Cris Mueller - The Austinot

Icenhauer’s Summer Sippers Take the Catwalk on Rainey St

June 16, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

The ladies of Icenhauer’s summer cocktail menu

Icenhauer’s, the majestically modest bar located at 83 Rainey Street, is widely known for their creative house made infusions and their lady-centric, ever-changing cocktail menus.

I spent a couple hours with one of the craft geniuses behind the delightful cocktail recipes, Stuart Thompson. Thompson guided me through the newly released summer lineup, featuring 7 attractive libations, and shared the story behind the namesake of each.

I see no need for a fanciful introduction, so let us cut to the chase. Without further ado, here are the ladies of Icenhauer’s summer menu… [Read more…]

aRoma Italian Kitchen Opens on South Lamar

May 20, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

aRoma Owner Dave Whitney, Executive Chef Jason Garcia and Restaurant Manager Carlos Cueva

Editor’s Note: aRoma is closed as of November 2017. Another Italian restaurant named ManinPasta is expected to take its place.

As the outline of South Lamar continues to change and quickly rise upward, Austin welcomes a new kid to town, aRoma Italian Kitchen & Bar.

Located at 3403 S. Lamar, aRoma has cozied up as a neighbor to our beloved Broken Spoke, bringing with it a new chapter of local Italian cuisine that reaches the south end of Austin. The contemporary kitchen boasts rustic recipes complemented by sleek presentation and fresh, local flavors, plus from-scratch pasta, dough, mozzarella and more. [Read more…]

Kick Off Grilling Season With Southern Traditions Grass Fed Meat

May 1, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Southern Traditions grass-fed beef (Photo credit: Jeff Parnell)

Don’t let the name fool you. Southern Traditions Grass Fed Beef brings more to the table than just beef, and cooking it up is sure to uncover home-grown memories for just about anyone.

The grass-fed meats from Southern Traditions are a sustainable product of the family owned and operated 5G Ranch, located in Briggs, Texas. For 40 years, the family has delivered a product that contains no additives, no use of corn and offers customers higher levels of Omega 3’s, vitamins or antioxidants, and is naturally fortified. I found it most fascinating that the cattle, goats and lambs are born, raised and harvested right here in our backyard, only about 45 minutes from Austin.

Owner of Southern Traditions, Jeff Parnell, was under the white canopy at Lone Star Farmers Market this past Sunday, where he and I were speaking carnivore. “People just love our [Read more…]

Round Rock Express Hit Off 15th Season of Baseball

April 16, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

America’s favorite pastime lends simple beauty to the Texas sky (Photo credit: Cris Mueller)

The flood of lights spotlight the pristine manicure of the outfield. The chatty man behind home plate calls out to each movement of the men standing before him, while they master their familiar navigation from one base to the next.

Among the stands, the night air is busy greeting the comforting conversations of fans as they’re welcomed back for another season. Although it looks and sounds very much the same each year, a true fan does not miss this, the opening day. Our very own Round Rock Express took the bases at the Dell Diamond, located at 3400 E Palm Valley Blvd. in Round Rock, for their 15th season opener on April 4, 2014.

The 2014 Round Rock Express (Photo credit: Chuck Murphy – Chuck Murphy Photography)

[Read more…]

Just Friends or Something More, Best Places to Relax in Gruene, TX

April 2, 2014 by Cris Mueller 4 Comments

Gruene, TX is an excellent day trip from Austin and less than an hour away

Gruene, Texas… you can’t get lost, but you can vanish for a few hours. It makes for one of the best day dates and is located only about an hour from Austin.

Make a lasting impression with your weekend sweetheart by taking the short drive and checking in on a few of the following digs. [Read more…]

Top SXSW Food Picks: Practice Your Stance While Waiting in Line

March 7, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Photo credit: TastyTouring via Flickr CC

With our beloved SXSW upon us, I thought it apropos to shoot you straight with three must-haves for the festival: comfortable shoes for your daily trek, a foldable tote to hold your new collection of swag and t-shirts and, most importantly, arrive sporting a comfortable waistline to allow flex while you feast.

In Austin, one thing we do well is practice patience for gastro fare. Below is my officially unofficial list of lines Austinites most love to wait in! [Read more…]

The Queen of Pies Wears the Crown at Home Slice Pizza

February 25, 2014 by Cris Mueller 1 Comment

Home Slice’s Queen of Pies (Photo credit: WallyG via Flicker CC)

I approached the mustachioed, pig-tailed little lady who sits atop 1415 South Congress Avenue. High above the cozy and fragrant Home Slice, the “Queen of Pies” reigns with authority and a slice of home for many Austinites.

