Free Pilates Day Saturday

They say you either like Pilates or Yoga, but not both. I don’t know who says that, and I don’t think it’s true. I like both! Give Pilates a try this Saturday with Free Pilates Day.

There are nine gyms offering free classes, and one of the coolest things is that they’re not all beginner classes. A few are even offering classes with the reformer! This is a good chance for newbies and pros alike to try a new studio or new facet of pilates!

I’m playing a football tournament, but I may try to check out reForm Pilates before my games. I would love to see how a Reformer works, and they’re offering a class at 9am and 10am (mat classes at those times too). Plus, a location on Windsor is super-convenient for me!

Bike to Work Day

Friday is Bike (or Walk) to Work Day!

As a freelance writer, I work out of my home office. And my brother stole my bike anyway. But if I had an office outside of my house OR a bike OR both, I would definitely be biking to work tomorrow.

In honor of Bike to Work Day, the Austin Cycling Association is coordinating free breakfast that morning at the following locations:
Whole Foods (6th and Lamar) (Plus minor bike repair and adjustments by REI bike mechanics)
City Hall Plaza (sponsored by City of Austin employees)
One Texas Center (505 Barton Springs Rd.)
Texas Bicycle Coalition (1902 E. 6th)
Mellow Johnny’s (4th and Nueces) <—this is Lance Armstrong’s new bike shop/commuter mecca, I can’t wait to check it out.
Wheatsville Coop (3101 Guadalupe)
Bicycle Sport Shop (517 S. Lamar)
Shoal Creek Blvd. at the Far West Bridge (sponsored by Clif Bar)
Music City Cycles (6301 W. Parmer Ln., #504)
Jo’s Coffee (1300 S. Congress, sponsored by Jo’s and Clif Bar)
Freewheeling Bicycles (24th and San Gabriel. Free commuter coffee mugs while they last! If distance is a problem for you, park in Freewheeling’s ample parking lot, have a bite of breakfast, and ride the rest of the way.)

So get your fit on, get some grub, AND help the environment … win-win-win!

Joy o joy, Dhaba Joy!

When I first stopped in to Dhaba Joy to see what a vegan bakery looked like, and because I had read tons of awesome reviews on yelp.com, I got a vegan cookie. It was the most amazing, succulent, delicious cookie of my entire life. I became obsessed, and took everyone I knew there, and they loved them too. Obviously, I had to stop this behavior before I blew up to the size of a balloon.

But a few nights ago a friend was craving dessert, so we went to Dhaba Joy. I had yet to try the oatscreme, a soft-serve vegan concoction made of oats. I heard mixed reviews–some said it was amazing, others said it tasted like poop. I was wary. We got a sample of the chocolate, and it was very interesting. A little spicy, very authentically chocolate flavored, and not too sweet. My friend and I ended up splitting an oatscreme sandwich–this mess of chocolate oatscreme smushed between a snickerdoodle and chocolate chip cookie. It was a little piece of Heaven. And half of one was PLENTY. My friend doesn’t even like chocolate, and she loved the oatscreme.

Now I must admit, there was also a fella in our party, a vegetarian, not vegan, and he did not like the oatscreme–he didn’t like that hint of spiciness. He ordered the chocolate cheesecake. He didn’t like that either, so I tried it, thinking I might like it. It was bad. Just plain bad. It tasted like brown-colored tofu. Not cheesecake-y at all, not sweet, not delicious in any way, shape or form.

Lesson: stick to the dang cookies. They are amazing. Almond butter is the best if you ask me, but chocolate chip and snickerdoodle are close seconds. And the cupcakes are pretty delish too, although I’ve only been able to stray from the cookies once and wasn’t impressed enough to miss out on a cookie. Even if you’re not anywhere close to veganism, try the stinkin’ vegan cookies at Dhaba Joy. They will amaze you.

Networking on Wednesday

So this Wednesday night at Pangaea is Net Party, a partying/networking hybrid. Not that it sounds all that different from normal networking functions to me, except that it draws a different sort of crowd. Apparently it’s quite the singles scene, as well, so business cards are exchanged as much for dates as they are for lead generation.

Pangaea is an interesting club to me … I’ve only been to their grand opening (open bar …) and a few hosted events there, so I’ve never witnessed it in its regular-weekend glory. Does it have regular-weekend glory? It was quite controversial when it showed up on the Austin scene, mainly because detractors argued that Austin didn’t need or wasn’t ready for a hoity-toity place with a velvet rope, sparklers in their bottle service, and cage dancers. Of course, those detractors failed to realize that outside of need and readiness lie want and novelty, so Pangaea has so far been successful–depending on how you define success.

