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Tadashi: Upscale Sushi and Japanese Fare
October 23, 2014 by
With dim lighting, contemporary furnishings, and fresh sushi, Tadashi is a unique experience for all of your senses. This authentic Japanese restaurant is located in an upscale plaza near a movie theater and other restaurants, and its interior features a spacious sushi bar, a wall of wine, and a comfortable outdoor patio filled with sleek tables and bold red chairs.
Tadashi takes great interest in using only the highest quality ingredients in every dish, and the restaurant even flies in hard-to-find types of fish from all over the world. Each roll is beautifully prepared and features artistic garnishes arranged on the plate, and the menu also lists other Japanese small plates and entrees for those who don’t prefer sushi. Tadashi offers a full wine, beer, and sake menu for of-age guests, and the welcoming staff is always available to recommend a good pairing.
Tadashi
12820 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-3200
www.home.tadashiaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tadashi-bee-cave
Two Surprising Sources of High Fructose Corn Syrup
October 16, 2014 by
High fructose corn syrup is a main ingredient in many packaged or processed foods, a fact that's caused quite an intense debate among many nutritionists and other food authorities. While some think that it isn’t so bad for you, others argue that high fructose corn syrup is one of the major causes of our nation’s rise in obesity. If you want to avoid the controversial ingredient, here are two surprising products that you should steer clear of at the grocery store.
- Juices. Though fruit juices may seem healthy, many of the store-bought brands are actually fruit juice cocktails rather than 100% fruit juice. If a juice is more of a cocktail juice, there’s almost a definite chance that it contains high fructose corn syrup. A simple way to avoid these types of juices is by looking for types that aren't made from concentrate, or you can also check the ingredients list to look for the sneaky syrup yourself.
- Cereals. Even supposedly healthy breakfast cereals often contain high fructose corn syrup. Don’t believe that just because a cereal also contains whole grains or wheat it’s necessarily healthy; in fact, those types often need the syrup to make them taste more flavorful. Always check the ingredient label before you purchase your next box, or get to know a few brands that don’t use high fructose corn syrup in any of their products.
Corn Syrup in Unexpected Foods [HuffPost Healthy Living]
Surprising Products that Contain High Fructose Corn Syrup [Divine Caroline]
(Not So) Sweet: Surprising Foods Containing High Fructose Corn Syrup [Babble]
6 Popular Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup [FitDay]
Browse Unique, Fair-Trade Gifts at Tesoros Trading Company
October 9, 2014 by
If you frequently peruse the South Congress shopping district and have yet to stop by Tesoros Trading Company, then you should make it a point to drop by on your next outing. Inside, you'll find a large selection of one-of-a-kind goods from all over the world, as well as items made here in the United States.
Tesoros is dedicated to providing customers with ethically sourced goods that help support the artisans' local communities. The shelves are crammed with interesting things to look at, especially "little somethings" that can make a great birthday gift or thoughtful trinket. Among the selection is musical instruments, dolls, folk art, weavings, and more. Be sure to look through the jewelry for a piece to complement your outfit, and keep an eye out for in-store trunk shows.
Tesoros Trading Company
1500 South Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7500
www.tesoros.com/homepage.html
www.yelp.com/biz/tesoros-trading-company-austin
South Congress Cafe: An Upscale Brunch Spot With National Recognition
October 2, 2014 by
The folks behind South Congress Cafe were inspired by Austin’s growing artist community and its new generation of foodies, and in 2003 they set out to open a restaurant that reflects that creative culture. The restaurant itself is housed in a former 1940s drugstore, and it maintains much of the original charm. The exposed brick bar is one of the main focal points, but the rest of the restaurant is colorful and modern.
South Congress Cafe is best known for its delicious brunch, and its bloody Mary was voted one of the best in America by the Huffington Post! Brunch is served daily and includes unique dishes like jalapeno venison meatloaf, carrot cake French toast, and gumbo with duck and oysters. With a stylish, mid-century aesthetic and a menu full of creative Texan dishes, South Congress Cafe is a truly out-of-the-ordinary eatery.
South Congress Cafe is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekends.
