Blue Cat Café Near Lamar Union: Hang with Cats for a Good Cause

Can’t get enough cats? Blue Cat Café is the first cat café in the state of Texas, and, lucky for you, it’s just down the road from Lamar Union. The cat café concept originated in Japan and is now sweeping the US in locations across the country. The idea is fairly simple: Blue Cat Café is a café that houses cats. You come in, order a snack or drink, and are free to pet and play with a variety of fine felines. If there’s one that steals your heart, you are welcome to adopt!

Delicious hotdogs, sandwiches, tacos, and snacks are on the menu here, all with cat-themed names. The décor is really fun, with cat furniture and plenty of perches for the kitties to hang out on. There’s also a shop in the front of the café, offering everything your four-pawed friend could desire.

Blue Cat Café
95 Navasota Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 368-3406
www.bluecatcafe.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/blue-cat-caf%C3%A9-austin-2

P. Terry’s Burger Stand Near Lamar Union: All-Natural Ingredients in Every Burger

The book Fast Food Nation drastically altered the course of P. Terry's Burger Stand, even after it was already under construction. Owner and namesake Mrs. Terry read the book while P. Terry's was being built, and she decided that her burger stand would only serve fresh, natural beef and chicken, high quality potatoes cooked in trans-fat-free oils, and other top-notch "fast food" eats.

So when P. Terry's opened in November a mere mile from Lamar Union, it offered a new type of nutritious fast food. The classic hamburger, for instance, is composed of all-natural 100% Black Angus beef, and the house-made veggie burger showcases P. Terry's unique blend of vegetables. The freshly cut fries are cooked in heart-healthy canola oil, and even the lemonade is freshly squeezed every day. So try a healthy alternative at P. Terry's Burger Stand in Austin.

P. Terry's Burger Stand
3303 N. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 371-9975
www.pterrys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/p-terrys-burger-stand-austin-8

Dine at One of the Culinary Hotspots Inside the South Congress Hotel

When a single hotel hosts two (soon to be three) culinary hotspots, diners need to take notice. That's the case for the South Congress Hotel, which boasts Central Standard and Cafe No Se, both on Eater Austin's list of the hottest restaurants in town this month. Best of all, the hotel is less than a mile and a half from Lamar Union.

This Valentine's Day, consider visiting one of them for a special meal. For a more laid-back bite to eat, check out Cafe No Se. It dishes out cafe fare from breakfast to dinner, all with a fresh, California twist. Central Standard, on the other hand, makes meals fancier affairs with upscale steakhouse cuisine and an atmosphere to match. Regardless of which you choose, you can expect fresh food and stellar service at the South Congress Hotel.

Central Standard and Cafe No Se
South Congress Hotel
1603 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 920-6405
southcongresshotel.com/eat
www.yelp.com/biz/south-congress-hotel-austin

Stop by Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, a New Spot for Classic Texas Grub

It’s no secret that people travel far and wide for good old fashioned Texas barbecue. Just this month, Austin welcomed a brand-new 'cue restaurant: Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que. Despite its short life span, the eatery recently won a spot on Eater Austin's list of The Hottest Restaurants in Austin Right Now, and it's only a stone's throw away from Lamar Union.

Since the restaurant is brand new, the full menu is not currently available, but you can still pick from an abbreviated list of sliders and classic barbecue sides. Expect meals like brisket sliders, smoked sausage sliders, mac and cheese, potato salad, baked beans, and burgers for now, and a full menu soon. Pair your main course with local craft beer, a classic cocktail, or a sweet soda for the full Cooper's experience.

Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
217 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-4227
coopersbbqaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/coopers-old-time-pit-bar-b-que-austin

Enjoy a Taste of Indonesia at Pop-Up Eatery Kaki Lima

Pop-up restaurants, bars, and shops are growing in popularity across the country, and on Feb. 4, Boston-based pop-up Kaki Lima will take up residency at Sway for a five-course meal of Indonesian cuisine.

Sway, which is just over a mile from Lamar Union, will host the dinner. The menu will feature options like charred eggplant, slow-cooked beef, spiced pineapple, fried potatoes, pickled carrots and cucumbers, and toasted shredded coconut. Many of the plates on the menu are Indonesia’s signature dishes, so you can truly take your taste buds on a vacation at this one-time dinner. (Note that modifications cannot be made to the menu to accommodate any dietary restrictions.)

Tickets are required for those who want a taste of this Indonesian street food. Tickets cost $70 per person, plus $50 for an optional wine pairing. You can buy them online. Snag them before they sell out!

Kaki Lima Pop-Up Dinner
Sway
7 p.m. Feb. 4
1417 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 326-1999
austin.eater.com/2016/1/14/10772046/boston-kaki-lima-indonesian-pop-up-sway
swayxkakilima.splashthat.com

Enjoy an Upscale Meal at Geraldine’s at The Hotel Van Zandt

Anyone craving a gourmet meal should make reservations at Geraldine’s, a new restaurant inside of the Hotel Van Zandt, which is close to Lamar Union. Geraldine’s serves an eclectic menu inside of a modern, sleek space.

Some of the most buzzworthy plates on the ever-changing menu have been the roasted cauliflower, gulf shrimp, hush puppies, Texas strip steak, and the beef short ribs. In addition to the entrees, the dessert menu is something special, too. Popular desserts include the lemon buttermilk pie, chestnut honey ganache, and the Geraldine's OH OH chocolate Swiss roll served with Swiss cream. Geraldine’s is also known for its curated list of cocktails that range from classics to more unique beverages.

To top off the delicious food and drinks, Geraldine’s invites in local bands to perform throughout the week including at a Sunday brunch. Geraldine’s is open daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Those interested in visiting Geraldine’s are encouraged to make a reservation to secure their spot on the list!

Geraldine’s
605 Davis Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4755
www.facebook.com/geraldinesaustn
www.yelp.com/biz/geraldines-austin

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

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

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