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

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.

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