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

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

Tibetan Momo: A Fresh (But Traditional) Take on Dumplings

If you actually ordered momos in Tibet, they'd probably be packed with yak meat. But the chefs who recreate this traditional dish in Austin cater to American eaters with some more familiar fillings, namely ground beef and veggies. Even so, the Tibetan-style dumplings are a departure from the fare you'll find elsewhere in Austin, even at its many eclectic food trucks and trailers.

Since it opened over the summer, Tibetan Momo has set up shop just about a mile from Lamar Union. So if you're still wondering exactly what a "momo" is, you can easily taste a few for yourself. They come steamed or pan-fried, filled with veggies or beef, and they're not the only thing on the menu. Tibetan Momo also doles out dishes like beef chow mein, tingmo (steamed buns), and fried rice.

Have you tried these momos yet?

Tibetan Momo
2323 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/tibetan-momo-austin
austin.eater.com/2015/8/31/9233833/best-austin-new-food-trucks

Barley Swine: A Hotspot For Local, Seasonal Fare in Austin

Before Bryce Gilmore debuted Barley Swine in 2010, he was already making waves in Austin's culinary scene with his legendary food truck, Odd Duck. Many current patrons of Barley Swine still fondly recall the food truck with its ever-present line—a testament to high caliber of Gilmore's grub. And if that fare was worth standing in line for, then Barley Swine's locally sourced cuisine warrants an overnight camp out. Thanks to the brick-and-mortar location, though, you won't have to go to such extremes.

You can just take a short stroll down the street from Lamar Union, step inside, and grab a table. Eater Austin recommends you do so this month, crowning Barley Swine one of its 38 Essential Austin Restaurants for October 2015. Don't worry about picking a dish. The kitchen team only offers a seasonally inspired, locally sourced prix fixe menu each evening. Expect to spend up to two hours tasting everything on it.

Barley Swine
2024 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8150
barleyswine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barley-swine-austin

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