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Dine at One of the Culinary Hotspots Inside the South Congress Hotel

February 9, 2016 by

When a single hotel hosts two (soon to be three) culinary hotspots, diners need to take notice. That's the case for the South Congress Hotel, which boasts Central Standard and Cafe No Se, both on Eater Austin's list of the hottest restaurants in town this month. Best of all, the hotel is less than a mile and a half from Lamar Union.

This Valentine's Day, consider visiting one of them for a special meal. For a more laid-back bite to eat, check out Cafe No Se. It dishes out cafe fare from breakfast to dinner, all with a fresh, California twist. Central Standard, on the other hand, makes meals fancier affairs with upscale steakhouse cuisine and an atmosphere to match. Regardless of which you choose, you can expect fresh food and stellar service at the South Congress Hotel.

Central Standard and Cafe No Se
South Congress Hotel
1603 S. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 920-6405
southcongresshotel.com/eat
www.yelp.com/biz/south-congress-hotel-austin

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See the Honeybees at the Austin Nature and Science Center

January 21, 2016 by

Have you ever wondered how honey gets from the hive to your tea? Less than two miles from Lamar Union lies the answer. It's at the Austin Nature and Science Center, a museum that recently unveiled an exhibit about honey bees fittingly called The Secret Lives of Honey Bees.

From now until May 8, you can visit The Secret Lives of Honey Bees and and learn all about how they pollinate wildflowers and make your honey. You'll also find out more about why pollination makes such a difference in nature, as well as what distinguishes a honey bee from your standard bee. You can actually watch honey bees work, buzzing around the observation hive, and play a pollination-themed video game to boost your honey bee knowledge even more. While you're at the exhibit, make sure to read up on the current threats to honey bees—they could affect your morning tea if left unchecked.

The Secret Lives of Honey Bees
Through May 8
Austin Nature and Science Center
2389 Stratford Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
www.austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
www.yelp.com/biz/austin-nature-and-science-center-austin-2

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Breakfast Can Be Sweet or Savory at Crepe Crazy

January 6, 2016 by

Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs. Prosciutto and apricot jam. Nutella and bananas. These are just a few of the ingredient combos that come stuffed inside of light, airy crepes at Crepe Crazy. Even though it only opened in December about a mile from Lamar Union, one of many unique eateries keeping Austin weird, local customers have already taken notice of Crepe Crazy—and expressed their adoration on Yelp.

If you're in the market for a savory crepe, try the Mediterranean Medley. The crepe comes smothered with sun-dried tomato pesto and hummus, sprinkled with feta cheese and red onion, and stuffed with fire-roasted red bell peppers, cucumbers, and spinach (plus grilled chicken, if you want). For something on the more sugary side, opt for the Sweet Cream Delight. It features house-made sweet cheese paired with strawberries and a deep red raspberry sauce. Paninis, salads, and soups round out the menu at Crepe Crazy.

Crepe Crazy
3103 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 387-2442
www.crepecrazy.com/#about
www.yelp.com/biz/crepe-crazy-austin-2

Filed Under: Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Zilker Park Gets a Festive Makeover with the Trail of Lights

December 2, 2015 by

When the Austin parks and rec department held the city's first Yule Fest in 1965, they probably had no idea what a long-lasting mark the holiday festival would make. Now 50 years later, the Yule Fest is still delighting Austinites around the holiday—but today, it's known as the Trail of Lights.

Last year, more than 400,000 people experienced the Trail of Lights at Austin's iconic Zilker Park. Known across the country as one of Austin's biggest events, the Trail of Lights rings in the season with a display of twinkling lights and stunning holiday decorations. They include everything from wintry gingerbread houses and chugging trains to dinosaurs and Ferris wheels. Bring your whole brood along and get swept up in the holiday magic this year at the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. The fun awaits just a hop, skip and a jump away from Lamar Union.

Trail of Lights
Zilker Park
7 to 10 p.m. Dec. 8 to 22
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
austintrailoflights.org

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Soak Up Irish Tradition at the Austin Celtic Festival This Weekend!

November 3, 2015 by

Anyone with roots in Celtic culture (or just an interest in it) should mark their calendars for Saturday, Nov. 7. That's when the Austin Celtic Festival begins to unfold at Fiesta Gardens, about three miles away from Lamar Union. The two-day festival promises a little something from every area of Celtic tradition, from Celtic tunes to Celtic canines.

The lineup of Celtic performers is pretty impressive, the bands showcasing everything from the violin to the bagpipe. Some of the performers have actually played in Scotland and around Europe, so you won't want to miss their sets. Also keep your eyes peeled for the Celtic Dog Parade, which shows off pooches with roots planted across the pond (you can also see a sheepdog herding demo). If you want to learn more about Celtic history, try your hand at Celtic sports or dance, or attend a workshop hosted by the ACF School of Traditional Arts, you can accomplish all of these goals at the Austin Celtic Festival, too.

Austin Celtic Festival
Fiesta Gardens
Noon to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and 8
2102 Jesse E. Segovia Street
Austin, TX 78702
www.austincelticfestival.com/index.html

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Celebrate All Hallow’s Eve at Highballoween This Year

October 27, 2015 by

If you're the type of person who always means to go out on Halloween, but somehow seems to end up snuggled up inside instead, The Highball is making things painfully easy for you this year. The bar is located a mere 300 feet from Lamar Union—it's actually in your complex. So that "I don't feel like going out" excuse is going to fall extra flat this year.

