Et Cetera Archives - Page 28 of 35

FINO Restaurant Patio and Bar: Modern Mediterranean Food

August 12, 2013 by Meagan Vitek 1 Comment

Editor’s Note: FINO closed at the end of March 2015 after 10 years in business.

Hidden in a second story nook, atop several Austin shops between West Campus and Lamar, lies FINO Restaurant Patio and Bar, a modern Mediterranean restaurant and sister to well-known Austin eatery, Asti Trattoria.

After cruising past the colorful FINO sign too many times to count, a trip to this familiar restaurant was a must.

The Environment

Once you reach the top of the stairwell, you step foot into a beautiful wrap around patio, craving attention in the long summer days. Half of the patio is a lounging and socializing area, with welcoming couches, brightly colored pillows and tables perfectly heightened for your cocktail of choice. The other half of the patio is set up for outdoor dining, equipped with heaters for the cooler evenings.

The warm colors and décor extends inside, giving the restaurant a very laid back feel in an upscale environment. Throw in the friendly staff, and a great experience is made. [Read more…]

Don Bluth and Gary Goldman: Animation Giants Among Us This Weekend

August 8, 2013 by Lizzy Newsome Leave a Comment

All Dogs Go to Heaven will play at Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline this weekend

This guest blog post is by Lizzy Newsome.

There are few childhood memories as unspoiled as cartoons. For many, animated films were the first introduction to the cinema, and watching those movies instantly transports you back in time. I can almost smell the Sour Patch Kids!

When considering important names in animation, the list is short. Don Bluth and Gary Goldman stand out as two of the masters of traditional animation techniques and practices. Expertly trained in the halls of the Disney Studios, they left in 1979 to form their own independent studio. The resulting revolution brought on by the creative explosion of Don Bluth Studios kicked off a renaissance in American Animation. [Read more…]

A Concert That Will Leave You Without Regrets

July 24, 2013 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Soldier Thread Without Regrets Foundation Benefit Concert

Soldier Thread jams to a packed Threadgill’s

On August 10th, the sweet sound of music will drift north across Ladybird Lake as Threadgill’s and KLBJ FM help the Without Regrets Foundation throw their second annual benefit concert.

The Charity

Without Regrets was founded in Dripping Springs, Texas in June, 2011. Four months later in October, they officially gained their non-profit status. Co-founders Tara Ballard and Che Heinroth saw a need to help families with terminally ill parents to have one last moment of reprieve from the emotional and financial stresses that burden their lives. “This gives them something to look forward to other than doctor visits and treatment plans,” [Read more…]

Eleven Plates & Wine: Extraordinary Food Amid Elegant Style

July 9, 2013 by Meagan Vitek 4 Comments

This guest blog post is by Meagan Vitek.

Editor’s Note: Eleven Plates closed in 2016.

Eleven small plates, eleven dinner plates and eleven wines line the menu at Eleven Plates & Wine in Austin. My curiosity about the concept and food resulted in a delicious dining experience last weekend.

Nestled among a cluster of shops along the scenic Capital of Texas Highway, Eleven Plates & Wine is just a hop away from the well-known Austin 360 bridge (the Pennybacker Bridge) overlook. [Read more…]

Austin Involved: Your Opportunity to Make Austin Better

July 2, 2013 by Brittany Highland 3 Comments

Austin Community Steelband Volunteer Project

Austin Involved gives members the opportunity to meet great people and make a difference in our community (Credit: Austin Involved)

If you’ve been curious about how you can give back to the Austin community on a regular basis, and simultaneously spend time with like-minded people, I’ve found the organization for you. Austin Involved, a local program run by I Live Here, I Give Here, allows its members to vote for and support one fantastic Austin non-profit every month of the year.

When a non-profit is chosen by Austin Involved’s members, it benefits from a three-hour service project. Members also donate $25 per person each month to the same non-profit. That amount of money equates to what you might [Read more…]

Hot Lava Obstacle Course: New Place in Austin to Hang Around

June 13, 2013 by David Thomas Leave a Comment

Ben Broussard shows off his gymnastic talents (Credit: Jessica Teseny)

Editor’s Note: Hot Lava Obstacle Course has permanently closed.

When I was five years old, we lived in a small house with a detached garage. This garage had a tree growing next to it. It was my goal to climb this tree and get on the garage roof. What really ended up happening was that I climbed most of the way up the tree, decided to climb down, got scared and had my little brother get my mommy.

Later on, I joined the Army against my dad’s advice because I thought they had a cooler obstacle course than the Air Force (true story bro). I then missed the obstacle course because I had kitchen duty scrubbing pots and pans. Both stories came up in a conversation I had with Ben Broussard at Bennu Coffee. You see, Ben and his wife, Kate, are the co-owners of the new Hot Lava Obstacle Course. That’s right, I said “obstacle course!” [Read more…]

Benji’s Cantina Opens With Rooftop Dining on West Sixth Street

June 11, 2013 by Cris Mueller 3 Comments

Indoor bar at the new Benji’s Cantina

Editor’s Note: Benji’s closed in August 2016.

I often have the opportunity to write about beautiful venues and new local concepts. With my latest discovery, the food truly won me over. The proof: I waddled away after my amazing meal. So sit back and join me in my journey through the collaborative kitchen that is Benji’s Cantina.

Nestled comfortably into a corner lot in Austin’s West Sixth District, Benji’s will quickly become one of the city’s largest and most swanky Tex-Mex hot spots. But don’t let their modern approach to an old Texas favorite fool you. Their vast menu full of Mexican dishes and a wide range of beer, wine and liquor make this a great spot to feast and party during the upcoming Texas summer. [Read more…]

Austin Music Foundation: Amazing & Free Resource for Austin Musicians

May 28, 2013 by Eric Highland Leave a Comment

Austin musicians and bands, listen up. You want to make music because you can’t imagine doing anything else with your life…right? But you’re facing a dilemma that all aspiring musicians confront: how the heck do you make a full-time living doing what you love?

Austin Music Foundation

What if you knew of a state-of-the-art resource center that was 100% free, focused solely on helping Austin-area musicians realize their dreams, and make money doing it? [Read more…]

Austin Civic Orchestra Embraces Change for New Audiences

May 21, 2013 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Butler School of Music University of Texas

The Austin Civic Orchestra recently performed at UT’s Butler School of Music

The startling clash of cymbals, the thunderous boom of the kettle drums, the precise and fiery melody of the strings. No matter how old you are, if you’ve never experienced a full orchestra live, you’re missing out.

Being on the younger end of life myself, I understand that sitting in a dark concert hall for a couple of hours may not seem enjoyable. But in the middle of our fast-paced lives and over-stimulation, we could use some exposure to classical music that has withstood centuries because of how amazing it is. Live orchestra performances aren’t boring, and the Austin Civic Orchestra exists to prove that point. [Read more…]

WeViva Fitness and Nutrition Classes Bring Hope to Communities in Need

May 8, 2013 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Find your Zen-Yoga with WeViva at KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program)

Living in one of America’s fittest cities, an Austin woman identified a lack of healthy lifestyle options for adults in low income communities, particularly in the areas of fitness and wellness.

Carolyn Haney, Founder of WeViva, created an amazing mix of lifestyle and social trials that are changing the way families in low income communities think about and implement exercise and nutrition in their daily lives. [Read more…]

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