You will only find top-notch coffee at Caffe Medici, a cafe that prides itself on creating quality cups of joe via sustainable business practices. The owners of the local coffee chain are known for recognizing the importance of coffee education and the creation of a perfect cup. On a daily basis, Caffe Medici serves Wild Gift’s Trouble Maker, a classic coffee that tends to be a favorite among patrons, though the coffeehouse's espresso, which is sweet with a chocolatey finish, is also a top choice—so you'll want to sample them yourself.

There are five Caffe Medici locations throughout Texas, one of which is just around the corner from Lamar Union. The coffee shop opens at 7 a.m. every day of the week and is open until 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Start your day with a cup of java at Caffe Medici!

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr timsackton

Thanksgiving can be a difficult holiday for those with a food allergy. The dishes are often loaded with meat or gluten, but on Monday, November 21st, Patricia's Table invites folks in to learn how to cook a vegetarian and gluten-free Thanksgiving meal for this holiday season. Guests of the Monday evening class will learn how to make Thanksgiving-ready meals and sides like Brussels sprout salad, quinoa and wild mushroom dressing, and pumpkin maple custard.

The class starts at 6:30 p.m. on November 21st and continues until 9:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle of their favorite wine or a six-pack of beer as all Patricia's Table events are BYOB. Admission is $70 per person and is required for entry. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets online. Patricia's Table is only two miles from Lamar Union, which makes this a great class to check out next week after work.

Thanksgiving Reinvented: Veg & Gluten-Free Cooking Class
When: 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 21
Where: Patricia's Table, 1510 W 35th Street Austin, TX
Cost: $70
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thanksgiving-reinvented-veg-gluten-free-cooking-class-tickets-28366866060

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr T.Tseng

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

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Mike Mozart