Odd Duck started with a simple question: shouldn't you be able to eat delicious food that comes from local farmers? Since their opening, they've answered that question with a resounding yes. Just a quick drive from Lamar Union, they offer seasonal, farm fresh ingredients and great tasting cuisine, provided by farmers surrounding the Austin area. Relax and enjoy your meal in their modern and sophisticated interior, or head outside with friends and family, and dine under the sun or stars in their patio seating.

Try customer favorites, like their savory black olive pasta with braised goat, sage, and parmesan. Or, consider their chicken fried eggs, crunchy on the outside and runny on the inside, on a bed of greens. Be sure to look at their excellent list of wines, beers, and cocktails, which have a seasonal Texas influence to their flavor. For a full menu, visit Odd Duck's website.

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

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/avlxyz

If you're looking for a relaxing way to spend your weekend afternoon near Lamar Union in Austin, consider visiting the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. In 1991 this land was transformed to a gorgeous and inviting park, filled with brilliant and artful sculptures. For colder days, Umlauf also has indoor exhibits housed in an expertly designed facility that is filled with natural light. It's perfect for outings all year round, and is just a short distance from Lamar Union.

All the outside artwork is laid perfectly into a natural background of grass, trees, and native Texas flora. Stop by the many bronze sculptures, or see the exquisite and abstract stone works. Umlauf also rents its space out to events, and offers an atmosphere suited for weddings, corporate events, parties, and more.

Visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum website to see a calendar of current and upcoming exhibitions!

Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
605 Robert E. Lee Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 445-5582
umlaufsculpture.org
www.yelp.com/biz/umlauf-sculpture-garden-and-museum-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/futurilla

If you're a fan of watching the show at home at Lamar Union, consider seeing America's Test Kitchen Live! when it visits The Long Center in Austin on August 13. The PBS cooking show is one of the most popular of its kind, and the stage show aims to let you see a bit of what goes on behind the cameras.

Chris Kimball, the star of the show, will give guests a glimpse of what happens on set. You'll learn about the food tastings, science experiments, and equipment testings that take place. Also making an appearance — via video and audio — are Mrs. Patmore from Downton Abbey and Mary Roach, who has studied the digestive system. After the show, Kimball will hold a q-and-a session with the fans. Tickets are reasonably priced and available on The Long Center's website. Special VIP Tickets even include a signed copy of the America’s Test Kitchen Cooking School Cookbook and a meet and greet after the show.

If you haven't been to the Long Center before, make sure to check out the schedule of events. The folks here take pride in featuring local art and talent, In fact, local artists are involved in 80 percent of the performances. The building is just as appealing as the shows considering it offers impressive views of the Austin skyline.

America's Test Kitchen Live!
The Long Center
701 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 474-5664
www.thelongcenter.org/event/americas-test-kitchen/
www.yelp.com/biz/long-center-austin

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Joy