Food & Drink Archives - Page 53 of 71

G’raj Mahal: Indian Cuisine Meets Austin Cool

November 21, 2014 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Chandelier made from bike gears looks down on G’Raj Mahal Cafe’s dining room (Credit: Michael Sandoval)

To outsiders, Austin cuisine is the Texas Trinity: Mexican, barbeque and breakfast tacos.

We locals know better.

Quality ethnic fare is never too far away. With an exceptional menu in a laid back atmosphere, G’Raj Mahal Café and Lounge adds the flavors and flair of western India to Austin’s foodie culture.

G’raj Mahal’s Humble History

Like all things awesome, G’Raj Mahal has a fascinating history. Originally a food truck on Red River, the truck moved to Rainey Street where G’Raj was a go to spot for almost four years.

Almost immediately, owner Sidney Roberts and her husband Anthony knew a brick and mortar location was inevitable. Weekend wait times swelled to over two hours. According to G’Raj’s Marketing Manager Memo Jimenez, it was pure madness.

So when a location around the corner became available, the team jumped on the opportunity to give their loyal fan base a proper place to enjoy their food. [Read more…]

Austin Brewery Tours Highlight City’s Growing Industry

November 19, 2014 by Matthew Champion 3 Comments

Jesse and Andrew of ATXcursions (Credit: ATXcursions)

When I was offered a chance to check out ATXcursions, Austin’s newest craft brewery tour company, I jumped at the opportunity. Austin has one of the fastest growing beer scenes in the nation and quality beer is popping up in every corner, so I figured I was bound to have a good time. I love being right. [Read more…]

Micklethwait Craft Meats: All the Taste, None of the Lines

November 18, 2014 by Edgar Barguiarena 1 Comment

All you need for season is salt and pepper–anything more and you’re cheating

It’s 11 a.m. in Austin, Texas and you can almost hear the collective sound of BBQ pits across the city creaking open. This is BBQ Rush Hour.

Most BBQ aficionados are still waiting in line, tempted by the aroma of smoked brisket and brontosaurus beef ribs. But if you’re at Micklethwait Craft Meats, there’s a good chance you walked right up to give your order.

Opened in 2012, Micklethwait Craft Meats is a BBQ trailer on E 11th Street about half a mile from the current BBQ gold standard, Franklin’s. I always get a kick out of watching people wait in line for hours as I make my way to Micklethwait. [Read more…]

6 Ways to Love Dai Due Butcher Shop and Supper Club

November 17, 2014 by Cris Mueller Leave a Comment

Behind the scenes at Dai Due Supper Club (Credit: Cherrywood 78722 via Flickr CC)

Roughly translated, Dai Due means by, or from the two. At their recently occupied brick and mortar butcher shop and supper club, located at 2406 Manor Road, Dai Due has positioned itself as a finely understated concept, bringing together foods “from the two kingdoms of nature.”

Serving coursed meals since 2006, today the well oiled engines at Dai Due offer breakfast, lunch and a dinner menu consisting of the nightly Supper Club menu and an a la carte selection, all of which has food seekers filing in by the dozens and regularly.

Two entrances separate the cluster of foot traffic into Dai Due, one at the butcher shop and one at the restaurant front. The cozy dining room, bar and rustic kitchen are filled with a tightly wound system of food and beverage deliveries to an arrangement of tables that sit comfortably close, in a community dining environment. [Read more…]

Bonjour, Austin! Exploring and Celebrating Austin’s French Culture

November 14, 2014 by Guest Blogger 3 Comments

Delicious French cuisine can be found in Austin, like the Steak Bearnaise at Chez Nous (Credit: Chez Nous)

Guest article by Kristella Montiegel.

Within the hip and diverse city of Austin, you’ll find an alluring presence of French culture and community. Fittingly so, since French colonization of Texas dates back to the the 1600’s. Traces of French influence – especially in historical locations, food and art – can be found throughout the Austin area.

