Hang out with cool people and get your gorilla on tonight!!
Some day, I’m going to stop apologizing for always posting on Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. It’s just that they’re so GOOD, and so easy to work at or meet friends at or stop in at … I just freakin’ love them.
Stop by after work today–or, if you’re like me, for your mid-day pick me up because you’ve still got hours to go–for a DELICIOUS PUMPKIN LATTE (it’s true, I love anything and everything pumpkin) or new Seasonal flavor CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST. Stop by any of the four locations for a drink on the house – from 4 to 7pm.
Insider Tip: Owner Bill Duffy is a huge fan and proponent of the Tea Lattes (LOVE them myself) and thinks it’s one of the drinks that separates them from everyone else. The newest tea latte is a CARMELIZED PEAR ROOIBOS (“ROY-bos”, if you didn’t know). I haven’t tried it, but Bill swears it’s juicy and delicious. If you want to give it a whirl during the OPEN HOUSE, just mention to the Barista that you heard about it from Bill vis-a-vis me and they’ll take care of you. 
Fine Line Bar & Grill is a new bar, restaurant, grill, hangout in El Jebel/Basalt that’s reasonably-priced, has GREAT happy hour food and drink specials from 3-6pm daily ($2 Bud & Bud Light Drafts , $3 New Belgium Drafts, $10 Bucket Of 6 Coronitas, $5 Tuaca & Soco Lime Shots), plus special deals for each day and even serving up karaoke Tuesday nights!
Totally Tuesdays: Half Price On All Appetizers
Wine Wednesdays: Buy One Glass Of House Wine Get One Free / Free Chips & Salsa
Tequila Thursdays: Gingeritas & Margaritas $5 / All Nacho Plates Half Price
Fired Up Fridays: Free Chips And Salsa / Tuaca & Soco Lime Shots $3
Smokin’ Saturdays: Rib Platter $10 / Fat Tire Drafts $3
Sunday Bloody Sundays: Absolut Peppar Bloody Marys $5
This is the Gingerita: A Simple Margarita With A Twist. Equal Parts Fresh Lime Juice, Grand Marnier, & Ginger-Infused Corzo Tequila. At $8, a good price for a great, creative margarita. The drink menu is top-notch–all of the drinks are creative and delish!
The food is mostly outstanding. The salad was not good–but the menu calls their salad menu “Rabbit Food,” so maybe I should have known they aren’t really salad fans. Get into the heavier dishes and you’re golden. The Lobster Ravioli was as good as you’d find anywhere, and reasonably-priced at $15.95. Menu reads: Ravioli Stuffed With Fresh Maine Lobster And Served With Vodka Marinara Sauce And A Side Of Garlic Bread.
The best thing Fine Line serves is probably its pizza. This stuff was GOOOOOOD. Menu says: Veggie Garbage Pizza: Spinach, Black Olives, Red And Yellow Onions, Artichoke Hearts, Mushrooms, Fresh And Sun Dried Tomatoes, Roasted Garlic, And Feta Cheese. $14.95/$18.95 (this is the $14.95 size and was HUGE)
Overall, all four of the people in my party loved the For Locals By Locals experience of Fine Line Bar & Grill. I only wish such a reasonably-priced, laid-back place was in Aspen! Also check out their 50″ flat screens for football this season!
Also, in more it’s-a-small-world-after-all news, the owner’s fiancee works with the Vermonster, and the owner went to school with the Vermonster in Vermont, where the Vermonster was the MAILMAN for the owner’s dorm. Awesome.
Long the hidden hipster hot spot (celebs flock to the dark corners when they’re in town), Fonda San Miguel’s new Happy Hour in the Patio Bar should introduce the venerable interior Mexican restaurant–it’s been around for 35 years–to a younger Rosedale crowd. HH features $1 off tequila, $4.95 house margaritas, $5 House wines by the glass, and half-priced select appetizers from 5 – 7pm, Monday through Thursday.
Founder & Executive Chef Miguel Ravago’s three seasonal “antojitos” (appetizers) include:
Ostiones Empanizados, crispy Gulf oysters with tabasco aioli and salsa fresca
Miguel’s Gorditas, hand-ground corn masa pockets filled with seasoned black beans, ranchera salsa and crumbled Mexican cheese
Huaraches, oblong, sandal-shaped fried masa topped with chipotle black beans, crumbled cheese and Crème Fraîche
Cocktails stirred up by Fonda’s expert bartenders include:
Brillante: Cava (Spanish sparkling wine), St-Germaine elderflower liqueur and a Hibiscus flower in syrup
Mojito Apasionado: passion fruit mojito with 10 Can Rum, lime, mint and Chambord as well as a daily selection of fresh fruit margaritas and traditional margaritas.