That's fine, though, because you won't want to miss Highballoween anyway. How often does Halloween fall on a Saturday? You need to take full advantage. The bar's ballroom morphs into a haunted house, complete with creepy music videos playing in the background and constant pranks. Don your best costume and jump in the photo booth with friends, but get professional help from a face painting artist before you do. You might snag $200 if your costume wins the contest. There will also be plenty of candy on hand, not to mention other autumn activities (think bobbing for apples).

Highballoween
The Highball
9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct. 31
1120 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 383-8309
thehighball.com/events/detail/27726
www.yelp.com/biz/the-highball-austin-2

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Pasta Artigianale: Freshly Crafted Italian Fare from a Food Trailer

October 21, 2015 by

Austin's laid-back approach to dining enables even chefs with modest means to get their food out there, particularly thanks to the rise of the food trailer. The chefs working in the cramped kitchen at Pasta Artigianale only recently joined that subset of chefs, unveiling their food trailer in August. It's permanently parked less than two miles from Lamar Union.

Don't let the size of the "restaurant" fool you; this Italian food is the real stuff. Chefs have time to really perfect each dish because they keep the menu so small, offering only six dishes. Each showcases freshly crafted pasta, starting with the bucatini alla amatriciana and ending with the lasagna. Rigatoni al ragu, spaghetti al pesto, penne al ragu di tonno, and spaghetti alla carbonara fill in the space in between. Enjoy your plate of fresh pasta at the picnic table situated right in front of the food window.

Pasta Artigianale
​900 Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 915-4855
www.yelp.com/biz/pasta-artigianale-austin

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Tibetan Momo: A Fresh (But Traditional) Take on Dumplings

October 14, 2015 by

If you actually ordered momos in Tibet, they'd probably be packed with yak meat. But the chefs who recreate this traditional dish in Austin cater to American eaters with some more familiar fillings, namely ground beef and veggies. Even so, the Tibetan-style dumplings are a departure from the fare you'll find elsewhere in Austin, even at its many eclectic food trucks and trailers.

Since it opened over the summer, Tibetan Momo has set up shop just about a mile from Lamar Union. So if you're still wondering exactly what a "momo" is, you can easily taste a few for yourself. They come steamed or pan-fried, filled with veggies or beef, and they're not the only thing on the menu. Tibetan Momo also doles out dishes like beef chow mein, tingmo (steamed buns), and fried rice.

Have you tried these momos yet?

Tibetan Momo
2323 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
www.yelp.com/biz/tibetan-momo-austin
austin.eater.com/2015/8/31/9233833/best-austin-new-food-trucks

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Barley Swine: A Hotspot For Local, Seasonal Fare in Austin

October 8, 2015 by

Before Bryce Gilmore debuted Barley Swine in 2010, he was already making waves in Austin's culinary scene with his legendary food truck, Odd Duck. Many current patrons of Barley Swine still fondly recall the food truck with its ever-present line—a testament to high caliber of Gilmore's grub. And if that fare was worth standing in line for, then Barley Swine's locally sourced cuisine warrants an overnight camp out. Thanks to the brick-and-mortar location, though, you won't have to go to such extremes.

You can just take a short stroll down the street from Lamar Union, step inside, and grab a table. Eater Austin recommends you do so this month, crowning Barley Swine one of its 38 Essential Austin Restaurants for October 2015. Don't worry about picking a dish. The kitchen team only offers a seasonally inspired, locally sourced prix fixe menu each evening. Expect to spend up to two hours tasting everything on it.

Barley Swine
2024 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 394-8150
barleyswine.com
www.yelp.com/biz/barley-swine-austin

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Ooh and Ahh Over Tunes and Fireworks at the July 4th Symphony and Fireworks!

July 2, 2015 by

This Fourth of July, Austin celebrates its independence with a performance from the Austin Symphony. Vic Mathias Shores along Lady Bird Lake (which used to be called Auditorium Shores) transforms into the orchestra's playground at 8:30 p.m. on July 4, and everyone is welcome to enjoy it.

Unfolding just about a mile from Lamar Union, the performance typically attracts about 100,000 guests, so make sure your group's red, white, and blue attire is on par with the rest of the crowd. Claim a spot on the grass and enjoy the orchestra's patriotic tunes as the sun begins to dip below the city skyline. When the sun has completed its descent at 9:30 p.m., stick around for an awe-inspiring fireworks display right along the lake. If these patriotic events aren't enough to bring you to Vic Mathias Shores this Saturday, then perhaps the food, drink, and arts and crafts that serve as the prelude to the symphony—booths open at 4 p.m.

July 4th Symphony and Fireworks
Vic Mathias Shores (formerly Auditorium Shores)
8:30 p.m. July 4
800 W. Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 441-9015
www.512area.com/texas/austin/events/223036/symphony-july-4th.htm
freefuninaustin.com/2015/06/dont-miss-free-events-in-austin-this-july-2

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