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May 5, 2016 by
Esther’s Follies: A Mash-Up of Entertainment
May 5, 2016 by
Part magic show, part comedy set, part musical, the productions put on a Esther's Follies every week can't really be pigeonholed into any one category. It breaks down theatrical boundaries by mashing up political satire, music, and more in a single show every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
The theater has roots in the late '70s, when founders Michael Shelton and Shannon Sedwick through their first bash on 6th Street. Back then, it was nothing more than a haphazard hodgepodge of performances by singers, dancers, mimes, comics, musicians, and everyone in between. Although the show has more structure today, nearly 40 years later, it still brings the same level of energy and fun to the stage. Yelp reviewers award particular praise to magician Ray Anderson, who delights crowds not only with his tricks, but also with his own unique brand of humor.
Esther's Follies
525 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 320-0553
www.esthersfollies.com
www.yelp.com/biz/esthers-follies-austin-2
Expect Bold Flavors and Fresh Ingredients at Uchiko Austin
April 28, 2016 by
Uchiko is a Japanese farmhouse style dining establishment on North Lamar. The ambiance is set with eclectic modern lighting and a mix of tile and wood accents that add to the upscale but comfortable farmhouse feel.
Award-winning chef and Uchiko owner Tyson Cole never fails to amaze with his culinary creations, which showcase bold flavors and fresh ingredients. The best way to try a bit of everything is to choose one of the chef’s tasting menus, which change daily and offer both hot and cold small plates. The dishes include highlights like fresh ceviche or a hot rock with Wagyu beef and ponzu sauce. Not only are the dishes bursting with flavor, they are so carefully plated that each is like a work of art.
Uchiko accepts only a few reservations daily to ensure they have room for walk-in guests. The restaurant is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Don’t miss sake socials daily from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the bar!
Uchiko
4200 North Lamar
Austin, TX 78756
(512) 916-4808
www.uchikoaustin.com
Porter Will Close After Lunch Tomorrow
April 27, 2016 by
Porter wanted us to let you know that they will be closing at 2:00pm tomorrow for a private function. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Porter at 512-291-6299.
Let the Sunshine In: DIY Spring Home Decor Projects
April 21, 2016 by
After your spring cleaning is complete, you may start to feel like your home could use a bit of a decorating revamp, as well. No matter your budget, you can easily give your home a springtime makeover with DIY home decor projects. Here are just a few of the best spring-themed decorating projects for every room in your home.
Colorful Egg Window Dressing [familycircle.com]
Set to work crafting colorful paper eggs that will dress up those newly cleaned windows. This simple tutorial only requires multicolored construction paper and some scissors to complete, and it’s easy enough that even the kids can help out.
Heart-Shaped Sachets [countryliving.com]
Freshen up your drawers and closets with these adorable DIY sachets. Simply take some scrap fabric in a pattern that you like, cut out two heart shapes, and sew them together around the edges. Fill them with potpourri just before you sew them closed, then seal them shut and enjoy the scent.
Daffodil Flower Care [marthastewart.com]
One of the best ways to spruce up your home for the springtime is by adding fresh flowers wherever you can. Freshly cut daffodils are the picture of spring, but they can often be difficult to care for. This tutorial will show you how to properly cut daffodils and arrange them in a vase in a way that even a florist would admire.
Fuel Up on Local Coffee at Texas Coffee Traders
April 14, 2016 by
If you’re the type of person who can’t start your day without a good cup of coffee, Texas Coffee Traders is a great place to get your java jolt in Austin. This local cafe and roaster creates its own blend of coffees from high-quality beans and expert roasting techniques, and it’s sure to impress even the most knowledgeable coffee fan.
Inside, Texas Coffee Traders has natural decor and an open, airy atmosphere, complete with walls of coffee filled with all kinds of brews that you can take home with you. There is also another retail section that boasts shelves filled with Chemex systems, pour-overs, and other methods for preparing coffee at home. The tasting area displays a few styles that customers can sample before buying, while the outdoor patio is the perfect place to sip a steaming mug with other local coffee lovers.
