Posts tagged ‘texas’

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August 27, 2010

Aspen: BBQ … srsly, it’s so Texas up in here

The First Annual Big Aspen Barbecue Block Party takes place at the base of Aspen Mountain this Saturday and Sunday, August 28 – 29, 2010, from noon – 7pm. The sister event of New York City’s much-beloved barbecue extravaganza that includes food, music, seminars, and more.

There are a bunch of big names serving up the ‘cue, including, because it’s so Austin up in here, Mike Rodriguez from Salt Lick BBQ. He’s serving up brisket & sausage. Other heavy hitting pitmasters:

Admission to the event is free. Plates from across the country are available from top pitmasters for only $8 per plate.

Proceeds from the Big Aspen Barbecue Block Party support the Aspen Community Foundation, which builds philanthropy and supports nonprofit organizations throughout the Roaring Fork Valley.

Despite the fact that I’m from Texas, I don’t love barbecue. People hate to hear this, but it’s true. I don’t like sickly-sweet barbecue sauce, I don’t like the sides for barbecue (potato salad? gag me), I don’t like smoke off the grill. That said, I do love me some grilled meat sans all that other junk, which I’m hoping to get this weekend. YUM!!

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August 20, 2010

Austin: Cupcake Smackdown 2.0

Last year’s crazy cupcake party had us all smashed into One 2 One Bar on a hot summer day stuffing ourselves with sugar. This year’s event expands to Le Cordon Bleu, 3110 Esperanza Crossing Suite 100 and The Westin, 11301 Domain Drive. Vendors and activities located at the Le Cordon Bleu will be held indoors while the Cupcake Cannon and Pinata will be held outdoors at the Westin.

Here’s Saturday’s schedule:

11: 30am & 1:30pm – Attempt to break Guinness World Record for Most Jaffa Cakes Eaten in One Minute (2 rounds) at LCB

11:30 am until 12 noon – Check-in and set-up for Most People Simultaneously Frosting a Cupcake at LCB. Please arrive at this time to participate.

12 noon – Setting World Record for Most People Simultaneously Frosting a Cupcake at LCB.

12:30pm to 3 pm – Cupcake Cannon and Cupcake Piñata at The Westin’s North Parking Lot

Admission to the event is free.  Donations for the activities suggested (cash please). Proceeds from Cupcake Smackdown 2.0 will benefit Lights, Camera, Help, Mobile Loaves and Fishes, and Keep Austin Dog Friendly. You will be able to buy cupcakes from vendors, so bring $$$ for that as well.

www.cupcakesmackdown.com

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August 17, 2010

Pepperita & Sweet, Sweet Texas Tea

When a bottle of this arrives on your doorstep, you thank the blogging gods:

Treaty Oak Rum

When you bring a bottle of this back to Aspen to enjoy a little taste of Texas, you get nostalgic for 100-degree days. Only for a moment.

Graham’s Texas Tea. My favorite sweet tea vodka yet–it actually tastes like good southern tea!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

When you combine the rum (yep, I went back to the rum) with some jalapenos, agave, lime, and club soda, you get this:

image from do512.com.

Pepperita!

I call it a rum rita, the people at Treaty Oak fancy it a Texas take on a traditional daiquiri… I don’t really care what you call it, it’s damn good!

Here’s the recipe:

Pepperita
2 oz Treaty Oak Platinum Rum
1 oz agave nectar*
1 oz fresh lime juice
3 fresh jalapeno slices**
3 oz club soda
Shake first three ingredients with two of the jalapeno slices.  Strain over ice, top with club soda and garnish with remaining jalapeno slice.

*I don’t like agave, so I just omitted it. It’s clearly less sweet but I think it still works and is still refreshing.

**Don’t be tempted to get all big Tex on the recipe and think you can handle more heat. I LOVE spice and this was PERFECT. Others complained it was too spicy (wimps). In any case, start slow and build the heat if you need to.

Treaty Oak Rum is available all over Austin and most of Central Texas. The Texas Tea is just now available at Spec’s, Twin Liquors AND Western Beverages – it launched this summer so follow the facebook and twitter accounts for drink specials around town, events, promotions, recipes, and more!