There’s no escaping the wafting, nearly visible garlic and tomato bouquet that emerges from the doors, sills, and kitchen vents of the 9-year-old pizza venue that introduced New York style pizza to Central Texans. Jeff Mettler, Executive General Manager at Home Slice Pizza and More Home Slice, said it all began with a mission to “create an Austin institution based on the original, unfailing goodness that is authentic NY Style pizza.”

And so began what is hands-down one of my favorite dining experiences to date, with a member of pizza royalty. Mind the gap during my venture of craft beer, upside-down pie, and layers of flaky dough, for the raw storytelling proves true to the experience one is intended to have at Home Slice. [Read more…]

Modern Muck Brings Mobile Acupuncture to Austin by Bicycle

February 10, 2014 by Cris Mueller 1 Comment

David Taylor, founder of Modern Muck

Think Austin is weird enough? If I had to write it from scratch, I’m not sure I could come up with a story that encapsulated Austin’s weirdness as well as this real life tale: a portable acupuncture business genius shares an East Austin space with a mermaid tail maker and a lollipop maker.

Their locale is painted in purple and green, resembling a quaint cottage. And Modern Muck, the acupuncture business in question, is a perfect distraction for someone like me to escape the day-to-day chaos and knots that bind each of us into our own modern day muckity-muck.

David Taylor is the crafty mastermind behind the bike-powered method of delivering Chinese medicine directly to you at your home, office or in the comfort of his East Austin location. David took a non-traditional route. His studies in science and pre-med eventually led him to his recent graduation from AOMA. With a tranquil bedside manner, David invites his patients to “relax, refocus, revitalize” by way of his innovative, mobile medicine practice. [Read more…]

Best Austin Sweet Spots for Valentine’s Day Delight

January 27, 2014 by Cris Mueller 5 Comments

I begin every new year celebrating the tradition of keeping my Christmas tree in its rightful place until the celebration of St. Valentine. All over Austin, the 13 days preceding Valentine’s Day tend to be a slightly convoluted time of date-seeking and scouring for the perfect sweet treat.

After five consecutive years of single and somewhat satisfying February holidays, I thought it apropos to share some of my favorite and culturally different Austin dessert favorites. Take advantage of my tips for pre-purchase yummies or picnicking on the day of St. Valentine!

Cupprimo: The Classic Cupcake Dessert Date

Cupprimo’s Blue Velvet

8650 Spicewood Springs Rd.

Bring your classic valentine to Cupprimo for a traditional and classic Blue Velvet. Think Joe Black, Holly-Golightly with a kick of Fred Estaire. If you’re anything like me, you’ll fall in love with this modern Austin blue, old-fashioned take on a wedding cake mix of vanilla almond and sour cream topped with fresh cream cheese icing. It’s my number one choice Valentine go-to for your sweet-loving honey.

Amy Brown of Cupprimo says, “We have so many fans that actually fall into the category of ambassadors, advocates and downright cupcake lunatics…So we decided 2014 would be the year that we find all different kinds of ways to create more raving fans and honor the ones that we have.” (#ravingfan) [Read more…]

Tasty Mediterranean Cuisine Abounds at Pars Deli in North Austin

January 13, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy of Pars Deli

Amidst the traffic and slew of strip malls that occupy Burnet Road sits a glimmering oasis of Mediterranean fare. Sam Roostaie offers diners the essence of his native Iranian cuisine at Pars Deli, located at 8820 Burnet Rd, Suite 502.

Since the time of their opening in 2000, Pars Mediterranean Supermarket & Deli has relied solely on word of mouth advertising, boosted by accolades and stellar reviews from local press.

By understanding the value of a great review and the passion and integrity put into his cooking, Roostaie is able to welcome guests, fourteen years later, as if they were visitors at his own home. “I don’t eat fried food, and I won’t sell fried food” said Roostaie. The authentically Persian and Greek recipes that make up the vast menu at Pars are guided by appreciation for a healthy lifestyle and a great deal of taste testing. Recipes at Pars are rich with fresh [Read more…]

Cupprimo: The Classic Cupcake Dessert Date

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