Breakfast Can Be Sweet or Savory at Crepe Crazy

Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Prosciutto and apricot jam. Nutella and bananas. These are just a few of the ingredient combos that come stuffed inside of light, airy crepes at Crepe Crazy. Even though it only opened in December about a mile from Lamar Union, one of many unique eateries keeping Austin weird, local customers have already taken notice of Crepe Crazy—and expressed their adoration on Yelp.

If you're in the market for a savory crepe, try the Mediterranean Medley. The crepe comes smothered with sun-dried tomato pesto and hummus, sprinkled with feta cheese and red onion, and stuffed with fire-roasted red bell peppers, cucumbers, and spinach (plus grilled chicken, if you want). For something on the more sugary side, opt for the Sweet Cream Delight. It features house-made sweet cheese paired with strawberries and a deep red raspberry sauce. Paninis, salads, and soups round out the menu at Crepe Crazy.

Crepe Crazy
3103 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 387-2442
www.crepecrazy.com/#about
www.yelp.com/biz/crepe-crazy-austin-2

Craft Pizza and Beer Take the Spotlight at Pinthouse Pizza

Craving craft pizza? Make plans to visit Pinthouse Pizza, a new location for the local chain that is less than two miles from Lamar Union.

This delicious pizza spot offers classic, specialty, and build-you-own pizzas. Classic pies include pepperoni and basil, classic cheese, and margherita. Specialty pies include the works (Canadian bacon, sausage, red onions, green peppers, mushroom, and pepperoni), the Milano (artichokes, olives, prosciutto, and cheese) and the Hill Country (cheese, bacon, spinach, mushrooms, ricotta). An assortment of toppings, like mushrooms, garlic, jalapenos, chicken, crumbled sausage, spinach, and mozzarella, are available for build-your-own pizzas.

In addition to pizza, Pinthouse’s menu also promises an assortment of classic salads, nachos, pretzels, and desserts.

Pinthouse isn’t only a pizzeria, it's also a brewery. Guests can sip award-winning beers of all sorts that are made especially for the restaurant.

Pizza and beer go together like two peas in a pod, so make plans to visit Pinthouse soon!

Pinthouse Pizza
4236 South Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 502-5808
pinthousepizza.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pinthouse-pizza-austin-2

Mas Vino Serves Tasty Wine And Tapas In Austin

Mas Vino, or "more wine," sounds like a good idea, right? Then you might want to consider visiting the fairly new restaurant a visit — it’s only two miles from Lamar Union. This place opened its doors in August and specializes in wine and tapas.

It serves affordable wine of all sorts — red, white, sangria, and sparkling in a sleek and modern space. Wine fans will love the generous pours as well as the variety. Those who aren’t interested in wine can look to a menu of beer and cocktails, too; Mas Vino has a full bar. As you sip, look over the selection of small plates to pair with the wine

Often, live music adds to the atmosphere. Mas Vino is calling your name for girl’s night out or date night. Cheers!

Mas Vino
1611 W. 5th St.
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 698-0085
www.yelp.com/biz/mas-vino-austin
www.facebook.com/masvinoaustin/reviews

The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Returns For its 40th Year!

The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to kick your shopping into gear. Luckily, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar returns for its 40th year from Dec.15 through 24 with handmade goods from nearly 200 artisans. The featured products come in a range of prices to meet just about anyone's budget. Choose from items like small Secret Santa-appropriate gifts to more meaningful presents for loved ones. Expect candles, pottery, jewelry, paintings, sculptures, woodwork, leather goods and more.

In addition to shopping, a number of local musicians will set the tone with live tunes throughout the bazaar. Shoppers can stop for drinks at an on-site bar selling cocktails, beer, and wine. Food from Southside Flying Pizza will be available as well.

The market is open from from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and it's only one mile from Lamar Union. Admission is $8 for adults and free for those under the age of 12. Don't miss this one!

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Dec. 15-24, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
900 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
www.armadillobazaar.com

Zilker Park Gets a Festive Makeover with the Trail of Lights

When the Austin parks and rec department held the city's first Yule Fest in 1965, they probably had no idea what a long-lasting mark the holiday festival would make. Now 50 years later, the Yule Fest is still delighting Austinites around the holiday—but today, it's known as the Trail of Lights.

