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Casa De Luz: Vegetarian and Gluten Free Food

September 17, 2013 by cwsapts

Healthful vegetarian, gluten-free fare is what’s cooking in the kitchen of Case De Luz, a non-profit eatery in South Austin, where a love of fresh, lovingly-prepared food and a community spirit is the credo. Visit and you'll stroll past the garden and into the peaceful ambiance of the dining room. Settle in at one of the community tables and prepare to make your tastbuds happy and your body healthy with one of this restaurant's flavorful meals. Breakfast is served from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. The price is $7 and includes a set menu of porridge with granola & raisins, soup, leafy greens, mixed vegetables, beans and freshly made tortillas. Lunch and dinner are both $12 and include many of the same items, plus a veggie entrée and a hot whole grain like brown rice, or quinoa. Casa de Luz is also kid-friendly, with a playground to occupy the little ones.

Casa de Luz
1701 Toomey Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-2535
http://www.casadeluz.org/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/casa-de-luz-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Casa De Luz, Restaurants in Austin

Best Sparkling Wines for Under $20

September 16, 2013 by cwsapts

Want to put some fizz into the party, but can’t spend top dollar? These scrumptious sparkling wines taste a lot glitzier than their price tags, and they’re available in most large liquor stores:

Louis Bouillot Perle de Vigne, France
$19

With a name meaning "Pearl of the Vine," this Crémant de Burgundy lives up to the hype with its delicate yet rich finish of sharp Granny Smith apples.

Greg Norman Estates Sparkling Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, Australia
$18

This Aussie gem tastes twice as expensive as its price. It has a frothy head; fine bubbles; notes of complex citrus, red berry, yellow stone fruit, and biscuit; and a silky smooth richness. The Pinot Noir grape dominates the blend.

Trapiche Extra Brut, Argentina
$15

Hand-crafted in the Andean foothills, this lively sparkler shows typical Chardonnay aromas of apples and pineapples with a toasted bread note. Added regional varietals Semillon and Malbec help to create a full, crisp character.

Mondoro Sparkling Asti, Italy
$15

Produced from white muscat grapes grown in the Asti region of Northern Italy, this sweet wine has a delicate, refreshing character that pairs well with desserts or soft fruits.

Verichon & Clerc Privilège Blanc de Blancs, France
$12

Blending Chardonnay, Chenin, Ugni Blanc, and Colombard grapes in the méthode traditionnelle, this Brut blanc de blancs has a rich fragrance of hazelnut and toasted grain, with hints of poached pears and buttered toast that linger over a long-lasting finish.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Best Sparkling Wines, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sparkling Wines Under $20, Wine

Gourdough’s: Delightful Donuts

September 10, 2013 by cwsapts

Ready to fall in love with a big, freshly baked donut heaped with creatively decadent toppings? Head to Gourdough’s, where the motto is, ‘Big. Fat. Donuts.’ Fans flock to the shiny silver aluminum trailer in South Austin to indulge. Maybe that’s because these donuts are handmade, fried fresh to order and served hot. Combine that with creative toppings and fillings, not to mention the fun, funky names, and you’ve got a winning combination. 23 flavors include Cherry Bombs – donut holes topped with glazed cherries, cinnamon sugar & sprinkled with cake mix, Flying Pig – donut topped with bacon & maple syrup icing, Baby Rattler – topped with crumbled fudge Oreos, fudge icing and a gummy rattlesnake, and much much more!

Gourdough's
1503 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-1050
http://www.gourdoughs.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gourdoughs-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Gourdough's, Restaurants in Austin

Curra’s Grill: Mexican Fare in South Austin

September 5, 2013 by cwsapts

Craving Mexican fare in Austin? One top spot might be Curra's Grill. Start off with one of this place's signature drinks like an Avocado Margarita with a creamy blend of that pear-shaped green fruit you don’t normally think of as compatible with tequila. Move on to an appetizer like some crispy Chips & Guacamole, or Chile con Queso – creamy melted cheese with chiles. Follow that up with an entrée like Carne Guisada – flank steak in a rich, tomato, pepper & onion sauce, Chile Colorado – pork simmered in guajillo sauce, or Pollo Chipotle – grilled chicken breast smothered in chipotle sauce, cheese & avocado. Stop in for breakfast for tasty day-starters like Breakfast Tacos and Huevos Rancheros. Curra's Grill is open Mondays through Saturdays.

