Samantha Saenz - 3/4 - The Austinot

5 Meal Delivery Companies in Austin to Simplify Your Life

April 3, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

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.

[Read more…]

Roll Out the Barrel: Notable Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

March 23, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

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

March 8, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

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.

[Read more…]

From Cocktails to Dessert, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking Makes Waves

March 2, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

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

February 16, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

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

February 2, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

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…]

Where Are the Best Bloody Marys in Austin?

January 19, 2018 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle in Austin

Get haunted by the Ghost of Mary at Cannon + Belle (Credit: @dollarsaenz)

Whether you want to sip a socially acceptable cocktail with breakfast or nurse a brooding hangover, the Bloody Mary has become the standard go-to. The drink that has been around since approximately 1921 has incredible diversity, and it seems as though just about every restaurant has their own version–with our city being no exception. So whether you’re looking for the classic version, a peacock of garnishes, or something more exotic, here’s our guide to the best Bloody Marys in Austin. [Read more…]

13 Spots That Serve Fresh and Healthy Food in Austin

January 4, 2018 by Samantha Saenz 3 Comments

A beautiful bounty of fresh and healthy food at The Beer Plant (Credit: Jessica Attie)

This year, keep those “new year, new you” vibes going long past Jan. 1. These 13 Austin restaurants, serving fresh and healthy food, will make you feel your best. [Read more…]

6 Family-friendly Holiday Events at Texas State Parks

November 22, 2017 by Samantha Saenz Leave a Comment

Temperatures may be mild outside, but holiday music is starting to play on local radio stations. And in just a few short days, Austin’s very own Trail of Lights will open for another glorious season. So, while it may not feel like it, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in ATX.

Unfortunately, along with this most wonderful time of the year comes added stress. Instead of letting crowded shopping malls and heavier traffic get you down, head outside for some holiday cheer.

Scattered across the great state of Texas are more than 90 state parks, 19 of which are relatively close to Austin. To help you steer clear of the crowds and spend more time with loved ones, we’ve rounded up six state parks near Austin that are featuring holiday festivities in 2017. [Read more…]

Wine, Dine and Jazz Festival at Horseshoe Bay Resort This Weekend

November 8, 2017 by Samantha Saenz 1 Comment

Fare from local restaurants and caterers pairs perfectly with wines from Texas Hill Country at Wine, Dine and Jazz Festival (Credit: Horseshoe Bay Resort Facebook)

Do you like wine, fine dining, and music? If so, you should be at the 13th annual Wine, Dine and Jazz Festival held at the luxurious Horseshoe Bay Resort.

The annual fall festival is shaping up to be an enchanting weekend of culinary and musical delight. Here’s what to expect this Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-11, 2017. [Read more…]