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Enjoy a cup of joe, hot or cold, indoors or out, at Vintage Heart Cafe
Vintage Heart Cafe has become many things to me. It’s where I can count on a delicious caffeine boost or find my productive side. On my less focused days, it’s a comfortable place to continue my quest to traverse the Internet’s outer limits. Recently, Vintage House Cafe has become something more to me and the Austin community at-large. It now includes a beautiful outdoor space, food options, and adult beverages.
Celis’ line of beers brings back old school flavors in new, exciting ways (credit: Jason Babos)
Welcome to 2018, craft beer drinkers! 2017 was a fantastic year for the local beer scene. New breweries, expanded offerings, and insane special releases made the year one to remember. As we look forward to another year of hoppy goodness, I asked some of Austin’s finest beer makers to share what we can expect from them in 2018. [Read more…]
It’s no secret Austin has one of the nation’s most vibrant and experimental food scenes. An army of unique food trucks (Wunder Pig Barbecue Co., Granny’s Tacos, Hey Cupcake!); vegan ice cream (Sweet Ritual); and fully dine-able movie theatres (Alamo Drafthouse, Violet Crown) are just a few signature elements.
However, unbeknownst to many, Austin boasts one of the most delectable secret food scenes, as well. Restaurants like Chuy’s, Frigid Frog, and Olamaie all feature legitimate, buyable food items that, whether it’s to boost mystique or keep chefs from drowning in a kitchen of their own complex creations, never make it to print.
It’s my job today to guide any and all curious Austinites through some of my favorite secret menu items in this city’s confidential cartes du jour. [Read more…]
Founders Ryan Campbell, Brent Looby, and Judson Kauffman produce an all-around Texan spirit
(Credit: Desert Door)
There’s a large number of craft breweries and distilleries surrounding the Austin area, so I wasn’t shocked to hear about the opening of another distillery. Until I heard the name of the spirit, that is. Sotol? Didn’t ring a bell.
But then I received an introduction, and we became fast friends.
Known to producers in northern Mexico and the West Texans who moonshine it, sotol’s extensive history still remains unknown to most people in our area. With Desert Door’s recent opening, however, that’s about to change. [Read more…]
Barrels of locally-made spirits at Still Austin Whiskey Co. (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Most people don’t spend Sunday afternoon relaxing in an industrial park, but that’s where I found myself. Outside, a jazz band was warming up, as a freshly-poured old fashioned chilled in my hand. On the bar, a beaker filled with strawberries and whiskey bubbled like a prop from Frankenstein’s workshop. If it weren’t for the area, I would’ve thought I was hanging out at a swank cantina, not a working distillery. [Read more…]
Enjoy a wine-oriented night at The Driskill Hotel (Credit: Charles Quinn Photography)
Cheers! Austin’s most anticipated and absolutely fabulous wine event, Big Reds & Bubbles, is right around the corner. This annual celebration of red and sparkling wine, put on by Wine and Food Foundation of Texas, goes down on Nov. 17, 2017, at The Driskill Hotel. Local chefs will be making food on site; live music will set the rhythm for the evening; and the wine will be flowing like a river.
A wide variety of fantastic beer awaits you at Hi Sign Brewing in Austin (Credit: Bill Tucker)
This article marks my three-year anniversary of writing for The Austinot. In my role as Contributing Blogger and now Lead Blogger, I’m proud to represent this unique blog and contribute to its mission of celebrating everything I love about this fine city. Looking forward to many more years of good eats, great music, and diving into the heart of Austin entertainment. As always, thanks for reading.
To stand out in Austin’s beer scene, you need to be different. Far too many breweries jump out of the gate with the standard “core four:” light beer, ale, IPA, porter. Five years ago, the strategy made sense. But with new competition popping up every month, up-and-coming brew masters need to bring something special to the table.
By peppering its tap list with a blend of left-of-center styles and traditional brews, Hi Sign Brewing has managed to make a quick, positive impression on the local beer scene. If you’re looking for something accessible yet different, this brand new spot is sure to satisfy beer lovers of every taste. [Read more…]
Tasting the Experimental Collection at Treaty Oak
Editor’s Note: As of October 2018, Ghost Hill has closed, but Treaty Oak has opened a new restaurant concept named Alice’s Restaurant.
Treaty Oak Ranch opened in 2015 with a focus on creating the best locally-distilled whiskey our area had ever experienced. The Dripping Springs establishment spans 27 acres and takes pride in creating small batch, craft spirits from the best ingredients. As a happy side effect, the distillery brews beer with malts and ingredients from whiskey-making. The Fitzhugh Ale gets its name from Treaty Oak’s location on Fitzhugh Road, and serves as the perfect mid-afternoon glassful of fresh.
As if you needed another reason to visit, Treaty Oak has a new eatery called Ghost Hill Restaurant. It serves up snacks, BBQ, and a full selection of the distillery’s spirits and beers. With a focus on seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients, the 3,500-square-foot space boasts a minimal interior full of warm woods and a fully-stocked bar. The Texas-inspired food lives in the casual, friendly home it deserves. [Read more…]
Spokesman Coffee serves coffee, beer, and cider at The Yard (Credit: @dollarsaenz)
The Yard, Austin’s home to the next generation of local movers, shakers, and—above all—makers, makes the quick trip south of Ben White worth it. Whether you crave high quality coffee, award-winning wine, a place for your band to jam, or a beach volleyball haven, you’ll find what you want a mere 10 minutes from downtown. Not to mention whiskey, beer, and Thai food. This is the second installment in my series highlighting the talented people setting up shop at this development in south Austin. [Read more…]
Fresh-baked kolaches at Batch on Manor Road
Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches opened its doors in early August 2017, filling the Manor neighborhood with the delicious smell of fresh-baked kolaches. Many Austinites take kolaches as seriously as breakfast tacos. The soft, puffy, sweet dough comes stuffed with a variety of fillings, ranging from fruit to meat. Though many argue the savory-filled ones should be called “klobasniky” (Czech for “little sausages”), it’s a mere technicality that falls away at the first bite. [Read more…]