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Truluck’s: Fete a Special Occasion Over Steak and Seafood

April 24, 2015 by

The next time you’re celebrating a special occasion, consider making a reservation at Truluck’s. This upscale steak and seafood restaurant in Austin has a festive feel, from its light-covered marquee and beautiful stone patio to its romantic, old-fashioned interior. The eatery is very large and features a dark wooden bar and spacious tables that can accommodate the whole family.

On the menu, Truluck’s offers premium cuts of steak, Florida stone crab, and Chilean seabass, and its extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktails pair perfectly with any entree. Appetizers like the famous smoking shrimp cocktail start the meal off right, while the dessert martinis and extravagant cakes conclude every meal on a sweet note.

Truluck’s serves dinner seven days a week. Happy hour is held between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. daily.

Truluck’s
10225 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 794-8300
www.trulucks.com
www.yelp.com/biz/trulucks-austin-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Ng BMT: Banh Mi and More in Austin

April 21, 2015 by

Although its name sounds like a secret code that only Austin locals understand, Ng BMT is actually a Vietnamese sandwich spot located within the Hong Kong Supermarket. This unique sandwich cafe-meets-bakery serves traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes.

Each banh mi is available with your choice of peppered shrimp, tofu, pork, or other meats to accommodate both meat eaters and vegetarian guests. Diners new to the banh mi might enjoy the pork banh mi, which sandwiches slices of marinated pork within a warm baguette with creamy mayo, pickled carrots, cilantro, and, for a little spicy kick, jalapeno peppers! Counter the heat with the chilled sweet tofu dessert.

Ng BMT is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Regulars note that the prices at Ng BMT are easy on the wallet, so you can grab a cheap lunch that’s bit out of the ordinary.

Ng BMT
8557 Research Boulevard
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 931-1088
www.ngbmt.com
www.yelp.com/biz/ng-bmt-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

How to Identify the Freshest Fruit at the Supermarket

April 17, 2015 by

Fresh, ripe fruit plays an important part in any healthy diet, but it can be frustrating when your juicy apples get brown and bruised just days after purchasing them. If you'd like to select the ripest, freshest produce at the grocery store, check out these four tips!

  1. Feel the weight. Fruits like melons, oranges, and lemons feel heavier when they’re ripe with juice, so pick them up before choosing which ones to buy. The fruit should feel heavy for its size if it’s truly ripe.
  2. Test the texture. The above fruit should also feel firm to the touch, but not so firm that they feel dry and hard inside. Give them a gentle squeeze to check for bruising, as well.
  3. Use your sense of smell. Fruits like berries, grapes, and nectarines begin to smell sour or rotten when they’re past their prime, so be sure to give them a good whiff before purchasing. Most fruits will give off a light, sweet scent when they’re ready to consume.
  4. Inspect the whole surface. If all else fails, use your best judgment by simply inspecting the fruit. Turn over a melon or apple to check for bruising or discoloration, take a quick peek through a bag of grapes or oranges to see if any are mushy or rotten, and consider the color of the fruit’s skin, as this can often tell if it is too ripe.

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: , , ,

Have Lobster at Garbo’s Restaurant

April 14, 2015 by

Garbo's Restaurant is the bricks-and-mortar extension of Heidi Garbo's popular local food truck. Like the original food truck, Garbo's Restaurant specializes in fresh, buttery lobster rolls served either "Maine style" or "Connecticut style" and accompanied by fries or clam chowder, but this Austin restaurant also offers an expanded seafood menu.

Yelp reviewers recommend trying the smoked fish dip, served with crackers or grilled French bread, as well as the crispy clam fritters accompanied by a gribiche sauce for dipping. Main dishes include whole gulf shrimp simmered in a spicy herb and lemon broth, as well as beer battered fish and ships served with house-made ketchup and tartar sauce. Don't forget a bowl of creamy, New England clam chowder, topped with scallions and served with traditional oyster crackers to round out your meal.

Don't worry if seafood's just not your thing, either, because the restaurant also serves a popular Texas wagyu burger accompanied by fries and a pickle.

Garbo's Restaurant
14735 Bratton Lane
Austin, TX 78728
(512) 350-9814
www.garboslobsteratx.com/restaurant
www.yelp.com/biz/garbos-restaurant-austin

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

How to Give Your Bathroom a Spa Makeover

April 10, 2015 by

You might think that it’s impossible to replicate the relaxing oasis of a spa bathroom in your home, but with a few simple tips from pros, you’ll be on your way to a day of pampering in no time. Here are just a few ways to transform your bathroom into a relaxing retreat.

  1. Invest in candles. There are few better (or easier) ways to create a spa feeling than by adding mood-enhancing candles. Place them on the back of the toilet, on the sink, or even on the edges of the tub.
  2. Switch out the lighting. Try a bulb with lower wattage to create a peaceful, relaxing ambiance in your bathroom.
  3. Add some spa essentials. Fill an attractive basket with fancy lotions, soaps, and bath salts and place it within arm’s length of your bathtub.
  4. Purchase spa-quality towels. Make the upgrade to plush, luxurious towels. Choose towels in soft, muted colors or even stark white to impart that spa-like look. Instead of folding your towels, roll them into cylinders and store them in a basket by the foot of your shower.
  5. Keep the counters clean. Clutter works against the minimalist look that you’re going for, so store your essential products in a cabinet or corral them with a stylish tray.

