The Bonneville: New American Fare and Signature Cocktails in Austin

A menu of New American fare highlights the freshest seasonal ingredients available at The Bonneville in the 2nd Street District of Austin. The casual restaurant is open, airy, and inviting with a vibrant, fully stocked bar.

After a signature cocktail, begin your meal with a steaming bowl of housemade soup, Prince Edward Mussels in a spiced coconut-curry broth, Korean barbecue-style lamb spareribs accompanied by pear butter and pickled vegetables, or a grilled pizza. Entrees feature a number of meat, poultry, and seafood dishes such as seared scallops with a grapefruit nage and a 12-ounce Angus strip steak with potato croquettes. Desserts do not disappoint, with the chef's salted caramel tart, sticky toffee pudding, and the chocolate espresso pots de creme all earning high marks from regular diners.

The Bonneville serves dinner daily, hosts Sunday brunch, and has a lively happy hour seven days a week.

The Bonneville
202 W. Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 428-4643
www.thebonnevilleaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-bonneville-austin

Esther’s Follies: A Mash-Up of Entertainment

Part magic show, part comedy set, part musical, the productions put on a Esther's Follies every week can't really be pigeonholed into any one category. It breaks down theatrical boundaries by mashing up political satire, music, and more in a single show every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.

The theater has roots in the late '70s, when founders Michael Shelton and Shannon Sedwick through their first bash on 6th Street. Back then, it was nothing more than a haphazard hodgepodge of performances by singers, dancers, mimes, comics, musicians, and everyone in between. Although the show has more structure today, nearly 40 years later, it still brings the same level of energy and fun to the stage. Yelp reviewers award particular praise to magician Ray Anderson, who delights crowds not only with his tricks, but also with his own unique brand of humor.

Esther's Follies
525 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
www.esthersfollies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2

Cocktails and Crab-Crusted Steak at Austin’s CRAVE

Local, seasonal ingredients form an important part of the menu at CRAVE in Austin. Although not every ingredient comes from a local source, CRAVE's chefs incorporate locally sourced ingredients whenever they can.

CRAVE's menu of options includes some upscale, creative dishes, like crab-crusted filet mignon and egg rolls stuffed with chicken and avocado. Those are two of regular customers' favorites, but they're by no means the only things to enjoy here. The menu is expansive, encompassing a huge array of dishes, from pizza and pasta to pan-roasted sea bass, fried chicken and waffles, and even spicy lamb burgers. There's also a sushi menu, a huge list of specialty and cooked rolls, and the equally impressive cocktail list. Visitors can complement the upscale fare with a ginger pear martini, blackberry sage tea, agave margarita, or a sweet glass of sangria.

Visit CRAVE's website to learn more about this Austin restaurant!

CRAVE
340 E. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-0000
www.cravetexas.com

www.yelp.com/biz/crave-austin-4

3 Health Benefits of Strength Training Exercises

Even if you don’t plan on bulking up or competing in weight lifting competitions any time soon, strength training is a crucial part of any exercise regimen. Here are three great reasons to incorporate weight training into your workouts.

  1. It promotes strong bones. Weakening bones is a concern that all people have to face as they age. The stress that strength training puts on your bones increases their density and prevents osteoporosis, keeping you strong and healthy as years pass.
  2. It helps to control your weight. While you might relate weight loss with intense cardiovascular workouts, strength training is just as important if you want to lose weight. Gaining muscle increases your metabolism and causes your body to burn calories more efficiently.
  3. It gives you more energy. Like all workouts, strength training increases your stamina and helps you to stay alert and focused. After a few weeks of regular weight lifting or body weight exercises, you’ll notice that you feel more energized throughout the day. Some scientific studies even show that years of regular strength training exercises help to sharpen your focus and keep your mind attentive as you age.

Strength training: Get stronger, leaner, healthier [Mayo Clinic]
7 Reasons to Add Strength Training to Your Workout Routine [Everyday Health]
Benefits of Strength Training [Body Building]

Numero28: Southern Italian Specialties in Downtown Austin

Southern Italian food is the specialty at Numero28, but even this gourmet food plays second fiddle to the warm, welcoming owners. Many Yelp reviewers mention Marco and Bernardo by name, citing them as part of the reason they return to Numer28 on a regular basis. The owners take special care to make every guest feel at home—and they watch over what's going on in the kitchen so that each and every dish is crafted carefully.

The menu boasts a slew of traditional favorites, including thin-crust pizzas. From the classic margherita with tomato, mozzarella, and basil to the Austin pie with jalapeno, sausage, and red peppers, the pizza menu offers a wide array of options for all tastes. And if you aren't into pizza, you have plenty of other entrees to choose from. Dig into the classic lasagna Bolognese (or a vegetarian version), the ziti with eggplant and mozzarella, or the porchetta with wild herbs and spices. Add a glass of wine to your meal for the full Numero28 experience.