Last year, more than 400,000 people experienced the Trail of Lights at Austin's iconic Zilker Park. Known across the country as one of Austin's biggest events, the Trail of Lights rings in the season with a display of twinkling lights and stunning holiday decorations. They include everything from wintry gingerbread houses and chugging trains to dinosaurs and Ferris wheels. Bring your whole brood along and get swept up in the holiday magic this year at the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. The fun awaits just a hop, skip and a jump away from Lamar Union.

Trail of Lights
Zilker Park
7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 8 to 22
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
austintrailoflights.org

Take a Spin Around the Rink at Ice Skating on the Plaza

Just because you live in Texas doesn't mean you should miss out on the classic holiday activities that signify the start of the season. Case in point: ice skating. The Whole Foods near downtown Austin, which isn't far from Lamar Union, wants to make sure that everyone gets a chance to take a spin around an ice rink. That's why the store welcomes guests to enjoy its ice skating rink from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. all throughout the holiday season.

For $10, you can rent a pair of skates and sail across the ice during open hours with a friend. Since the ice skating rink resides on the rooftop at Whole Foods, you can enjoy beautiful views of Austin while you slice your first figure 8 of the season into the fresh ice at the rink.

Ice Skating on the Plaza
Nov. 29 through Jan. 9
Whole Foods
525 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78703
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/store/event/ice-skating-plaza

Get to Know Donn’s Depot, a Legendary Austin Watering Hole

It seems every dive bar fan in Austin (and beyond) has heard of Donn’s Depot, a famous spot with tons of live music and dancing that's only 1.5 miles from Lamar Union. BuzzFeed even included Donn’s Depot on a list of 35 must-do things in Austin!

The menu is pretty straightforward, with drafts like Budweiser, Shiner Bock an Guiness; bottles like Bud Lite, Tecate, Smirnoff Ice and Miller Lite; and a number of wines as well as cocktails.

What’s super cool about the bar is that it used to be an old Missouri-Pacific train depot, so the decor throughout the bar is full of some of the original pieces that filled the space — seating throughout the bar are real train cars and the women’s bathroom is the train’s caboose.

Live music rocks the bar six nights a week playing everything from swing to pop.

Donn’s Depot is open until 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays.

Donn’s Depot
1600 W. 5th St.
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 478-0336
donnsdepot.com
www.yelp.com/biz/donns-depot-austin-2

Satisfy Your Hot Chocolate Cravings at Holy Cacao, A Food Truck for Chocolate Lovers Near Lamar Union

While the city is well known for its abundance of food trucks slinging tacos, barbecue, and other savory cuisines, Holy Cacao is Austin's first chocolate food truck. This mobile sweet shop has two locations in Austin: a rustic cedar-covered trailer at the original South First location about a mile from Lamar Union, and now a bright white trailer at the Rio Rancho Eatery.

Wherever you are in town, it’s easy to pop in to—or rather, outside of—a Holy Cacao trailer for a chocolatey treat to brighten your day. Grab an espresso or coffee drink first thing in the morning, or indulge with a famous frozen hot chocolate on a warm Austin afternoon. There are even vegan hot chocolates made entirely without diary. The shop’s trademarked Cake Shakes make the perfect desserts after dinner, while cake balls and other treats pair perfectly with any of Holy Cacao’s delicious drinks.

Holy Cacao
1311 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
www.theholycacao.com

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 December 31st, 2015. We suggest you like our page to keep informed about future sweepstakes and community happenings.

For mobile users, click here to enter.

Soak Up Irish Tradition at the Austin Celtic Festival This Weekend!

Anyone with roots in Celtic culture (or just an interest in it) should mark their calendars for Saturday, Nov. 7. That's when the Austin Celtic Festival begins to unfold at Fiesta Gardens, about three miles away from Lamar Union. The two-day festival promises a little something from every area of Celtic tradition, from Celtic tunes to Celtic canines.

The lineup of Celtic performers is pretty impressive, the bands showcasing everything from the violin to the bagpipe. Some of the performers have actually played in Scotland and around Europe, so you won't want to miss their sets. Also keep your eyes peeled for the Celtic Dog Parade, which shows off pooches with roots planted across the pond (you can also see a sheepdog herding demo). If you want to learn more about Celtic history, try your hand at Celtic sports or dance, or attend a workshop hosted by the ACF School of Traditional Arts, you can accomplish all of these goals at the Austin Celtic Festival, too.

Austin Celtic Festival
Fiesta Gardens
Noon to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8
2102 Jesse E. Segovia Street
Austin, TX 78702
www.austincelticfestival.com/index.html

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