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A beautiful bounty of food at The Beer Plant in Austin
Photo credit: Jessica Attie
“Have you tried that vegan place?” isn’t an uncommon question in Austin. But when a friend of mine asked me to join her at our city’s newest plant-based gastropub, I knew I was in for something noteworthy.
The Beer Plant, located in Tarrytown next to Austin Pets Alive!, pulls together the attributes veggie-eating Austinites adore most: good food, a nice vibe and tasty drinks. [Read more…]
Austin is full of delicious desserts to try before your New Year’s Resolution kicks in (Credit: Bill Tucker)
What will your New Year’s resolution be? If you’re like 95 percent of the world, losing weight will be high on the list. Pack the gym, cut the carbs, dust off the Shake-Weight. It’s time to get fit.
But not now! It’s the holiday season, so why not live it up before cupcakes, pies and ice cream become strictly forbidden? Here are seven Austin desserts to try before your New Year’s resolution kicks in. [Read more…]
Expect to be as full and happy as this Buddha statue after eating at Old Thousand (Credit: Sam Zavieh)
When you enter Old Thousand’s dining room, you know you’re in store for something a little bit different. Bright, Asian-inspired floral wallpaper adorns the walls and a handmade 40-foot heritage oak bar spans one side of the room with a large gold Buddha on it. The space is comfortable and casual, but with a unique flair.
The atmosphere sets the tone, but the restaurant puts equal emphasis on eating in and dining out. So if you’re in the mood to enjoy the quiet atmosphere surrounding your own sofa, you can still enjoy delicious dishes from one of East Austin’s newest eateries. [Read more…]
Peering into the kitchen at Red Ash Italia in downtown Austin (Credit: Susannah Haddad)
Tex-Mex and steakhouses may be the Texas standard, but when it comes to Austin’s growing culinary scene there are many cuisines challenging that tradition. Italian food is one of the most popular cuisines across America, yet in Austin we lack authentic options.
Only in the last five to ten years have we seen an increase in authentic Italian pizza locally, but Italian food is much more than just pizza. Finally, Red Ash Italia offers dishes that highlight both northern and southern Italian styles of cooking. Here’s what awaits you when you visit Austin’s Red Ash Italia. [Read more…]
Inside Italic on West Sixth Street
Do you know an easy way to find out how good the food is in a restaurant? Order a dish made of vegetables. When you order a pasta with meat sauce that has been slow-cooked for hours, or a pizza with cheese bubbling on top, you know it’s going to be good. But if a chef can turn zucchini into a dish even a carnivore would adore and make roasted carrots burst with flavor, rest assured you are in the right place. [Read more…]
Crepe Crazy customers order by pointing to large menu posted on the main counter (Credit: Jaclyn Hubersberger)
Upon entering Crêpe Crazy’s South Austin location, I was transported to a quaint European cafe. My senses were delighted by the scent of freshly-made crêpes, melted cheese and the occasional waft of espresso. The mid-century modern inspired decor boasted sleek lines, a warm color palette of mustard yellow and orange hues, marble white table tops, and spherical copper pendant lighting. At this point I was already smitten…and I hadn’t even ordered yet.
It doesn’t take long to realize there’s something unique about Crêpe Crazy, beyond the sophisticated decor and carefully-curated menu featuring a number of tantalizing options to satisfy cravings of both savory and sweet. As I glanced across the counter into the open kitchen, I noticed the kitchen staff was silent. Their preferred method of communication? Sign language. [Read more…]
Red Okra boasts a locally-sourced menu, including wine and beer options (Credit: Red Okra)
When you think of Austin, a few essentials may come to mind: delicious tacos, outdoor activities, live music and Whole Foods Market. Whether you regularly shop at the Austin-based store or not, you probably know that a visit to Whole Foods Market’s flagship location is more than a trip to the grocery store—it’s an experience.
The store boasts both take-out and dine-in meal options, a wine bar, a sushi and seafood bar, a juice bar, a taco bar, and a sit-down café. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t eaten all three meals there before. If you’ve visited recently, you may have noticed a few more additions, including a new farm-to-table sit-down restaurant, Red Okra. [Read more…]
What do pilgrims and your in-laws have in common? An appreciation for all the Thanksgiving delicacies Austin has to offer! Whether you’re a die-hard DIYer or someone who doesn’t want to lift a finger unless it’s to nab the last dinner roll, we’ve got the ultimate take-home Thanksgiving meal guide for you! [Read more…]
The baked goat cheese appetizer is one of a dozen reasons to visit 827Ray’s (Credit: 827Ray’s)
Ever stare at a restaurant menu and start to panic? Feel your mind spin as you frantically search Google for food definitions? What’s a haricot vert? Why would I want a deconstructed tuna tartar? Can’t I just get a steak?
While I love exploring the new flavors and exciting techniques of Austin’s exploding food scene, sometimes I crave simple goodness. Enter 827Ray’s, a new French-inspired restaurant in northwest Austin by Lake Travis. A refreshing blend of upscale class and down-home charm, 827Ray’s delivers quality cuisine without the need for a dictionary or pretense. [Read more…]
Vespaio Ristorante and Enoteca Vespaio are co-located on South Congress Avenue (Credit: Joleen Jernigan)
Do you want freshly-made, locally-grown food served with a warm South Austin attitude? Vespaio Ristorante and Enoteca Vespaio bring both–with Italian passion–to the heart of South Congress Avenue.
These culinary cornerstones of the SoCo strip have been setting the standard for Italian food in Austin for decades. The kitchen staff at both restaurants is up and at it early, making pasta, bread, desserts and charcuterie, and prepping all of the daily specials in-house. Much of the food is made using ingredients from the on-site garden, Tecolote Farm in Manor and other local vendors. [Read more…]