Henri’s: Take a Taste of Europe’s Finest Delicacies

Walking into Henri’s feels like entering a quaint European bistro, from the white stone fixtures to the wall of wines and cheeses.

The charming cheese shop stocks a thoughtful selection of cheese and charcuterie, as well as simple sandwiches and salads that are well-suited to an elegant, casual lunch. Later in the evening the shop serves wine, cheese, and charcuterie pairings only, an ideal arrangement when you simply want a nightcap or you’re waiting for a table at one of the upscale restaurants nearby. Each cheese plate comes with a generous assortment of lovely preserves, freshly baked bread, and nuts that complement the cheese selection. For dessert, Henri’s serves French-inspired baked goods such as decadent chocolate cake.

Henri’s serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and wine and cheese from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The retail store is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Sunday lunch is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. only.

Henri’s
2026 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 442-3373
www.henrischeese.com
www.yelp.com/biz/henris-austin

Enjoy Inventive Italian Fare and a Serenade at Botticelli’s

Botticelli's is a family-owned Italian restaurant located right in the heart of the South Congress shopping district. Owners Andrew and Matt Botticelli work hard to ensure their restaurant serves authentic Italian food with integrity and inventiveness. Menu items include ravioli stuffed with butternut squash, pansotti pasta featuring mushrooms and ricotta cheese, and duck breast with ravioli and black pepper fig sauce.

There is a wide choice of wines and a happy hour on Sundays and Mondays, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Besides the food and drink selection, customers enjoy relaxing in the idyllic beer garden, where diners can expect to be serenaded by live music Thursdays through Saturdays. Large parties are advised to make reservations and the beer garden fills up fast, too.

Botticelli's
1321 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 916-1315
www.botticellissouthcongress.com
www.yelp.com/biz/botticellis-austin

These Online Retailers Sell Hip Kids’ Furniture That’s More Stylish Than Most

If the idea of a kids’ bedroom that’s cluttered with toys isn’t exactly what you have in mind, you may be wishing for kid-friendly furniture that’s a bit more functional. These stylish online stores specialize in children’s furniture and decor that’s more minimal than most, but it’s still cute enough to appeal to your favorite little ones.

The Land of Nod
With mid-century modern designs and soft, neutral colors, all of the furniture at The Land of Nod is just as appealing to caregivers as it is to the kids. Here you’ll find well-made wooden cribs and bedframes, bedding in whimsical patterns, and smart storage solutions with an eclectic edge.

IKEA
Everyone’s favorite Swedish home goods store is an equally great resource for fun, quirky children’s furniture. If you’re looking to furnish your little ones’ rooms on a budget, this is the place to go for complete furniture sets and even colorful rugs that double as board games.

Hip Kids
With a name like Hip Kids, it’s apparent that this online retailer sells children’s furnishings that are truly stylish. Shop wooden play kitchens, kid-sized teepees, and smart storage solutions that they’ll actually want to put their toys inside.

Front Porch Frozen Desserts: Not Your Typical Fro-Yo Shop

While most cities have their fair share of chain frozen yogurt shops, Austin’s Front Porch Frozen Desserts is a family-owned operation with a whole lot more charm. This stylish shop serves sorbet and frozen yogurt made with real milk and fruit purees and sourced from Honey Hill Farms, and the yogurt is certified to contain live and active cultures. Front Porch also offers more than 90 different topping choices to jazz up your already delicious yogurt, from fresh fruits to syrups and even crushed candy pieces.

The shop itself is just as high quality as its yogurt, featuring walls constructed out of reclaimed wood from all over Texas and tables handcrafted out of reclaimed long leaf pine to create a uniquely modern, rustic look. Front Porch Frozen Desserts does a great job of creating a casual, welcoming atmosphere while still taking the quality of its desserts extremely seriously.

Front Porch Desserts is open noon to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday hours are 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Front Porch Frozen Desserts
3107 South IH 35
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 388-6330
www.frontporchrr.com
www.yelp.com/biz/front-porch-frozen-desserts-round-rock

Dolce Neve: Classic Gelato with Local Flavor

When you think of Austin’s food scene you likely think of barbecue before gelato, but South Austin’s Dolce Neve is aiming to change that. This gelato shop uses a variety of creative, local ingredients to create some of the best gelato that you’ll have in the Lone Star State, and the regulars report that customer service is exceptional.

