Out and About: Walton's Fancy and Staple

It feels like ages ago since I attended this fun baby shower, but better late than never! My sister and a few college friends hosted a lovely "Tea-Party" themed shower for our friend Karolyn at Walton's Fancy and Staple. Owned by none other than Sandra Bullock, it was no surprise that this bakery/deli/floral shop all rolled into one was nothing short of divine. Housed in an old building (circa 1895), the nostalgic feel of the building easily matches the old-fashioned current name. Exposed brick, old beams, and vintage branding all give it a rustic, elegant look that was just perfect for the theme of the party. And since the expected baby was conceived in Ireland, guests were encouraged to wear fascinators to pay homage to their trip. Imagine having a casual brunch and seeing 9 lovely ladies show up looking like this?

Upon arriving, we were seated at a table already set with pedestals of goodies, and flaky quiches at each setting. The food was divine. The quiche was so tasty, and the tea sandwiches, tarts and scones were all so fresh and delicious. It was hard not to eat everything in sight! There was also plenty of champagne, tea, and coffee. With 3 pregnant girls at the table, there had to be options. And leave it to the girls to think of all the details! Even the teacups gave nod to the theme of the shower.

After eating and chatting, it was time to open presents. I usually don't enjoy baby showers, and the present portion is always the worst. But Karolyn got some of the cutest items, and I'm glad that people got creative with fun, memorable items. No one is going to remember who gave you a baby thermometer and lotion. I much prefer creative gifts! Cute onesies and a fabulous ottoman for the nursery were stand out gifts in my opinion!

BYOB

After all of the gift opening, socializing, game playing and champagne drinking was done, we headed outside for a few pictures. How can you resist photo opps as good as this?

Sister shot. My second little niece/nephew is growing in that cute little belly, and I can't wait to meet it!

So back to Walton's Fancy and Staple, this is the perfect place for all sorts of celebrations, even if it's just stopping in for a casual weekend breakfast. You can pick up some fresh flowers, a few snacks for an impromptu party, or you can have them help you host one there. I was so impressed with this adorable place and I'm looking forward to a breakfast date there soon.


**A big thank you to the wonderful Shanna of Because Shanna Said So for taking such great pictures as always!**

Out and About: Apna Bazaar and Indian Food

I realized the other day that it's been nearly 6 years since my friend Audrey started our "cookbook club". Many of the original members have since moved away, but our little group still meets about every 6 weeks or so to share food, drinks and girly conversation. I always look forward to our Sunday get togethers, and we have had some really terrific meals. Six years is a long time to collect cookbooks though, so lately we've tried to alternate choosing a book, and then referencing food blogs. For this past period, we read from A Curry of a Life and Journey Kitchen, both blogs that are heavily influenced by Indian food.

Let me just say that I LOVE Indian food. The spices, the smells...I just think it's so good. However, I rarely cook it at home. So I was glad to have the chance to learn more about it, and both of these blogs were a great resource. Due to time though, I really only read and cooked from A Curry of a Life. I was fascinated by her life's adventures, and really loved the videos she posted of her mother in law cooking several classic Indian dishes.

I made do with the spices I had at home for the few dishes I made, but when it came time to choose (and cook) a dish for our get together this past Sunday, I knew I had to step up my game. I wanted to make Malai Kofta, my absolute most favorite Indian dish. It's a veggie dumpling dish served in a decadent, creamy tomato curry. I've only had it in restaurants, and knew this would be something worth trying at home. However, the blog states that there was an ingredient that really shouldn't be substituted (and typically only found in Indian stores), so I began a search for a local Indian grocery. There weren't very many close to home, but thanks to Yelp, I came across Apna Bazaar.

This little store is tucked in a very ethnic strip center very close to my office, making it really convenient for future trips. I went with only 2 ingredients in mind, but left with a few other goodies. This place was a little bit of Heaven! It's a long and narrow store, and everything was organized in an easy to find manner. Pricing was also easy to read, and I was shocked at how inexpensive most items were. They had a huge bulk spice section with many bags of spices for $2-3, tons of flours and rice varieties, and of course all of the specific Indian ingredients that I don't really know how to categorize. I ended up just browsing down each aisle and picking things that I remembered seeing in recipes I wanted to try.

For $19, I left the store with the following (all of which will last for awhile):

Enough brown basmati rice to last us for months
Ghee (clarified butter that I plan on learning how to make myself)
Chana masala mix
Kasuri Methi (the magic ingredient for Malai Kofta)
A bag of Garam Masala (not pictured)

The lady who checked me out was very nice, and I happily went on my way with my goods. I did stop at Costco and happened to see a bag of refrigerated Chapatis, and grabbed that too. 36 of them for $8- not too shabby! Punjabi Indians use this flatbread as a utensil with most meals, but I am way too lazy to make them from scratch. I remember seeing this same product at Apna, so I'll have to compare pricing next time I go back.

