Food & Drink Archives - Page 61 Of 78

Top 4 Best Cookies in Austin

Posted on November 7, 2014 by Guest Blogger

Guest article by Kathleen Crandall

Austin’s Best Cookie? The winner is on this plate. I’d invite you over to share some, but I’m afraid all that’s left are crumbs.

Top row L-R: Chocolate Chip Cookie, San Francisco Bakery; Salty Oat Cookie, Quack’s.
Middle L-R: Dark Chocolate Ginger, Quack’s; Salted Toffee Chunk, The Steeping Room. Bottom L-R: Ginger Cookie, Walton’s Fancy and Staple; Chocolate Chip Cookie, Lee’s Meat Market; Walnut Chocolate Chip gluten free, Wild Wood Bake House.

I have a tough job as a cookie reviewer. Having to go out there and hunt down the best cookie in Austin is a job full of challenges, but it pays well…in chocolate chips, walnuts, toffee, etc. Being the cookie connoisseur that I am, I was up for the task. But where to start with so many good cookies in this town? [Read more…]

Drink Up, Chill Out at Hi Hat Public House

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Bill Tucker

Inviting, open and fun – Hi Hat welcomes you!

Everyone needs a neighborhood bar. A place that’s not just a convenient place you can walk to in the evening and stumble home from at night. But a social network inside walls. A place where people can meet, greet and become neighbors.

When East Austin grew out of its reputation as the wrong side of the tracks, local pubs became a necessity. Enter Hi Hat Public House, a laid back restaurant/watering hole that has quickly become the best place to eat, drink and be merry in East Austin.

As the cornerstone of the Villas on Sixth apartment complex, Hi Hat features a little bit of everything. Aside from having a respectable wine list, Hi Hat also sports an exceptional beer listing. [Read more…]

Heart of Gold Farm Brings Healthy Food to the Hungry

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Matthew Champion

Inside the greenhouse at Heart of Gold Farm in Dale, TX (Credit: Mike Torres)

Living in Austin provides the wonderful opportunity to regularly come across people who put their heart and soul into helping others and the environment.

If you ever find yourself between Austin and Lockhart, you may run into a couple of these folks. Mike and Vanessa Torres run Heart of Gold Farm in Dale, Texas.

Mike and Vanessa grow tons of fresh, organic food for the underprivileged using aquaponic farming methods, which use about 95% less water and 1/3 of the energy conventional farming methods require. Aquaponic farming takes waste produced by fish or other aquatic animals and uses it to provide nutrients to plants being grown hydroponically. [Read more…]

Your Austin Burger for Every Mood

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Adrienne Albregts

Half Pound Burger and Hand-cut Fries at Jacoby’s (Credit: Jacoby’s Restaurant)

There’s no shortage of meat in this town. And while I do fancy a good steak or a BBQ feast, there’s nothing better than a cheeseburger to satisfy my meat tooth. Narrowing down the burger joint choices in Austin can cause some unwanted anxiety, though. I think I found the solution: letting my mood dictate the burger.

[Read more…]

15 Over 15: Which Austin Eateries Have Survived the Years?

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Edwin Ochoa

It’s no secret that running a restaurant or bar is difficult, especially in Austin. With so many opening every month, only the truly exceptional have what it takes to compete long term. So how admirable is it when an establishment can keep the doors open for 15, 20 or even 50 years?

The purpose of this article is to celebrate 15 restaurants and bars in Austin that have served hungry and thirsty Austinites for 15 years or more. My list comes from Austinites who have lived here long enough to remember when quarter beer night was a thing.

This isn’t a ranking by any means. My goal is to focus on what led to the success of each establishment. To do so, I sat down with someone at each business to get the real story. I’ve included their explanations for the lasting success of their local businesses (spoiler: customers come first). Without further adieu, here are Austin’s 15 over 15.

Ross’ Old Austin Cafe

Don’t miss the live music on Tuesdays and Fridays

[Read more…]

Battle of the Brunches Round 6: Bouldin Creek Cafe

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Samantha Champion

Bouldin Creek Cafe Jodi Hart via Flickr CC

What’s brunch without crispy bacon, spicy sausage, or maybe some brisket hash?

If you’re at Bouldin Creek, you’ll find that brunch is exactly the way it should be.

Bouldin Creek Cafe has been providing Austin with uniquely delicious vegetarian options for 14 years now, most of which can also be made into vegan dishes. During its lifetime, the artistically inclined cafe has developed quite a brunch following made up of vegetarians and carnivores alike. [Read more…]

See for Yourself: The Highball Is Back

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Bill Tucker

The Highball at 1120 S Lamar

When The Highball closed its doors almost two years ago, it left a gaping hole in the Austin nightlife scene. Seriously. Where else could you grab a drink, sing a Miley Cyrus song and bowl ten frames without leaving the building? Now settled in its refurbished home, the South Lamar landmark is looking to reclaim its crown as one of Austin’s most distinctive hot spots.

[Read more…]

UT Food Lab Analyzes Our Food System

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Cris Mueller

Editor’s Note: The Food Lab was renamed Food+City in mid-2015.

You’ve embraced farm to table, but have you considered the path of your food in a scientific and cultural manner? That may sound like a lot to take in. But in my food loving reality, I can honestly say I don’t spend nearly enough time acknowledging this aspect of my cooking, nourishing and noshing enjoyment.

The Food Lab based at The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is awakening the exploration, experimentation and innovation that forms the underlying map of our global food system. [Read more…]

St. Philip: Get Baked with Uchi’s New Concept in Sunset Valley

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Cris Mueller

Bialys in the oven at St. Philip Bakeshop Erica Wilkins Photography

Editor’s Note: As of Nov. 2, 2015, St. Philip is ceasing operations. Uchi Restaurant Group President John Baydale announced, “We learned many lessons with St. Philip, made some mistakes, but also realized where our strengths lie.”

Editor’s Note: As of September 2015, St. Philip is closing its bakeshop to focus on the restaurant.

It all began with St. Philip, who iconically holds a basket filled with bread and is the patron saint of pastry chefs and bakers.

Today, Executive Pastry Chef and Director of Culinary Operations for Uchi restaurants, Philip Speer, is embracing the representation of the patron saint.

Speer has found his place as chef and partner at St. Philip Pizza Parlor and Bakeshop, Uchi’s newest yeast devoted concept. [Read more…]

Parkside Brings Delectable Sophistication to Dirty Sixth

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Matthew Champion

Parkside at 301 E Sixth Street

Parkside holds a special place in my heart. Over the last several years, my wife and I have shared anniversaries, birthdays and many other special moments there, and the memories flood back every time I visit.

We’ve often sat in the same booth, overlooking the Sixth Street sidewalk and the passers-by who provide such quality entertainment throughout our meal.

Our repeated visits have proven that Parkside is able to deliver something rare and important: consistency. I’m always satisfied when I leave because the service, food and drinks are always top notch, no matter the day of the week or time. [Read more…]

Ross’ Old Austin Cafe

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