For many years I worked in north Austin and the Cool River Café on Parmer Lane was always a popular choice for lunch with a Sales Rep or Client. The restaurant and bar complex looks a bit like a Colorado ski lodge inside and out; tall ceilings, oil paintings, wood paneling and a large stone fireplace in the restaurant. For a change, I recently had dinner at Cool River and was pleased on several fronts. On a cold night, the restaurant was warm and comfortable, the food and wine were great, … [Read more...]
The Souvenir Menu – F&D Foreign and Domestic Food and Drink
Story has it that the Chefs from Lyon France considered themselves better than the rest because in their estimation, anyone could make great food from the greatest of ingredients while they could make even a pig’s ear taste great. Because of some of his uncommon menu items, and his training under some very great Chefs including Alain Ducasse, I asked F&D Chef Ned Elliott if that was in any way related to the way he approached his menu. To my very pleasant surprise the Lyonnais bias … [Read more...]
The flavor of soul: “Suite 709”
Suite 709, Austin’s newest band, has been compared to “John Legend meets The Jackson 5;” a fresh flavor with just a hint of vintage to round off a sound that stretches across several musical genres. Infectious rhythms, hooks that stick to your brain, and soulful vocals combine to produce a sound that moves through your body and makes you want to dance. The sound of Suite 709 is “a nod to several genres of musical influence, but definitely a fresh sound intended to make music lovers dance. Suite … [Read more...]
New Austin bar destined to be among city’s landmarks
The Womack brothers and Jason Carrier (a.k.a "the other brother") are not new to the Austin bar industry. Having owned and run five venues within the downtown area, they have, with out a doubt, made their mark on the Austin night-life scene. I sat down with Christina Harrelson, to discuss what distinguishes Dogwood from the previously Womack/Carrier bars. The bar’s name, Dogwood was chosen because it was a favorite tree of the Womack brothers’ grandmother. Having lived in Austin for over ten … [Read more...]
Where to watch the World Cup around Austin
When it comes to sports events, this is not Austin’s first rodeo. A city that has made it to the BCS championship twice in the last five years is not new to hosting large numbers of sports fans eager to find a big screen to watch the game. However, with the World Cup games being held in South Africa, seven hours ahead of “Austin time”, you may think that it might be a little tricky to find a bar that is open at 7am . . . not so. Below is a list of establishments that will be showing the World … [Read more...]
SXSWeek in Review: Having the World in Your Backyard
By Katie Warner The Austin Times StaffSXSW means something different to everyone. For some, it is a networking conference. For others, it’s all about the film and the music. For others, it’s a week-long party that involves getting into as many free parties and drinking all the booze your body can handle. Since I graduated from college, I have referred to SXSW as “adult spring break.” But really, what is it about SXSW that is so different from any other weekend in Austin? I think it is … [Read more...]
Justine’s: A French story d’amour
Tucked away among the factories and warehouses on East Fifth Street, you will find a house with a pétanque, or bocce ball, court and garden tables. As you walk through the courtyard, you begin to smell the aroma of butter and garlic. A few more steps and you are greeted with the sound of classic vinyl records and good conversation. Even in Austin, where people pride themselves on enjoying a good quality of life, it is rare to find a place where guests are invited to arrive late, order a … [Read more...]
Bar W XYZ: Comfortably swanky
Regardless of the work week, it is almost certain that as a busy professional you will crave or need a tasty alcoholic beverage to sooth your soul. Where do you find said beverage? As a round-about-town individual, I would love to lend you a hand in your quest for an after five o'clock social escape. I begin with this week's journey into the ever so popular Domain shopping center. I had heard from various Facebook posts and social butterflies that a trendy, lounge-like bar had opened in … [Read more...]