I finally made it home (Saturdays at Costco are insane), and began the 3 hour cooking marathon on Sunday. The dish was a lot of work, but I think it would be easier to make a second time. I learned from this blog post that Kasoori Methi is an ingredient frequently used in restaurants, but not typically at home (if Americans are making Indian dishes). And this is why it doesn't always taste the same, or as good. You rub the leaves in your hand and sprinkle into the dish at the very end. The result is that your food tastes fabulous, but you end up smelling like it for at least the next two days.

The dish was nothing short of amazing, and our whole meal with the group was delicious. I made a double batch so Hank and I could enjoy it at home (and for lunch). We both agreed that it was worth the effort. But with 2 cups of heavy cream, it's not something I'll make often. Colleen (from A Curry of a Life) served this at their wedding, and I agree that it's definitely a special occasion dish.

If you're interested in learning more about how to cook Indian food at home, check out both of these blogs, and then head to Apna Bazaar to get your ingredients! They have everything you need, and it won't break the bank.

Out and About: Winflo Osteria

I first had the chance to sample the pizza from Winflo Osteria before the storefront was even open. They provided food for the American Institute of Architects holiday party this past December, baking pizza at lightning speed in a mobile oven. I remember being impressed with how delicious it was considering the conditions they were cooking in, but never really gave a thought to when the actual restaurant would open. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when I drove by the gigantic oak tree out front of their new building, all lit up with the most beautiful twinkle lights I've ever seen. I knew immediately that I would make a visit soon.

When a friend suggested happy hour this week, I said that we would have to meet at Winflo. It was convenient for her, and it would give me an opportunity to have some of their yummy pizza again. I was a little weary over the fact that they've only been open a few weeks, but the gorgeous weather and chance to sit out on the patio won me over.

There are many great things about this new darling of a restaurant. I'll start with aesthetics- the apple-green exterior is eye popping, without being obnoxious. The lit tree in front is stunning, and when you pull up, you're even offered complimentary valet parking. (Note to self for my next visit, as I did not know that tidbit going in.) Another great feature is the fact that they take reservations. Not enough restaurants do this, and I appreciate the fact that it makes it easier for me to get together with groups of girlfriends, or for Hank to plan a romantic dinner (hint, hint). I wish I had gone inside the building to take a look, but my friend had been waiting on me and I was ready to sit and have a glass of wine. She had nabbed a table in the corner of the large patio, and I think we both had good views for people watching.

Our server was nice and attentive, and had a few suggestions to make for us when asked. But she also gave us plenty of time to talk and catch up without interrupting more than necessary. Water was refilled in a very timely manner (a big pet peeve of mine when it's not), and plates were cleared shortly after finishing too. I don't recall any special happy hour pricing, but the overall prices on the menu make for a reasonable meal. We shared salad and a pizza, and each had two glasses of wine, and got out of there for $36 (including tip). Not too shabby if you ask me!

I wish we had started with an appetizer- I'm dying to try the crispy artichoke hearts. But I ordered the Gorgonzola Salad instead (not big enough to share). The butter lettuce was fresh, and the creamy peppercorn dressing had a nice little bite to it. I ordered mine without the pancetta, but didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.

Making a decision on which pizza to order was a much more difficult task. We narrowed it down to 3 options, but ultimately decided on the Prosciutto Pizza because the balsamic onion marmalade sounded so delicious. I asked if they could put the prosciutto on just one side, which they did with no problems. I love their pizza! The crust has an earthy flavor to it, and just the right crispiness. It's thin, but not too thin. The mozzarella really anchored the onion jam on it, and the fresh arugula and parmesan on top added an interesting layer. It was easy to eat, and the flavors were just a great combination. I can't wait to go back (hopefully for our next girl's night out) and sample more of their pizza options. But the pasta entrees looked good too, and apparently the Gnocchi with Arrabiata Sauce is a hit, as they were already out of it for the evening.

We didn't save room for dessert, but I'm glad to know that there are plenty of reasons to go back and visit. They are only open for dinner right now, but I hear brunch is in the near future. They also have a downstairs Listening Room that offers acoustic music and serves as a space for private events. From the pictures on the website, the interior space looks clean and inviting, and I can't wait to see the pizza oven. And as if there aren't enough great things already mentioned, the patio is dog-friendly to boot! I think Winflo is on to a great thing, and I'm looking forward to my next visit soon.

Out and About: Blue Bridal Boutique

It's very rare that I'm blown away by customer service. Having worked in both retail and the restaurant industry for a combined 10+ years, I know my expectations are high. But I also know it isn't really that hard to make someone feel good by simply smiling and being polite. I've had several recent experiences at some of my favorite shopping and eating establishments that have left me less-than-impressed due to sloppy (and even rude) customer service. With so much competition, I just think it's sad to treat customers that way.