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August 9, 2010

Austin: Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

I swore off FroYo awhile back. Too out of hand, I ruled, too unhealthy when you add in all the mix-ins and candy topping and cookie dough bites.

But then they put a new one, Menchie’s, in the Central Market shopping center by my house (4001 North Lamar Blvd. Suite 550) and we just HAD to go try it last night (it’s open Sun – Thurs: 11am-11pm, til midnight Friday & Saturday).

The thing that differentiates Menchie’s from the other chains is the toppings. There are an INSANE amount. And they crush them all to tiny, or have mini versions–like mini yogurt-covered pretzels, are you kidding me?–so that you can get just the right amount in your cup.

They also have hot fudge, fat-free hot fudge, peanut butter, and caramel sauces. Out of the pump thingies, not out of the gross squeeze bottles.

And they have about a billion options. Any kind of nut, all kinds of chocolate chips, chocolate-covered almonds, the mini pretzels, mini gummy bears, sour worms, mini animal cookies, two kinds of brownies, the requisite cookie dough and cheesecake bites, berries, kiwi, and cinnamon apples … it was crazay up in there.

The yogurt flavors were nothing extraordinary, though the low-carb Angel Food might serve a particular crowd and the dairy-free kiwi strawberry sorbet was delightful, they definitely were not the stars of the Menchie’s show.

Menchie’s is a national chain, so it clearly has a formula that works. You can even pay $1 extra for a waffle cone bowl, something I haven’t seen anywhere else. But it also has national chain prices, at 41 cents an ounce as opposed to the Austin average of 39 cents. Not my fave, but worth trying. Just my, er, 2 cents.

I’m still off the frozen yogurt. But if you’re on the wagon, Menchie’s is worth a visit. I’m just sayin’.

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August 6, 2010

Salutation Nation

Everyone knows lulu is de rigeur for CrossFitters. But the company actually started for yogis, so it’s MORE apropos that they host Salutation Nation, this Saturday from 9-10am. Like the Nike Human Race with less competing and matching tees, thousands of people across North America will take their asana practice outside for a complimentary class to move, breathe, and connect with other like-minded people in their communities.

They say: Salutation Nation is not a revolution. We are not out to change the world in one hour. If one person laughs; if two people meet for the first time; if a group of friends starts a Saturday morning bonding on their mats before breakfast, Salutation Nation will be a success. Whether you have a daily practice or have never practiced at all, everybody and every body can do yoga! What better way to celebrate this fact than to take your asana outside on August 7th and do some yoga with a few thousand people across the continent?

Want to get your downdog on? Check out the Salutation Nation Facebook event page. For a list of all locations doing Salutation Nation, click here.

Austin’s Salutation Nation will be at 9am at Festival Beach. Christina Sell will be leading an all-levels flow class. Don’t forget BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat) and lululemon will bring the food and prizes!

No word on any Salutations in Colorado. Maybe they do enough yoga already?

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August 2, 2010

Austin: Another Daily Deal Group Coupon Site

Eversave launched in Austin today, even though they’ve been doing trial deals for a couple of weeks. You get a $5 instant credit when you join.

Like Groupon, LivingSocial, aDealio, and Localiter, Eversave offers local daily deals called “Saves” to Austin-area residents. The Saves feature fun things to do in and around the city including sporting events, restaurants, spas, salons, entertainment and more. Already I’m sad I missed out on Bedtime Bones (calming dog bones? count me in) and Rock-It speakers, the cheaper way to make cooler speakers for toooobing the river, during their soft launch in July (yes, it’s August already. WHAAA?).

Unlike the rest, Eversave is also a bit of a destination site that offers articles, helpful tips, polls, printable coupons, and tons of other features. It’s like a little savings magazine, minus the Costco factor.

