Benji’s Cantina Opens With Rooftop Dining on West Sixth Street

June 11, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Indoor Bar at Benji's Cantina Austin

Indoor bar at the new Benji’s Cantina

I often have the opportunity to write about beautiful venues and new local concepts. With my latest discovery, the food truly won me over. The proof: I waddled away after my amazing meal. So sit back and join me in my journey through the collaborative kitchen that is Benji’s Cantina.

Nestled comfortably into a corner lot in Austin’s West Sixth District, Benji’s will quickly become one of the city’s largest and most swanky Tex-Mex hot spots. But don’t let their modern approach to an old Texas favorite fool you. Their vast menu full of Mexican dishes and a wide range of beer, wine and liquor make this a great spot to feast and party during the upcoming Texas summer. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Food, Food & Drink, Recent Posts ·

Texas Hill Country Olive Company Is Inviting Day Trip Destination

June 4, 2013 by · 4 Comments
Texas Hill Country Olive Company

Texas Hill Country Olive Company in Dripping Springs, TX

The end of 2008 found John Gambini sitting in a doctor’s office, reading an article in Texas Co-op Power Magazine about the fledgling olive oil industry in Texas. John loved the romance of the Texas Hill Country and had already decided that he wanted to plant firm roots in the area (pun intended).

But more than putting a stake in the ground, John wanted to do some pioneering, accomplishing something that would stand out from other Hill Country offerings. After reading the article, he realized that he could be one of the early pioneers in the olive oil industry in Texas.

So John set out with a dream: to create a destination-class olive oil business here in Texas.

And that’s exactly what he did. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries, Drink, Food, Food & Drink · Tagged:

Moontower Saloon Does It Better With Music, Food & Events

May 22, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Moontower Saloon Austin Outdoor Seating

Creative, handmade seating adds unique Austin feel to the spacious patio

I set out on my Sunday adventure to discover a house-turned-watering-hole in way south Austin, Moontower Saloon.

The founding duo behind the spry and still young concept is visionary Josh Bumb and Richard Veregge, hands-on building and bio planner and marketing wiz.

The idea for this neighborhood destination, located at 10212 Manchaca Road, stemmed from a conversation which began two and a half years ago. The friends were chatting at Weirdo’s, and Bumb voiced his interest in creating “something even better.” Far surpassing their initial expectations, the team’s first collaborative concept came to life with Moontower Saloon. [Read more...]

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Austin Food and Wine Festival Delights the Senses

May 20, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Austin Food and Wine Festival

Austin Food and Wine Festival at Butler Park

A foodie and wine lovers paradise, the Austin Food and Wine Festival gathers the top chefs in the country to participate in food competitions and cooking demonstrations.

Combine this with live music, countless food samples that make you melt, and the most exquisite wines and spirits and you have one hell of a party. [Read more...]

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Rogness Brewing Company Gets a 1UP With Birthday Bash

May 16, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Rogness Brewing CompanyRogness Brewing Company celebrated its one-year anniversary on May 12, 2013.

The brewery kicked off this intro to a new year in the traditional Austin way: with a party.

Vendors and artisans from across the Austin area showed up to congratulate the once-tiny brewery…and it wasn’t just any party. [Read more...]

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Hold My Beer: Mug Muscles Start-Up Launches Exercise Beer Mug

May 15, 2013 by · 1 Comment
Mug Muscles Early Prototype

An earlier prototype of Mug Muscles

This guest blog post is by George Hillhouse.

Growing up in Alabama, one of my favorite sayings was, “Hold my beer and watch this.” In fact, if that’s not the State Motto, it ought to be. Beer, or the consumption thereof, has inspired many otherwise rational people to do things they would never have thought possible. Sometimes subsequent hospital trips confirm they were right in the first place.

But do we demonize beer after one of these episodes? Hardly. Beer gets a pass, a get out of jail free card, even when we know we won’t get out of jail free for things we did on a beer binge. Beer may be unique in this regard. No one says, “Hold my meth pipe and watch this!” thinking that subsequent events will be explained away and forgiven. It takes a beer, or two, to get that kind of a pass. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink, Food & Drink, Local Business ·

Ease Into Your Sundays at South Austin Brewing Company

May 14, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
Groovy Sunday at South Austin Brewing Company

Raising a glass to Groovy Sunday at South Austin Brewing Company

This guest blog post is by Edgar Barguiarena.

Sometimes Friday and Saturday don’t give you enough time to take full advantage of the weekend. You’re left wanting more for your Sunday, but you want to try something different. After you go to brunch and get started with a few mimosas, you want to enjoy the last few hours of freedom you have left. If you’re still jonesing for live music and great beer, South Austin Brewing Company has your solution.

South Austin Brewing Company got their start in late 2010 with two signature brews that are still selling strong today: the Belgian Style Golden Ale and their Saison D’Austin. Each brew is featured in a hand-corked 750-ml bottle that looks almost as good as it tastes. Sound familiar? You may have seen these beers at your local grocery store or liquor shop.

South Austin Brewing has done an impressive [Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Entertainment, Events, Food & Drink ·

Start the Month Off Right: First Saturday at Independence Brewing Co.

May 2, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Independence Brewing Co LogoThis guest blog post is by David Thomas.

As the typical male, when I first became a beer drinker I went for the cheap stuff first: malt liquor.

Gradually, I developed taste buds and grew a taste for dark beers. Ambers, bocks and stouts have this flavor that I dig.