I prefer cheaper drinks and friendlier people, but a dressed-up night out at Pangaea isn’t unappealing either. And the time frame of this NetParty–6:00 to 10:00pm–makes it a nice tweener time that could stay happy hour or turn into a night on the town … with new friends, natch! FYI, the half-price drinks and free apps are only until 8pm.

I’m not sure when they close the RSVP, but you have to RSVP to get in free. There’s a $25 charge at the door (or so they say … I can’t imagine anyone charging $25 for a HAPPY HOUR).

AND:

Tribeza is also hosting a happy hour at Lambert’s with free apps and live music. There will be drinks too, but no telling if they’re free or not.

Restaurants: Houston vs. Austin

I was in Houston this weekend for my brother’s graduation from Rice, so we went out to eat a lot–gotta celebrate with professors, friends, and the girlfriend’s fam. Hitting so many restaurants in so few days left me wondering about Austin’s dining scene: is it up to snuff?

Sure, Houston has the highest number of restaurants per capita in the nation, so it has an edge in quantity. But I think it might have an edge in quality and variety too, which makes me a little bit sad for our fair city.

First, we lunched at Houston’s Ziggy’s Healthy Grill. I love Ziggy’s because it’s the only place I’ve ever been that focuses on all aspects of healthful eating: they offer low fat, low sugar, low carb, vegetarian, and even free-range options. I haven’t been to Austin’s Mr. Natural or Veggie Heaven, but I haven’t heard that they are particularly healthy in the all-encompassing sense of Ziggy’s. Houston: 1

We dined that night at La Griglia, a seafood-Italian restaurant. It was delicious, and offered the kind of excellent service (where they fold your napkin for you when you get up to go to the restroom) you expect in a restaurant with much higher prices. Entrees were $10-$28, which is very reasonable considering that the bread basket comes with free pizza appetizers and they bring free cookies for dessert. Granted, I haven’t celebrated any graduations in Austin, but I haven’t ever experienced service like that at that price range. Maybe Louie’s 106, but they’re a little pricier AND don’t bring you any special apps. Houston: 2

The following morning, we had brunch at Ouisie’s, another Italian-esque restaurant. It too was delicious, although it took way too long and was a little pricey for the portion size. Austin’s classy restaurants can definitely do battle with Ouisie’s, so we’ll give this point to Austin. Austin: 1

Here’s the thing about Austin’s dining scene: it’s too new to really know what to do with itself. There aren’t established big boys, and there aren’t established big-boy chains. For instance, La Griglia was owned by the Vallone family, who also own Tony’s and used to own several other of Houston’s most notable restaurants. Landry’s bought them out of all but Tony’s, but you’re still guaranteed the quality associated with Tony Vallone despite the fact that it’s now chain-owned.

Who are Austin’s big boys? Aside from national chains, are there any restaurant dynasties? I can name several in Houston: the Pappas Bros. (granted, they are now considered a chain and have Austin locations too, but they’re Houston originals), the Mandolas (also expanded to Austin) … this isn’t to say that Austin doesn’t have fabulous restaurants and a good scene, but I never realized how far behind we are. At least that gives us lots of room for improvement!

What is the overall best restaurant in Austin?

Go to Aussie’s!

I’m writing an article for Austin Woman magazine on sand volleyball in Austin, and I interviewed the owner of Aussie’s Beach Bar & Grill today. Danny Brinson is his name, and he was very friendly and open, a good interview! I can’t give too much away, but I can encourage everyone to go to Aussie’s!

I’m definitely a Zilker Park girl–you guys hear me talk about how much I love it all the time. But talking to Danny today, I was reminded of a few things: one, a bathroom that isn’t a port-o-potty would be nice; two, sometimes I get really hungry and having food nearby would be nice; three, sometimes I get really thirsty and having water (ahem, beer) nearby would be nice; and four, there’s no amount of ipod speaker system that can make up for an actual speaker system. So while listening to Danny touting the amenities of Aussie’s, I got a little bit jealous, maybe had a little Aussie’s-envy.

And he also said, “This is what some people elect to do, instead of getting cleaned up and going out to the club scene, they’d just as soon come down here and play volleyball until 2am.”

So true. And those are the kind of people I like to meet. I mean, I like to do both, but I’m just sayin’. Go check out Aussie’s, even if you don’t play volleyball. You can always learn.

Stylin’ Thursdays: Grand Opening

Another Thursday, another happy hour-boutique-shopping affair. A new jewelry and accessory store is coming to the chic Second Street shopping district, and Austin Monthly hosts its grand opening. Here are the details:

Beyond Tradition and Austin Monthly invite you to a grand opening!

