Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2014!

Chappy’s Pit BBQ: No Frills BBQ in Austin

When you’re traveling west out of Austin along Highway 290, be on the look out for Chappy’s Pit BBQ. This no frills trailer offers a straightforward menu of brisket, pork, ribs, and sausage as a plate or sandwich. Customers agree the meat is flavorful, tender, and just as delicious without the homemade BBQ sauce. Favorite sides include baked beans, cucumber and tomato salad, and corn on the cob. Chappy's Pit BBQ may not be a full service restaurant but they do accept debit cards and cash. Sure, the trailer may not look like much, but it houses what might just be one of the tastiest barbecue you'll find around Austin.
 
Chappy's Pit BBQ
6837 Highway 290 West

Austin, TX 78735
(512) 481-2227
www.facebook.com/pages/Chappys-Pit-BBQ/172990876150290
www.yelp.com/biz/chappys-bbq-austin

Learn to Make Handcrafted Cocktails With These Helpful Sites

We’ve seen a recent upswing of high-quality cocktails and creative mixology in the past few years. If you’re an at-home mixologist who wants to learn to make the perfect Manhattan or attempt to imitate that whiskey cocktail from your favorite bar, these helpful websites will show you how.

TheBar.com
This beautifully designed, easy-to-navigate website allows visitors to search for cocktails by name, event, flavors, spirits or brands to plan the perfect drink menu for any occasion. If you’re unsure of the exact drink you’d like to make, TheBar.com also allows you to browse by category to find drinks that you and your guests will love.

Cocktail Builder
Perfect for the nights when you have a few half-empty bottles in your bar and no idea of what to do with them, Cocktail Builder is an innovative website that allows you to type in the types of alcohol you have and find drink recipes based on those items. The site also features a large database of cocktail ideas if you’d rather browse on your own, from classic favorites like the Whiskey Sour to new combinations like the creamy, tropical White Dream of the Sky.

Artisan Bistro Austin: Authentic French Cuisine

For a great meal without the fuss of heading downtown, try Artisan Bistro Austin in Lakeway, just a short drive from Sendera Barton Creek. Don’t let the location fool you; this little restaurant offers authentic French cuisine in a charming ambiance. Brick walls, dim chandeliers, and simple French country décor aren’t the only “eye-candy”. Everything from escargot to macaroons is beautifully presented, not to mention delicious! If you’ve never had escargot, Artisan does them right with a herbed butter sauce. Another menu favorite is the duck confit, but don’t overlook any specials, including cheese and charcuterie offerings. If you're in the area for lunch, treat yourself to a classic Jambon Beurre, a ham and butter sandwich on a baguette. Save room for dessert, Artisan offers everything you’d expect of a French bakery like flaky bread, buttery croissants, delicate custards, and flavorful tarts. You can stop in to pick up baked goods anytime.

Artisan Bistro Austin
900 RR 620 S

Lakeway, TX 78734
(512) 263-8728
www.artisanbistroaustin.com
www.yelp.com/biz/artisan-bistro-austin-lakeway

Season’s Greetings!

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season with all the warmth and splendor this time of year has to offer. Happy Holidays!

The Emerald Restaurant: Authentic Irish Cuisine in Austin

Celebrate a special occasion with an authentic meal at The Emerald Restaurant in Austin, Texas. The restaurant's 1927 cottage setting is decorated with Irish lace and china. The quaint ambiance transports you across the Atlantic and makes you feel like you're dining in someone’s home. Many customers enjoy the three course meals for two. “The Kinsale” is especially popular which includes the famous potato soup, a tenderloin steak with a Madeira mushroom sauce, and Irish Whiskey cake. Plan for a leisurely pace meal, as everything is made from scratch and cooked to order. The Emerald can seem pricey, but keep your eye out for discount deals and coupons. Reservations are required at this elegant West Austin restaurant.
 
The Emerald Restaurant
13614 W Highway 71
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 963-4272
www.irishemeraldrestaurant.com/
www.yelp.com/biz/emerald-restaurant-austin

VERTS: An Austin Classic

Next time you find yourself in the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, grab a bite at VERTS. This Austin-area chain was started by a UT alumni and offers healthy, tasty meals. If you love kebabs and Mediterranean cuisine, you'll love the Berlin-style Gyro called a "doner kebap." The sandwich starts with a pita-like bread, baked daily, and is topped with your choice of meat, grilled on a vertical spit and sliced to order. Add on locally sourced veggies and yogurt based sauce. A favorite combo is the beef and lamb, with the garlic sauce. No matter how you top it, all sandwiches are under 550 calories and just $7. There is even a veggie loaded option for vegetarians. The snack size will satisfy most appetites, but they are so delicious, those that order a regular finish it all. VERTS also serves several bottle and tap beers, which you can have European style, meaning mixed with Sprite or Coke. 
It may sound strange, but it's a popular option!

VERTS
12800 Galleria Circle
Austin, TX 78738
(512) 369-3918
www.vertskebap.com
www.yelp.com/biz/verts-austin-11

The World’s Five Must-See Museums

If you're a fan of art, culture, history, and everything in-between, make sure you put these five museums on your bucket list. You'll definitely want to check them out during your travels! 

The Museum of Modern Art
Start your journey right here in the United States at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The MoMa, as some call it, was the first museum dedicated solely to modern art. Today, it houses the largest collection of 19th and 20th century art. 

Museo Nacional De Antropologia
Learn about the history of Mexico at the Museo Nacional De Antropologia in Mexico City, Mexico. See Mexican folk art, pre-Columbian Mexico artifacts, beautifully landscaped gardens, and Sun Stone from the Aztec era. 

The Louvre
This must-see museum located in Paris, France, is home to some of the most famous paintings in the world, like the Mona Lisa. The Louvre was once a palace and a fortress but is now one of the most visited museums in the world. The collection is so huge, it can take days to see all there is in the museum. 

British Museum
Not only are artifacts from British history housed at the British Museum in London, England, but the seven million object collection features artifacts from cultures all over the world. Visit the free museum to learn about human history from the beginning. 

State Hermitage Museum
One of the oldest museums in the world is located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The State Hermitage Museum was built during the reign of Catherine the Great. The works of famous artists are on display, like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt. Over three million pieces make up the museums collection, but only a small portion can be on display at any given time. 

Bee Cave Central Park: A Perfect Getaway

No matter the day or the size of your group, there is something for everyone at Bee Cave Central Park. Residents love it and keep coming back to see what new thing they can experience this time. The park is huge and you can find yourself easily getting lost as you play on the drums in the amphitheater or pick up a game of frisbee golf on their custom 18 hole course.  Bee Cave Central Park provides everything a family could want in a day out – from futuristic design to playgrounds that double as architectural wonders. In between recreational activities you can find yourself wandering through large strategically placed meadows and miles of trails winding through the entire park. Don’t forget about the pets because an entire section of this park is an off-leash area to let your canine companion to run free in. Bathrooms are kept clean and well-maintained, which is a relief.

Bee Cave Central Park
13676 Bee Cave Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 767-6610
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bee-cave-central-park-bee-cave

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Today we pay tribute to the men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom. Thank you, veterans!

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