I recently went wedding dress shopping with my mom, my sister, and my sister-in-law. After a disheartening first appointment at Serendipity Bridal, I was feeling down and not the least bit excited about finding the perfect wedding dress. The lady who helped us there seemed disappointed that I would not be spending several thousand dollars, and would hardly talk to me as I tried on the very few dresses that fell into my price range. It was obvious that she was ready for me to leave so that she could get on to her next appointment. Not really the way you want to feel when you've been looking forward to what should be a special day.

And then there was Blue Bridal Boutique. Our second appointment was at this adorable store down on South Congress. It turned out the owner of the boutique, Ruthie Broughton, is friends with a girl who I have known for ages. Our friend had nothing but great things to say about Ruthie and her store. When I called to make the appointment, I was honest about what I was looking for in a dress. Since it's a second wedding, with a late morning ceremony, I knew I was not looking for a traditional bridal dress. But I still wanted something special that made me feel really good while wearing it.

Jaime, a sales associate, met us at the door and introduced herself to our group. She had detailed notes from my appointment conversation and did not bat an eye when I told her what my budget was. Ruthie was also there, and assured me that my tight timeline would not be an issue in ordering and altering a dress. Jaime gave us a tour of the store and pointed out sections that would be of more interest to me. They use a system of hanging tags to mark dresses you would like to try on. It was fun to pass them out so that everyone could choose a dress that they wanted me to try on, and Jaime collected them and took them to the fitting room for me. There is a fun seating area in the back of the store (think crisp white couches and fancy chandeliers) that provided a private spot and allowed us to enjoy the experience together.

At my first appointment, I tried on a few longer gowns, and then a couple of short ones. I got bit by the "wedding dress bug", and decided that I did want a longer gown after all. The selection at Blue Bridal was mostly long dresses, so I had plenty to choose from. After a few near-hits, and several misses, I put on a dress that fit like it was made for me. And when I saw myself in the mirror, and imagined walking towards Hank on the day we get married, I got tears in my eyes. I turned around to look at my mom, sister and sis-in-law, and they all had the same reaction. We had found the perfect dress.

Throughout the whole process, both the owner and Jaime were so patient and helpful by bringing different options to try. Not once did they go over my budget, and I appreciated the fact that Jaime always asked what I thought of each dress, regardless of other opinions. She never pressured us over any decisions, and even brought us wine to celebrate when we finally said "yes to the dress!" She followed up by email later in the day and that personal touch really summed up the whole experience.

I left the store with a serious dress high, and just so excited that I was able to find something that I loved so much. The overall experience at Blue Bridal made the afternoon such a fun and special one, and I was so glad that my family was able to participate in it. Not only do they offer stellar customer service, but they also offer a wide variety of dresses in a price range that is much more affordable for the average bride. The quality of the dresses was amazing, and the smaller, more personalized service made a big difference as opposed to trying on dresses with other groups of people around you. I would recommend to anyone with an upcoming wedding, to start at Blue Bridal. If you are wanting a true bridal dress experience, there really is no other place to go!

Out and About: Sway

Sway seems to be the newest, hottest restaurant in Austin right now. Although that title seems to be filled with something different on an almost weekly basis, I think it's well deserved. The modern Thai restaurant is located in a deceptively simple from the outside Michael Hsu-designed building (he is seriously the godfather of all hip buildings in Austin), but the inside is stunning. Sleek and modern (as all his designs seem to be), but still warm and inviting on the inside. There are large square tables that accommodate the communal-style seating offered, and each table is highlighted by a gigantic bamboo(?) chandelier. There is a bar facing their open-kitchen concept, and I imagine that would be a fabulous spot for a fun date night. There is a second bar a little out of the way of the main dining room, as well as a candle-lit outside patio. When the weather is nice, I'm sure the patio will be a hot spot.

We met another couple for dinner on a Sunday evening, and chose to meet early (6:30pm) in order to avoid a wait for a table. We were smart, as the dining room was almost completely full by 7:30.  I mentioned communal seating- and you have to know that up front before you go. The tables are large enough to listen in on a neighbor's conversation, but not so close that you feel like your space is being invaded. It's a loud and busy environment, but one that makes for really great people watching.

And listen to me...I haven't even gotten to the food yet! You should know by now that I eat mostly vegetarian, with a few exceptions here and there. Knowing that the menu would be adventurous, I had already resigned to the fact that I would need to get over my aversion to meat for the evening. The food is served family style, which makes eating with others even more fun. You get the opportunity to try a bunch of things as opposed to having to settle on just one main dish. The menu is laid out by categories of food: stir-fry, curry, wok noodles, grilled + crispy....you get the idea. We tried to order one dish from  several different categories, and the result was a parade of delicious food.