Curra's Grill
614 E. Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-0012
http://www.currasgrill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/curras-grill-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Curra's Grill, Restaurants in Austin

Barton Springs Pool: Cool Off in South Austin

September 3, 2013 by cwsapts

Barton Springs Pool is the crown jewel of Zilker Park. It glitters within the park’s 358 acres, and comprises three acres of spring-fed water that averages 68 degrees year-round. That means it’s a haven for swimmers and sunbathers, especially in the hot months, when the cool water offers a fun break from the summer sizzle. It’s a great spot to spend an afternoon swathed in sunscreen with a towel or blanket laid out on the wide expanse of grass that surrounds the pool, soaking up the sun or in hanging out the shade. Expect a diverse crowd of people on summer weekends. Admission is a bargain at $3 for adults, $1 for children and seniors. Parking is $5 per car on weekends, free during the week.

No food is allowed. Drinks only in covered, unbreakable containers.

Barton Springs Pool
2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-9044
http://www.yelp.com/biz/barton-springs-pool-austin

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Austin Attractions, Barton Springs Pool, Things to Do in Austin

Happy Labor Day!

September 2, 2013 by cwsapts

As we say goodbye to summer, we wish everyone a happy and safe Labor Day!

Filed Under: Life at Marquis at Barton Trails Apartments Tagged With: Happy Labor Day, Labor Day, Labor Day Wishes

What to Eat Before Playing a Sport

August 29, 2013 by cwsapts

Eating a healthy diet will give you the best foundation — but what should you eat the day of your big game? Check our tips.

Give yourself time to digest. The best time to eat is two to four hours before you play.
Focus on carbohydrates. Before the game you want to eat a meal high in carbs and low in fat and protein. Try to avoid any spicy foods or foods that could irritate the stomach.
Eat a small meal, about 500 to 700 calories. A larger meal could slow you down during the game.
Drink plenty of water. Start drinking water two hours before the game.
Avoid foods with a lot of fat like hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, eggs, steaks, and nuts.
If you're playing multiple sports games eat a snack between games, not a meal. Good snacks include low fat yogurt, banana, or peanut butter crackers.

Schyler at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons. (From http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/A_worn-out_baseball.JPG.) Baseball, Sports, Games, Summer.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: Eating, Healthy Diet, Sports, What to Eat

Fair Bean Coffee: An Austin Spot for Great Coffee

August 27, 2013 by cwsapts

‘Drink Coffee Responsibly’ is the motto at Austin's Fair Bean Coffee, where life is about more than just a great cuppa joe. They buy all of their beans from Fair Trade organizations that ensure coffee farmers and workers get a fair price for their product and labor. But you really don’t have to know all that to enjoy a trip to this friendly little java spot and coffee roastery. Just order yourself one of their yummy coffees or an espresso drink and find yourself a comfy spot at a table or on a couch and settle in to relax. Large windows make for a sunny, open ambiance and free Wi-Fi means you can bring your laptop and surf the net or catch up on your email. Food is also on the menu, with some yummy light fare to complement your drink. Fair Bean Coffee is open every day.

Fair Bean Coffee
2210 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
http://www.fairbeancoffee.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/fair-bean-coffee-austin

Public Domain. (From http://www.photos-public-domain.com/2011/10/27/steam-rising-from-cup-of-hot-tea/). Coffee, tea, steam, cup, mug, cafe.

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Fair Bean Cofffee, Restaurants in Austin

Parkside: Sophisticated American Cuisine

August 20, 2013 by cwsapts

Accolades abound for Parkside, a casually sophisticated eatery showcasing a tasty menu of seasonal American fare. Stop into the expansive bar and lounge area for a glass of wine, an artisan beer or a creative cocktail like the El Charrito with tequila, Campari, gingersnap liqueur and orange peel. Have a nosh from the oyster bar or an appetizer like Potato Gnocchi, Crispy Sweetbreads, Fried Oysters, or Crab Fritters. The raw bar features Salmon with citrus & sweet peppercorns and Classic Ceviche with avocado. Entrees include Braised Lamb Shanks with Israeli couscous, Seared Salmon with bacon cider vinaigrette, Grilled New York Strip Steak with brown butter puree, and Marinated Pork Blade Steak with foraged mushrooms. Open Monday through Sunday from 5p.m. until 12a.m.

Parkside
301 E 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
Neighborhood: Downtown
(512) 474-9898
http://www.yelp.com/biz/parkside-austin

By jules / stone soup (carrot soup) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: Austin Dining, Austin Restaurants, Parkside, Restaurants