Each gelato flavor is made from scratch on site every morning, and it is made 100 percent according to old-school Italian recipes. Gelato flavors include 18 handcrafted options that change daily, but some of the most popular include goat cheese and blueberry lime jam, ricotta pistachio, and dark chocolate with cayenne pepper. If that’s not enough to get your sweet tooth tingling, Dolce Neve also offers other frozen novelties such as granita, popsicles, gelato sandwiches, and affogatos.

Dolce Neve is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Note that the cafe is closed Mondays.

Dolce Neve
1713 S. First Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-5568
www.dolcenevegelato.com
www.yelp.com/biz/dolce-neve-austin

Happy Fourth of July!

Wishing you a Fourth of July filled with pride, honor, and lots of fun!

Experience More Than Just A Meal At Wink in Austin

“Dining at Wink is more than just a meal, it’s an experience.” That’s how a guest describes her time at this intimate, cordial dining venue in Austin. When you walk through the door at Wink, you instantly feel welcome. Wink only uses the freshest food and ingredients from local and national farms and purveyors. Therefore, the menu at Wink is updated on a daily basis.

The employees at Wink know their stuff, and they're very knowledgeable about the food they prepare and the wines that go with them. There's no pretense here, however. Instead, the staff wants every guest to explore and try new things and ask questions so they can have the best experience possible.

Wink is open Mondays through Saturdays. Because of the restaurant's attentive staff and popular, fresh menus, it is strongly recommended that you reserve a table in advance.

Wink
1014 North Lamar Blvd
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 482-8868
www.winkrestaurant.com

Happy Father’s Day!

Today is a chance for us to recognize some very important people in our lives. May this day bring you many reasons to smile!

Happy Father’s Day!

5 Unexpected Household Uses for Mayonnaise

Even if mayonnaise isn’t your favorite sandwich topper, you can’t deny that these unique uses for the condiment are downright brilliant! Try one of these new uses for mayonnaise in your home, your car, or even the shower.

  1. Fix cracks in wood furniture by simply dabbing mayonnaise all over the top, and then using a clean rag to wipe the entire surface. The mayo will stay inside of the crack, and after a few days, its oils will swell the wood and help close the cracked part.
  2. Create a DIY deep hair conditioner by applying mayo all over your head. Concentrate on the drier parts at the ends and work your way up to the roots, and then leave it on for at least five minutes. When you rinse, you’ll be left with smooth, soft locks.
  3. Remove the frustrating residue left behind by stickers and other adhesives. Simply rub the spot with mayo and a smooth, dry towel.
  4. Clean up crayon marks from walls and wood floors by rubbing mayonnaise on the affected area and letting it soak in for a few minutes. Wipe it away with a damp towel and you’ll wipe away the crayon as well.
  5. Get gum out of your (or your kids’) hair by rubbing the gum with mayonnaise. Once it’s worked in, simply slide the gum down the strands.

10 Unexpected Home Uses for Mayonnaise [Wise Bread]
9 Surprising Uses for Mayonnaise [Rachel Ray Everyday]
11 Home and Beauty Uses for Mayonnaise [Reader’s Digest]

Jumpoline Park: A Hop, Skip and a Jump to All-Ages Fun

The next time you’re looking for something fun and out of the ordinary to do with the kids, your friends, or even your coworkers, check out Jumpoline Park. This colorful facility is filled with wall-to-wall trampolines that visitors can bounce on and play games on, and because bouncing burns 600 to 1,000 calories an hour, it even makes a great workout that’s much more fun than your usual jog.

If you want to host a unique birthday party for your child, Jumpoline Park features private party rooms that can be rented out for children’s parties and other social events. Order a pizza from Jumpoline Park’s concession stand, bring your own cake and ice cream, and then watch as the little ones let out their energy on the many trampolines filling this safe, fun facility.

Jumpoline Park is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays.

Jumpoline Park
13801 Mopac Expressway
Austin, TX 78727
(512) 310-1420
www.jumpolinepark.com
www.yelp.com/biz/jumpoline-park-austin-2

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