Numero28
452 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 494-5510
www.numero28austin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/numero-28-austin

Austin Java: Much More Than Just Coffee

Spicy peanut soup. Eggs Benedict. Breakfast tacos. Not exactly the type of fare you'd expect to find at a coffee house. And yet, Austin Java's various locations throughout its namesake city serve them all—and to rave reviews from customers.

Despite its title, Austin Java is actually much more than a mere cafe. Yes, it does serve locally-roasted coffee. But it also offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and breakfast is served all day. That's probably to the delight of those regulars who love the breakfast tacos, which are stuffed with everything from honey-cured ham or chorizo to veggies or black beans. Some other morning favorites include migas, a spicy take on the traditional omelet, and thick-sliced farmers' French toast.

Later in the day, enjoy a different savory dish like the crawfish quesadillas or pasta primavera. Other lunch and dinner options encompass salads, various meat-laden pastas, and house soups.

Austin Java
1206 Parkway
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 476-1829
www.austinjava.com

www.yelp.com/biz/austin-java-austin

Make Mouthwatering Meatloaf 4 Different Ways

Ever since you were a child, meatloaf has always been a dinner staple that united the whole family. There are a variety of new and improved ways to prepare this classic dish, but they still maintain the same hearty taste that you’ve always loved. Here are some of the best meatloaf recipes, just in time for dinner tonight.

Easy Meatloaf [Allrecipes]
When you don’t have much time between your daily tasks and your family’s dinner, this easy meatloaf recipe is a great option. With just nine common ingredients, you can create a nutritious meal with a rich tomato flavor.

My Favorite Meatloaf [Pioneer Woman]
The Pioneer Woman’s favorite meatloaf recipe is wrapped in crispy bacon, adding a smoky, salty flavor that meat-lovers will adore.

Home-Sweet-Home Meatloaf [Hunts]
If you want the traditional taste of meatloaf with a bit of added flavor, this delicious recipe is infused with brown sugar and sweet onion that perfectly complements to heartiness of the ground sirloin beef.

Layered Creamed-Spinach Meatloaf [Delish]
This recipe offers a gourmet twist on meatloaf, perfect for a holiday or other special occasion. Chopped spinach, zesty spices, and Romano cheese form a decadent layer in between the meat, giving the simple dish a bit of complexity.

East Side Glass Studio: Glass-Blow Your Own Masterpiece

Shara Funari and Leigh Taylor Wyatt arrived at glass blowing from very different backgrounds. Shara didn't pick up the art until 2004, honing what was then a hobby at a public glass blowing studio in 2004. Leigh relocated to Texas in 2006 specifically to further her glass blowing career and to be closer to family. However, for both women, glass blowing eventually evolved into a passion; this is why they opened East Side Glass Studio in Austin.

At the studio, the public can come in to watch Shara and Leigh blow glass, or they can join in themselves. Intro classes are held a few times over the course of a month, teaching newbies the basics of glass blowing. Visitors can come in for a one-off experience where they learn the bare-bone fundamentals and then create their own glass masterpiece in a single session.

East Side Glass Studio
507 Calles Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 731-1702
www.eastsideglassstudio.com
www.yelp.com/biz/east-side-glass-studio-austin

Must-Know Tips When Shopping for Antiques

Want to start antiquing but not sure how or where to begin? Learn what to look for, how to maximize your budget, and more with these helpful tips.

  1. Know the lingo. Did you know that by law, an item must be more than 100 years old in order to be called an antique? If a store labels an item “vintage,” “collectible,” or “antique reproduction,” it’s not a true antique.
  2. Get a price guide. If you’re shopping for very specific items, consult a price guide before setting out to the store to ensure that you don’t overpay for your antique treasure. These even take specific variables into consideration, such as the part of the country and the condition of the piece.
  3. Ask questions. If you’re still not sure about an item, ask the store owner about how he or she determined its authenticity, if the store carries reproductions, and how long they have been an antique dealer.
  4. Make sure it works in your home. Even if you find a real gem for a great price, it’s not worth much to you if it doesn’t work in your home. Be smart about the size of the antique and how much use you’ll get from it.

Shopping for Antiques [Federal Trade Commission]
A Beginner's Mini Guide to Buying Antiques [Houzz]
Secrets for Finding Bargain Antiques [About Home]

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill: Modern American Food and Drink

The Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill was revamped in time to open its doors in 2003. This Austin establishment offers modern American food and libations in a laid back atmosphere.

The bar serves classic cocktails, including house-made moonshine and hard lemonade as part of the extensive full bar menu. Start your meal with the corndog shrimp, the creamy and hot bacon dip, or a steaming bowl of spicy chicken tortilla soup. Overstuffed sandwiches and salads are loaded with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. The platters are known to be hearty and feature Southern favorites such as chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, large, classic cowboy flat-iron steaks and baby back ribs smothered in the restaurant's secret barbecue sauce.

If you’re interested in letting Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill host your next event, check out the banquet facilities that are available for private parties.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 236-9599
www.moonshinegrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/moonshine-patio-bar-and-grill-austin

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