I almost forgot to PIMP MY OWN EVENT! Dangit! TODAY is the first-ever This is Life in Austin co-hosted Tweetup (with the always-fantastic team of Launch787)!
Thursday the 3rd, join Launch787 and This is Life in Austin as we host a super-cool happy hour at Central Market. Two FREE drinks (cash bar after that) and yummy nibbles to get your weekend started a little early. 5 – 7:30pm at the Midtown (38th & Lamar) Central Market. If you’re a Twitter user, you gotta RSVP here. Everyone else, RSVP here (if you don’t RSVP we may not be able to let you in based on capacity).
Also, afterward, BlogHer is having their holiday party, also at Central Market, from 7-9pm. If you aren’t too holly jolly, stop by and say hey … they are asking for canned good donations.
It’s finally cold in Austin (for now anyway) and it couldn’t be a more perfect time to warm up with TRIO’s 3 for $39 December Dinner. They’ve been offering these amazing prix fixe meals for a long time now, and I’ve been talking about how amazing they are for some time now. But trust me, everyone who goes agrees and asks why I didn’t tell them about TRIO’s prix fixe deals sooner. Um, hello? And here too? And don’t get me started on happy hour.
TRIO's Pheasant with mushroom au jus
Anyway, the holiday meal outdoes itself with great apps, gigantic portions of entrees, delicious delicious delicious brussel sprouts and sweet potatoes on the side, and desserts … sigh, desserts.
MENU:
Choice of Appetizer
Winter Squash Salad – Pine Nut, Raisin, Farm Cheese
Seafood Soufflé – Tarragon, Saffron
Pork Belly – Cranberry, Napa Cabbage, Mustard
Choice of Entrée
(Served with Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Brussel Sprouts)
Pheasant – Mushroom Jus
Wild Salmon – Crimini Mushrooms, Lingonberry
Prime Ribeye – Horseradish, Red Wine Sauce
Gingerbread Cake
Choice of Dessert
Gingerbread Cake – Marzipan, Tangerine Gel, Dried Fruit Purée, Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
Peppermint-Chocolate Baked Alaska
Trio of Sorbet – Mango, Lemon, Raspberry
Available December 1-30, 2009 (excluding December 24, 2009). For more information or reservations, please call TRIO at 1 (512) 685-8300 or reserve your table online.
Be sure to ask for a glass of Texas’ Best Sommelier Mark Sayre’s personal blend of Va Piano wine. It’s smooth, rich, and delicious.
Tips: My picks (what I’d order if I went back again)?
App: Winter squash salad
Entree: Pheasant
Dessert: Baked Alaska
(and naturally, I’d eat about 5 popovers)
We are now in the midst of Yelp Drinks Week.
YELP DRINKS is, like all the restaurant weeks and FLAVORS and all, a chance to try new stuff, only this time it’s frosty bevvies. Participating locations will feature up to 3 adult beverages for 50% off throughout the promotion.
1) Yelp Drinks prices are good all day Sunday through all day Thursday while supplies last. Though we’re calling this a happy hour, it’s better — this one lasts for five days.
2) Please tip on regular price.
3) Please consume responsibly.
A list of the places:
LA CONDESA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Enlightened Austin Martini (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks Week $6
El Cubico (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks Week $6 <—- my fave!!
