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The League Kitchen & Tavern serves American comfort food at its finest
Not everyone has the luxury of dining downtown, which is why The League Kitchen & Tavern has three locations. All of them have 2nd Street District vibes, but without the hassle.
I recently made the short drive to The League’s newest location in Dripping Springs‘ Belterra Village. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the food, atmosphere, and plethora of parking. You will be, too.
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Lockhart is home to Smitty’s Market, but that’s just the beginning of what this Texas town offers
(Credit: Samantha Saenz)
Lockhart is synonymous with barbecue, so much so that it’s been dubbed the Barbecue Capital of Texas. As a result, every year, people make a pilgrimage to indulge in the holy trinity of meat perfection, otherwise known as Black’s, Smitty’s, and Kreuz.
This small Texas town of 12,000, located just 30 minutes south of Austin in Caldwell County, has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a cowboy town along the Chisholm Trail. Lockhart is even starting to expand past its reputation as The Lone Star State’s ultimate barbecue destination–though that reputation is still firmly in place.
The “city with a vision” has become a home for breweries, musicians looking to escape Austin’s skyrocketing prices, and big city-esque establishments. You should expect to linger longer when you explore downtown because there’s much more than barbecue waiting to be discovered.
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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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 14 places serving up the best margaritas in Austin.
I 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…]
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.
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.
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…]
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.
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…]