South Congress Cafe
1600 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-3905
www.southcongresscafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/south-congress-cafe-austin
Maudie’s Hill Country: Authentic Tex-Mex Food Flavor
September 25, 2014 by
Over the years, Maudie’s has won awards for its Tex-Mex dishes and fresh-squeezed margaritas. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you can kick-start your day with a Tex-Mex feast. Maudie’s uses ingredients like organic eggs and all-natural sausage so you can fuel your day right. Don’t worry if you have a late-afternoon hankering for huevos rancheros, because Maudie’s serves breakfast all day. For lunch and dinner, expect staples like tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and fajitas with a Maudie’s twist.
For its health-conscious customers, Maudie’s offers whole wheat tortillas and a “skinny” menu section with mouth-watering selections like chipotle chicken fajitas and skinny Sheryl’s enchiladas with pulled chicken, tomatillo sauce, grilled zucchini, and rice. Maudie’s also features numerous vegetarian dishes and an entire menu of gluten-free options. On nice nights, guests can enjoy the outdoor patio’s pleasant atmosphere.
Maudie’s Hill Country
12506 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1116
http://www.maudies.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/maudies-restaurant-bee-cave
Popular Vegetarian Restaurants in Austin, Texas
September 18, 2014 by
Austin is quickly becoming one of the most buzzed about food cities in the country, and its growing vegetarian restaurant scene is a major part of that growth. Here is just a sample of the area’s favorite meat-free restaurants.
Mother’s Cafe
With a casual atmosphere and convenient take-out and delivery services, Mother’s Cafe is one of Austin's go-to eateries for fast and affordable vegetarian and vegan food. One vegan and one vegetarian soup option is prepared daily, and the menu also includes a variety of fresh, colorful salads to choose from. Enchiladas and sandwiches are just as hearty and delicious as their meat-filled counterparts, and Mother’s Cafe also offers a weekend brunch that’s very popular among locals.
Mr. Natural
This impressive restaurant includes a bakery, juice bar, health food store, and even a yoga studio all in one place. The bakery offers cakes and pastries in gluten-free, vegan, and sugarless options to suit any diet, and the restaurant’s regular menu features creative vegetarian dishes for its weekly lunch specials, weekend brunch, and any other time of the day.
Swad Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
Indian restaurants are already popular among vegetarians because of their many meat-free options, but Swad Indian Vegetarian Restaurant is one of the only ones in Austin to offer an entirely meat-free menu!
Terra Toys: An Independent Toy Store for Kids and Adults Alike
September 15, 2014 by
While there are a number of big box toy stores in every city, there’s something charming and nostalgic about visiting an independently owned toy store. Terra Toys is just that type of store, with a sweet storefront tucked into a plaza near popular restaurants and other shops.
It’s very easy to spend an entire afternoon browsing the endless selection of unique toys here, so be sure to visit when you have some time to spare. The inventory is stacked from floor to ceiling, with a number of cozy nooks and play areas scattered throughout. The book section has a few small tables where kids can read, and there’s a large train table to check out the model trains.
Terra Toys carries all types of toys, from dolls and action figures to games and science toys, and it can seem overwhelming to attempt to locate a particular item. Regulars recommend sending the knowledgeable employees on a mission to track down the toy you need, and don't forget to grab some novelty candies before you go.
Terra Toys
2438 W. Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 445-4489
www.terratoys.com
www.yelp.com/biz/terra-toys-austin
Two Saints Baking Co and Café: Coffee and More in Bee Cave
September 4, 2014 by
Stop in to this cozy little coffeehouse and café for a freshly brewed coffee drink and a bite to eat right in Bee Cave, Texas. If you need a little caffeine to rev up your motor, order a Cappuccino, Latte, or cup of brewed coffee. This cafe's specialty drinks include uber-yummy concoctions like Caramel Pecan Latte and Mocha Frappe. Specialty teas are also on the menu.
Breakfast fare here includes a Sweet Potato Biscuit topped with ham & apple butter, a Breakfast Croissant with scrambled eggs & cheese, Caramel Pecan Pancakes, and Breakfast Tacos with eggs, peppers, onions & cheese. Later in the day, you can order dishes like a Ham & Dijon Sandwich, a Southwest Chicken Salad, or a Grilled Portabella Panini.
Located in Bee Cave, Texas, Two Saints Baking Co and Café is open every day.
Two Saints Baking Co and Café
13011 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1166
http://www.twosaintsbakingcompany.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/two-saints-baking-co-and-cafe-bee-cave
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