Dishes are brought to the table as soon as they are ready, and it allowed us to try bites of a few dishes at a time. After awhile, the flavors all started to blend together, but each dish had a memorable component to separate it out from the others. Like the crispy farm egg from the Son in Law dish, or the tomato vinegar from the Po-Pea Jay spring roll appetizer. We also ordered a side of Miso Sweet Potato Mash that was nearly my favorite dish. It was almost like dessert with how rich and decadent it tasted, but it was also the perfect way to cool off your mouth after one of the more fiery dishes.

The service was flawless- informative without being pushy, and attentive enough without being annoying. Multiple people brought dishes out to us throughout the evening, and all of them made sure we had everything that we needed. My one and only "disappointment" of the evening, if you can even call it that, was dessert. I was drawn to the banana split purely by all the crazy components in it. Things like Chocolate 5-spice caramel cashew ice cream, coconut milk jam and drunken cherries. And each bite was delicious, but it was almost just too much. When (not if) we go back, I will likely go for one of their house made ice creams or sorbets.

Out and About: Galaxy Moviehouse & Eatery

I've been meaning to write about this new movie theatre that recently opened just a few minutes from our house off north 620. We first went about a month ago to see Lincoln, and again last night to see Jack Reacher (great movie, by the way). The Moviehouse & Eatery has both regular theaters, and the eat-in kind (duh). It's very similar to my beloved Alamo Drafthouse, but much nicer as the seats are plush leather and recline at the touch of a button. There is also plenty of leg room, and nice little tables that rotate in front of each chair. Unlike the similarly designed iPic Theaters, with comparable seats priced at $29, the tickets at The Moviehouse are only $12. Food and drink pricing is also fairly reasonable, with most entrees maxing out at $12.

About one minute into our first visit, we vowed to never watch a movie anywhere else. It was just too comfortable, the service too nice, and the overall experience so pleasant. Combining dinner and a movie into one experience is one of our favorite date nights. However, we had been wanting to see Silver Linings Playbook (a fantastic movie!), and it was only showing at select theaters. So off to the regular place we went, and we could not have been more disappointed. Crowded, chatty, and too warm inside- we vowed again to never see another movie outside of Moviehouse. The second we reclined into our seats last night, I knew that this time, we would stick to that vow.

Three movies in as many months is a record for us- we just don't go to the movies that often. But I absolutely loved Silver Linings Playbook, and was pleasantly surprised by Jack Reacher. I'm not a big Tom Cruise fan, but he toned it down and really put out a great action film. I would be remiss to not give serious kudos to Bradley Cooper though, and believe his Best Actor Oscar Nomination is well deserved. We all know he's brilliant to look at, and still is even though his character was all kinds-of crazy. His acting was incredible the entire movie was just awesome. Quirky, lovable and awesome.

Any great movies that you have seen recently that we should add to our list?

Out and About: A Girly Weekend at the Domain

**Disclaimer- I have been buried alive in work, and am so far behind on posting anything exciting. This is from 2 weekends ago.**

I celebrated the 30-something birthday of a good friend who drove into town for the weekend. My sister booked a room at the Westin at The Domain, and we treated it like a little "staycation". It was so much fun!!! The hotel was nice, and it was perfectly located- close enough to all the fun shops and restaurants. They even offered a shuttle service making it quick and easy to get around.

I'll be honest, I haven't spent a ton of time at The Domain. There are some really great shops there, but it's not the most convenient place for me to shop. I've eaten at a few restaurants before, but that's about it. There really is a little bit of everything though, and it's totally worth spending a day there.

On Friday night I met my friend and sister at the hotel room and then shuttled us all to dinner at 2nd Bar & Kitchen downtown. I have heard nothing but good things about the two bars connected to Congress, so I was really excited about eating there. We weren't sure if we would go to Bar Congress, or 2nd Bar & Kitchen. But once we got there, the choice was easy. Bar Congress was darker, quieter, and full of couples. 2nd Bar & Kitchen had a more open space, with lots of people hovered around the bar and in tables. We waited for maybe 30 minutes at the bar and sipped on drinks. Our table was ready just as our order of truffle fries were, so we carried them with us to the table.

The menu had plenty of options, and I thought overall the pricing wasn't bad. Entrees were just over $20, but you could also get salads or pizzas for less. There were even a few vegetarian options. I chose a beet salad and a pizza, while the other girls got short ribs and a flank steak. Everything was delicious!!! Our server, Moe, was absolutely wonderful, and so attentive. His interaction with us made the evening even more fun. I can't tell you how much I appreciate good service. We finished dinner with several good desserts, my favorite being a pumpkin cheesecake in a jar with homemade graham crackers for dipping.

