Et Cetera Archives - Page 21 of 35

7 Reasons to See a Shipwreck in Austin

February 14, 2015 by J. Alan Nelson Leave a Comment

Model of the La Belle, currently being restored in front of visitors at Bullock Texas State History Museum

Why does the nation of France have a major claim to sea treasure in Austin? Why is there a centuries-old shipwreck off the corner of 18th Street and Congress Avenue?

The La Belle, a 17th century sailing ship designed for the Mississippi River, is a key artifact from the struggles between European powers France, Britain and Spain for a piece of what would become Texas. This famous ship that sailed the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, never the Mississippi as intended, doomed the French explorer La Salle’s expedition. The shipwreck was finally found in 1995 after a century-long search, in Matagorda Bay between Corpus Christi and Galveston.

The La Belle is on exhibit at Bullock Texas State History Museum until May 17, 2015. If your interest isn’t piqued already, here are 7 reasons to see the La Belle shipwreck in Austin: [Read more…]

Austin Habitat for Humanity Gives Families Hand Up

February 11, 2015 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

The Limon family Austin Habitat for Humanity Family Partners

Stephanie Limon and her three kids are Austin Habitat for Humanity’s newest family partners

Imagine you’re living with your family in a one bedroom apartment. No matter what you do, you can’t meet the requirements for a traditional mortgage. It’s frustrating to know you’re spinning in a hamster wheel – working and working but not getting anywhere.

Think of the pride and sense of accomplishment you’d feel when you finally turned the key in the door of a home where everyone in the family could have space to thrive. Austin Habitat for Humanity helps people in our community turn that key. [Read more…]

Austin Non-Profit Teaches Old School DJ Skills With New Spin

February 10, 2015 by Adrienne Albregts Leave a Comment

Not so traditional classroom at Austin’s non-profit DJ school, Dub Academy

We all know someone who’s brilliant, but hasn’t reached his or her full potential. Blame boredom, right? Well, in Austin there’s a non-traditional learning environment that’s anything but boring.

Wicka Wicka What?

Dub Academy is a non-profit organization that teaches the electronic arts, specifically DJing and music production. It has been igniting creativity in many Austin-area children and young adults who may have otherwise fallen through cracks. [Read more…]

5 Places to Find East Side King in Austin

February 9, 2015 by Erin May Leave a Comment

Follow this strange creature to East Side King

East Side King was created by Paul Qui and Moto Utsunomiya as a side project when the chefs worked together at Uchi and Uchiko. Since that time, the number of East Side King food trucks has multiplied, and two brick and mortar locations have opened up as well.

Paul Qui is perhaps best known for winning Top Chef Texas in 2012. To the advantage of Austin foodies, he has continued to dig his creative roots deep into Austin’s food scene.

Additional media exposure has spread the word about East Side King, benefiting the business itself and Austin’s reputation as a foodie attraction. The trailer empire was featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. One of the newest trailers, dubbed Thai-Kun after chef Thai Changthong, was ranked 8th on a national list of best new restaurants in 2014 by Bon Appetit.

However you heard of it, there are now 5 places in Austin to experience the Asian-inspired street food of East Side King. [Read more…]

Best Authentic Italian Food Truck Opens Brick and Mortar

February 5, 2015 by Jessica Pino 1 Comment

Lucky's Puccias & Pizzeria on W 5th Street in Austin

Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria new brick and mortar location on W 5th Street

Editor’s Note: Lucky’s closed on Jan. 27, 2019 due to rising rental costs.

I know I’m making a bold statement. The best of anything is hard to prove with such varying taste buds as we have in Austin. But if you’re looking for truly authentic Italian food, I guarantee Lucky’s Puccias & Pizzeria will deliver. Here’s why. [Read more…]

Unconventional Romance for Sweet Austin Valentine’s Day

February 4, 2015 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Love Bites shark cookie at Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery in Hyde Park

Two simply sweet words can change a person’s outlook on the most pink and red holiday we as Americans celebrate each year…“Be Mine!”

This got me thinking–in a rather unconventional way–about what I consider mine, the love of life and food that brings me joy. The story behind the patron saint of lovers is filled with passion and an unconventional romance, so I thought this year I would see what Austin has to offer the more unconventional Valentine. [Read more…]

Beer, Will You Be My Valentine?

February 2, 2015 by Matthew Champion Leave a Comment

Whether you’re celebrating your relationship with your mate or single-handedly revolting against Cupid, there’s plenty of room in your Valentine’s Day for beer, right? It falls on a Saturday this year and those of us in Austin are lucky enough to be surrounded by all kinds of fun, local beer events for the occasion.

Twisted X Dia De San Valentin

Credit: Twisted X Brewing Company

Take a beautiful drive out to Texas Hill Country and partake in Twisted X Brewing Company’s Dia De San Valentin, an elegant 5-course meal prepared by the folks at Verde’s Mexican Parilla and paired with special Tex-Mex beers. With course selections like bacon-wrapped quail and chocolate [Read more…]

Come Celebrate Austin’s Edible Forest Garden

January 27, 2015 by Guest Blogger Leave a Comment

Festival Beach Food Forest, Austin’s edible forest garden

Guest article by Megan Renart

“Edible forest garden” might be the most Austin-y words I’ve ever written besides cold springs, breakfast tacos and live music.

And yet, we can now add said words to the list of actual places that exist in Austin. The Festival Beach Food Forest is a city-council-approved two acre stretch of land that runs next to I-35 and has been described as a “fence-free edible Eden where all are welcome to learn about food forestry and experience the beauty of an edible oasis in the heart of Austin.”

Festival Beach Food Forest is a pilot project of East Feast Coalition, a grassroots, volunteer run organization and offshoot of Urban Patchworks. And it’s free. The entire point of this edible food forest is to make it accessible to the public, which is why it’s being planted in one of Austin’s public parks. [Read more…]

Little Herds: Nonprofit Introduces Bug Eating to Austin

January 26, 2015 by Erin May 2 Comments

Little Herds Dish of Calamari with Mealworms

A calamari dish made with mealworms (Credit: Little Herds via Flickr)

Crickets: the food of the future. Healthy, sustainable and exotic–what’s not to love?

This may come as a shock to some, but many people have recently begun developing this concept in the western world–one of the only places on earth where eating insects is not widely accepted. Little Herds is a non-profit created in Austin that educates the public about entomophagy, the practice of eating insects.

Once you get over the initial shock and gross factor, the logical reasons for cricket consumption become surprisingly compelling. [Read more…]

Listen at Winflo: Never Gamble on Live Music Again

January 20, 2015 by Adrienne Albregts Leave a Comment

Enjoy a 3-course Italian meal while being entertained in this underground space

Editor’s Note: Winflo Osteria closed at the end of March 2018.

Live Music ≠ Good Music

Admit it, Austin – you’ve been to some questionable concerts. Just because you live in the most popular city in the world for live music, doesn’t mean your ears are safe from toxic noise waste. How many times have you walked out of a music venue and thought to yourself, “I really wish I hadn’t spent money on that”? [Read more…]

Wicka Wicka What?

Twisted X Dia De San Valentin

Live Music ≠ Good Music

Recent Posts

Welcome to The Austinot