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219 West: Drink With Style

July 11, 2013 by

219 West is a fave for their extended happy hour, which offers great deals on drinks and food. Also a plus is their expansive selection of libations and their spacious seating, which includes a front patio, an indoor lounge & dining room and rooftop patio with a primo view of Austin. Prepare to blow away the day’s cares with something yummy like a Blackberry Martini or Mojito and a tasty tapa like Beef Carpaccio, Shallot French Fries, Tilapia Nachos or Creole Crab Dip. If you want to go the entrée route, they’ve got taste pleasers like Teriyaki Ribeye with wasabi mashed potatoes, Chicken Fried Ahi Tuna with sugar snap peas and Lump Crab Stuffed Mushroom with grilled asparagus. Open every day.

219 West
612 W 6th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-2194
http://www.yelp.com/biz/219-west-austin

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Vespaio: Incredible Italian Cuisine

June 27, 2013 by

Vespaio is an Italian restaurant with exceptional food in a laid-back environment. The simple decor of brick and dark wood is a warm invitation, and the open kitchen is a fun and welcoming sight to incoming visitors. The menu contains authentic Italian food of the highest quality. Delicious antipasti like calimari and beef carpaccio lead into delicious salads and wood-fired pizzas. There are also mouth-watering specialties like prosciutto-wrapped jumbo prawns and veal scaloppine, as well as a wide array of pasta options. There's even gluten-free pasta here! The wine list receives regular updates and is among the best in the city for Italian wines, and the bartenders make a great cocktail, as well. Vespaio is a great choice for high quality food in a relaxed atmosphere.

Vespaio
1610 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-6100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vespaio-austin

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J Mueller BBQ: Hit The Pit

June 18, 2013 by

Texas is one of the country’s big destinations for barbecue, with a beef-centric menu and some serious slow-cooked flavor. The Hill Country is rife with barbecue joints, but locals will almost unanimously recommend J Mueller in Austin. Owner John Mueller hails from a barbecue dynasty in Taylor, Texas – his grandfather Louie’s restaurant is internationally known as one of the temples of Texas ‘cue. It took a lot for John to set out on his own, but he quickly found success in Austin. His business has had some ups and downs since then, but since opening the new location in Austin’s Bouldin Creek neighborhood, things have been looking up for Mueller. And for good reason – this is incredible barbecue, perfectly tender and flavorful. The brisket here is the meal of choice, and it’s done up as well as you can possibly do it. Beef ribs and sausage are also quite good. Note that this place has become a little more popular since it was profiled on Anthony Bourdain’s TV show.

J Mueller BBQ
1502 S. 1st Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 229-7366
http://www.yelp.com/biz/jmueller-bbq-austin

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Home Slice Pizza: Get a Great Slice in the Lone Star State

June 13, 2013 by

Pizza isn’t what you would consider a regional specialty of Texas, but you have to realize that Austin isn’t really much like the rest of the state. It’s a semi-isolated town that plays by its own rules, which means in this case, great pizza. The creatively-named Home Slice was founded to present authentic New York-style pizza—thin crust, minimal toppings, lots of attitude—and it accomplishes that task splendidly. Regulars rave about the no-nonsense pies—there’s no fusion food going on here, and none of the barbecue chicken pizza that locals seem to love. Instead, these are classic Italian combinations of fried eggplant, white sauces, and more. If you want a side, the classic salads will do you up, with special mention given to the Greek. The place is small and almost always crowded, which should give you a hint as to how good the pies are.

Home Slice Pizza
1415 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-7437

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Man Bites Dog: Not Your Typical Hot Dog Stand!

June 11, 2013 by

Warning: this is not your typical hot dog stand! 

Man Bites Dog is South Austin’s hot dog hot spot, where signature franks are 1/5th of a pound.  The ingredients are fresh and flavorful, and you won’t find any boring buns here — they’re fluffy, sweet brioche that hold up the the mountains of toppings. The menu features inventive wieners like the Danger Dog — bacon wrapped, topped with jalapeños, hot sauce, and cotija cheese.  And, its not only beef franks on the menu; the Bruschetta Dog, for example, is made with Italian chicken sausage. These dogs are a full meal at a great price. (Smaller dogs are available for those that want a lighter snack.) There are even vegetarian franks, vegan chili, and gluten-free buns.

