Monthly Archives: March 2012

March 30, 2012

Bon Appetit… It’s Austin Restaurant Week!

Every year, Austin foodies (and everybody else with an appetite who happens to keep up with such things) lose their minds over the arrival of Austin Restaurant Week. The concept is simple enough: “One city, two weeks, three courses.” Dozens of fine dining establishments throughout town offer three-course, prix fixe dinner menus for either $26 or $36 (plus $16 lunch menus in some restaurants) for a specified series of days, and even upstarts on the most modest budgets can enjoy champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Reservations are strongly recommended, since each one made through the ARW site or smartphone app results in an automatic donation to Meals on Wheels. So, indulge & enjoy!

Sunday through Wednesday, March 25-28 and April 1-4
See official website for details and list of restaurants

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Filed under Annual Events, Eatery

Tagged as Austin, Austin Event, Austin Food, Austin Restaurant Week 2012, downtown austin, Local Food, restaurant week

March 25, 2012

Cool Spot: Austin Cake Ball Kitchen & Bar

Dessert fads may come and go, but regardless of what’s cool or not cool at the moment in the eyes of the Food Channel, we think they’re all delicious. As the era of the cupcake starts to wane and the cake ball vs. macaroon/whoopie pie argument gathers steam, Austin Cake Ball gets ahead of the curve with a full bar and lunch+dinner menu. The elegantly-appointed space between Macy’s and Kona Grill at the center of The Domain welcomes patrons for anything from a full-scale dinner with drinks to a tiny takeout box of their delectable confections, literally about 3 dollars a pop. Perfect for a business lunch or a date night complete with shopping and strolling some of Austin’s higher-end retailers, Austin Cake Ball doesn’t disappoint with its savory bites.

3401 Esperanza Crossing at The Domain (near Macy’s)
Mon-Thurs: 11 am – 10 pm
Fri-Sat: 11 am – 11 pm
Sun: noon – 7 pm
See website for full menu and cake ball flavors

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Filed under Eatery, Happy Hour, Northwest Austin

Tagged as austin cake ball, austin cake ball kitchen & bar, business lunch spot, cake balls, date night, desserts, the domain

March 20, 2012

Yeehaw! The Austin Rodeo is Rarin’ to Go!

Texas, in a way, is like a big boiling chili pot of Southwestern goodness, made with ingredients like cowboy culture, barbecue, and the rodeo. The third of that series is in full swing throughout mid-March as Rodeo Austin ropes its steers, honors it country roots and cranks up the tunes: musical performances this year include guitar-wielding superstars like Gavin DeGraw, Sara Evans and The Band Perry, to name a few. And of course, there’s the spectacle of the rowdy ropin’ rodeo itself, with its ten-gallon showmanship and its loyalty to grand Texan traditions like pig races, petting zoos, and yes, even mutton-bustin’. Get your boots on and check out all the deep-fried awesomeness before it hangs up its hat and lasso on March 24.

Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane
March 9-24; Opens weekdays at 4 pm and weekends at 11 am
See official rodeo website for more info

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Filed under Annual Events, Events, Family Fun, Outdoors, Weekend Activity Ideas

Tagged as austin rodeo, rodeo, texas rodeo, texas traditions, things to do in Austin, travis county expo center, TX

March 15, 2012

This Weekend: Free SXSW Shows at Auditorium Shores

Music (more than usual, anyway) and skinny jeans are everywhere. Tweets, reposts, Instagrams and +1s are flying through the air with the greatest of ease. Yes, the circus that is SXSW has firmly taken root in the heart of town, and now that the film and interactive portions of the festival are over, the musical side has swept in. Even if you aren’t a badge holder and don’t feel like standing in endless lines for the under-the-radar, unofficial free shows, the fest is still holding up its end of the deal and giving something back to Austinites who brave the invasion of traffic and cell service interruptions each year: the annual official free concert series at Auditorium Shores. This year’s headliners include The Shins, Counting Crows and The Cult, with lots of special guests. The series runs Thursday through Saturday night (the 15th through the 17th).

Auditorium Shores on Town Lake

Thursday afternoon through Saturday evening

See official website for specific show schedule

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Filed under Annual Events, Events, Outdoors, Weekend Activity Ideas

Tagged as Auditorium Shores, Austin Music, free SXSW, live music, SXSW, The Shins

March 12, 2012