Learn How to Make a Classic Russian Dessert at a Cooking Class on November 7th

This November, you can improve your cooking skills by attending a cooking class at Russian Bistro LLC. On the first Monday of the month, the bistro opens its doors to aspiring chefs for instructional cooking classes that center on the basics of Russian cooking. This month, a classic Russian seasonal recipe is featured: Pumpkin Russian Sweet. The dessert is a typical fall treat in Russia, containing a mix of pumpkin and prunes.

The sweet treat is a simple recipe for cooks of all skill levels to master. Tickets to the class are just $10 per person, and all cooking tools and ingredients will be provided for the students. For residents of Lamar Union who are interested in attending this class, the restaurant is just a few minutes away. Why not improve your cooking skills this fall?

November Cooking Class: Pumpkin Russian Sweet
When: 6:30 – 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7
Where: Russian Bistro, 307 East 5th Street, Austin, TX
Cost: $10
www.eventbrite.com/e/november-cooking-class-pumpkin-russian-sweet-tickets-28516142550?aff=es2

Learn About Your State’s History as an Independent Nation at the Republic of Texas Museum

The Republic of Texas Museum is a place where you can learn about and see artifacts from the time period from 1836 when Texas won its independence from Mexico until 1845 when it became part of the United States. The exhibits show how the people lived through informative exhibits, letters, and artifacts. The museum has displays of an array of items from the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, including Mexican General Santa Anna’s dueling pistols. This encounter led to Santa Anna being defeated by Texas General Sam Houston.

Run by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, this museum is a part of the Austin Museum Partnership. It's also a part of the Texas Historical Commission's Texas Heritage Trails Program. The Republic of Texas Museum is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday through Friday.

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

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

Caffe Medici: A Brand New Coffee Spot at Lamar Union!

If you can’t imagine starting your day without coffee, you don't have to. Residents of Lamar Union are lucky enough to have the perfect coffee shop waiting for them in their own building — Caffe Medici. It can't get any easier than that to get your morning caffeine fix.

Caffe Medici opened in June, and it’s already doing brisk business. This environmentally conscious cafe takes coffee seriously — it only offers the finest brewed beverages made with time-honored techniques. People have already fallen in love with its laid back artsy atmosphere and superior drinks, so you shouldn’t be surprised if you make Caffe Medici your new go-to coffee shop!

Caffe Medici
1100 South Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/caffe-medici-austin-5

Juliet: A New Spot for Italian Dining in Austin!

There’s nothing like having authentic Italian cuisine, but that can be hard to find living so far away from Italy. Mastering all of the distinct tastes and recipes can difficult for even the most skilled cooks, but luckily all of that comes naturally to the chefs at the newly opened Juliet in Austin.

Juliet is only a half-mile away from Lamar Union, so you won't have to travel to Rome for a real Italian meal. Juliet opened in late June, and it's already creating a lot of buzz on the local dining scene. The menu puts a refined fine-dining spin on rustic Italian dishes, which in turn gives eaters a truly memorable meal.

This is the ideal place to go on a warm Austin night. Juliet has a sprawling outdoor dining area surrounded with beautiful greenery. Yelpers suggest making reservations, especially for weekend nights.

Juliet
1500 Barton Springs
Austin TX, 78704
(512) 479-1800
www.yelp.com/biz/juliet-austin

Taste the Famous Kimchi Fries at Chi’lantro!

From food truck to restaurant, Chi’lantro is open just down the street from Lamar Union. The Korean barbecue-inspired eatery is a casual spot for interesting takes on barbecue classics.

Try the rice bowl topped with kimchi or the super-popular kimchi fries — french fries with meat or tofu, cheese, onion, cilantro, caramelized kimchi, and many more delicious ingredients. Chi’lantro is also known for its K-Pops, or Korean-fried chicken wings topped with your choice of sauce. The bar serves up beer and wine to accompany the food. Many of the items on the menu are staples when visiting the food truck, like the fries, but a number of items have been added now that the brick-and-mortar eatery is open.

The South Lamar location is one of two outposts in Austin for the Korean eatery. The success of Chi’lantro is evident, as the eatery has even held its own on Eater Austin’s list of the hottest restaurants in the city last month!

Chi'lantro
1509 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
512-428-5269
www.chilantrobbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chilantro-austin-3

Cantine: A New Spot for Modern Italian Cuisine in Austin!

Cantine is a bar and restaurant that aims to elevate Italian cuisine in Austin. Having opened in May in the same building as Lamar Union, Cantine offers brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks, making it a great place to stop for a bite at almost any time.

Appetizers like the already-beloved fried goat cheese and the blistered shishito peppers are a nice start to a dinner or a great accompaniment for drinks. The noodles for the pasta are handmade in-house, making a delicious base for a meal. Portions are quite generous and everything is beautifully plated, according to Yelpers. Cantine offers a wide selection of wines, as well as specially-crafted cocktails and craft beer. The soft-serve affogato would make a wonderful after-dinner treat for espresso lovers. The decor is modern and streamlined with a few whimsical touches, giving Cantine the perfect ambiance for a late-night date or get-together with friends.

Cantine
1100 S. Lamar Blvd.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 628-0348
cantineaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/cantine-italian-cafe-and-bar-austin

Go Texan Restaurant Round-Up at Carmelo’s: Taste Texas Ingredients in Every Bite

Go Texan Restaurant Round-Up celebrates the bounty of the Lone Star State. It rounds up restaurants interested in serving only locally sourced produce, meats, and wines for the entire month of July. This year, Carmelo's lands on that list. The Austin eatery resides only 2.5 miles away from Lamar Union, so head here before the end of July to sample its fresh Texas take on Italian cuisine.

Kick off your local meal with the lasagnetta, crafted from farro lasagna, burrata cheese, tomatoes, and pesto. Or try the spaghetti simmered in Fall Creek Cabernet and dusted with parmigiano reggiano. Save some room for the sauteed cod with puree of peas or the chicken scaloppine with summer veggies and cauliflower frittata. Dessert also showcases Texas-born ingredients, like the fresh dairy in the ice cream cake (also known as torta gelato). For each course, you can pick a wine pairing. Reds and whites from nearby vineyards are on tap, as is Saint Arnold's Shiner Bock beer.

Go Texan Restaurant Round-Up
Carmelo's
Now through July 31
504 E. 5th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-7497
www.carmelosrestaurant.com/events?event=65
www.gotexanrestaurantroundup.com

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