While it might be a stretch to attribute the creative and experimental culture of Austin to the avant-gardism of modernist Paris, the fact remains that an impressive French community has been sustained through Austin’s growth and diversification. So, whether you’re a native of France or someone who’s simply curious about their customs, Austin has plenty of opportunities for you to get your daily dose of French lifestyle. [Read more…]

Top 4 Best Cookies in Austin

November 7, 2014 by Guest Blogger 6 Comments

Guest article by Kathleen Crandall

Austin’s Best Cookie? The winner is on this plate. I’d invite you over to share some, but I’m afraid all that’s left are crumbs.

Top row L-R: Chocolate Chip Cookie, San Francisco Bakery; Salty Oat Cookie, Quack’s.
Middle L-R: Dark Chocolate Ginger, Quack’s; Salted Toffee Chunk, The Steeping Room. Bottom L-R: Ginger Cookie, Walton’s Fancy and Staple; Chocolate Chip Cookie, Lee’s Meat Market; Walnut Chocolate Chip gluten free, Wild Wood Bake House.

I have a tough job as a cookie reviewer. Having to go out there and hunt down the best cookie in Austin is a job full of challenges, but it pays well…in chocolate chips, walnuts, toffee, etc. Being the cookie connoisseur that I am, I was up for the task. But where to start with so many good cookies in this town? [Read more…]

Drink Up, Chill Out at Hi Hat Public House

November 6, 2014 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

Inviting, open and fun – Hi Hat welcomes you!

Everyone needs a neighborhood bar. A place that’s not just a convenient place you can walk to in the evening and stumble home from at night. But a social network inside walls. A place where people can meet, greet and become neighbors.

When East Austin grew out of its reputation as the wrong side of the tracks, local pubs became a necessity. Enter Hi Hat Public House, a laid back restaurant/watering hole that has quickly become the best place to eat, drink and be merry in East Austin.

As the cornerstone of the Villas on Sixth apartment complex, Hi Hat features a little bit of everything. Aside from having a respectable wine list, Hi Hat also sports an exceptional beer listing. [Read more…]

Heart of Gold Farm Brings Healthy Food to the Hungry

November 5, 2014 by Matthew Champion 1 Comment

Inside the greenhouse at Heart of Gold Farm in Dale, TX (Credit: Mike Torres)

Living in Austin provides the wonderful opportunity to regularly come across people who put their heart and soul into helping others and the environment.

If you ever find yourself between Austin and Lockhart, you may run into a couple of these folks. Mike and Vanessa Torres run Heart of Gold Farm in Dale, Texas.

Mike and Vanessa grow tons of fresh, organic food for the underprivileged using aquaponic farming methods, which use about 95% less water and 1/3 of the energy conventional farming methods require. Aquaponic farming takes waste produced by fish or other aquatic animals and uses it to provide nutrients to plants being grown hydroponically. [Read more…]

Your Austin Burger for Every Mood

October 30, 2014 by Adrienne Albregts 1 Comment

Half Pound Burger and Hand-cut Fries at Jacoby’s (Credit: Jacoby’s Restaurant)

There’s no shortage of meat in this town. And while I do fancy a good steak or a BBQ feast, there’s nothing better than a cheeseburger to satisfy my meat tooth. Narrowing down the burger joint choices in Austin can cause some unwanted anxiety, though. I think I found the solution: letting my mood dictate the burger.

[Read more…]

15 Over 15: Which Austin Eateries Have Survived the Years?

October 28, 2014 by Edwin Ochoa 16 Comments

It’s no secret that running a restaurant or bar is difficult, especially in Austin. With so many opening every month, only the truly exceptional have what it takes to compete long term. So how admirable is it when an establishment can keep the doors open for 15, 20 or even 50 years?

The purpose of this article is to celebrate 15 restaurants and bars in Austin that have served hungry and thirsty Austinites for 15 years or more. My list comes from Austinites who have lived here long enough to remember when quarter beer night was a thing.

This isn’t a ranking by any means. My goal is to focus on what led to the success of each establishment. To do so, I sat down with someone at each business to get the real story. I’ve included their explanations for the lasting success of their local businesses (spoiler: customers come first). Without further adieu, here are Austin’s 15 over 15.

Ross’ Old Austin Cafe

Don’t miss the live music on Tuesdays and Fridays

[Read more…]

G’raj Mahal’s Humble History

Ross’ Old Austin Cafe

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