Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe: Gourmet Cafe Fare in a Quaint Setting

Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe is located in a popular plaza in the Bee Cave area of Austin. This classic bakery and cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and a wide variety of baked goods to eat in or take out. The full-service espresso bar makes traditional espresso drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, freshly brewed coffee, and more adventurous specialty drinks like white chocolate mochas.

Breakfast here is very popular, and it includes a breakfast taco that is one of the cafe’s most popular items. Quiches, omelets, and biscuits come in a variety of different styles, and the glass display case full of French-inspired baked goods will tempt your sweet tooth for breakfast, as well. Lunch items include homemade soups, salads, and croissant sandwiches baked fresh on site.

Once you decide on a delicious treat or hearty lunch, Two Saints offers comfortable indoor cafe tables and a verdant outdoor patio for those who prefer to dine al fresco.

Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe
13011 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1166
www.twosaintsbakingcompany.com
www.yelp.com/biz/two-saints-baking-co-and-cafe-bee-cave

Iron Cactus: An Austin Classic at the Hill Country Galleria

A branch of the popular restaurant on Austin’s Sixth Street, Iron Cactus brings authentic Mexican cuisine to the Hill Country Galleria. There are few sit-down dining options at the mall, so it’s a welcome stop for hungry diners who want to fill up on traditional Tex-Mex favorites and let off steam at the tequila bar. There are over three-dozen varieties on the menu and they make for big, strong, memorable margaritas.

Cocktails get the most praise, but regulars call the food decent and the Sunday brunch (10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $14.99 for adults, $8.99 kids 5-12) a tasty, affordable treat in an area with few options.

Visit the Iron Cactus website for hours, menus, specials, and more information!

Iron Cactus
13420 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-7636
www.ironcactus.com
www.yelp.com/biz/iron-cactus-bee-cave

Henri’s: An Austin Cafe

With a variety of cheese and charcuterie in a modern-rustic setting, Henri's will make you smile without having to hear, "Say cheese!" Choose from one of Henri's featured cheese pairings, or create your own cheeseboard. You don't need to be a connoisseur to have an enjoyable time here; the knowledgeable staff will happily guide you toward the right cheese selection for your palate.

Although most customers come for an evening snack (many stop by while waiting for a table at the nearby Barley Swine), lunch is a great time to stop in. The cafe menu expands to offer sandwiches and salads. Regulars recommend the Parrano, a grilled cheese sandwich with caramelized onions and roasted tomato, which is especially good when paired with a bowl of tomato bisque.

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

More Than 100 Beers Have a Home at Little Woodrow’s

Lots of bars offer a place to drink beer and watch the game, but few are as chilled-out and welcoming as Little Woodrow’s in Austin. Just like its siblings across the Austin area, the Bee Cave location has plenty of TVs — and plenty of beer. In fact, there are more than 100 brews on the menu here, and the staff are the nicest, most unpretentious beer geeks you’ve ever met! Don’t know your IPA from your Hefeweizen? No problem. They’ll hook you up and then come back to talk about the Longhorns.

Relax on the huge patio, listen to some live music, and try your luck at Trivia Night. Little Woodrow’s is the definition of a college town destination.

Check the website for hours, events, and specials.

Little Woodrow’s
12801 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78783
(512) 263-8374
littlewoodrows.com/aus_bee_cave
www.yelp.com/biz/little-woodrows-bee-cave

Baguette et Chocolate: As Authentic As You Can Get

Baguette et Chocolate may seem like a long drive at first, but once you enter this cozy French cafe you will be counting down the seconds until you can come back. The owner hails from a small town outside of Paris where he learned the art of making the perfect French pastries. When you take your first bite you will feel like you have left Texas and are nestled right in the middle of the old country. The locals rave about the crepes and the Parisian sandwiches served on a fresh baked baguette. The sweet pastries are the true treat here, though. They look so beautiful you almost don’t want to ruin the art by eating them, but you will be glad you did. They use real French butter and, yes, you can tell the difference. So next time you want to indulge in a truly perfect meal drive out west and taste what Baguette et Chocolate has baking, and don’t forget to grab a fresh loaf to bring home.

Baguette et Chocolate
12101 Bee Cave Rd Bldg 6
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-8388
http://www.yelp.com/biz/baguette-et-chocolat-bee-cave

Which Sandwich Will You Order at Which Wich?

