Page to enter. Sweepstakes ends October 31, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

The Golden Goose: A Fresh New Face in the Austin Cocktail Scene

Taking up residence in the former space of The Horseshoe Lounge, The Golden Goose is a brand new, laid-back spot with a lot of promise. The large bar is well-stocked with everything you could imagine for cocktails. No beers are on tap yet, but bartenders can offer a wide variety of bottles and cans.

The Golden Goose has ample seating at tables, comfy couches, and benches. The decor is a blend of dive bar and high-class lounge that really works, according to those who've visited. A shuffleboard table and plenty of TVs make it a great place for watching a game and hanging out. It also has a small stage that may be used for performances in the future. Despite being in the soft opening stages and still hiring, the staffers are efficient and friendly. A promising start for a bar just a half mile from Lamar Union, The Golden Goose is worth checking out!

The Golden Goose
2034 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/the-golden-goose-austin

Create a Farm-To-Table Meal with the HOPE Farmers’ Market

There’s something so appealing about having a true farm-to-table meal, but that’s getting more and more difficult to find. You can go out to a sustainable restaurant that buys their food from local sources, but it's much more challenging to achieve the same type of meal at home at Lamar Union.

That is, of course, unless you focus on shopping at farmers' markets. And there's no better place than the HOPE Farmers' Market. It brings together local farmers and merchants every Sunday so you can have the farm-to-table experience in your own home. The HOPE Farmers' Market is much more than a place where you can buy good food from local purveyors. It's a gathering spot for the East Austin community and it supports a regional food system that other places have replicated. There’s always an eclectic mix of vendors, the occasional live band or musician, and a variety of events and activities.

The HOPE Farmers Market is open every Sunday and is only 10 minutes away from Lamar Union. Be sure to get there early so you don’t miss out on what East Austin has to offer!

HOPE Farmers Market
11 a.m to 3 p.m. every Sunday
412 Comal St.
Austin, TX 78702
www.yelp.com/biz/hope-farmers-market-austin-2

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