Texas Coffee Traders
1400 E Fourth St
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 476-2279
www.texascoffeetraders.com
Discover Your New Favorite Gelato Flavor at Dolce Neve in Austin
April 7, 2016 by
For area foodies with an undeniable sweet tooth, there are few dessert spots better than Dolce Neve in Austin. This quaint and charming dessert shop is furnished with white farm tables and industrial light fixtures that create a comfortable space for relaxing with dessert after dinner in the area, and it also has a wooden front porch perfect for chatting with friends on a lazy afternoon.
The gelato menu at Dolce Neve contains all of your favorite classic flavors, as well as brand-new combinations like Thai basil and buttermilk, butternut squash and sage, and mascarpone and fig. Enjoy one or two scoops in a small dish or a homemade waffle cone, and you'll likely find that the gelato is so decadent that you’ll only need a bit to really experience the taste!
Dolce Neve
1713 S. First St.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-5568
www.dolcenevegelato.com
Dine on Brazilian Fare From a Food Truck at Boteco in Austin
March 24, 2016 by
Austin is known for its numerous food trucks that make it easy to eat well on the go, but Boteco is one of the most popular in the area. This Brazilian eatery operates out of a bright yellow truck in the Seventh Street food truck park, and it even has covered wooden picnic tables that are perfect for grabbing a quick lunch outside in the sunshine.
On the menu, you'll find Brazilian sirloin steak with rice, beans, and yucca fries served out of convenient (and portable) aluminum foil takeout containers, as well as queso empanadas and cheese croquettes that are great to share with your friends. On Sundays, Boteco also offers an expansive brunch menu with offerings like picanha, fiejoada, and coxinha topped with a fried egg. Wash it all down with fresh juice or coconut water and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Brazil without leaving Austin!
Boteco
1403 E. Seventh Street
Austin, TX 78702
www.botecoatx.com
Foods to Avoid Before a Workout
March 17, 2016 by
It can be a good idea to fuel up with a healthy snack before a workout, but some foods should be avoided altogether before hitting the gym. To see the best results possible, avoid eating these three foods for at least a few hours before you work out.
- Flax Seeds. This may come as a surprise since flaxseeds are certainly having a moment in the health food world, but one time that you should not consume the tiny seeds is right before exercising. Because flax seeds are full of fiber, they could cause gas or bloating, which will make you feel pretty uncomfortable when doing crunches or running on the treadmill.
- Milk and dairy. If you frequently snack on yogurt or drink a glass of milk for calcium, you may want to cut it out right before heading to the gym. Many trainers say that dairy slows down performance due to its tendency to cause excessive burping and an acidic feeling in the stomach—both of which sound pretty uncomfortable, especially when working out.
- Protein bars. This one may be the most surprising of them all, but many common protein bars contain as much sugar and calories as a candy bar. Bars with less than 10 grams of protein could cause a drop in blood sugar and only leave you feeling tired and weighed down.
Top 5 foods and drinks to avoid before workouts [SheKnows]
Foods to Avoid Before a Workout [PopSugar]
20 Foods that Can Ruin Your Workout [Shape]
Worst Workout Foods: What Not to Eat Before a Workout [U.S. News]
Go for a Scenic Run at Town Lake Metropolitan Parks
March 10, 2016 by
Are you an avid runner? If so, Town Lake Metropolitan Parks is one of the most scenic spots in town to get in some outdoor exercise. This popular park features running trails that wind around the lake shores, offering beautiful views of the lake and even the bridges that go over it. The trail is smooth and well maintained for runners, and there are even benches set up at various points to give you place to sit down and take a breather.
If you’re not in the mood for running, it’s also fun to rent a kayak and spend the afternoon rowing down the river with friends. Many residents bring their four-legged friends to the leash-free dog park inside of the main park, and you can even walk them around the dog-friendly trails. Food trucks also often park nearby for those looking for lunch outdoors.
Town Lake Metropolitan Parks
Austin, TX 78701
Town Lake
www.yelp.com/biz/town-lake-metropolitan-parks-austin
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