Man Bites Dog
3005 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 215-0422
www.yelp.com/biz/man-bites-dog-austin-4

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Cru: Eclectic Wines

May 28, 2013 by

Housed in an elegant setting with a variety of seating options, Cru is the go-to spot to imbibe an eclectic array of wines. Wine flights, 30 wines by the glass and over 300 bottled varietals offer a wide selection of drinking options for even the pickiest grape-lover. Relax on the patio, sit at a communal table, or cozy up in a booth and sip to your heart’s content. If you need a bite to eat, order something delectable from the kitchen. Pan Seared Crab Cake, Cheese Fondue, Lamb Lollipops, Pan Roasted Chicken Picatta and Filet Mignon are among the dining options. Stone-fired pizzas are on the menu, too. Stop by on the weekend for Sunday brunch.

Cru
238 W. 2nd Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 472-9463
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cr%C3%BA-wine-bar-austin-3

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Patika Coffee: Drink Up

May 21, 2013 by

Looking for the perfect way to start your day? Head to Patika Coffee for some fantastic java. It’s a sweet little coffee trailer on Congress Avenue, so you can take in the sights and sounds of the area while you sip your cuppa joe. Their brew is made from fresh beans from  Austin’s premier roaster, Cuvee, so it has that robust taste without a trace of bitterness. Whether your coffee style runs to espresso, cappuccino, latte, or just a black cup with or without cream, you’ll love what they have to offer. Like your coffee flavored? They make their own super-yummy syrups. Not a java fan? Not to worry. They’ve got chai and Italian sodas, too. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30am unti. 5:30pm, Saturday from 8:00am until 2:00pm.

Patika Coffee
4th St and Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 535-3955
http://www.yelp.com/biz/patika-coffee-austin

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Dine in Grand Style at Austin’s Green Pastures

May 14, 2013 by

Dubbed the “Grande Dame of Austin Restaurants" by the Austin Chronicle, Green Pastures offers a majestic dining experience on the grounds of a restored southern mansion in South Austin. Dining rooms are decorated with elegance, featuring antiques and fine china. You can enjoy a picturesque view of the grounds including stately live oaks, and peacocks that roam the property. The menu offers elegant French-inspired entrees with a southern twist, like pecan salmon with lobster bread pudding.  

Sunday Brunch at Green Pastures is a step into a better, more elegant world. Be sure to try their milk punch, which tastes like spiked vanilla ice cream. White linen service is friendly and top-notch, with customers swearing that the food is just as good as the atmosphere. This is THE place for an elegant special occasion meal — be sure to make a reservations.

Green Pastures
811 W. Live Oak Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 444-4747
www.yelp.com/biz/green-pastures-restaurant-austin

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The Carillon: Ring The Bells

April 17, 2013 by

Austin’s culinary scene has been booming in recent years, with a number of focused, motivated chefs bringing new perspectives in fine dining to grateful eaters. Chef Josh Watkins’ tenure at The Carillon began in 2008, after he returned to Texas and worked alongside famed chef David Bull at the Driskill Grill. Watkins appeared alongside Bull on TV show Iron Chef America, where he showed off his impressive skills, and not long after he was recruited to open the Carillon. Every aspect of this restaurant is top-notch. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, the décor is classy and comfortable, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in town. Frequent diners rave about the incredible spinach salad with house bacon and poached egg yolk, as well as the duck leg confit with root vegetables and white bean cassoulet. They also offer both three-course and six-course tasting menus, which come highly recommended.

The Carillon
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 404-3655
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-carillon-austin-2

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Beer Reigns at Black Sheep Lodge

April 10, 2013 by

South Austin's Black Sheep Lodge offers for good pub food, fun atmosphere, and cheap drinks.  There are bar specials every night of the week — including $2 cans like Lone Star and PBR tallboys on Friday and Saturday. You can catch the game on Sunday on one of their 20 TVs, while enjoying $2 off pitchers with friends. There are 26 beers on tap and over 100 bottles to choose from. Although beer is the heart of this establishment, don’t overlook the food — the menu features burgers and sandwiches with better taste and cheaper prices than most pub grub. Regulars love the “Little Stinkers Sliders” — garlic and beef patties topped with gorgonzola butter and mixed greens. If you’re in the mood to snack, the cheese curds are highly recommended, as are the fried pickles. The large outdoor patio is dog friendly.

Black Sheep Lodge
2108 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 707-2744
www.yelp.com/biz/black-sheep-lodge-austin

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