Et Cetera Archives - Page 19 Of 34

Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Spring Events Released

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Bill Tucker

Wine and Food Foundation of Texas Wine Glass

Fine wine and good eats await you! (Credit: WFFT)

Feel like planning a wine tasting getaway? Forget about flights and expensive hotels. Some of the best wine in the country lies in your own backyard.

Since 1985, the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas (WFFT) has been celebrating the best our state has to offer and this year is no exception. With a number of fantastic events on the horizon, the WFFT is poised to kick off their spring 2015 season in style.

Toast and Roast: March 1st

The fun kicks off in grand scale with Toast and Roast on March 1st, 2015. Taking place at Rancho Cuernavaca, the event is a celebration of wine, food and music. The highlight of the afternoon will be a tasting of every vintage in Texas Monthly’s 2014 Best Wines of Texas list. This is a rare and special opportunity to sample the best wine in the Lone Star State.

With food provided by [Read more…]

2nd Street Soundcheck: Shopping, Food, Free Music Downtown

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Matthew Champion

2nd Street Soundcheck is an opportunity to experience local food, shopping and free music (Credit: 2nd Street Soundcheck)

If you’re familiar with Austin at all, you know March brings the music loving masses to our city during SXSW, one of the biggest music festivals around. What better way to prepare for the madness than by attending 2nd Street Soundcheck for free music, food, shopping and just plain fun?

2nd Street Soundcheck takes place February 28, 2015, from 1-8 PM and admission is free! The event features 22 artists downtown on Second Street, spanning three city blocks from San Antonio Street to Colorado Street.

We are fortunate to live in a city with so much musical talent surrounding us, and this is an excellent opportunity to experience it for free. Below are a few of my favorite artists who will be playing during the festival. [Read more…]

Talk to Austin’s Street Furniture Through Hello Lamp Post

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Guest Blogger

Guest article by Lindsey Moringy

Has anyone ever told you that you have the personality of a lamp post? Well that might not be such a bad thing anymore!

A new project called Hello Lamp Post Austin enables residents to have in-depth conversations with objects and local treasures around town – everything from parking meters to buildings to Treaty Oak. For instance, on Thursday, City Hall (the building itself, not a representative) and I were discussing Austin’s biggest claim to fame. I suggested our longest-running music television program “Austin City Limits,” while City Hall was thinking more along the lines of breakfast tacos. [Read more…]

7 Reasons to See a Shipwreck in Austin

Posted on February 14, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson

Model of the La Belle, currently being restored in front of visitors at Bullock Texas State History Museum

Why does the nation of France have a major claim to sea treasure in Austin? Why is there a centuries-old shipwreck off the corner of 18th Street and Congress Avenue?

The La Belle, a 17th century sailing ship designed for the Mississippi River, is a key artifact from the struggles between European powers France, Britain and Spain for a piece of what would become Texas. This famous ship that sailed the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, never the Mississippi as intended, doomed the French explorer La Salle’s expedition. The shipwreck was finally found in 1995 after a century-long search, in Matagorda Bay between Corpus Christi and Galveston.

The La Belle is on exhibit at Bullock Texas State History Museum until May 17, 2015. If your interest isn’t piqued already, here are 7 reasons to see the La Belle shipwreck in Austin: [Read more…]

Austin Habitat for Humanity Gives Families Hand Up

Posted on February 11, 2015 by David Thomas

The Limon family Austin Habitat for Humanity Family Partners

Stephanie Limon and her three kids are Austin Habitat for Humanity’s newest family partners

Imagine you’re living with your family in a one bedroom apartment. No matter what you do, you can’t meet the requirements for a traditional mortgage. It’s frustrating to know you’re spinning in a hamster wheel – working and working but not getting anywhere.

Think of the pride and sense of accomplishment you’d feel when you finally turned the key in the door of a home where everyone in the family could have space to thrive. Austin Habitat for Humanity helps people in our community turn that key. [Read more…]

Austin Non-Profit Teaches Old School DJ Skills With New Spin

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Adrienne Albregts

Not so traditional classroom at Austin’s non-profit DJ school, Dub Academy

We all know someone who’s brilliant, but hasn’t reached his or her full potential. Blame boredom, right? Well, in Austin there’s a non-traditional learning environment that’s anything but boring.

Wicka Wicka What?

Dub Academy is a non-profit organization that teaches the electronic arts, specifically DJing and music production. It has been igniting creativity in many Austin-area children and young adults who may have otherwise fallen through cracks. [Read more…]

5 Places to Find East Side King in Austin

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Erin May

Follow this strange creature to East Side King

East Side King was created by Paul Qui and Moto Utsunomiya as a side project when the chefs worked together at Uchi and Uchiko. Since that time, the number of East Side King food trucks has multiplied, and two brick and mortar locations have opened up as well.

Paul Qui is perhaps best known for winning Top Chef Texas in 2012. To the advantage of Austin foodies, he has continued to dig his creative roots deep into Austin’s food scene.

Additional media exposure has spread the word about East Side King, benefiting the business itself and Austin’s reputation as a foodie attraction. The trailer empire was featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. One of the newest trailers, dubbed Thai-Kun after chef Thai Changthong, was ranked 8th on a national list of best new restaurants in 2014 by Bon Appetit.

However you heard of it, there are now 5 places in Austin to experience the Asian-inspired street food of East Side King. [Read more…]

Best Authentic Italian Food Truck Opens Brick and Mortar

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Jessica Pino

Lucky's Puccias & Pizzeria on W 5th Street in Austin

Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria new brick and mortar location on W 5th Street

Editor’s Note: Lucky’s closed on Jan. 27, 2019 due to rising rental costs.

I know I’m making a bold statement. The best of anything is hard to prove with such varying taste buds as we have in Austin. But if you’re looking for truly authentic Italian food, I guarantee Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria will deliver. Here’s why. [Read more…]

Unconventional Romance for Sweet Austin Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Cris Mueller

Love Bites shark cookie at Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery in Hyde Park

Two simply sweet words can change a person’s outlook on the most pink and red holiday we as Americans celebrate each year…“Be Mine!”

This got me thinking–in a rather unconventional way–about what I consider mine, the love of life and food that brings me joy. The story behind the patron saint of lovers is filled with passion and an unconventional romance, so I thought this year I would see what Austin has to offer the more unconventional Valentine. [Read more…]

Beer, Will You Be My Valentine?

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Matthew Champion

Whether you’re celebrating your relationship with your mate or single-handedly revolting against Cupid, there’s plenty of room in your Valentine’s Day for beer, right? It falls on a Saturday this year and those of us in Austin are lucky enough to be surrounded by all kinds of fun, local beer events for the occasion.

Twisted X Dia De San Valentin

Credit: Twisted X Brewing Company

Take a beautiful drive out to Texas Hill Country and partake in Twisted X Brewing Company’s Dia De San Valentin, an elegant 5-course meal prepared by the folks at Verde’s Mexican Parilla and paired with special Tex-Mex beers. With course selections like bacon-wrapped quail and chocolate [Read more…]

Toast and Roast: March 1st

Wicka Wicka What?

Twisted X Dia De San Valentin

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