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Speakeasies tend to latch on to the creepy and salacious. During the course of my speakeasy series, I’ve visited horror film-themed bars, heard multiple stories of ghosts haunting the premises, and learned that brothels existed in the heart of Austin not long ago. When I found out Austin’s newest speakeasy is named after J. Stephens, who came to his end in the late 1920s via suicide, due to drinking the equivalent of Lysol, it felt rather on-brand.
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Everyone has a home base, a place in town where they feel welcome, comfortable, and relaxed. For me and many of us at The Austinot, that place is Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches.
It’s easy to explain why. Not only does Batch produce exquisite baked goods, but the exceptional craft beer tap list, awesome bottle selection, and family-friendly environment sets it apart from the rest. Whenever I’m planning to meet friends, Batch is my go-to recommendation.
But with a new brewery open as of this past weekend, our venerated local hangout is wading into uncharted waters. Luckily, Batch has approached this new venture with the same heart and spirit of adventure that created Austin’s kolache haven in the first place. And with an initial offering of brews you won’t find anywhere else, there’s nowhere to go but up.
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More people are incorporating CBD into their regimen for its reported benefits. Its applications are wide and varied. Many modern spas offer CBD as a topical add-on you can incorporate into your massage. There are CBD oils, creams, and lotions you can apply yourself. There are capsules and tinctures.
Another common way to receive CBD is by consuming foods and treats we already love. CBD can be infused into smoothies, pastries, candy, and basically anything your heart desires. CBD and coffee is becoming a more widely available combination, much to the delight of both CBD and coffee enthusiasts.
Al Mortada is an enthusiast of both. With his Austin-based CBD coffee company, Ott Coffee, he is able to share both of these passions with the world.
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Breakfast tacos, Tex-Mex, and barbecue. The three points of the foodie Texas Trinity. Arguably the tip of this triangle of tasty treats, barbecue fandom goes beyond intense. Tell somebody you prefer Rudy’s over Franklin’s and prepare for battle.
But barbecue doesn’t stop with Central Texas. The Lone Star State is flush with some of the finest pitmasters in the world, 31 of whom will be attending the 10th Annual Texas Monthly BBQ Festival on Nov. 3, 2019, at the Long Center.
Six local masters of meat will be representing Austin (more than any other major city). In true hyperlocal fashion, here’s our guide to each and every one of them. Though they won’t be offering their full menus at the event, you can build up your appetite with this review of their smoking hot strengths.
[Read more…]Fall is the best time of year in Austin! It’s when we can finally lean into crisp, cool weather and sip on cocktails outside. When it comes to fall-themed cocktails, my expectations are quite high. But I was shockingly pleased to find plenty of drinks creatively crafted for the season.
Here is a list of 11 fall cocktails so special, you’ll plan your next night out around a chance to taste these enchanting escapes.
Rainey Street is a hub for nightlife. Flush with music, late-night food trucks, and a beer garden, it has all of the fun and (sometimes) less of the Sixth Street crowds. But recently, I had the privilege of experiencing Rainey in a different light: at 10 a.m. on a Saturday during brunch at Anthem.
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When it comes to deciding where you spend your time and money, labels are important. A fine dining establishment offers a different experience than you get at a food truck. Similarly, one would expect different things from a visit to a cocktail bar as opposed to a speakeasy, as opposed to a tiki bar. Labels, names, and categories are important. And yet, there are those places that defy categorization. They won’t be pigeonholed into just one.
The first time I visited Small Victory, I was under the impression this was a tiki bar that also called itself a speakeasy. When I had trouble finding the entrance, it made sense: speakeasies are hidden. By the time I made it to the bar and found a menu full of tiki drinks, I was sure: this was a tiki bar. As has been my experience on this speakeasy tour, however, not everything is as it seems.
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The Thicket food truck park has been serving up food truck goodness and providing a community space since 2015. Now it’s quietly maturing into a south Austin gathering place with established, high-quality food trucks and a family-friendly scene.
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Austinites get into a real lather when it comes to brunch. We love brunch! An Austinot favorite, Buenos Aires Café–Este, has begun serving brunch on Saturday. It’s a standout among local brunch menus, with delicious dishes you won’t find anywhere else.
I was invited to taste the brunch at Buenos Aires with owner/chef Paola Guerrero-Smith. She filled me in on what’s new with her 14-year-old Austin restaurant, including the Saturday brunch and revamped wine list.
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A culture once notorious for strangely fried foods at fairs has been making waves in the health food scene. So toss aside that Twinkie and follow along as expert Megan Adams Brown, CHC (Certified Health Coach) takes you on a tour of Austin’s healthy food trucks that are oh-so-tasty, too.
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