Las Ascendentes (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks Week $6
CEDAR DOOR
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Austin Ultimate Mexican Martini (reg $11) During YDW $5.50
Treaty Oak Lemonade Martini (reg $11) During YDW $5.50
Pinky Friedman (reg $11) During YDW $5.50
MAX’S WINE DIVE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Sangria Max (blend of red + white wines w/ select fruit juices)(reg $6) During YDW $3
Luxury White (Cape Mentelle Chard) (reg $13/glass) During YDW $6.50
Luxury Red (Beringer Knights Valley Cab) (reg $13/glass) During YDW $6.50
CISSI’S WINE BAR
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Sake Mojito (reg $5.75) During YDW $2.88
Sangria (reg $5) During YDW $2.50
Spiced Apple Cider (reg $5.75) During YDW $2.88
ROARING FORK (Downtown)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Huckleberry Rita (reg $7) During YDW $3.50
Blackberry Madras (reg $8) During YDW $4
Category 6 Lemonade (reg $9) During YDW $4.50
MARKER 10
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Dr. Tito’s (reg $10) During Yelp Drinks $5
Candy Corn (reg $10) During Yelp Drinks $5
Pumpkin Espresso Martini (reg $12) During Yelp Drinks $6
HOUSE WINE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
2006 Zinfandel, Cycles Falcon, California
Reg. $9 glass / During YDW: $4.50
2006 Tempranillo, Tinto, Paso A Paso, Spain
Reg. $8 glass / During YDW: $4
2008 Reisling, The Stump Jump, Australia
Reg. $8 glass / During YDW: $4
NOMAD
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Pisco Sour (reg $7) During Yelp Drinks Week $3.50
Caphirinha (reg. $7) During Yelp Drinks Week $3.50
Fernet and Coke (reg $7) During Yelp Drinks Week $3.50
PAGGI HOUSE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Raspberry Lemonade (reg $8) During YDW $4
Elderflower Royale (reg $10) During YDW $5
Blood Orange Margarita (reg $8) During YDW $4
IMPERIA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Kung Fu Cosmopolitan (reg $9) During YDW $4.50
The Imperia Pearl (reg $9) During YDW $4.50
The Jade Martini (reg $9) During YDW $4.50
THE BELMONT
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Belmontini (reg $10) During YDW $5
Classic Mojito (reg $8.50) During YDW $4.25
French 77 (reg $12) During YDW $6
ANNIE’S
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
The Old Austin (reg $9) / During YDW $4.50
The Diablo (reg $9) / During YDW $4.50
DRUNGO ICE HOUSE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
512 Wit (reg $3.75) / During YDW: $1.88
Austin Amber $3.75 (reg $3.75) / During YDW: $1.88
Drungo Michelada (reg $3.75) / During YDW: $1.88
BUFFALO BILLIARDS
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Raspberry Lemonade (regular price is $5.50) / YDW $4.25
Peach Tea (regular price is $5.50) / During YDW $4.25
Pyramid Hefeweizen (regular price is $4) / During YDW $2
EDDIE V’S (Arboretum)
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
The Red Dragon Mojito – (reg. $8) / During YDW $4
Mayfair Martini – (reg. $10) / During YDW $5
Purpletini – (reg. $9) / During YDW $4.50
CLUB DE VILLE
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Margarita (reg price $6) / During YDW $3
Lone Star (reg price $3) / During YDW $1.50
Jager (reg price $6) / During YDW $3
THE GINGER MAN
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (reg $5) / During YDW $2.50
Deschutes Black Butte Porter (reg $5) / During YDW $2.50
Sunner Original German Kolsh (reg $5) / During YDW $2.50
THE GHOST ROOM
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
XX (draught) (reg $4) / during YDW: $2
Shiner (draught) (reg $4) / during YDW: $2
(well) vodka & soda (reg $4) / during YDW: $2
CHUPACABRA
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Frozen Margarita (reg $5.50) / during YDW: $2.75
Spicy Mango Margarita (reg $5.50) / during YDW: $2.75
Frozen Sweet Tea Vodka (reg $5.50) / during YDW: $2.75
MIZU
http://www.yelp.com/bi…
Lychee Mint Martini (reg $9) / during YDW: $4.50
Chile Patron: (reg $12) / during YDW: $6
Mizu Margarita (frozen): (reg $8) / during YDW: $4
Simon Trends & Friends Weekend Kick Off @ Barton Creek Square
Barton Creek Mall is hosting a whole weekend of Trends & Friends that kicks off with a happy hour fashion show with Abuelo’s Mexican Food Embassy providing light bites and libations on the house (mall?)!
Check out the latest beauty trends at the style stops and top off your evening with a runway fashion show beginning at 7pm. The new giant, amazing, ridiculous Forever 21 will be in the show along with Lucky Brand Jeans, Banana Republic, Macy’s, & others. And I hear that UT’s Fashion Group will be showing select designs in the closing show …
Friday, October 23rd, 2009, 5:30 – 8:30pm
Barton Creek Square, Macy’s Court
2901 Capital of Texas Highway
Austin, Tx 78746
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