Jessica Pino - 7/7 - The Austinot

Bufalina Marks One Year of Pizza Perfection

July 10, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

With Owner Steven Dilley at Bufalina

Those who know me, know that I’m a pizza fanatic. My infatuation with this amazingly simple dish began at a young age, which was easy with Italian immigrant parents who owned a pizza shop. You could say it’s in my blood.

So when I met someone equally enthusiastic about pizza, I may have shed a tear. When talking with Bufalina owner Steven Dilley, his passion for cooking is very apparent. With every return visit, I continue to be be amazed.

Some might place Bufalina in the up and coming category of Austin restaurants. But with its atmosphere, service and pizza combinations, I think it has made it to the big leagues.

Now, don’t beat yourself up if you haven’t tried Bufalina yet. But do yourself a favor and go eat there. Immediately. [Read more…]

Uncommon Day Trip: Glass Bottom Kayaks in San Marcos

June 12, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Beautiful Spring Lake (Credit: The Meadows Center)

Have you ever seen a swimming pig? Well, neither have I. But The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment in San Marcos, TX was once the location of Aquarena Springs. There you could take in an underwater show featuring mermaids and Ralph the Swimming Pig, and enjoy a glass bottom boat tour on Spring Lake.

Today, the area has been much restored to its natural beauty. And while you might not be able to catch an underwater theater performance, you will still be able to experience one of the most unique and beautiful ecosystems in the western United States.

Let’s be honest. As much as we all love Austin, sometimes we just need to get out of the city. Located just 25 minutes from South Austin, San Marcos is the perfect day trip destination.

I know what you might be thinking: what’s in San Marcos other than outlet malls, tubing and Texas State University? Only one of the oldest [Read more…]

Best Canoe Rental for Lady Bird Lake Adventures

May 29, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

Hike and Bike trail (Photo credit: Jessica Pino)

Picture it. You’re on the hike and bike trail at Lady Bird Lake, aka Town Lake. All of a sudden, you have an urge to jump into the water. You might blame this urge on the Texas heat, but I know I fight it every time I’m on the trail. Barton Springs Pool is a good option, but who has their swimsuit with them at all times? The better option (in my opinion)? Rent a canoe or kayak to explore Austin’s oasis from within.

Next challenge: with five different boat rental locations along the river, where do you go for gear? [Read more…]

Frozen Dessert Is Teo’s Passport to World Champion Finals

May 19, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

My Vespa, Valentina, at the Gelato World Tour

When I heard that the Gelato World Tour was coming to Austin, I immediately penciled in time in my jam-packed schedule to attend.

In true stereotypical Italian fashion, I hopped on my Vespa (Valentina) and scooted down to Republic Square to check it out. There, I found sixteen gelato artisans from around North America battling for one of three spots to participate in the World Champion Finals in Rimini, Italy this fall.

The only Austin-based participant was Matthew Lee of Teo Espresso, Gelato & Bella Vita (Matthew told us he was the only American competing), so obviously I was a bit biased. I wasn’t able to actually sample his gelato submission because I’m allergic to nuts. But the lines that formed tempted me to pull out my Epipen just for a taste. [Read more…]

The Picnic Brings Food Trailers to Barton Springs

May 12, 2014 by Jessica Pino Leave a Comment

The Picnic food trailer park on Barton Springs

If you’ve been in Austin a while, you fondly remember the collection of food trailers that used to be on South Congress at the corner of Monroe. For years, this prime stretch of real estate remained frozen in time and seemed immune to the high-rises popping up around town. But Austin grew a little less weird when it was announced in 2013 that a hotel would take the place of our beloved food trailer park.

But all is not lost. I’m happy to report that we have recovered a part of that weirdness, relocated to Barton Springs Road. The Picnic is the new home of a collection of food trailers, along with some extra perks. Equipped with a covered pavillion, ceiling fans and bathrooms, this assemblage of food trailers gathers some of the best chefs in town and creates a unique outdoor dining experience. [Read more…]

5 Best Pizza Joints in Austin

April 29, 2014 by Jessica Pino 18 Comments

Pizza by the slice at East Side Pies

You may say I know a thing or two about pizza. My parents bought a pizza shop when I was 8 months old. I started officially working when I was 11, until I went off to college.

In my college years, I often gave into eating bad pizza for a variety of reasons: far from home, nothing else around and, quite simply, too lazy to care. I’ve grown older and wiser, and it has become my personal mission to try every pizza joint in Austin. So here’s my list of what I believe to be the best pizza places in Austin…so far. [Read more…]

Whole Foods Rooftop Hosts Shakespeare at the Market Performances

April 25, 2014 by Jessica Pino 1 Comment

Whole Foods’ rooftop stage

Present Company Theatre’s performance of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing opened last weekend and exceeded my expectations.

For those not familiar with Present Company, it’s a non-profit theater collective that makes theater fun and accessible to everyone. Instead of performing within the confines of four walls, the group brings art to “the heart of the community: the marketplace,” says actor Jennifer Coy. After all, everything is better when done outdoors: eating, drinking, watching movies and even theater.

April marks Shakespeare’s 450th birthday and, while the idea of going to watch a live performance may seem daunting to those who haven’t watched Shakespeare since Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet with Leonardo DiCaprio, Present Company is a group of extremely talented individuals who make Shakespeare fun and entertaining.

There is even a pre-show that will teach you just enough about the man, iambic pentameter, and modern-day idiomatic phrases from Shakespearean plays that you won’t feel ignorant or lost. [Read more…]

How to Do SXSW Like a Local

February 28, 2014 by Jessica Pino 5 Comments

Photo credit: nickmickolas via Flickr CC)

If this is your first SX, don’t stress! This time of year, cases of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) are on the rise.

Let’s start your education now. You must first get the lingo down…it’s just “South by” (SX). If you hear someone uttering all four syllables, South by Southwest, you’ll know they are one of the 30,000+ out-of-town-ers.

Most locals don’t have the pleasure of directly participating in the conference, but we do like to take advantage of the byproducts this massive 27 year old conference produces. The music portion of SX is what typically gets the most attention, and for a good reason. With over 1,700+ performances over a 10-day span, there is something for everyone. [Read more…]

Three Stories of Graffiti for HOPE on Castle Hill

February 11, 2014 by Jessica Pino 13 Comments

A graffiti artist at work on Castle Hill

Editor’s Note: The HOPE Outdoor Gallery closed on Jan. 2, 2019. A new location will open later in the year.

There are a few mainstays in Austin I like to take visitors to when they visit. My list includes the impressive Capitol Building, which is taller than the U.S. Capitol Building in D.C., Whole Foods headquarters, where you can get a $5 smoothie, Zilker Park to fly a kite, and anything on South Congress. But there’s one place that embodies the true spirit and weirdness of our city, and every resident and visitor must experience it: the graffiti wall at Castle Hill.

Tucked away on Baylor and 11th near Whole Foods, this is one of my favorite places in Austin because it has a great energy and amazing art. When I say graffiti wall, I don’t mean just one wall like the “i love you so much” graffiti at Jo’s Coffee Shop or the Austin Postcard at Roadhouse Relics. I’m talking about a three-story playground for artists. [Read more…]