There are lots of sandwich chains, but chances are you’ve never seen one like Which Wich. Come in and grab an order form; it’s appropriately printed on a brown lunch bag. With over 50 bread, meat, and topping options, the possible combinations are endless, and deciding can be tough!

You’re not accustomed to seeing this stuff elsewhere, either; choices like Chicken Pesto or Hummus and Cucumber lift Which Wich sandwiches above the competition. Add a fresh cookie or a thick, creamy milkshake and you’ve got a cheap, memorable meal. Note that rush hours get busy, but locals praise the efficient service. Free Wi-Fi is available here.

Which Wich
12800 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-1221
http://www.whichwich.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/which-wich-bee-cave

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/avlxyz

Enjoy Upscale, Authentic Cajun Fare at Gumbo’s Steak and Seafood

New Orleans is eight hours away. Maybe you’ve been there, maybe not. If there are Cajuns in the audience, we apologize, but a quick primer for the uninitiated: Hurricanes get you drunk, “rat toes” are fried jalapenos stuffed with seafood, and gator tail is exactly what it sounds like. Got that?

Gumbo’s brings you upscale Cajun fare in the style of New Orleans legends like Antoine’s or Galatoire’s. All the classics are here: fried crawfish tails, blackened fish, remoulade, etouffee, oysters, fried green tomatoes, and a lobster bisque that puts Easterners to shame. It’s pricey — dinner entrees average $25 — but most locals love it and it beats the long drive. Lunch, brunch, and dinner are available.

Check Gumbo’s website for hours, events, and specials.

Gumbo’s Steak and Seafood
12823 Shops Parkway
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-2711
http://www.gumbosbeecave.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/gumbos-steak-and-seafood-bee-cave

Stop Into Chisos Grill for Southwestern-Style Comfort Food and Spirits

Chisos Grill’s logo is a monumental West Texas rock formation set against a cool desert moon. With a scene like that, it’s easy to picture cowboys sharing food by the campfire — grits, smoky meats, crawfish, tortilla soup, and tequila. That’s what you get at Hill Country Galleria: all-natural, Texas-raised, Southwestern-style comfort food.

Burgers, pulled pork, and queso get high marks from diners, and while the menu might not be as authentic as it claims, it’s reliably tasty stop at the mall. Do some down-home drinking, too; the bar sports 30 beers, 25 wines, and 20 spirits, all made in Texas and memorably deployed by a crackerjack bar staff. Nearly everything is gluten-free, and there’s happy hour every day.

Check Chisos Grill’s site for specials and live music details.

Chisos Grill
12921 Hill Country Boulevard
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-7353
http://www.chisosgrill.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/chisos-grill-bee-cave

Mimi’s Café: French-Inspired Bites at Hill Country Galleria

“What makes a perfect bite?”

Mimi’s answer is a bit sweet, a bit savory — a surprising combination of tastes and textures. No one does this better than the French, of course, so Mimi’s brings you a variety of French-inspired soups, sandwiches, and snacks. From goat cheese to orange zest, ingredients are sourced from France where possible, sauces are made in small batches, and chefs are trained in traditional techniques.

Locals like much of the retooled menu, singling out the croissants, pies, and desserts for special praise. Service is decent, and while there’s something for everyone here, diners point out that dishes are variably successful depending on your taste. There’s a full bar and reservations are recommended for nights and weekends.

Check Mimi’s site for menu details and location information.

Mimi’s Café
12316 Galleria Circle
Bee Cave, TX 78738
(512) 263-9731
http://www.mimiscafe.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/mimis-cafe-bee-cave

Explore the Flavors of Authentic Thai Cuisine at Madam Mam’s

Born in Bangkok, Madam Mam learned Royal- and family-style Thai cuisine in her grandmother’s kitchen. She grew up to run restaurants and be a food critic in her native country before coming to Austin in 2001.

Here, she combines family-style cuisine in a slick but comfortable atmosphere, boasting the closest thing to Thai home cooking this side of the Pacific. Ex-pats tend to agree, calling Madam Mam’s a taste of home, with no concessions or compromises for American palates. Natives love it too; they praise the huge menu across the board, saying that the classic noodle dishes and curries give them a new perspective on Thai cooking.

Prices are decent considering the quality and portion size, and there are frequent specials. Take-out is available.

Madam Mam’s
2700 West Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 371-9930
http://www.madammam.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/madam-mams-austin-2

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