Toast to our arrival in the fashionable 2nd Street District with complimentary wine and appetizers. In addition, a Catherine Nicole Trunk Show features the jewelry of one of eight up-and-coming designers named by Women’s Wear Daily.

During the event, browse our collection of unique designer jewelry

and stunning handbags…just in time for Mother’s Day!

The Catherine Nicole Trunk Show will be featured through Saturday.

Lunch-In every Friday 11-1pm

Specializing in one-of-a-kind wearable art. Located in the fashionable 2nd Street District, we offer an eclectic collection of unique designer jewelry and accessories.

Does anyone know what a “Lunch-In” means?!

Anyway, I’d check this out if I didn’t have my Austin Parks & Rec league basketball game–it’s always good to be one of the first to know about a new shop in town!

Review: El Chile North (you know, the free ‘ritas)

I was thoroughly impressed by El Chile North–I haven’t been to the East Austin one, but the food was superb. They serve chips and salsa in little bowls, which one of my companions deemed “classier than a big one.” I thought it just looked like more work for our server, but whatever. The salsa is a bean-y concoction that I wasn’t sure I would approve of, being a lover of tomato salsa, but it was delicious enough that my table went through three bowls.

I ordered the Tamal Azteca, a cheesy, veggie casserole-style layered tortilla, saucy mess. It was a delicious mess, the sauce on top was spicy but sweet, the veggies were actually veggies like zucchini and squash, not just onion and tomato–though they were in there too. My one complaint about it was that my portion was tiny–so small, when the waitress placed the plate on my table another companion said, “you got gypped!” In all honesty, it was a perfect size for me to  eat, and a nice departure from the enormous serving sizes restaurants normally dish up. But, it looked a little lonely on my plate.

And the margaritas … yes, they were indeed free, but that did not stop the bartender from using a heavy hand on the tequila! I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor, it was very tangy and not too sweet, which is usually my complaint with restaurant ‘ritas. Definitely worth the entree price!

El Chile North is not actually on Far West, it’s just north of Far West on Greystone, in a little strip mall shopping center. I liked the location, they had a cute patio with a view of north Austin–although a friend not-so-sweetly pointed out that there’s also a view of the Golden Arches. In any case, I endorse the new El Chile, especially during this time of free margaritas! (2 with an entree purchase)

Free Margaritas!!

So Austin favorite El Chile just opened up a location at Far West, and they don’t have their liquor license, so they’re giving away two free margaritas with an entree purchase!

El Chile and fast-food kid sister El Chilito are Manor Road faves, hot with the UT crowd and downtown dwellers and workers. I’ve never been, but it’s on my list of restaurants to visit. And now I can, up north, with free margaritas! I’m not sure of the exact location, but Far West isn’t that big, right? I’m planning on going tonight, and given that it’s Cinco de Mayo, I’m pretty sure it’ll be packed. I’ll report back.

Crushed Ice

… so maybe trying to get pre-crushed ice the day before the Kentucky Derby, when everyone and their grandmother is serving mint juleps to parties-full, is a bad idea. Nonetheless, I set out to fulfill my needs at Party Barn–a place I had never been, but drove past often.

Party Barn is just that: a beer barn. A drive-through beer barn, at that. And where you order kegs if you’re a college kid, apparently. But I digress. I can’t really say much for PB, except that the guys working there were super nice when I asked for crushed ice.

“You’re throwing a Kentucky Derby party and serving mint juleps and need crushed ice?” the crusty old man asks.

“Yes,” I grin.

“Kwik Ice on Burnet. Across from the HEB. This is the one day of the year everybody wants crushed ice.”

“Why don’t you sell it today, then?” I ask, being friendly.

“Yeah, why don’t we?” chimes in the younger shopkeeper/beer-boy.

“You know what I would have to charge to get that much ice just for today? Kwik Ice. It’s on Burnet,” reiterates the crusty old man.

I drive away smiling, thinking to myself, I hope I throw a party that involves a keg sometime soon so I can come back and give this man some business. Now, I didn’t think I was a small-business, eco-chic, Wheatsville-shopping hippie, but Austin can change a girl. And now I gotta give the local Party Barn some love!

… but the saga continues. I go to Kwik Ice expecting delicious little balls of that melt-in-your-mouth ice that some restaurants serve out of their ice machine–and I was disappointed. The (very nice) man brought me a bag of ice. Like I might buy at any gas station or grocery store for $1.99. I bought it, but only because I was out of time for my ice-quest.

So really, if you’re looking for small crushed ice, wrap your bag of gas-station-ice in a towel, take it on the porch or to the driveway, and take a hammer to it. Because apparently no one in town sells mint julep crushed ice the day before the Kentucky Derby.