I had to get up and run the next morning, so I called it an early night while the other two had some fun people watching at the W bar. Running 8 miles the morning after a big meal and a couple of glasses of wine was no fun, so I was a little slow joining them the following morning. I made it back to The Domain in time for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, followed by a little shopping. We then walked down the street to watch the UT/Texas Tech game at The Park. They are known for having a great brunch, but it's also the perfect sports bar. They have good food, reasonably priced drinks, and a huge patio area where we got to enjoy the game AND the perfect weather. Even better was the Horns beating the Raiders in one of their best played games of the season.

White sangria with St. Germaine. Yum!

Sisters

After a quick nap, another friend (who recently had a baby) came out to join us for another dinner. We haven't seen her in awhile, so we were glad she could join us for the evening. We headed over to Sushi Zushi where we had reservations. Let me just say this- after the amazing dinner we had on Friday night, I was extremely disappointed by our experience here. To the point that I might email the manager. I already had to approach him at dinner when our server had not acknowledged us after far too long. I hate to do it, but nothing chaps my hide more than poor service. When you add sub-par food on top of that, it's even worse. But the company was great, and that was really all that mattered.

After dinner we walked over to Cru Wine Bar for some birthday fondue dessert and a nightcap before making our way back to the hotel. We were all exhausted from the festivities, so we called it a night and went to bed.

Out and About: Revival

My parents were the first to tell us about this place, and we finally made it over there to get some pumpkins on Saturday afternoon. Revival brands itself as Furniture. Gifts. Vintage. That's an accurate description, but the actual place is so much more. From the road it looks pretty small. But once you get inside, and then out through the back, it turns into this playground of beautiful things.

A super nice, young couple owns it, and they have big plans for expanding it into a real shopping destination. Basically, they have traveled all over and collected old "things". They refinish much of the furniture, but they also leave enough of it up to your imagination. The chandeliers and old doors were probably my favorite.

A line up of some of the old doors. The turquoise one is my favorite!

Hank checking out the really cool old doors.  I'd love to find a way to use one of these.

The building in the back of the property where much of the refinishing work takes place.

The main reason why were were there was to pick out some fun pumpkins. My parents got a great assortment, and I hadn't really seen a place that had much of a variety. Lucky for us, all pumpkins were 50% off. We ended up taking home 6 pumpkins of various shapes and sizes. I loved that their pumpkin patch was spread out throughout the property, and there were so many great decorating ideas that we were able to take away too.

Crystal chandeliers and pumpkins.

Such a fun decorating idea for next year,

More pumpkins cleverly displayed.

It's hard to see, but these are branches that were spray painted black, and have netting hung over it to look like a web. Looks so easy!

My sister saw this picture and called my outfit "granny gone wrong." Note to self, long bulky sweaters must be worn with skinny pants.

Out and About: Eddie V's

I posted a question on Facebook a week or so ago, asking for people's opinions on favorite steakhouses in Austin. I have my favorite, but was torn about sticking with the usual, or trying something different. Hank and I wanted to celebrate the end of the fiscal year at my work, and also 10 months together for us as a couple. We rarely eat meat, but felt that a nice steak dinner would be the perfect treat.

The responses I got were overwhelmingly in favor of Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. However, I used to go to dinner there with my ex-husband and his family for special occasions, so that was ruled out pretty quickly. We really wanted to try Vince Young Steakhouse, as I have heard amazing things about it (including the fact that their crab cakes are hands-down the best!) They had 3 large parties scheduled the night we wanted to go, and figured that wouldn't be the best time to try it from a service perspective. Austin Land & Cattle was also recommended, but I wasn't thrilled with their sides and was afraid it wouldn't have the "romantic" atmosphere that I also wanted.

So in the end, we decided to go with the always consistent Eddie V's downtown. It has been over 2 years since I last went, but I've never had a disappointing meal there. The service is always spectacular, and they are able to cook my filet perfectly, without over doing it. (I like it medium-plus!) Saturday night's meal did not disappoint.

After an early morning run in the rain, and babysitting Georgia (my almost 3-year old niece) for most of the afternoon, I wasn't sure if we were going to have the energy to enjoy a nice meal. But we did, and it was amazing. I ordered my favorite wedge salad and a perfectly light pink steak, and shared gratin potatoes, spinach, and the mother of all desserts- Godiva cake, with Hank. It was heaven!! Hank ordered a fantastic bottle of Pinot Noir and we enjoyed conversation in the dimly lit (but full of great people watching) dining room. Our service was flawless as well (that can make or break a meal for me).