Eversave is ALSO committed to giving back to the community, a unique feature as compared to other similar services. A portion of the proceeds from select Saves will be donated to local schools, charities and other non-profit organizations. For instance, with the Austin Aztex Save, 10% of the proceeds were donated to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas. “We were thrilled to be the first Save to be featured in Eversave Austin’s launch,” said John Nelms, Director of Development of the Austin Aztex.

“Austin is a bustling city that offers its community so much fun and excitement with an abundance of activities — both day and night,” said Jere Doyle, President and CEO of Prospectiv, the parent company behind Eversave. “Eversave allows Austin residents to try out new places and events at a discounted price that they may not have tried before. The Saves give local merchants and businesses the opportunity to welcome in new customers.”

Try out Eversave by joining here (you know I get referral $, so use my link, please!)

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July 30, 2010

Austin: New Sunday Brunch at J. Black’s

It’s been awhile since I’ve ventured away from Moonshine or The Carillon for Sunday Brunch, something I take seriously. Those two perennial all-stars are just too good! But I got word today that there’s a new contender: J. Black’s.

brunch-7810.jpg

Before you write it off as the place you don’t want to revisit from the night before, let’s talk about their Mix-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar. I’ve long held an I-don’t-really-like-Bloody-Marys stance, but after several poolside visits to Aspen’s St. Regis for a $5 Bloody Mary that is absolutely phenomenal, I’m changing my tune. I don’t really like MOST Bloodys, that is, the ones that are all tomato and no flare. We’ve had this revelation before (hi, Frank’s), but it always feels like the first time.

J. Black’s Bloody Mary bar isn’t the first in town, but it’s versatile: start with Austin’s own Tito’s vodka, then add your standard favorites, including things that aren’t so standard like fiery horseradish (must!), cherry peppers, cocktail onions, and pickled okra (only in the South).

Of course Union Park is doing a brunch too, and has been for over a year. Why another? Owner Sean Fric says, “West Sixth Street has become so much more than a center for Austin nightlife. The growth in our corner of downtown, especially with all of the new residents, has increased daytime foot traffic and we felt there was a demand for more dining options. At J. Black’s we’ve always tried to be a place for all occasions, so brunch just made sense to us.”

The brunch food (not a buffet, sadly) features an Open Faced Egg Sandwich, Breakfast Pizza, and their signature “Title Tacos,” one commemorating each year of the University of Texas’ National Championships. These breakfast tacos are made with farm fresh eggs(!!) and  pulled pork, onions, and smoked gouda (1969) or portobello mushrooms, arugula, sundried tomatoes, shallots, and goat cheese (2005).

Brunch menu is available Sunday from 11am-4pm. jblacks.com

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July 27, 2010

Austin: Top Ten Things Newbies Should Know

I did an Aspen version of this Top Ten Things Newbies Should Know post, and it was so popular that it bears building an Austin one… which, with a few adjustments for climate, is more or less the same. See? There are so many Austin / Aspen similarities!

1. There will be opportunities for free drinks any given night of the week. Do not take advantage of all of them.

2. There are two seasons: hot, and not-as-hot. There will probably only be three cold days in any given year, but those three days will be deemed “THE BIG CHILL” and covered relentlessly by the media.

3. Check the bus schedule. You won’t understand it. You have to have a PhD to understand that thing. Bike instead.

4. Don’t drink and drive. Not even a little. Cops have plenty of other things to do, but they like the drunks the best.

5. Learn the local ways and the Spanglish pronunciations of the streets. Nothing says ‘tourist’ like asking where man-chack-a is (Man-shack) or how to get to Ceasar. It’s not a salad, it’s a two-named street. Cesar Chavez. Or First Street. But not South First Street–that’s different. And what Guadalupe (don’t you dare pronounce the -eh at the end) turns into as it crosses the lake. Town Lake, not Lady Bird.

6. Austin is dog-friendly. Scoop the poop.

7. You live at 105 degrees in the summer. You might think you’ve adjusted, but then you forget to drink your water and end up in the hospital. DRINK LOTS OF WATER.

8. True: it’s mostly about who you know. In business, relationships, and getting hooked up at bars. You can also make it with a lot of pluck, luck, and networking.

