Sample Inventive, Upscale Cuisine at VOX Table

Whether you want to try some new foods or need a place for an upscale night out, you should try VOX Table. The cuisine here is not typical of what you'd fine at just any run-of-the-mill restaurant, and with just a few bites, you're sure to find that out. Start with the charcuterie board of prosciutto picante, duck rillette, and duro capocollo before you move on to a stunning noodle dish (try the octopus and noodles) or an inventive take on a classic steak platter. Whatever you choose, be sure to save room for dessert.

Reservations are suggested, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, so be sure to claim your table to enjoy this unique local dining experience at VOX Table.

Caffe Medici Serves Top-Notch Java Near You

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!

Enjoy a Paella and Wine Pairing at Barlata Tapas Bar

With all the ingredients for a fun night out, Barlata Tapas Bar is a great place for your next party. Using recipes from Northern Spain, owner and chef Daniel Olivella presents delicious dishes that are perfect for sharing. One favorite dish is the ceviche with shrimp, octopus, and scallops​ in a citrusy tomato sauce. Other impressive tastes are the fennel sausage in squid ink and the pequillo peppers stuffed with crab. Finish your meal with an amazing dessert like the vanilla churro ice cream.

Every tapas dish is half-price during happy hour, making this a really affordable choice for a weekday meal. The servers are happy to guide you to dishes that each member of your party will love. Each day has a special pairing of wine and paella for just $15 too. Barlata Tapas Bar has a parking garage if you need it, though the restaurant is just a short distance from Lamar Union. Be sure to check out this great local restaurant!

Enjoy a Carafe of Your Favorite Tea at Zhi Tea

If you have a love for tea, you shouldn’t have trouble finding yourself among tea-loving-peers at Zhi Tea, a tea-centric cafe located not far from Lamar Union. Zhi Tea has an incredibly warm and cozy atmosphere, welcoming guests to have a cup and stay a while. If you have some work to get done, the environment is quiet and conducive to productivity, with its soothing deep red walls and friendly wait staff.

Guests can secure entire carafes of different flavored teas to enjoy while they hang out or take home tea to make at their leisure. You can also order sandwiches and other light bites to pair with your favorite tea if you work up an appetite. If you’re not in the Austin area, you can even order teas from Zhi Tea online, so be sure to check out this unique tea house.

Enjoy Artisanal Dishes Crafted from Locally Sourced Ingredients at Odd Duck

Classic American food gets a modern makeover at Odd Duck, a popular spot for food and drinks in Austin. Located just around the corner from Lamar Union, the restaurant is a popular spot for foodies near and far. The restaurant started out as a trailer serving food from local farms to the people of Austin and has since blossomed into a brick-and-mortar restaurant serving the same delicious, local food for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The chefs get all their ingredients from local farms—everything from eggs and produce to meat and dairy products.

The menu changes with the farm’s demands, but restaurant guests can look forward to carefully curated menu items like grilled redfish, fried chicken, duck breast, and more. Choose from an assortment of delicious—and largely local—cocktails, beer, and wine to pair with your food. The restaurant is open daily, so check out Odd Duck this week!

Sink a Spoon into a Bowl of Tomato-Basil Soup at The Soup Peddler

Chicken soup with rice; tomato-basil soup; mulligatawny; Green Goddess. The soups of the day change every morning at each location of The Soup Peddler, so you can't necessarily expect all of these to be on the menu when you visit the Mary Street branch. But if you do see the tomato-basil, regulars highly recommend that you try it.

If you aren't a fan of soup, though, don't be deterred by the eatery's name. In addition to the daily soups, The Soup Peddler also offers a slate of freshly pressed juices, smoothies, and grab-and-go salads. If you want to sip on your fruits and veggies, order the Flotsam and Jetsam juice with cucumber, apple, kale, ginger, and lemon. For something sweeter, opt for the Busy Bee smoothie with local bee pollen, banana, goji berry, orange juice, and mango instead. You can also just pick up an iced coffee or a single detoxifying shot of juice at The Soup Peddler.

The Soup Peddler
501 W. Mary Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7687
www.souppeddler.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-soup-peddler-real-food-and-juice-bar-austin-5

Don’t Miss Happy Hour at House Wine

Austinites seem to agree that happy hour is a great time to visit House Wine. Not only does the wine bar draw an energetic crowd in the early evening but also its drink specials slash the standard prices (which are pretty reasonable to begin with).

Every day, you can grab a glass of wine during happy hour for $5 or a bottle for $18, but each day also brings its own events. On Mondays, House Wine highlights 10 bottles that are only $20 each. On Tuesdays, come for a wine-tasting class with cheese included for $25. Wednesdays mean all-day happy hour, and Thursdays involve free apps and live music out on the patio. Any day of the week, you're welcome to grab a glass of House Wine's white sangria, a wine cocktail like the Juicy Ginger or Sorbet Sparkling wine float, or even a beer float at House Wine.

House Wine
408 Josephine Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 322-5120
www.housewineaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/house-wine-austin

Luke’s Inside Out: Order the Korean Barbecue Rabbit Sandwich

Luke's Inside Out may not have your typical kitchen or dining room, but that doesn't hold namesake (and chef-owner) Luke Bibby back. His food trailer, which sits right next to Gibson Bar, dishes out some of the most inventive fusion sandwiches and a killer Sunday brunch buffet.

Step right up to the olive green food trailer and check out the chalkboard menu for that day's options. In addition to rotating specials, you'll always find a handful of "shareables" and the same griddled sandwiches that earned Luke's a guest spot on the Food Network. Regulars highly recommend the rabbit sandwich, which features Korean barbecue sauce, kimchee, and tater tots, all stuffed inside toasted French bread.

Luke's Inside Out
1109 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 589-8883
www.lukesinsideout.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lukes-inside-out-austin

The Saxon Pub Hosts Live Music Every Night Near Lamar Union

Anyone looking to hear some live music should make plans to check out The Saxon Pub, a bar that is just down the street from Lamar Union. The music venue welcomes an assortment of musicians to the stage every day of the month and tends to host emerging musicians. On any given night, the stage could welcome three different acts for three different shows. For example, Johnny Nicholas, Bronco Jr., and Walt Wilkins are all slated to take the stage on March 30. Tickets, or cover, can generally be paid for at the door, but tickets for the most-anticipated shows are available online in advance.

In addition to music, The Saxon Pub serves beer and happy hour deals throughout each evening. The bar is also home to a number of televisions where guests can watch the latest sports games. The Saxon Pub is open daily until 2 a.m.

The Saxon Pub
1320 South Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-2552
www.yelp.com/biz/the-saxon-pub-austin
thesaxonpub.com/

Maudie’s Too: A Favorite Location of a Beloved Local Chain Near Lamar Union

The second location of a restaurant chain that has expanded through seven Austin neighborhoods, Maudie’s Too lives up to and exceeds the Maudie’s reputation for delicious Tex-Mex food served in a welcoming atmosphere. The Maudie’s franchise has been open since the early 50s, but the cuisine switched to Tex-Mex in 1992. It was definitely a good move for its patrons, who keep coming back for the cheese enchiladas, vegetarian breakfast tacos, and chicken chile relleno.

The extensive menu has everything your Tex-Mex-loving heart could desire, so you can try something new each time you visit. And, of course, there are tasty margaritas, bloody marys, and mimosas to wash it all down. Brunch is a favorite time to visit, and you can enjoy your meal while taking in a cool breeze on the huge patio. Maudie’s Too is right outside your door at Lamar Union, so if you haven’t checked it out yet, visit soon!

Maudie's Too
1212 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 440-8088
http://www.maudies.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maudies-too-austin

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