Sip a Craft Beer at South Austin Brewery & Taproom

Craft beer is one of Austin’s specialties, and you’ll find it in spades at South Austin Brewery & Taproom. This cool and creative brewery offers its own distinctly Austin brews, which come complete with musical pairings in their descriptions.

The brewery recommends sipping its Six String Saison while listening to Kris Kristofferson and rocking out to Jerry Jeff Walker with a cold Kol’Beer, but it also notes that any of its well-made beers taste great while checking out a local band’s set in South Austin Brewery’s spacious taproom. Here, you’ll find a comfortable wooden bar, a red curtained stage, and even an outdoor barbecue grill that occasionally churns out juicy sausage wraps and other barbecue fare.

Beer aficionados in particular will enjoy taking a tour of the brewery, but just about everyone will enjoy sampling flights at the fun, lively bar area.

South Austin Brewery & Taproom
415 E Saint Elmo Road
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 354-BEER
www.southaustinbrewery.com

Patika Coffee: Get Your Morning Coffee

A number of Yelpers swear that Patika Coffee serves the best cup of joe in Austin. That's quite a compliment for this little coffee truck, but it's not a surprise. You see, the staff at Patika are committed to brewing coffee with the precision of a scientist. Each espresso shot, cup of steamed or foamed milk, and carafe of water is heated exactly to the temperature that will bring out the beans' richest, deepest flavors, and the beans themselves are locally roasted and sourced from sustainable farms.

Try a rich, foamy cappuccino, or treat your sweet tooth to a vanilla latte. Austin locals who have grown fond of the Patika Coffee truck’s wares will be happy to know that the shop also operates a brick-and-mortar cafe in South Lamar, where the same meticulously crafted brews are available, as well as an eclectic selection of wines and delicious baked goods.

Patika Coffee
2159 South Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 535-3955
www.patikacoffee.com/southlamar
www.yelp.com/biz/patika-coffee-austin

Fresh Rosemary Steals the Show in These Mouthwatering Recipes

Though rosemary is just a simple herb, it often becomes the major flavor in the dishes that it seasons. If you love the taste of pine-like rosemary and want to find more recipes that incorporate it, things like salts, meats, and vegetables are all perfect pairings. Check out these recipes that really let the rosemary shine!

Rosemary Chicken with Zucchini [Real Simple]
Chicken is one of the very best foods to season with fresh rosemary. This recipe creates a fast and easy dinner in just one simple step because it involves seasoning the vegetables, chicken, and potatoes beforehand and freezing them for up to three months until you're ready to cook.

Rosemary Sea Salt [Martha Stewart]
Martha Stewart’s rosemary sea salt enables you to sprinkle fresh rosemary onto just about any dish that needs a boost of flavor. All it takes is one box of kosher salt and two bunches of fresh rosemary to create a long-lasting supply of this savory seasoning.

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes [Food Network]
When it comes to herbs, why mess with a recipe that works? These roasted potatoes are one of the most commonly used rosemary recipes, but that’s because it just takes so perfect. Simply toss some small red potatoes in olive oil, salt, rosemary, and a few other common seasonings to create a versatile side dish that’s great with any meal.

Enjoy Farm to Table Cuisine and Delightful Cocktails at Austin’s Salty Sow

Harold Marmulstein grew up with a love for high quality food. His father owned a bakery in upstate New York where Harold spent many early mornings and late nights developing a deep appreciation for cuisine. That passion drove him to the Culinary Institute of New York, and, over the course of his career, to the kitchens of more than 30 high-end dining establishments throughout the country where he worked as executive chef.

He finally landed at Salty Sow in Austin, where he's more than just the executive chef—he's also a partner. This means Harold has a voice in creating its menu of farm-to-table fare that utilizes the ingredients of local purveyors. Regular diners praise the Salty Sow's duck fat fries, a small plate that exemplifies the French food influences of this place's New American cuisine menu. The menu also encompasses bacon-wrapped filet mignon, asiago-crusted halibut, and a double cheeseburger.

Some customers suggest that the main draw is Salty Sow's cocktail list. Visit and you can sip a glass of the sparkling sangria or a Rosemary's Piglet cocktail (bubbly pomegranate juice and rosemary syrup) while you dine on tasty French-American food!

