Hopfields: Not Your Usual Pub

If you’re on the lookout for a great neighborhood watering hole with a menu that ventures above the usual pub-grub, put Hopfields on your list of go-to places. It’s a fine spot to chill out with an artisan beer, glass of wine or refreshing cocktail. Order up something tasty from the French-themed menu to accompany your libation. Choices include Moules Frites – mussels in white wine broth with French fries, Ratatoille with fresh veggies, and Steak Frites – a 6-ounce filet with fries & Dijon mustard. The Pascal Burger is also a tasty option, topped with camembert, cornichons, caramelized onions & grain mustard. Save room for a luscious dessert crepe, like Tripel Karmeliet with lavender vanilla sugar and nutella. Open every day.

Hopfields
3110 Guadalupe St, Ste 400
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 537-0467
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hopfields-austin

Milano Café: Discover Authentic Italian Food, Right in Austin

A European-style family eatery with a classic menu, Milano Café is a great stop for authentic Italian cooking. It's the great sort of place where you can stop in for a great cup of coffee or sit down for a nice, filling meal. The menu consists of a number of wonderful pizza and pasta possibilities, as well as some delectable bruschetta options and a host of starter and entree-sized salads. There is also a helpful and unique "family to-go" menu where you can order large, family-style portions to pick up and take back to your home. Quality is top-notch all around, with everything made from scratch from super fresh ingredients. Milano Café is a friendly, authentic taste of Italy that is a fantastic treat for anyone in the Austin area.

Milano Café
4601 Southwest Parkway
Suite 109
Austin, TX 78735
(512) 428-6076
http://www.yelp.com/biz/milano-cafe-austin


 

The Carillon: Ring The Bells

Austin’s culinary scene has been booming in recent years, with a number of focused, motivated chefs bringing new perspectives in fine dining to grateful eaters. Chef Josh Watkins’ tenure at The Carillon began in 2008, after he returned to Texas and worked alongside famed chef David Bull at the Driskill Grill. Watkins appeared alongside Bull on TV show Iron Chef America, where he showed off his impressive skills, and not long after he was recruited to open the Carillon. Every aspect of this restaurant is top-notch. The staff is attentive without being intrusive, the décor is classy and comfortable, and the food is some of the best you’ll find in town. Frequent diners rave about the incredible spinach salad with house bacon and poached egg yolk, as well as the duck leg confit with root vegetables and white bean cassoulet. They also offer both three-course and six-course tasting menus, which come highly recommended.

The Carillon
1900 University Avenue
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 404-3655
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-carillon-austin-2

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Wishing you a day filled with love and happiness!

Vino Vino: Drink Up

Vino Vino is a cozy, upscale spot to sample something from their impressive wine stash along with a delectable starter or entrée. The ambiance is relaxed and romantic, with amber lighting and polished wood floors. Whether your taste in wine runs to a bubbly brut cave from Spain, a juicy California pinot noir or a zesty German riesling, you’re sure to find something to satisfy the pickiest palate. The food menu includes small plates like Shrimp in Chili Oil, Mussels & Fries, a Charcuterie Plate, Arugula Beet Salad, and Wagyu Beef Sliders. If you’re hungering for a full entrée, choose from Scallops with creamer peas, Duck Ham with glazed veggies, Flounder with cauliflower & sunchokes, and Wagyu Shortribs with cornbread, among other flavorful items. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner and late-night snacks.

Vino Vino
4119 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 465-9282
http://www.yelp.com/biz/vino-vino-austin

Cork and Co.: The Mighty Grape

Aficionados of the mighty grape congregate at Cork and Co., where a plentiful supply of wine from around the globe is arrayed for imbibing. Order a wine flight to sample an array of varietals. Each flight contains three 2-ounce pours of your choosing. Accompany your libations with something yummy for your tummy, like the Antipasto, Cheese & Charcuterie Plate with a sampling of goodies of your choosing. Other food choices include Baby Zach’s Smoked BBQ Hummus Plate and a Piccante Italiana Panini with peppered salami, prosciutto di Parma, smoked provolone and spicy cherry peppers. Increase your knowledge and appreciation of wine with one of their fun, informative classes. Upcoming choices include Wines of California, Wines of Oregon and Lone Star Wines. Open Monday through Saturday.

Cork and Co.
308 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 474-2675
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cork-and-co-austin

The Best Spot for Recreation in Austin: Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail

Get a dose of fresh air as you take in the amazing sites of Austin from the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail. Whether you walk, run, or bike, there are 193 miles of well paved, accessible trails running through many different areas of the city. Run along paths with scenic views of Austin, ride along energizing creeks and colorful patches of bright flowers. Ride in freedom from traffic, runners, and walkers on The Veloway, a 3.17 mile paved trail that is made just for bikes and rollerblades. Outdoor recreation is available on the Town Lake trail year-round, and trail maps and additional details are available here.

Foot Care Tips for an Active Lifestyle

Your feet are one of the most important parts of your body, and you subject them to a lot of abuse every single day. Foot pain can be seriously debilitating, whether it be from strains, blisters or other issues. Here are some helpful tips for keeping your feet in good shape.

The most important thing you can do for your feet is wearing the right kind of shoe. Not only should they fit snugly, but they should also be appropriate for the kind of activity you are doing. Different kinds of shoes are designed for different things, so make sure your shoe offers the ideal combination of support and comfort.

Good sock selection is also very important. It’s important to wear socks that will wick moisture away from your feet as you exercise. Excess moisture left on the skin can result in blisters, fungal infections and more.

Toenail care is essential for healthy feet. You should always trim your toenails in straight lines perpendicular to your toes. This prevents ingrown nails and other issues. Make sure not to trim down the side of the nail.

If you feel anything unusual with your feet, you should consult a podiatrist immediately. Left undiagnosed, foot problems can lead to very significant health issues that can impact you greatly.

The Peached Tortilla: Discover Mobile Delicacies

A food truck full of personality, The Peached Tortilla is an incredible fusion of cuisines that makes for a truly unique dining experience. Drawing on Asian and Mexican influences, the food here is full of compelling combinations that will delight your taste buds. The menu has tacos and burritos loaded imaginatively with things like Pad Thai, Chinese bbq, and Szechuan-style vegetables. You can also choose among several delectable sliders. Add some parmesan or sweet-potato fries into the mix, with dipping sauces like peach mint and truffle mayo, and you've got some incredible gourmet goodness. Visit the truck's website to help track down this deliciousness, or stop by its Twitter page!

The Peached Tortilla
(512) 761-3241
http://twitter.com/peachedtortilla
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-peached-tortilla-austin
 

Visit the Mexic-Arte Museum For a Dose of Art and Culture

For a heaping dose of Mexican culture, visit the Mexic-Arte Museum, the official Mexican and Mexican-American Fine Art Museum of Texas. With works ranging from pottery to portraits by Mexican, Latino, and Latin-American artists, the museum serves as a cultural education oasis for children and adults alike. See the work of famous Mexican artiss like Jose Chaves Morado and Roberto Montenegro, and make sure to catch the museum’s annual summer show, which showcases the work of Young Latino Artists. The museum also holds art classes, guided tours, and gallery talks throughout the year to enrich the community, and admission is only $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and students, and only $1 for children 12 and under.

Mexic-Arte Museum
419 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 480-9373

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