Bill Tucker - The Austinot

Mobley’s One Man Band Generates the Energy of Ten

September 5, 2016 by Bill Tucker 1 Comment

Austin native Mobley hangs out before his August 20 show at Spider House Ballroom
(Credit: John Cabuena/Flipintex Fotos)

The air surrounding Spider House Ballroom was hot and sticky the night I met Mobley. The venue had been celebrating their 20th anniversary since 2:30 p.m. that afternoon. Having suffered one rainstorm and expecting another, a muggy, sweaty crowd waited for the Austin native to perform. When I asked Mobley before the show which stage he was on, he answered, “The wettest one.”

His start time of 10 p.m. came and went. The crowd grew restless as Mobley, wearing a black hat, jacket and sunglasses in the ninety-degree evening, dragged mountains of gear onto the rain-slicked stage. A keyboard and sampler rack. Stage lighting. Guitars. Drums. Up on the roof of Spider House Café, a tech aimed a video projector at the screen set towards the back of the stage. All for a one-man band. [Read more…]

My Sweet Austin Bakes Tasty Treats in West Campus

August 25, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Walk into a world of delicious at My Sweet Austin (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Few people consider cookies for breakfast. But on a cloudy Saturday morning in Austin’s West Campus neighborhood, I was doing just that. Sampling tarts, cupcakes and macaroons while moving trucks brought dozens of UT students back to school in the area around me. I felt like a kid sneaking treats in Willy Wonka’s factory. It felt good to be so bad.

And this local bakery more than delivered. Nestled on a quiet street in a lively part of town, My Sweet Austin has made a name for itself in the ATX baked goods scene. While still owning a young business, head chef Sara Mayes has concocted a menu full of fresh, lively flavors that leap off the baking sheet and into your mouth. [Read more…]

Austin’s 6th Annual Quesoff Set to Celebrate All Things Queso

August 8, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Expect lots of this at the 6th Annual Quesoff at Mohawk (Credit: Quesoff)

Queso. Simply saying the word activates saliva glands and rumbles the stomach. A staple of appetizer menus, backyard barbecues and UT game day snack spreads, this melted cheese sauce is as Austin as the Longhorns’ Burnt Orange.

But not all queso is created equal. The 6th Annual Quesoff on August 20, 2016 at Mohawk, aims to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Queso makers from around Austin will be pitted against each other in a battle of cheesy supremacy, all in support of a great cause. This is a delicious way to spend a Saturday afternoon. [Read more…]

The Wafel Guys Bring Belgian Flair to Austin Foodie Scene

July 25, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Dive into a delicious treat courtesy of The Wafel Guys (Credit: The Wafel Guys)

Every other week, the company where I work does “Waffle Wednesday.” Two employees pull out a set of waffle irons, mix instant batter and cook breakfast for the office. Sometimes they go all out with toppings. Other times, they just supply the basics. Regardless, walking to my desk with the smell of breakfast in the air makes Hump Day that much easier.

Before meeting The Wafel Guys, that was the extent of my waffle experience: either fluffy pancakes with square divots in them, or frozen disasters hastily toasted. A delivery device for syrup and butter.

After tasting the legitimate, authentic Belgian treasures created by these culinary upstarts, ordering breakfast at a local diner simply won’t do anymore. Once you’ve tried the real thing from The Wafel Guys, you never want to go back. [Read more…]

Grupo Fantasma Delivers Latin Flavor to Austin City Limits

July 11, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Grupo Fantasma exploded onto the Moody Theater stage during their Austin City Limits taping (Credit: Scott Newton)

When a 10-piece Latin funk band starts their Austin City Limits taping with a rendition of “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin, you know you’re in for a special evening.

Grupo Fantasma gave the energetic crowd exactly that. Delivering a powerful, body-shaking blend of samba, merengue and Latin jams, this groove-tastic Austin staple blew the roof off the Moody Theatre. My foot still aches from the constant toe-tapping. [Read more…]

Austin-Based Texas Ball Hockey Lets You Get Your Gretzky On

July 5, 2016 by Bill Tucker 9 Comments

A goalie stares down the opposition during a Texas Ball Hockey game (Credit: Stephen Zielke)

When you think of Austin sports, what comes to mind? Jogging around Lady Bird? Co-ed kickball with Austin Sports and Social? Maybe you’re a fan of disc golf.

No matter which fitness activity you’re into, there’s a organization to scratch the itch. But what if you’re a hockey fan? Austin’s 100-degree summers are unkind to ice. And unless you grew up around the stuff, strapping on skates can be daunting. Enter Austin-based Texas Ball Hockey, an up-and-coming social street hockey group that gives local puck-heads the chance to get their Gretzky on. [Read more…]

The Townsend Introduces Gourmet Bar Bites to Complement Cocktails

June 29, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

A mix of early century charm and modern cocktails await you at The Townsend
(Credit: Andrew Bennett Photography)

When we last left The Townsend bar, we raved about their speakeasy ambiance and clever cocktail list.

Almost one year later, this vintage-inspired lounge has added gourmet, yet accessible, bar bites to their repertoire. The Townsend is now one of the premier spots on Congress Avenue to eat, drink and get your Jimmy Stewart/Barbara Stanwyck on. [Read more…]

Revival Public House Blends Pub and Southern Comfort Downtown

June 16, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Bacon Wrapped Dates At Revival Public House

The bacon-wrapped dates are a must-try dish at Revival Public House (Credit: Bill Tucker)

Editor’s Note: Revival House has closed.

The corner of 2nd and Trinity can be a challenging one for new Austin businesses. When companies and trade shows invade the Austin Convention Center, profits soar. When they leave, it’s a different story. Located too far for the South Congress lunch crowd, and inconvenient for the Rainey/6th Street scene, blossoming restaurants have had a tough time maintaining a regular clientele.

Revival Public House hopes to change all that. Through an Austin-centric menu, décor and vibe, this new eatery offers up Southern comfort food with an ATX twist. The result is a delicious addition to the local foodie scene that’s well worth traveling the extra couple of blocks. [Read more…]

BaseCamp Aims to Elevate Austin Sports Bar Concept

May 30, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Live it up with drinks, eats and sports at Basecamp (Credit: Cultivate PR)

Sports bars can be overwhelming. Bar tops bathed in the harsh light of tightly packed TVs and beer sign neon. Average food options like bland wings, onion rings and the dreaded over-cooked nacho plate. Liquor ads serve as wallpaper, designed to distract you from the real mission: rooting on your favorite team. Sports bars don’t have to be “pinkies up,” but they don’t have to be blaring noise machines either.

With a cut above menu of comfort bar food, inspired cocktails and a modern yet welcoming ambiance, BaseCamp hopes to elevate Austin’s expectations of what a sports bar should be. [Read more…]

Austin Beerworks Marks Five Years as Local Go-to Brew, Announces Expansion

May 16, 2016 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Austin Beerworks has been working to become your go-to local craft beer since 2011 (Credit: Austin Beerworks).

When you think of a fun hang, your first thought typically isn’t about an industrial park. But that’s where I found myself on a beautiful evening. Friends and colleagues lined the outside picnic tables. Friendly bartenders served friendly beer in a friendly environment. Everyone had a brew in hand, enjoying the impromptu celebration.

And for good reason. With a balanced line of consistent crowd pleasers and beer geek favorites, Austin Beerworks has earned its place among the ATX craft beer elite. And with this month’s announcement of a massive brewhouse expansion, Austin Beerworks is celebrating its five-year anniversary in style. [Read more…]

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