I have a buddy named Jim who’s also a beer fan. He recommended a beer called Bootlegger Brown by Independence Brewing Co. here in Austin. I gave it a shot and immediately became a fan. Jim also told me about First Saturday, an event that Independence Brewing Co. hosts once a month. Four years later, I finally decided to go.

First Saturday

Getting to the brewery is easy. It’s located in a business park on Todd Lane, just south of Hwy 71. Normally I might’ve had difficulty finding it. But on First Saturday, the throngs of people waiting to get in were a dead giveaway.

First Saturday at Independence Brewing Co

With a line like this, First Saturday must be awesome

[Read more...]

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Austin Wine Bars: Apothe-Carry Me Home

April 1, 2013 by ·
Exterior at Apothecary Austin Cafe & Wine Bar

Unassuming exterior at Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar

Not every evening in Austin calls for beer and BBQ. We at the Austinot aim to find some of the town’s great wine bars too, where one can go after a rough day at work and just sit for a quiet glass of vino.

Which led me to Apothecary Cafe & Wine Bar one evening after work. Located in the Rosedale Village Center at 4800 Burnet, close to 45th Street, Apothecary is a bit difficult to find. The signage along Burnet are blink-and-you-miss-it. It was, in fact, my failure to find Apothecary that originally led me to Gusto. [Read more...]

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Home Sweet Hostel at Firehouse Hostel and Lounge

March 28, 2013 by · 6 Comments
Firehouse Hostel and Lounge Exterior

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge in the West Sixth District of Austin

This guest post is by Cris Mueller.

Firehouse Hostel and Lounge is a morsel of Austin history sitting quietly amongst the hustle of our fondly regarded West Sixth district and the bustle of our downtown office high-rises.

Business partners Kent Roth and Collin Ballard have tastefully occupied the legendary Washington Fire Engine Co. No. 1 with a boutique style hostel that offers seasoned backpackers and first time hostel goers a unique Austin experience.

Firehouse Lounge Cocktail

Already have a place to sleep tonight? Even locals love Firehouse Lounge

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Discoveries, Drink, Food & Drink, Local Business ·

Downtown Coffee Shop, Bar & Lounge, Halcyon Suits Any Occasion

March 12, 2013 by · 2 Comments
Halcyon Austin at Night

Halcyon by night

We categorize most coffee shops as appropriate for a specific purpose, at a specific time of day: late night chill hangout with friends, outlets-galore study spot.

But I long ago discovered a local staple that is all things to all people. Located in the Warehouse District of downtown Austin, Halcyon manages to wear a typically chaotic persona with magnetic flair. [Read more...]

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The Buzz Mill Brings Lumberjack Life to East Austin

March 11, 2013 by · 5 Comments
The Buzz Mill Austin

The Buzz Mill recently opened on the eastside, off of Riverside

Beavers coming out of the woodwork (literally), subdued mason jar lighting hanging from the rafters, a huge outdoor yard, BBQ from one of the most famous pits in history, fruit-infused liquor, all-you-can-eat flapjack breakfast for $5, free Wi-Fi, full bar, coffee, open 24/7…should I go on?

Anyone who keeps up with the Austin scene has already heard the clamoring about this new joint on East Riverside. But the chatter shouldn’t surprise anyone. When the owner of Bootleg Coffee gets together with the manager of Emo’s and the marketing director at Antone’s for a project, you know something special is on tap.

And they’re just getting started.

Since the grand opening of The Buzz Mill on January 19, 2013, we’ve had numerous Austinot readers ask us to pay them a visit. And so we did. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Food & Drink ·

Drinking with Gusto at One of My Favorite Austin Wine Bars

February 21, 2013 by · 3 Comments
Gusto is one of the best Austin wine bars

Good crowd even on a weeknight

Our guest blogger Rob Moshein has written about relaxing Austin wine bars downtown, but there also happen to be some great wine spots in North Austin that should be shared as well!

I first discovered Gusto Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar when I was on Burnet Road looking for another wine bar in the same neighborhood. Considering how I wandered in, lost and confused, it turned out to be a wonderful treat and surprise, boasting an impressive list and variety of wines.

And while Gusto is a great place to have some appetizers and a glass or two of wine, it also has delicious, fresh-tasting food and excellent happy hour specials. When we get just a LITTLE bit more warmth in Austin, we’ll really appreciate their fantastic outdoor patio space! [Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Food, Food & Drink · Tagged: ,

The Ultimate Map to Your Perfect Austin Happy Hour

February 12, 2013 by · 5 Comments

Pam's Wine TourThis guest blog post is by Chris Lloyd.

It can be really hard to find a good Austin happy hour. In the age of Google, it’s hard to believe that some information isn’t just a few keystrokes away.

Granted, there are lots of happy hour lists. But none of them have all the information you need. For example, very few are searchable beyond the ability to filter for what day you’re looking to have a drink. And every one of them is either missing local happy hours or has outdated information.

After years of looking and waiting, I finally decided to just build the happy hour site I wanted: Austin Happy Hour Search. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Drink, Food & Drink ·

Hang Your Hat at Lustre Pearl for Laid-Back Night on Rainey St.

January 22, 2013 by · 2 Comments

Lustre Pearl on Rainey St.This guest blog post is by David Thomas.

If Rainey St. were a squad of soldiers flanking the downtown area of the Live Music Capitol of the World, Lustre Pearl would be the point man.

Leading the squad into downtown Austin’s bleary nights, Lustre Pearl – planted firmly on the corner of Driskill and Rainey St. – is an excellent showpiece for this revitalized, formerly residential district. [Read more...]

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