I love taking opportunities to celebrate things (big or small). It's a great way to enjoy and appreciate the person you're with. Hank has been so supportive of me and my work, and I don't think I could make it without being able to vent to him at times. And getting to celebrate the time that we've been together is always a good reminder of how lucky we are. There are days when it feels like it's been so much longer that that, and there are days when it feels like we're still having those first conversations. I'll be totally cheesy and admit that I can fall in love with him all over again when we get to have those special moments together. It's important to nurture a relationship- and even though I think we do a good job of that with regular, every day things, it's also fun to do it in special ways as well.

Out and About: Hugo's Restaurant and Tequila Bar

Saturday was an eventful day, and luckily the weather cooperated so I could get all my things done. The morning started with a successful garage sale (we're working on redecorating the bedroom, so all funds are going to the many purchases associated with that). Next, hair cut and color. And then we went on to House Wine to celebrate one successful year for the Hard Luck Hounds group at the city shelter where I volunteer.

House Wine is one of my favorite "let's grab a drink" locations, as the outside patio area is cute and cozy. They have also been more than generous in hosting fundraising happy hours for this amazing volunteer-led group. Hard Luck Hounds has been instrumental in helping Austin maintain it's no-kill status, and they focus on saving the last 10%- the dogs that just need a little extra attention. There was a great turn-out, live music, and plenty of cute dogs to keep everyone entertained. So happy to see all the great things that have come from volunteers who decided to go the extra mile!

**Disclaimer- My hair stylist decided I needed a "sassier" look since I would be going out that evening. Judging from this picture, it's not my best look. Hair is back to my usual side part now!

After the event, we decided to walk over to Hugo's for dinner. Hank had a few restaurant options in mind, but we were waiting to see what the weather did before deciding to eat inside or out. Hugo's was right around the corner, and had been on our radar for awhile, so we decided to give it a try. We walked in and were slightly surprised to see that there were only about 3 tables full, and just a few people at the bar. For a Saturday, one would think it would be busier. But the UT game was on at the same time, so it's possible that had an effect on the crowd.

Speaking of the bar....that was my favorite part of the layout of the restaurant. It easily takes up almost half of the restaurant space, and looks like it would be a fun place to grab a drink before heading on to other things. They infuse tequila with a variety of ingredients, and based on the Jalapeño Hibiscus Martini that I had, I'm sure their infusions are delicious.

On to the food- our server was delightful, first of all. She told us about the special, and then informed us that due to a menu transition, they were out of several things. Hank thinks this is a sign that the restaurant isn't doing too well. It's possible they follow the seasonal trend that so many other restaurants in Austin do, but I guess time will tell if they are able to stick it out. But the good news is that the food was delicious!! We started off with guacamole and chips/salsa. The salsa had a smoky-sweet taste to it, and I really enjoyed it. Hank ordered Shrimp and Sweet Corn and Poblano Cheese Grits and I swear I saw him use his finger to lick off every last bit from the plate (not really, but there was hardly a single grain left). The grits really were amazing!!

I wanted the veggie enchiladas special, but the filling was pre-mixed with mushrooms (which I abhor), so I ended up ordering the tostadas with seasonal veggies. All of the ingredients were fresh and very flavorful, and I cleaned my plate as well. We were too stuffed for dessert, but I would gladly go back for the food. The atmosphere isn't as "fun" as some of the other tex-mex restaurants we like, but I was really impressed with the food and drinks. The location is close enough to downtown, making it easy to grab dinner before heading to a show. I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Dripping With Taste Wine and Food Festival

There seems to finally (hopefully) be a break from the hot and humid weather we've been dealt this past month or so. A small cool front blew in on Saturday morning, bringing dryer air and a slightly more comfortable temperature for being outside. And what great timing!

Hank and I had heard and seen plenty of advertising for the Dripping With Taste Wine and Food Festival, and thought it would be a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We hopped in the car on a gorgeous sunny day, ready to imbibe on some good food and drinks. The event was held at the Hill Country Olive Company, only a 30-ish minute drive from our house. It was a nice drive out, and the scenery out there was beautiful.

Olive trees

I'll start by saying we had a lot of fun. There were some great vendors with plenty of tasty food and drink (minus the one wine vendor we tried). We ran into some friends that we hung out with for a bit, and just enjoyed getting to be outside again without sweating profusely. But....(and I hate to say that), but....there will need to be some serious improvements to their operations if we are to go back again next year.

The check-in process was a cluster, the area where the majority of the wine vendors were was way too small, and there were hardly enough places for people to sit down in the outside vendor section. The event has been going for several years, but this was the first time at this location. I believe they are trying to accommodate a growing attendance, but I'm afraid this location might be too small as well. Or, they should have not sold tickets at the door if they had already exceeded attendance numbers online.

