Austin’s food scene continues to grow. With so many tasty options, decision-making can be hard. Where do I take out-of-town guests? Who in the group is a picky eater? Which restaurant do I want to try next? What if I want to eat all the things?

Luckily, Fareground at One Eleven Congress cures indecisiveness. ELM Restaurant Group is the curator and manager of Austin’s first food hall, and the six vendors located there satisfy a variety of tastes and dining needs. [Read more…]

Second Bar + Kitchen landed in downtown Austin in 2010. From pizza to burgers, weekend brunch to happy hour, Second’s repertoire is extensive. The restaurant now has three locations, including a satellite at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, so you have plenty of chances to pay a visit. [Read more…]

I distinctly remember the first time I stumbled across Russian House. Still new to Austin, I was walking around downtown when I spotted the familiar khokhloma pattern on the side of a building. Above the name Russian House on the outside side, smaller letters read, “Na Zdorovye.” “Noooo,” I thought to myself, “No, no, no, no, noooo…Et tu, Brute?”

I was surprised to find a Russian restaurant in downtown Austin, but even more surprised to find a Russian restaurant using the term Na Zdorovye. You see, “na zdorovye” is what foreigners believe Russians say as “cheers.” But no native Russian has ever said that while drinking.

The misconception probably finds its roots in the fact that “na zdorovye” is indeed used in some eastern European countries. But if you want to drink like a real Russian, learning one phrase and saying it over and over is not enough, my friends. Here’s what you need to do. [Read more…]