Et Cetera Archives - Page 30 of 35

Hang Your Hat at Lustre Pearl for Laid-Back Night on Rainey St.

January 22, 2013 by David Thomas 5 Comments

Editor’s Note: The original Lustre Pearl closed down on March 30, 2014 to make way for a condo building. The house was moved to east Austin, where it is enjoying a second life as Lustre Pearl East. Lustre Pearl Rainey is now open at 94 Rainey Street.

If Rainey St. were a squad of soldiers flanking the downtown area of the Live Music Capitol of the World, Lustre Pearl would be the point man.

Leading the squad into downtown Austin’s bleary nights, Lustre Pearl – planted firmly on the corner of Driskill and Rainey St. – is an excellent showpiece for this revitalized, formerly residential district. [Read more…]

Witness the Dramatic Life of Queen Elizabeth I at the Vortex Theater

January 16, 2013 by Brittany Highland 5 Comments

Butterfly Bar at the Vortex

If you haven’t visited the Vortex theater in East Austin, you’re missing out on community theater at its best. Come early and grab a drink and a snack at the Butterfly Bar, which occupies the same building. Watch a movie on the wall by the bar (you may see Popeye episodes), or step outside to the lighted patio for a game of chess.

Pick up your “ticket” at the box office – a suited selection from a deck of cards – and enter the theater when your suit is called. Don’t worry about finishing your drink before the show; you can take it in. Grab any open seat you like. [Read more…]

Want to Party Mad Men Style at Scottish Rite Theater?

January 2, 2013 by Eric Highland 7 Comments

Mad Men lead character, Donald Draper

Do the words Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce (SCDP) mean anything to you? If so, you’re probably as obsessed as we are with AMC’s TV series Mad Men. The culture, characters, and fashion of Madison Avenue in the 1960’s shine in this award-winning drama.

And we aren’t the only ones who think so. There’s a reason this show is the only basic cable show in history to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series.

The boys at SCDP would never settle with only one win of a prestigious award like this, so they repeated the achievement four years in a row. The Emmy for Outstanding Drama series was earned by Mad Men from 2008-2011. The show concluded its 5th Season in June of 2012 and has been renewed for a sixth. [Read more…]

Search for the Best Burger Joint in Austin: Old School Bar and Grill

December 26, 2012 by Eric Highland 10 Comments

Old School Bar and Grill at 6th Street and Trinity in Austin

Editor’s Note: Old School owners Danny Parrott and Jonathan Insley announced they sold the lease to Old School in November 2017, so the location will be closing soon.

If you’ve been looking for the best burgers in Austin, you’ve come to the right place. This post is part of a series on the Austinot.

Remember, I’m looking at not only the burgers, but the experience as a whole.

You’ll always get an honest take on the burger joints that I’ve visited. I’m not on any burger joint’s payroll.

After you’ve read my review, agree or disagree I’d love to hear your thoughts.

First Impression of Old School Bar and Grill

Located on the southeast corner of 6th Street and Trinity (specifically at 401 E. 6th Street), you’ll find the Old School Bar and Grill. This spot was recommended by one of our Austinot readers as a possible candidate for the best burger joint in Austin. [Read more…]

Celebrate Hill Country Holidays at San Antonio’s The Westin La Cantera

December 12, 2012 by Eric Highland 1 Comment

Lobby Christmas tree at the Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort

Imagine a world-class destination resort less than two hours from Austin that is hosting a perfectly Texan holiday experience. At the Austinot, we strive to find the very best to experience in and around Austin, and this definitely makes the list.

Beginning now through January 6, 2013, we recommend that you gather up your family or that special someone and head south to Hill Country Holidays at The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort. Read on and you’ll understand why this holiday event can’t be missed. [Read more…]

Help Portrait Austin Provides Family Portraits to Austinites in Need

December 3, 2012 by Brittany Highland 5 Comments

Help-Portrait photographer in Fayetteville, AR

I recently went to great lengths to find matching picture frames of different sizes to put together a collection of my favorite family photos, from Eric’s side of the family and mine. The finished product was a beautiful collage that represented our history, precious memories and family pride.

Though we may stop and look at these photos every once in a while, we eventually take them for granted. But what if your economic status left you without the means to get keepsake photos taken of your family? Yes, they’re inaccessible luxuries for some. [Read more…]

Austin Pets Alive Leads Nation, But Could Lose Everything

November 21, 2012 by Eric Highland 21 Comments

Four years ago in Austin, 14,000 domestic animals were being euthanized every year. Today, Austin leads the entire nation, having reached the goal of 90% no kill.

The eyes of the nation watch our local non-profit, Austin Pets Alive, as they trailblaze with innovative methods and ideas, championing for animals that were destined to die. [Read more…]

Win Overnight Stay at The Westin La Cantera Hill Country Resort

November 20, 2012 by Brittany Highland 282 Comments

DJ Z-Trip Rocks Out Speakeasy Tonight for F1 Kick Off

November 16, 2012 by Brittany Highland 2 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Click Play on the podcast player above to listen to this week’s episode of the Austinot Podcast.

Though there are parties all over town tonight, our pick is the F1 Weekend Kick-Off Party at Speakeasy on the Avenue. World famous, award winning DJ Z-Trip will be in the house, and a DJ of his caliber will make for an awesome night. Check [Read more…]

Harvesting the Best Veggie Burger in Austin: Your Mom’s Burger Bar

November 8, 2012 by Guest Blogger 10 Comments

Editor’s Note: Your Mom’s closed May 2014. Read a letter from the owners here.

This guest blog post is by Kat Mandelstein.

This article is the sixth review in a series on The Austinot. It is a companion series to “The Search for the Best Burger Joint in Austin” by Austinot owner, Eric Highland.

If you are a true carnivore, be sure to check out his series. But if you’ve been looking for the best veggie burger in Austin, you’re in the right place. All the article titles in this series start with “Harvesting the Best Veggie Burger in Austin.”

This time, Eric and I teamed up and had lunch together to review the meat and veggie burger versions together. You’ll find Eric’s review of Your Mom’s Burger Bar by clicking here. [Read more…]

First Impression of Old School Bar and Grill

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