Anywho, a few simple changes would really have enhanced the overall experience. But here are a few of my highlights:

Commemorative glasses

The Gardener's Feast Tamales- Gourmet, organic, DELICIOUS tamales. There were tons of options (including plenty of vegetarian), and they really were the most wonderful tamales I've ever had. Moist, fluffy masa with just the right amount of filling. The website did not appear to be working when I wrote this, but I'm hoping that following them on Twitter will tell me where I can find some more of those amazing tamales.

Beer!- Since we had such a difficult time getting inside to where the wine vendors were, we made due with the 4 craft beer tents in the outside section. Jester King, Twisted X, Real Ale and Independence Brewing Co. were all there, and we were happy to taste all their different brews. The guys at Independence gave the heaviest handed pours. Thank you for that- the Pale Ale and Stash IPA were awesome!

Savory Spice Shop- Two really sweet ladies had samples of Vanilla Curry Popcorn, and one of the best cupcakes I think I've ever had- Chinese Five Spice Carrot Cupcakes with Ginger Frosting. Holy goodness, they were so good. The store is in the Arboretum, right around the corner from my office, and I can't wait to go and visit. I can only imagine how great it must smell in there. 

 

Taking a break, doing my best to keep my face shaded. 

Gourmet Texas Pasta- I think we ended up picking out 4 different flavors of pasta to take home. This company makes gourmet, whole wheat pasta that is so tasty. They were serving samples of a Spinach, Basil and Garlic pasta tossed in a little bit of olive oil. There was so much flavor, you really wouldn't want to cover it up with much sauce. There were lots of great flavor combos, and you could buy 4 packages for $25. It's pricier than the plain old pasta we get at HEB, but I think we'll enjoy having this as a side to many of the dishes we like to cook. 

I'm looking forward to making some of the things we found from the event, and looking forward to *hopefully* going back next year and the chance to try more things. Texas isn't necessarily known for their great wine, but I'm sure we missed out on some of the different wineries there. Overall, a fun experience!

Out and About: Santa Catarina

Saturday night was "date night", but Hunk and I were both pretty exhausted from our early morning long run, so we kept if fairly low key. I knew a good band was playing at The Oasis that night, but we really didn't want to eat dinner there. The food is mediocre at best, and thought we could do better by going elsewhere. The neighborhood where we live caters more to a family-friendly environment, but the food scene has really been growing lately. A quick Yelp search pulled up a restaurant we hadn't been to yet, but had heard good things about. Both craving Mexican food, we decided to give it a shot.

Santa Catarina opened in the spot that used to be Flore's, which is in a pretty nondescript little strip center in Lakeway. However, there is nothing generic about this "boutique" Mexican restaurant. I would go so far to say that it easily ranks in the top 5, at least in my book! The restaurant averages 4.5 stars on Yelp, and everyone seemed to comment on the interior flair of the food, and the fresh margaritas. Being somewhat of a margarita expert myself, I just had to try one.

What sets Santa Catarina apart from so many other Mexican food establishments is that they make all their own fruit mixers for their margaritas, and have plenty of great flavors to choose from (prickly pear, guava and mango to name a few). They're made with fresh juice and agave nectar, and I have to admit- the mango was delicious! It was still fairly sweet though, and plenty strong, so I stuck with just one for the night.

We have both been craving Queso Fundido lately, and Santa Catarina had that too. In fact, they had such an extensive appetizer menu that we ordered our whole dinner off of it. But there were plenty of delicious entrees to try, and I love the fact that they have some great vegetarian options as well. They also have a cute little lady hand making the fresh corn tortillas herself, and they were perfect with our queso.

We also ordered Sopes. They are a masa disc covered with all kinds of good stuff, including an almost mole-flavored beef. Yes- I ate a little beef!!! They were amazing. We can't wait to go back and give some other dishes a try (and maybe their half-priced happy hour, too!) If you're in the area, or looking for something different to try, I highly recommend Santa Catarina.

Out and About: Takoba

Saturday night I had a much needed date night with Hunk. We've had so much going on lately, that there just hasn't been much time for us to do something together, just the two of us. After dragging Millie around with me all day, she got a much needed nap in her crate while we went out for dinner and a little party. We had to transport some kittens back to the shelter from an adoption event first, so we decided to eat somewhere on the East side of town while we were over there. There are more than plenty great restaurants to choose from and we just don't make it to that part of town often enough.

I was in the mood for chips and salsa, so we decided to go to Takoba. I've been there before, but it was Hunk's first time. The meal (and restaurant in general) did not disappoint. They have such a great covered outside area, and then another outside lounging area with adirondack chairs in a big sand box, called the backyard. When the weather cools off, it really is the perfect place to sit outside for drinks. It was a little bit warm to be outside on Saturday, but we just liked the ambience of it much better. Luckily we ended up at a table in front of a mister, so it was a little more comfortable.