Salty Sow
1917 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
(512) 391-2337
www.saltysow.com/#/home
www.yelp.com/biz/salty-sow-austin

Arlo’s: Vegan Cheeseburgers You Just Have to Try

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike flock to Arlo's food truck on a daily basis. This Austin eatery serves seriously mouth-watering food made fresh daily, and it's all vegan friendly. The vegan bacon cheeseburgers are something of a local legend, and when paired with a side order of crispy, golden tater tots, the burger makes a hearty and drool-worthy meal. You'll also find spicy chili, cornbread wedges, tomato-basil hot dogs, and even vegan chicken tacos on the menu, but the cheeseburgers are really the main draw. It’s the cheeseburgers that cause lines to wrap around the side of the truck during peak times.

The only downside to eating at Arlo’s is that as a food truck, Arlo's doesn't have any seating to offer. This generally isn't a problem, however, as nearby bars usually allow you to bring your Arlo's meal inside, so it's easy to pair your meal with a cold beer and a seat.

Arlo's
900 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 628-0608
www.arlostruck.com
www.yelp.com/biz/arlos-austin

Where to Shop Quirky Gifts and Novelties in Austin, Texas

Austin is one of the quirkiest cities in the country, so it only makes sense that it would be filled with lots of shops selling strange curiosities. Whether you want to decorate your home or find something unique to wear, you’ll find it all from Austin’s weird and wonderful purveyors. Here are two of the city’s must-see shopping destinations.

Parts & Labour
If you prefer your quirky trinkets with a cute flair, you’ll want just about everything in Parts & Labour. This local boutique sells things that you wouldn’t imagine in even your most adorable daydreams, from stuffed animal taxidermy and colorful t-shirts to geeky greeting cards. The shop is open and airy and perfect for browsing, which you’ll likely want to do for the better part of an afternoon.
1117 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704; (512) 326-1648

Uncommon Objects
Just like its name suggests, Uncommon Objects is Austin’s go-to spot for everything creepy, eclectic, and just plain strange. The shop itself is an organized mess of antiques and oddities, including wall mounted armadillos, authentic Texan belt buckles, and more costume jewelry than you’ll have time to root through. Ideal for the antique lover who loves a good hunt, you truly never know what you’ll find at this artistic shop.
1512 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704; (512) 442-4000

New Facebook Sweepstakes! Enter to Win an iPad Mini!

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Happy Labor Day!

Wishing everyone a happy and relaxing Labor Day!

Bess Bistro: Farm-to-Table French Fare in Austin

Offering a unique blend of French cuisine and classic Southern fare favorites, Bess Bistro takes farm-to-table dining to the next level. No, really — this sophisticated eatery sources a portion of its ingredients (tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs) from its 1-acre farm just outside Austin! The rest of the ingredients are purchased from local vendors and purveyors.

As you'd probably guess, the menu at Bess Bistro is inspired by the seasons. A meal begins with appetizers like chicken liver mousse served with crusty bread, and then it moves on to creative entrees like wild mushroom ravioli topped with premium lobster. You’ll also find dry aged steaks, seared seafood, and a decadent Wagyu burger for lunch. Finish off the meal with one of Bistro Bess’s artistic desserts, like the crème anglaise beignets or the seasonal cheesecakes, and be sure to sip a specialty cocktail at the pewter bar, the only of its kind in Austin.

With its modern outdoor terrace and its more traditional, intimate indoor dining room, Bistro Bess is a great choice for any occasion.

Bess Bistro
500 W Sixth St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-2377
www.bessbistro.com

Turf N’ Surf Po Boy: Take a Bite Out of This Classic New Orleans Fare

The famous po' boy is a sandwich made famous in Louisiana, but Austin’s Turf N’ Surf Po Boy does a great job of imitating the sandwich's crispy French bread, fried seafood, and generous toppings. This dark, nondescript restaurant looks unassuming from the street, and the inside is decorated with eclectic wall art and industrial decor that is fairly standard in the Austin area.

It's the food that really makes Turf N’ Surf Stand out, however, and the menu lists fried favorites that are served piping hot and positively packed with seasonings. The hush puppies are arguably the most popular menu items, but the fish tacos and, of course, the po' boy sandwiches come in close behind. The menu also includes fresh fish salads, cilantro fries, and pulled pork platters that are equally as tasty.

If you’re looking for a taste of New Orleans in the Austin area, this is the place to get it.

Turf N' Surf Po Boy
407 Lavaca Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 276-2763
www.facebook.com/pages/Turf-N-Surf-Po-Boy/364351950938
www.yelp.com/biz/turf-n-surf-po-boy-austin

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