9. Summer sports: pick-up sand volleyball at Zilker and Krieg every weekend morning and most evenings, Pease always on the weekends. Aussie’s (pictured) Volleybar has pickup after leagues are over, at 11pm, but are VERY competitive. Pick-up basketball almost every evening. Ultimate Frisbee on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon … (for the love, see #7)

10. Austin is a lot like Woodstock. Don’t get lost in the freedom!

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July 23, 2010

Austin: Why does it feel like the master toilet is heated?

I wish United Inspections, www.UnitedInspectionsTexas.com, had been around when my brother and I bought our house! Started by a very close friend of mine, the company is beyond thorough and highly professional. The inspector did our house as a practice run and was able to explain one of the house’s greatest mysteries: why does it feel like the master toilet is heated?

A: because the person who initially did the plumbing switched the hot and cold lines to the toilet, meaning it constantly pumps hot water! The more you flush it (during a party, for instance), the hotter the seat and w.c. gets.

A good home inspector is one of those services the average person doesn’t use all that often, but it’s crucial that you have a good one so you don’t end up buying a house with problems. So if you are in the market for a home or are ready for an inspection, let me suggest United Inspections.

PLUS, there is a summer months 35% discount!!

www.UnitedInspectionsTexas.com … see if you can spot my house in the pics!

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July 22, 2010

Texas Wines Win!

Being a Texan is an admittedly huge part of my identity. My state pride may or may not be larger than my national pride, so naturally I MUST tell you that Texas wines are winning! I received a press release on Texas wines winning, and I got really excited. Upon further inspection it turns out that Texas wines are winning Texas competitions. [Pride fizzles a smidge] Nonetheless, our hot, hot hills can still produce some fine wine.

Home to more than 280 family-owned vineyards that cover 2,500 acres and more than 180 wineries, Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing state in the nation. The Texas wine industry contributes approximately $1.35 billion a year to the state’s economy and supports more than 9,000 jobs for Texans. Current wine production is estimated to be 2.4 million gallons per year and growing annually with 95 percent of this wine consumed in the Lone Star State. (Erm, so maybe no one else IS drinking our wine, but we love it anyway!!)

Consider this a must-try list of Texas wines that took top honors in 2010 at five “international” wine competitions held in Houston, Dallas and San Antonio (yep, Texas).

· Becker Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Wilmeth Vineyard – Best of Show Red Wine (San Antonio Wine Festival)
· Becker Vineyards 2008 Fleur Sauvage – Class Champion and Texas Class Champion (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition)
· Becker Vineyards 2008 Barbera, Peter’s Prairie Vineyard – Texas Grand Star (Lone Star International Wine Competition)
· Becker Vineyards 2009 Clementine Late Harvest Viognier, Bingham Family Vineyards – Texas Grand Star (Lone Star International Wine Competition)
· Flat Creek Estate Mistella NV – Top Texas Wine and Texas Class Champion (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition)
· Georgetown Winery Lone Star Frost NV – Grand Star (Lone Star International Wine Competition)
· Grape Creek Vineyards 2007 Serendipity – Texas Class Champion (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition)
· Grape Creek Vineyards 2009 Viognier, Lost Draw Vineyards – Texas Grand Star (Lone Star International Wine Competition)
· McPherson Cellars 2009 Rosé of Syrah – Grand Star (Lone Star International Wine Competition)
· McPherson Cellars dbs 2007 – Reserve Class Champion (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition)
· Messina Hof Winery – Best of Herd Award (San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo)
· Messina Hof 2005 Papa Paulo Port Private Reserve – Texas Grand Star (Lone Star International Wine Competition)
· Messina Hof Winery 2008 Chenin Blanc – People’s Choice Grand Champion White Wine (San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo)
· Sunset Winery 2005 “Vintner’s Select” Orange Muscat, Newsom Vineyard – Texas Class Champion (Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition)

So maybe we’re not world-recognized YET. You should note that a lot of the winners play with grapes that are our own, not the typical chardonnay or merlot grapes. Texans … always doing it our own way.

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