Our server was very attentive and nice- service is huge for me and it's always been constant at Takoba. We ordered guacamole and chips for starters, and Hunk got a beer while I ordered the Mango Habanero Margarita. Hands down, one of the best margaritas I have ever tasted. It's fresh and fruity without being too sweet, and just as it's going down, you get a little bit of kick from the habanero. If you go to this restaurant, you MUST try this margarita. It's fantastic.

For dinner, I stuck with the veggie tacos. It's easy to find a vegetarian meal here, and these tacos are delicious. The plate also comes with 2 sides, so I got a house salad and refried beans. For $8.50, it was a total bargain for that much food. Hunk got the carnitas tacos. He said they were tasty, and gave them a thumbs up. I know he was just excited to get a little meat for once, since we never really cook it at home.

House salad with a delicious vinaigrette.

Veggie tacos

If you're looking for a new Mexican restaurant to try (that isn't the same old Tex-Mex), then you must make a stop at Takoba.

(Photo from Little Mule Studio)

(Photo from Jonathan Garza)

Out and About: Annie's Cafe & Bar

This post is about a week late, but last week was end of quarter and there was just no time for blogging.  My sister and a few friends hosted a baby shower for our friend Becky a week ago Saturday. While brunch is a popular meal in Austin, very few places actually serve it on Saturdays. Annie's Cafe & Bar is a rare (yet wonderful) exception. They actually open at 8:30 AM and serve an amazing breakfast/brunch menu, with plenty of sweet and savory options to choose from. I had barely eaten that day and was starving, so I went with the Fried Egg Sandwich, an indulgent combination of fried egg, bacon and white cheddar served on the most delicious sourdough bread. Not the least bit "plant-based" friendly, but absolute heaven in my mouth. I didn't regret one single bite. I think the other girls were pleased with their choices too.

I have been there before for dinner and happy hour, and have really enjoyed both visits. The space is well thought out, and perfect for a social get together, or a romantic date. It has a French Bistro feel to it (minus the squished together banquettes), and I love the simple and elegant design of the space.

On to the shower part of our brunch. Becky has chosen not to find out the sex of her baby (that is control I could never have), but the hostesses chose to play around with the big surprise. Each guest wore either blue or pink depending on what we think she is having. They also made some cute little props for pictures (of which I cannot post until Shanna sends me those pictures, Ahem!) The table decorations were adorable, and I think the whole event turned out perfectly understated (but memorable), just like the hostesses wanted.

Table setting. 

My sister made the little pom poms and fabric pinwheels. They matched the colors from the invitation.

Bunting my sister found on Etsy for the lemon cake I made. 

No games at this shower- just sweet sentiments for the new mom, and a little take home goody for the guests. 

Present pile and baby name options.

Out and About: South Congress

I've written about the South Congress area so many times I've lost count. It truly is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Austin. With a great variety of restaurants (Boticelli's, South Congress Cafe and Home Slice Pizza to name a few), options for live music (Continental Club and the patio at Guero's), and plenty a quirky shops to browse, it's the perfect one-stop-shop for any occasion. Date night? Check. Hanging out with friends? Check. People watching? Check, check, check!!

My friend Sarah and her adorable boyfriend are in town from Denver for less than 48 hours, and I was lucky to get to hang out with them last night. Evan has never been to Austin, so the pressure was on to show him as much of the city as possible. Sarah toted him around all day yesterday, and then they met Hunk and I at Guero's last night for dinner and cruising around South Congress. You can't beat a good margarita after a crazy work week, and the cold AC was a welcome treat for Evan who was not quite prepared for the Texas heat. It might not be the best Mexican food in Austin, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it.

After dinner, it was just cool enough to handle walking around. Unfortunately for us, many of the fun shops had already closed for the evening. Lucy in Disguise and Big Top Candy Shop were at the top of our list, but no dice last night. The funky vintage shop New Bohemia WAS open though, and we entertained ourselves with all the hipster fashion we could handle. I mean, how many shops have a specific section for "Embroidered Boho Tops"?!

"Vintage" boots. There were some real specials pairs in the line-up.

On our way back down the street, we passed the infamous quote wall, scene of countless engagement and "just for fun" pictures. We couldn't pass by without taking this gratuitous shot:

Last stop of the night was at Amy's Ice Cream (you seriously can't come to Austin in the summer without trying this), and Sarah and I got a kick out of watching the guys order the combinations "Fluffy Bunny" and "Cuddle Monkey". Amy's is known for their quirky employees, and the combinations they come up with can't be missed.

Evan embracing the true Austin spirit.

Sarah and I

It was so nice to get to hang out with them, and I'm looking forward to visiting the cooler Denver area for a football game this fall.