The Austinot

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Irene’s Restaurant and Bar Tastes Fancy Without Feeling Pretentious

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New Menu Items at Irene's Austin

Hungry? Get your nom on at Irene’s in Austin

Someone told me there was half an airplane hanging on the wall at Irene’s. A sucker for quirky decor, I had to check it out. Upon entering the restaurant, I found there was indeed an old airplane, with its windows creatively replaced by vintage mirrors. That alone was a cool enough reason for me to return. But Irene’s menu is actually what keeps me going back for more.

With tasty cocktails, American fare, and a groovy vibe, it’s hard to find a better place to spend time than this funky restaurant and bar located near downtown on West Avenue.
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15 Places to Get the Best Margaritas in Austin

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Desert Door Margarita

Cool off with a margarita at Desert Door (Credit: Desert Door)

There’s nothing like tequila mixed with the perfect amount of lime juice in a salted rim glass that instantly transports me to a beach in Mexico. While Austin may not be ocean-side, there’s no denying it’s darn hot here at least nine months out of the year. Sometimes, the only way to beat the heat is to sit on a patio and drink a margarita down, either frozen or on the rocks.

Take your own trip to Margaritaville by indulging at these 15 places serving up the best margaritas in Austin.

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Take an Unforgettable Texas Road Trip to Visit San Saba

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Texas Road Trip San SabaI was told by a local that if you open your heart to San Saba, the little town will wrap its ever-loving arms around you in a tight embrace. For the 48 hours I spent there, that’s precisely what I experienced. I knew no stranger, and no stranger knew me. As I headed back to Austin, I knew I’d just had one of the best Texas weekends of my life.

The rustic town of San Saba is located at the corner of 190 and 16 along the San Saba River, one-and-a-half hours northwest of Austin. There are only two traffic lights to direct the nearly 3,100 people who call San Saba home: the big light and the light at the school. [Read more…]

Vote for Strawberry Nutella Toast in the Tèo Gelato Flavor Creation Contest

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Strawberry Nutella Toast at Teo Gelato Austin

Want fresh strawberries, swirls of Nutella, and biscotti chunks? Order Strawberry Nutella Toast gelato at Tèo
(Credit: @dollarsaenz)

You scream, I scream, we all scream for…gelato! This popular saying typically ends with “ice cream,” but after you try the award-winning gelato at Tèo Expresso Gelato & Bella Vita, I’m pretty sure you’ll consider the permanent switch like I have.

For the past few months, I’ve been secretly working with Tèo owner, Mathew Lee, in his kitchen to create my own one-of-a-kind flavor for the Tèo Flavor Creation Contest. Strawberry Nutella Toast is the result of my work, and I’m proud to say it’s every bit as good as it looks and sounds.

Eager for a taste and more info on how you can support Austin Pets Alive!? Keep reading.

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5 Meal Delivery Companies in Austin to Simplify Your Life

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Meal Delivery Austin

Simplify with meal delivery in Austin (Credit: Spirited Food Co.)

When it comes to meals, Austinites don’t mess around. We love local and organic food, and we tend to avoid chain restaurants like the plague. It’s our culture. Quick, healthy, and made-from-scratch could be the official catchphrase of Austin cuisine. But this triple threat is hard to pull off daily, since most of us are busy working and playing. Enter meal delivery.

Yes, healthy and delicious meals, made with love and fresh ingredients, are now available from a number of local businesses in Austin. They’ll all deliver to your door, and one will even do all the cooking for you!

Check out five of our favorite meal delivery companies in Austin.

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Roll Out the Barrel: Notable Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

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Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

Wine tasting in the Perissos vineyard
(Credit: Matt McGinnis)

When I sent in my RSVP for the annual Roll Out the Barrel event, I was signing up for three winery visits in one day. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into, certified sommelier Matt McGinnis clued me in. Roll Out the Barrel is a Texas take on the time-honored tradition of hosting en primeur tastings of newly available wine for journalists and wine professionals, traditionally held in Bordeaux each spring.

Although far from France, Texas Hill Country is definitely becoming known for wine. Thanks to my intimate, first-hand experience during Rolling Out the Barrel, I now have a better understanding of why. Here’s what I learned from three day-trip-worthy Texas wineries.

Thank you to the vineyards featured in this article for allowing me to attend Roll Out the Barrel at no charge. All opinions are my own. [Read more…]

14 Crazy Stories From Locals That Prove SXSW Is the Best Festival Ever

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Bill Murray on Jimmy Kimmel Show at SXSW

Bill Murray on Jimmy Kimmel Live during SXSW 2015 (Credit: Getty)

Brace yourselves. SXSW is coming! The popular meme floating around the interwebs was inspired by the festival’s legendary reputation. And with good reason, considering everyone has an epic SXSW story. With approximately 400,000 participants, attendees, and celebrities descending on Austin from all over the world, it’s hard to not have a crazy tale about what I refer to as “adult Spring Break.”

To celebrate the return of the festival for another year, here are 14 quotes from Austin locals that perfectly explain the phenomenon that is SXSW.

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From Cocktails to Dessert, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking Makes Waves

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Cocktails at Salt Traders in Round Rock

The Salty Tom or Pepe’s Hibiscus Paloma—the choice is yours! (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

The name Salt Traders Coastal Cooking was inspired by the most crucial ingredient used in the kitchen. It’s also a reference to a precious commodity that brought work to the American (and specifically Texas) coastline, as far back as the 1800s.

And while the sister restaurant to Jack Allen’s Kitchen may not be selling salt or seashells by the seashore, its team members are cooking up seafood for the residents of Austin, inspired by some of the most memorable meals they’ve eaten by the sea.

I recently pulled up a chair at one of the tables in Round Rock to sample the fare. I was so impressed by what was served and how many of the ingredients were made in-house–from the sauces to the bread to the pickled veggies–that I just had to tell you about it.

Here are a few of the meal highlights.  [Read more…]

10 Refreshing Citrus Cocktails to Try in Austin Right Now

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Garden Water Citrus Cocktail at Pitchfork Pretty

Pitchfork Pretty’s Garden Water cocktail is one of the many ways you can indulge in citrus season
(Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Citrus season is in full swing in the Lone Star State. In celebration, I tirelessly scoured the city to find citrus-inspired cocktails. And I’m not just talking palomas and margaritas! I discovered expertly mixed drinks to please gin, vodka, and whiskey drinkers alike. Without further ado, here’s my roundup of some of the best citrus cocktails in Austin.  [Read more…]

Savor the Flavors of Spring at Kerbey Lane Cafe

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Kerbey Lane Cafe Spring Menu in Austin

Kerbey Lane Cafe’s spring menu is available for a limited time (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Spring has sprung! At least at Kerbey Lane Cafe, that is. If you’re over winter, you might try warming up with one of these earthy dishes.

I recently stopped by Austin’s beloved diner for the debut of its spring 2018 menu. Here are a few of the highlights. [Read more…]

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