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Cypress Grill Brings the Bayou to South Austin

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Cypress Grill Fresh Gulf Shrimp

Fresh Gulf shrimp in our landlocked city at Cypress Grill

New Orleans will always hold a special place in my heart. The Mighty Mississippi, soulful music, and vibrant energy make up some of my favorite travel memories.

These memories immediately rush back the moment I step into Cypress Grill, a straight-from-New-Orleans cafe tucked back into a strip mall off of William Cannon Drive.

Despite its unassuming location, Cypress Grill creates an atmosphere that is true to both Austin and New Orleans, with a funky bar, walls covered in local art and a garage door that [Read more…]

Winflo Osteria: Modern Italian Gem in Old West Austin

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Winflo Osteria AustinEditor’s Note: Winflo Osteria closed at the end of March 2018.

If you’re over the age of 22, you’ve probably already realized there is a Sixth Street beyond Congress Avenue. In fact, it extends west of Guadalupe, even beyond Lamar. This is Old West Austin, where historic charm and fresh modernity seamlessly blend together to create a different kind of Sixth Street.

Between Mopac and Lamar, the cracked sidewalks of West Sixth are lined with restaurants brimming with laid-back coolness. Among them are seasoned (pun intended) favorites like Z’Tejas (1110 W 6th), Cafe Josie (1200B W 6th), and Sweetish Hill Bakery (1120 W 6th). Newer additions to Old West Austin include Clark’s Oyster Bar (1200 W 6th), Blake’s On Sixth (1221 W 6th), and my favorite, Winflo Osteria (1315 W 6th). [Read more…]

Savor the Past and Present at Freedmen’s Bar

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Freedmen's Bar Austin

Freedmen’s Bar exterior at 2402 San Gabriel St. (Credit: Freedmen’s)

Editor’s Note: Freedmen’s is closing Aug. 31, 2018, at its West Campus location.

These winter months provide an ideal opportunity to savor mouth-watering BBQ and enjoy a warming cocktail or two. Freedmen’s Bar over in West Campus allows you to do just that in a cozy atmosphere that has aged like a fine wine or a hard cheese – well. The bar sits in a historic landmark that was built by former slave George Franklin nearly 150 years ago. Over the years, the building has housed everything from a church to a grocery store.

When Cuatro’s owner Cuatro Kowalski saw the space, he envisioned a place where you could drink fine whiskey and eat smoked meat with both your friends and your ancestors. He renovated the building with some modern touches and imported an antique bar from Brownsville, all while maintaining the classic elegance and charm that a century and a half naturally provides. [Read more…]

Hillside Farmacy: Farm to Table Food Fringed by 1950s Pharmacy Decor

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Hillside Farmacy East Austin

Hillside Farmacy is located on E. 11th Street in Austin

For those who don’t live on the Eastside or frequent it often, Hillside Farmacy is an Austin establishment you could easily miss. If this is true of you, it’s a shame.

This farm to table eatery, known for oysters, weekend brunch and delicious sandwiches, happens to display some of my favorite restaurant decor in town. In the 1950’s, the building housed  The Hillside Drugstore. Today, the restaurant plays upon its history with original cabinetry and antique pharmacy displays I loved at first sight.

Hillside Farmacy Entrance [Read more…]

Austin’s Best Downtown Happy Hours Ready to Wet Your Whistle

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Best Downtown Happy Hours

According to Wikipedia, the origins of “Happy Hour” are shrouded in mystery, but we are grateful nonetheless. Just as mysteriously, finding the perfect happy hour can be difficult in a city full of watering holes, but the well informed won’t have to travel far.

Believe it or not, some of the city’s more affordable cocktail hours happen to be in the heart of downtown, conveniently close by to that afternoon meeting of yours. Maybe happy hour should even be combined with the meeting?

The following four locales are a great place to start any evening, but this list is just the tip of the happy hour iceberg. [Read more…]

Peche Belongs on Your List of Go-To Cocktail Spots Downtown

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Peche Warehouse District Austin

Peche in the Warehouse District downtown (Photo credit: Tim Meaney via Flickr CC)

Your downtown business meeting or special event just ended, and now all you want is a place to relax and enjoy a hand-crafted drink. If this is you, I recommend Peche.

Located in the Warehouse District, on 4th Street just east of Lavaca, Peche’s unpretentious exterior is easy to pass without a second look. But step inside and you’ll be greeted by a low-lit, romantic interior with decor that hints at times past.

The menu is filled with a variety of cocktail, food and wine selections. The venue’s claim to fame is its status as Austin’s first absinthe bar. Cocktails are pre-prohibition style, inspired by owner Rob Pate’s historical studies and time abroad. In fact, your visits to Peche will likely transport you to another time and place. [Read more…]

House Wine: Go Out for a Glass of Wine at Home

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House Wine Exterior in Austin

House Wine exterior (Photo credit: austingastronomist.com)

If you’re looking for a place where you can enjoy a glass of well-selected wine and still feel like you’re in Austin, look no further than House Wine. It sits tucked away on Josephine Street, near P. Terry’s on South Lamar, and is perfect for a date or any good company if you’re seeking an intimate, laid back atmosphere.

The house has been around for decades, but has been renovated nicely to resemble a trendy bungalow in the midst of the city atmosphere. The decor is modern and comfortable and screams “relax.” In fact, if half of you wants to go out and half of you wants to stay at home, just go to House Wine. It’s that comfortable. [Read more…]

The Goodnight in Austin Refines Playground for Adults

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The Goodnight Austin

Editor’s Note: As of May 2018, The Goodnight on West Anderson Lane has closed. A new location is planned for West Sixth Street.

The Goodnight in Austin sits an arrow’s flight away from Alamo Drafthouse Village on West Anderson. It’s an adults-only playground (18+ until 9 PM, 21+ after 9 PM) with an upscale menu, massive bar, bowling, ping pong, karaoke, shuffleboard and more.

Just shy of a year ago, our contributing blogger, Laura Darby, made a visit to The Goodnight in Austin. She was searching for a temporary replacement for The Highball, which was undergoing a long-term renovation project. Laura’s article, combined with the mixed comments left by readers, peaked my interest enough to want to check out The Goodnight for myself. [Read more…]

FINO Restaurant Patio and Bar: Modern Mediterranean Food

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Fino Restaurant Patio and Bar in Austin

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…]

Best Austin Craft Beer Joints: Whip In

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Whip In Bar and Convenience Store

You can admire Whip In’s bottle selection even while sitting at the bar

The craft beer scene in Austin is blowing up. For every new brewery that opens up, there are at least three bars that pop up, eager to serve you the best local beers Austin has to offer.

Continuing the tradition that Eric started with his Best Burger Joint in Austin series, I’ll be profiling and reviewing the best craft beer joints in Austin, with the occasional stop or two at bars that have room for improvement. I’ll take into consideration everything from beer selection to ambiance to overall value, and everything in between. Please join me as I try to catalog your favorite watering holes in Austin, and let me know what you think below in a comment.

First Impression of Whip In

“Would you like to try a new beer? It’s terrible!” asked one of the bartenders as I first walked in.

Immediately, I knew I was in the right place. [Read more…]

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