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Second Bar + Kitchen Serves Farm-to-Table Food

April 24, 2015 by

Warm decor lends itself to a comfortable, welcoming dining experience at Second Bar + Kitchen in Austin. The restaurant serves reasonably priced innovative and creative farm-to-table American cuisine for lunch and dinner daily, plus a Sunday brunch.

Start your meal with potato gnocchi tots made with housemade ketchup, or go for an appetizer of buffalo fried pickles, shihito peppers with miso aioli, daily changing charcuterie boards, steak tartare, or carrot gazpacho. Large plates include a pulled pork sandwich or brisket burger, Asian inspired soba noodle salad, roasted chicken and truffle, blue cheese and pork belly pizza. Chef inspired side dishes please the palate with seasoned Brussels sprouts, black truffle grits, and warm potato salad. Additionally, the restaurant offers an extensive bar menu replete with classic cocktails, wine, beer, hard cider and liquor.

Reservations are recommended, and private parties can be accommodated in one of the eatery's private dining rooms.

Second Bar + Kitchen
200 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 827-2750
www.congressaustin.com/second
www.yelp.com/biz/second-bar-kitchen-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Trendy Meets Traditional at No Va in Austin

April 21, 2015 by

In English, the Spanish phrase "no va" translates to "it doesn't go." Since the entire premise behind No Va is the juxtaposition of old and new, traditional and trendy, it makes a fitting name for Chef Brad Sorenson's Austin restaurant.

A former Food Network contestant and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Sorenson has never lacked in creativity when it comes to cuisine. No Va puts his artistic flair on display, not only in its cuisine but also in the building itself. Housed inside a strikingly modern former home, No Va clashes with the other historic buildings that dot Rainey Street. The aesthetic works well for Sorenson's vision, letting in the Texas sunshine through large windows that almost make diners feel as if they're outdoors. Of course, they can actually go outdoors and eat on the patio, which connects to the dining room via a double-sided fireplace.

Chef Brad's food also draws in crowds. It's inventive and portioned in plates small enough to share (for the most part). Pass around plates of whipped bleu cheese with bacon bread or kale salad tossed with a coconut dressing at dinner. Or simply stop by for a cocktail, such as the Lo' Daddy, a blend of bacon bitters, sazerac, salt, maple, and cherry.

No Va
87 Rainey Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 382-5651
www.novaonrainey.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/no-va-kitchen-and-bar-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Interior Design 101: Decorating Tips for Beginners

April 17, 2015 by

So you didn’t go to school for interior design? No big deal; you can still transform your home into a designer-worthy space using just a few simple tips. These handy tricks will show you how to inject a stylish, inspiring look into any room in your home.

  1. Use symmetry. If you’re unsure of how to arrange the furniture in a room or hang frames on a wall, simply keep the idea of symmetry in mind. Symmetrical rooms are more pleasing to the eye, so try adding two sofas facing one another to help balance your living room.
  2. Consider the scale. Be sure to choose furniture in a size that fits your specific room. Choose large, overstuffed items for more open rooms and compact, apartment-sized furniture in smaller spaces.
  3. Choose a focal point. If the majority of your furniture is fairly plain, invest in one statement piece as an accent. Try a colorful chair, a large, framed painting, or an ornate rug.
  4. Use color to your advantage. Choose the color scheme of a room based on what type of emotion you want the room to convey. For example, use soft, soothing tones to encourage relaxation in a bedroom.
  5. Mix new and vintage pieces. While a room full of thrift store furnishings may look mismatched, using all brand new furniture looks impersonal. Combine the two styles for a designer look.

Top Interior Design Tips for Beginners [Bliss at Home]
Interior Design 101 [Visual.ly]
What are Some Interior Design Tips for Beginners? [Wise Geek]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

The Flying Carpet: Truck It to This Tasty Moroccan Eatery

April 14, 2015 by

Austin’s culinary scene is well-known for its diverse assortment of food trucks, and The Flying Carpet is one of the city's most popular mobile eateries. This Moroccan fare restaurant cooks and serves its food from inside of a colorful food truck, and it also hosts a dining room inside of a separate building in front of the truck. This quirky layout makes The Flying Carpet a bit difficult to find for first-time visitors, but once you figure it out it becomes quite convenient. If you prefer to sit outside on a warm Austin afternoon, The Flying Carpet also offers a few shady tables on the outdoor patio.

Dishes like the Big Abdu consist of freshly baked pita bread, ground meats, and seasoned vegetables, and many regular guests order a pot of fine Moroccan tea to pair with their meal. With affordable prices and a knowledgeable staff, The Flying Carpet is ideal for an adventurous lunch.

The Flying Carpet
504 West Oltorf
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 744-5651
www.tfctheflyingcarpet.com
www.yelp.com/biz/the-flying-carpet-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Spring Forward: How Start Your Warm Weather Workouts on the Right Foot

April 10, 2015 by

Whether you want to tone up before bathing suit season or you're striving to lead a healthier lifestyle, the spring season is a good time to begin an exercise routine. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to begin your spring workouts, these tips can help.

  • Put it on paper. If you write down your fitness goals and a loose schedule, it will help you to remain accountable and stay on track.
  • Start slow. Remember to keep your schedule light at first and work up to more difficult workouts. Begin with 30 minutes of moderate cardio exercise three or four times per week, and be sure to switch up your workouts to keep things interesting.
  • Enlist a partner. If you’re still feeling sluggish, ask a close friend to work out with you and help to keep each other motivated.
  • Invest in new workout gear. If your sneakers from last season have seen better days, invest in a brand-new pair that will get you excited to exercise.
  • Get outdoors. Now that the cold weather is over and the days are longer, you likely want to get outside as much as you can. Schedule early morning runs before work, go for weekend bike rides, or even sign up for yoga in the park.

