Food & Drink Archives - Page 46 Of 74

Yard Bar Creates Dream Playground for Doggies and Their Owners

January 20, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

This is the face of a dog who needs a visit to Yard Bar

Mr. Ming was looking to get outdoors. After a long holiday season spent watching his humans shop, wrap presents and go out, it was his turn. His time to sniff, bark and be merry.

Enter Yard Bar, Austin’s newest venue for furry friends to run, jump and be social. By combining food, drink and a variety of fun activities, this hidden gem on Burnet Road is quickly becoming the city’s premier doggy destination.

Born From Necessity

Like most things awesome, the inspiration for Yard Bar came from need. While frequenting the dog runs at Auditorium Shores, owner Kristen Heaney realized the sad reality of dog parks: there’s not much there for people to do. What if there was a place where pet owners could grab a drink and a bite while their dog frolicked in the park?

After testing a number of business models, Heaney leased the lot on Burnet Road where the old Putt-Putt Golf and Games used to live, and began building the dog park of her dreams. When it opened in August 2015, word quickly spread among Austin’s pet friendly community. Yard Bar was the place to be. [Read more…]

Texas French Bread Is Deliciously Humble, Rich in Local History

January 13, 2016 by Eliza Weeks 1 Comment

Texas French Bread has been a supplier of artisan bread in Austin since the early 1980s (Credit: Whitney Arotegui)

In a city of fusion joints and a wack-a-mole-style skyline, where condos and businesses pop up and down by the season, Texas French Bread has been a staple since the early 1980s. The much-loved eatery and bakery has seen it all, while holding strong to values that have kept it afloat for decades.

It’s easy to be intrigued by the blue brick building on 29th Street with bread names cascading down the exterior. The afternoon I stopped by, loaves of bread with floured bottoms and scored tops were lined up on shelves, like trophies waiting to be claimed.

The tables were filled with a lunch crowd in no hurry to Instagram photos of their food as soon as it arrived. They sat comfortably, backs against exposed brick walls, chatting with lunch dates or clipping away at computers. The ease of these patrons told me they were regulars, and a restaurant of regulars means the food and service are worth coming back for. [Read more…]

Sala and Betty Features Farm to Table Quality With Drive-Through

January 7, 2016 by Mathis Kennington Leave a Comment

I’m always on the hunt for a truly unique Austin restaurant experience. With the robust variety our city offers, something amazing can be just right around the corner.

At the same time, it takes a lot to impress when there are so many places that already stand out. Sala and Betty, a farm-sourced restaurant located on Airport Boulevard, is about to celebrate a full year since they opened their doors last February. The dining venue, which takes its name from owner and chef Teresa Wilson’s childhood nickname, effectively delivers a unique twist on high quality and delicious food.

Wanting to create something that combined quality with efficiency, Wilson developed a restaurant accessible to all kinds of schedules, but one ingredient stays consistent: quality. [Read more…]

5-Star Dining Four Stories Above Rainey Street at Geraldine’s

December 30, 2015 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

Geraldine's Elegant Dining Room in Austin

Old world elegance meets Austin chic at Geraldine’s (Credit: Aubrie Pick)

Tucked away one street over and four stories up from Rainey Street is an oasis amidst the chaos. Geraldine’s is the newest restaurant and cocktail bar to open in this popular Austin neighborhood. After a banner year for restaurant openings in Austin, Geraldine’s closes out 2015 with a bang and gives us plenty to look forward to in 2016.

Named after the infamous guinea fowl adopted as an unofficial mascot by the Rainey Street neighborhood, Geraldine’s is acutely aware of its place. The restaurant simply couldn’t exist anywhere else. Following the theme of its host, Hotel Van Zandt, Geraldine’s effortlessly blends into the musically-inclined and rustic Rainey Street area.

Walking through Hotel Van Zandt and into Geraldine’s, you get the distinct impression that you’re exactly where you’re intended to be. The hip atmosphere joined with Texas old-world elegance just feels like Austin. Combine this with a sublime patio/pool overlooking Lady Bird Lake and live music every day of the week, and you have yourself a winner. [Read more…]

Blue Owl Brewing Pours Fresh Take on Austin’s Beer Scene

December 30, 2015 by Mathis Kennington Leave a Comment

Blue Owl Brewing on E. Cesar Chavez (Credit: Tygrr DosRemedios)

Austin’s newest urban brewery has opened on Caesar Chavez, offering a collection of rare brews you won’t find anywhere else in town. Blue Owl Brewing is Austin’s only all sour-mashed brewery. Those who know a thing or two about Austin beer might immediately think of Jester King, which for a long time has held the market on farmhouse-style sour beers.