Budget Makeover: At-Home Spa [the nest]
Give Your Bathroom a Makeover [She Knows]
What Decorating Ideas Make a Bathroom Feel Like a Retreat? [Modern Mom]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Add Texture to Your Decor

April 7, 2015 by

Even if you have all of the essential furniture, a room can still feel "off" without the warm, cozy textures that really make a house a home. Here are a few smart tips for adding designer-inspired textures to any space!

  1. Toss in some throw pillows. If your sofa (or your bed) is looking a bit bare, dress it up using a mishmash of throw pillows in varying textures. Luxurious silks, faux furs, and simple cottons are all great options, and don’t be afraid to combine colors and patterns, as well.
  2. Add a blanket. One way to make your room look magazine-worthy is by draping a blanket across a bare surface. Think the arm of a chair, the back of the sofa or the foot of your bed.
  3. Add woodgrain to the walls. Even if you live in a rental, you can add the rustic look of woodgrain to any room in your home by creating a large-scale art piece made of recycled wood.
  4. DIY a tile backsplash. If your lease permits it, adding a tile backsplash is a great way to add texture in the kitchen. There are a number of temporary options that can even be removed when you move out.
  5. Hang curtains. Any interior designer will tell you that no room is complete without some type of window treatment. Make a room feel cozier with elegant curtains hung a bit higher than the window frames.

Make an Impact with Texture [Better Homes and Gardens]
Ten Ways to Add Texture to a Room [Apartment Therapy]
Home Décor: 10 Tips to Add Texture [Right @ Home]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

How to Brew Coffee at Home, Just Like a Pro Barista

April 3, 2015 by

If your daily coffee shop habit is starting to make an impact on your wallet, it may be time to start getting caffeinated at home. You don’t have to settle for an inferior cup, however; simply follow these tips to brew coffee just like your favorite barista!

  1. Start with high-quality coffee. It may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to brew a great cup is by using great coffee! Try to purchase coffee as soon after it was roasted as possible, such as from a local roaster. Also, buy it in small quantities to ensure its freshness.
  2. Just add water. Fresh, filtered water, that is. Because water is the foundation of your coffee, it should taste fresh and free of chemicals such as chlorine.
  3. Grind beans on the spot. Instead of grinding all of the beans at once at the grocery store, invest in a home grinder so that you can grind them as you use them. Also, be sure to vary the size of the grounds based on what type of brewing system you use. For example, use a coarser grind for a French press and a fine grind for espresso.
  4. Use the proper ratio. To brew the perfect cup of coffee, keep in mind that you should use a ratio of 5 tablespoons of coffee to 16 ounces of water. This amount will brew two standard size cups, but you can double it to make more.

How to Brew Coffee [NCA]
9 Rules for How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee [Eating Well]
How to Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee [Real Simple]

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 Canyon Ridge Apartments Tagged With:

These Two Wedding Registry Sites Can Help You Take the Plunge

March 27, 2015 by

When it comes time to register for gifts for your wedding, it can be difficult to choose the right places to meet your style and your needs. It’s best to keep in mind that you want high quality items that will last a good while, but at prices that your guests can afford. Here are two great wedding registry websites that will make your decision a bit easier.

Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn’s wedding registry is separated into neatly organized sections that help you to create your registry from start to finish. It features a simple registrant information page that allows you to create your couple profile, and it even enables you to decide where you’d like each gift shipped and your preferences on receiving gift cards from guests. Once you fill out your registry, Pottery Barn also makes it easy for friends and family to find your profile and navigate the gifts that you’ve selected.

Williams-Sonoma
The popular kitchenware store offers an impressive wedding registry site that’s packed full of cooking and entertaining items to help you create the kitchen of your dreams. Easily create and manage your registry with just a few fill-in-the-blank questions, then select the items that you love from Williams-Sonoma’s expansive inventory.

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: , , ,

Pfluger Park: Embark on a Shady Retreat

March 24, 2015 by

A neighborhood park is a valuable asset to the entire community that it serves, especially one as clean and well maintained as Pfluger Park. This park is a shady respite from Austin’s fast pace, and it offers something for visitors of any age. The colorful play area is filled with monkey bars and climbing structures that the kids will love, the gazebos are ideal for an outdoor birthday party, and dog owners love the tree lined walking trails. The 30-acre Pfluger Park also features a sand volleyball court and a basketball court for more athletic visitors. Whether you come to relax or to get in a bit of exercise, this park offers a taste of nature to Pflugerville-area residents.

In addition to its regular activities, Pfluger Park hosts neighborhood activities such as the Deutschen Pfest and the Music in the Park series. Check the park’s website for more information about upcoming events.

Pfluger Park
515 City Park Road
Pflugerville, TX 78660
(512) 251-9321
www.pflugervilletx.gov/index.aspx?NID=1309
www.yelp.com/biz/pfluger-park-pflugerville

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: , ,
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