Brittany Highland - The Austinot

Our Austin Blog, The Austinot, Celebrates 1,000 Articles

September 25, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

When my husband and I started The Austinot in our living room at the end of 2011, we had no idea what it would become. The last thing I expected is that I’d be celebrating 1,000 articles after three and a half years, written by an extraordinary collection of volunteer Austinites who caught our vision.

Our vision took time to develop. Like I said, I had no idea what The Austinot would become. Despite our online marketing background, The Austinot started out as more of a personal hobby blog. We published silly articles we never would now, like this one. Even the name of our blog was chosen on a whim, using an online name generator called Wordoid. Yes, Austinot is a play on “astronaut” because we’re exploring the city. But then, why didn’t we spell it Austinaut? (Answer: because [Read more…]

Mobile Food Throwdown Awards Best Lobster Roll in Austin

August 27, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Top: Garbo’s lobster roll with half an ear of corn
Below: Dock & Roll lobster roll with habanero vinaigrette sauce and salad

The second annual Mobile Food Throwdown took place this past Sunday at Austin Beerworks, with ticket holders and a panel of judges deciding who makes the best lobster roll in Austin! The competing food trucks were Dock & Roll Diner and Garbo’s Lobster Truck.

As the event began at 11:30 AM, representatives from each food truck introduced themselves before cooking started. Dock & Roll served their lobster roll with habanero vinaigrette sauce and a cucumber, blueberry, watermelon salad. Garbo’s took a basic approach to their lobster roll, with half an ear of corn on the side, covered with cheese sauce and bacon. [Read more…]

Mobile Food Throwdown to Decide Best Lobster Roll in Austin

August 17, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

This Sunday, August 23rd, Garbo’s Lobster Truck and Dock & Roll Diner go head to head over who makes the best lobster roll in Austin. Now in its second year, Mobile Food Throwdown, produced by FoodTrailersAustin.com, invites ticketed attendees and a panel of local judges to settle the score once and for all. At Austin Beerworks this weekend, be part of history in the making while reveling in fabulous food, local beer and good company. [Read more…]

Best Outdoor Patios in Austin: Austinot Blogger Edition

August 14, 2015 by Brittany Highland 5 Comments

Whether it’s happy hour after work or a late night out with friends, nothing says relaxation and celebration like time spent on an outdoor patio with a drink in your hand. Next time you feel closed in by the walls around you, step outside to enjoy one of the best outdoor patios in Austin.

Our team of bloggers joined together to create this list. It’s a compilation of their personal favorite patios in town, in no particular order. If you want to see other Austinot Blogger “best of” lists, check out our articles on the Best Taco Stands in Austin and the Best Cocktails in Austin. [Read more…]

Trailer Food Tuesdays Announces Season Finale Lineup

July 28, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Trailer Food Tuesdays at The Long Center (Credit: David Ingram via Flickr CC)

Trailer Food Tuesdays has had a fabulous fourth season. With two summer events behind us already, the season finale is right around the corner on August 4, 2015. We know what you came here for. Here are the food trucks you can expect to salivate over during the next Trailer Food Tuesdays at The Long Center: [Read more…]

Best Cocktails in Austin: Austinot Blogger Edition

February 13, 2015 by Brittany Highland 1 Comment

Vieux Carre at Peche

When it’s time for happy hour or date night, how do you choose between the overabundance of adult drink choices around town? All in the name of “the job,” Austinot.com’s team of bloggers have scoured our fair city and come up with this collection of the best cocktails in Austin.

Peche: Vieux Carre

Bill Tucker

In the immortal words of my bartender, this cocktail is as if a Manhattan and a Sazerac had a delicious love child. Very appropriate. Built on the back of a rye and cognac base, the Vieux arrives with a sweet yet subtle orange aroma. The whiskey backbone is balanced out by a healthy dose of sweet vermouth and bitters, giving the cocktail a perfect balance.

Add to the mix an upscale vibe in the heart of downtown, and you have a winner. Accessible, delicious and full of rich [Read more…]

Black Fret Poised to Change Lives of Local Musicians in 2015

January 16, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Graham Wilkinson, awarded $10,000 by Black Fret (Credit: Flipintex Fotos)

If you love Austin’s music scene, but haven’t heard of local non-profit Black Fret, that changes now.

Imagine being a talented musician trying to make a living following your passion. You have a fan base, regular shows and even a couple of albums. But it’s an uphill struggle every day, and you find yourself having to refocus energy into another job so the bills get paid.

Then a local non-profit comes along and offers you a chance to play private shows for music patrons in Austin. Your exposure grows among these influencers, and then you get news that will change your life and career: [Read more…]

10 Most Popular Articles of 2014

January 5, 2015 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

As the new year begins, we’re taking a moment to look back on 2014 and celebrate the articles our community loved most. Walk with us down memory lane as we present Austinot.com’s 10 most popular articles of 2014.

#10 Top 7 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in Austin

Grilled cheese sandwich at Burro Cheese Kitchen (Credit: Bill Tucker)

You’ll enjoy our list best with a local snack in your hand, and we have just the thing you need. We rounded up the best 7 grilled cheese sandwiches in Austin, from greasy spoon joints to [Read more…]

Austin Musicians to Receive $100,000 at Inaugural Black Ball

October 15, 2014 by Brittany Highland 1 Comment

The Paramount Theatre will host the inaugural Black Ball on November 8, 2014 (Credit: JD Hancock via Flickr CC)

On November 8th, a new event will be introduced to Austin, TX. Under the historical roof of Congress Avenue’s Paramount Theatre, non-profit Black Fret will award $100,000 to 10 local music artists at the inaugural Black Ball.

Black Ball has been a long time coming. Following its Launch Party at the beginning of 2013, Black Fret marked its 100th member a year later. Throughout 2014, new members have continued to sign on to support Austin musicians and promote the maturing of our city’s music industry. The organization hit 170 members in October 2014.

Membership in Black Fret is exclusive and limited. Only [Read more…]

82nd MedFest: Don’t Miss the Oldest Festival in Central Texas

September 18, 2014 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Visitors flood to MedFest to enjoy food, live entertainment and Mediterranean culture (Credit: Emily Poole)

There’s nothing like Austin’s MedFest. Since this Mediterranean celebration has nearly made it to its 82nd year, it’s fair to assume a lot of Austinites feel the same way.

This year’s festival is scheduled for September 26-27, 2014. As always, it will be hosted by St. Elias Orthodox Church on 11th Street between Red River and Trinity. A little bit of trivia for you: MedFest was originally founded in the 1930’s to raise funds to build St. Elias. The church’s cornerstone was laid in 1934, but MedFest was too much fun to end. Generations of devoted volunteers have allowed this event to become the oldest continuously running festival in Central Texas.

Want to know why MedFest has proved so popular? It’s all about old world tastes and sounds that hold a foreign feeling of excitement. Here’s what you’ll find at MedFest 2014… [Read more…]

Peche: Vieux Carre

#10 Top 7 Grilled Cheese Sandwiches in Austin

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