Blue Owl brews don’t have the dramatic sour taste you might expect when you think of a tart sour beer. Instead, the one-of-a-kind sour-mash process creates a delicate sour that is gentle enough for anyone who is just trying out sour beers, yet complex enough for the pickiest of craft beer drinkers. [Read more…]

Popping Off: 5 Champagne Cocktails Every Austinite Needs to Try

December 28, 2015 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

So much Champagne, so little time…

Guest article by Amanda Tatom

The pop of the cork is music to my ears. The effervescent sparkle and dancing of those tiny bubbles in my flute is like holding a handful of magic.

I believe Champagne is appropriate for any occasion, not just the big celebrations in life. Though I love it on its own, it is also absolutely delightful when invited to perform in a cocktail. As you can imagine, the research for this article was really tough on me (wink, wink). But for The Austinot, Studio 512 and all of you, I powered through.

Let’s pop the cork on five of my favorite Champagne cocktails in Austin. Hopefully after you follow in my footsteps, you’ll have a better understanding of why I’m bonkers for bubbles. Cheers! [Read more…]

Leander’s Farm To Fork Highlights Local Ingredients

December 23, 2015 by Judy Rae Merhar Leave a Comment

Farm To Fork in Leander, TX

It’s past time to share this culinary treasure, unassumingly nestled between a gun store and mattress outlet. As you enter Farm To Fork, you’ll quickly forget you’re in the confines of a strip mall.

Owner and Chef Shelley Pogue

A colorful tattoo of flames travels up the left arm of Farm to Fork’s owner and chef, Shelley Pogue. The fire stretches toward her left elbow, where colors dissipate and rays of the sun take shape. Short auburn hair frames intense blue eyes. Her posture exudes confidence and strength, softened only by a southern accent, a reflection of her past.

Those blue eyes turn into pools of water as Pogue recollects her biggest culinary influence, the grandmother she affectionately called Mawmaw. In 2004, Mawmaw passed away and bequeathed her home to her granddaughter. The following year, in pursuit of her dream, Pogue made the difficult decision to sell [Read more…]

5 Hot Coffee Drinks to Get You Through the Holidays

December 18, 2015 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Grab a cup of cheer with these holiday coffee drinks in Austin (Credit: Houndstooth Coffee)

Guest article by Angela Bowers

The holiday season is brimming with busyness in Austin. From hitting Trail of Lights, to shopping downtown, to decorating your home, the only way to make it through is by drinking LOTS of coffee.

I’ve set out to taste the best hot coffee drinks around town. Here are five of my favorites. Enjoy!

[Read more…]

4th Tap Brewing Co-op Brings First Worker-Owned Brewery to Austin

December 11, 2015 by Andrew Chase 1 Comment

4th Tap Brewing Co-op in North Austin

I’d like to talk about beer.

Since Austin is really starving for microbreweries right now, it’s nice to finally see one open up. JOKING. It’s actually quite the opposite. Honestly, I can’t go a day at work without some craft beer snob gloating about this new hops-shop he/she “discovered.”

Bottom line, there’s no shortage of microbreweries around here, so it can be overwhelming to find one that will suit all your needs. That said, I totally want to tell you about this new microbrewery, 4th Tap Brewing Co-op, that I discov…uh…that just opened up in North Austin. #hypocrite [Read more…]

Chez Zee American Bistro Adds Sparkle, Frosting and Frills to Austin

December 9, 2015 by Judy Rae Merhar Leave a Comment

Fried Chicken Belgian Waffle at Chez Zee in Austin

Fried Chicken and Belgian Waffle at Chez Zee American Bistro (Credit: Madison Pilkington)

Many in search of sparkle peer over jewelry and makeup counters. But there is an enchanting place in Austin offering more fulfillment than shiny objects sold in department stores. Like the crimson baby grand piano tucked in the corner, it’s one-of-a-kind. Welcome to Chez Zee American Bistro. [Read more…]

Born From Necessity

Owner and Chef Shelley Pogue

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