Spring-Clean Your Exercise Routine [Health]
20 Ways to Spring Clean Your Fitness Routine [Shape]
Spring Clean Your Workout Routine: 21 Bad Habits To Toss Today [LiveStrong]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Select Only the Freshest Veggies in the Produce Aisle

April 7, 2015 by

Fresh vegetables have a shorter lifespan than their frozen counterparts, so you likely want to make them last as long as possible when you purchase them. Use these expert tips to help you maintain a healthy diet and maximize the lifespan of your produce.

  1. Choose firm veggies. Vegetables like cucumbers, peppers, and onions should be firm, even colored, and free of bruises or other signs of damage. Be sure to pick these vegetables up in your hands and feel for consistent texture all the way around.
  2. Know your leafy greens. Green vegetables like spinach, kale, and lettuce should be crisp and brightly colored, with no visible signs of wilting or rot. You can also give these leafy vegetables a good whiff before buying to make sure that they don’t smell moldy.
  3. Inspect your root vegetables. The best potatoes, carrots, garlic, and other root vegetables may be a bit trickier to identify, but these simple tips can help: Look for cracking along the surface of the vegetable (an indicator that it's too dry), and be sure to avoid root veggies that smell rotten or moldy.
  4. Know your farmers' market veggies. If you regularly buy your produce at a supermarket, keep in mind that these types of stores use different techniques to make veggies look perfect. While farmers' market vegetables may not look as pretty, they’re still just as tasty.

How to Select Fresh, Ripe Produce [Lifehacker]
How to Pick Fruits & Veggies [Good Housekeeping]
Raw Produce: Selecting and Serving it Safely [FDA]
Choosing Fresh Fruits and Vegetables [Family Circle]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Add a Splash of Green to Your Apartment With These Easy-Care Houseplants

April 3, 2015 by

There’s no better way to breathe new life — quite literally! — into your apartment than by adding a few lush, green houseplants to every room. Even if you don’t exactly have a green thumb, these low-maintenance plants will last for years with minimal care.

  1. Pothos. The pothos plant is one of the most common houseplants, and you’ve likely noticed its trailing stems filled with marbled green leaves in many offices and homes. Aside from its beautiful appearance, this plant also requires little light, minimal watering, and even helps to remove toxins from the air.
  2. Aloe. Spiky aloe plants do best in direct sunlight on a windowsill, and because they prefer dry soil, they’re perfect for the forgetful indoor gardener.
  3. Jade. This succulent plant is one of the most interesting in appearance, as it contains thick, rubbery leaves that grow across criss-crossing branches. It also has a very long lifespan of a decade or more.
  4. Snake plant. The snake plant, also known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” is an affordable alternative to pricey floor plants, as its long, snake-like leaves grow upright in a unique and attractive way. It requires little watering, and it doesn’t mind low sunlight.
  5. Fiddle Leaf Fig. Although it can be a bit finicky, few plants make as much of an impact as the stylish, trendy fiddle fig. If you keep it in bright sunlight it can even grow as high as the ceiling.

24 of the Easiest Houseplants You Can Grow [Better Homes & Gardens]
The 15 easiest indoor house plants that won't die on you. [Today Home]
Easy Houseplants [This Old House]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Spring!

April 2, 2015 by

Everything is starting to bud and bloom! What are you doing to enjoy this lovely change in weather?

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With:

Cooking 101: How to Sharpen a Kitchen Knife

March 27, 2015 by

It may seem strange, but sharpening your kitchen knives is actually one of the best ways to avoid cutting yourself while cooking. A sharp knife means an easier cut with less effort from you, which gives you more control and requires less force. Here are a few tips for sharpening kitchen knives at home.

  1. Place a whetstone, or a rough-surfaced stone made for sharpening knives, on top of a cutting board to offer more stability.
  2. Holding your knife by the handle, place it on a very slight angle against the whetstone (blade facing away, of course).
  3. With moderate pressure, glide the knife forward across the whetstone 10 times. Flip it over and repeat on the other side.
  4. The whetstone has two different types of grit, so flip the whole thing over to the finer side. Repeat the last step to smooth the knife's rough edges.
  5. Finally, hone the blade with a sharpening steel. Place the long, steel rod point-down onto the cutting board, just as you would a nail. Touch the part of the knife closest to the handle against the steel, then pull the blade toward you and slightly downward with a bit of pressure. Repeat this 10 times on each side of the knife, and again any time the knife needs a touch-up.

How to Sharpen a Knife [About Food]
Knife Skills: How to Sharpen a Knife [Serious Eats]
How to Properly Sharpen a Kitchen Knife [Le Cordon Bleu]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Mueller Lake Park: Walk, Bike or Run at This Beautiful Outdoor Area

March 24, 2015 by

Comprising trails, playing fields, and numerous open, grassy spaces, Mueller Lake Park is a respite from the hustle and bustle of Austin city life. This spacious park is well-planned and well-maintained, and it spans over 30 acres of lush, green grounds.

A five-mile hiking and biking trail is available for those who want to get in a bit of outdoor exercise, while a nearly seven-acre lake is situated near the center of the park. Visitors to the park also enjoy the stretching and exercise station near the trail, which includes pull-up bars and benches for sit-ups, and you’ll often find pick-up games of basketball or soccer on one of the outdoor courts. One of the most interesting features of the park is the open-air amphitheater and stage, which hosts many outdoor events on weekends.

Whether you have a picnic at one of the food trucks in the area or bring the kids for an afternoon outdoors, Mueller Lake Park is ideal for any recreational activity.

Mueller Lake Park
4550 Mueller Boulevard
Austin, TX 78723
www.muelleraustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mueller-lake-park-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,
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