Artisan Apartments

Carmelo’s: From Italy To Texas

admin — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:02:20 +0000

This top-flight Italian eatery has been dazzling Austinites for years. And with just one bite of Chef Carmelo Mauro’s spectacular cuisine, you will know why. In 1978, Mauro opened the first Carmelo’s in Houston, then expanded to Austin in 1985. In the thirty years he’s been in the business, Mauro has assembled a legion of devoted fans who claim that his place offers the best Italian in Texas, hands down. Begin your meal with the beefsteak tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella and fresh basil, or try the mussels, flavorful and simmered in garlic white wine broth. Entrees that garner special attention are the chicken Parmesan, which is lush and delicious, as well as signature dishes like the tender Ossobucco and fettucine carbonara, which is cooked tableside. Overall, the seafood is delectable, with tender, perfectly-cooked salmon a highlight. Carmelo’s also has an excellent wine selection. For dessert, try the lemon cake, served from an old-school three-tiered dessert cart – it's some of the best in town.

Carmelo’s
504 E 5th St
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 477-7497

French Legation Museum: History Comes to Life

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 14:00:36 +0000

Back in the 1800s, The French Legation Museum in Austin housed the French delegation to Texas, back when France was still determining whether or not to consider the state its own country. In the 1950s, the building became a museum after its prior occupants moved out. Today, it's one of the best preserved pieces of southern French-American architecture in Texas, and tells the captivating story of the French-Texan relationship around the turn of the century. The French Legation Museum also plays host to several events throughout the year, like Bastille Day parties and raffles. Check the calendar on the museum's website to see what’s planned for the month.

French Legation Museum
802 San Marcos Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 472-8180

Austin Farmer’s Market: Farm-to-Table

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:03:49 +0000

One of the most encouraging trends in American food is the transition from factory-farmed fruits, vegetables and meats to locally grown, seasonal products. Farmer’s Markets are starting to become major keystones of grocery shopping, and are popping up in every city across the country. The Austin’s Farmer’s Market reflects the interests and values of this progressive enclave in the middle of the state. It offers an array of organic vegetables, humanely raised meats, and a wide variety of ethnic prepared foods – all of which regulars rave. As you wander, enjoy a cup of coffee—at two bucks a cup with a free refill, it’ll keep you alert as you shop for everything you need. The only complaint is that certain goods sell out early, so show up at sunrise to make sure you get everything checked off your shopping list. Best of all is the ambience—everyone is happy, laid back, and celebrating the joys of good food in a great city!

Austin Farmer’s Market
4600 Guadalupe St
Austin, TX 78751
(512) 236-0074

Fall Creek Vineyards: Wine Tasting and More!

admin — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:03:15 +0000

First opened in 1975 by the Auler family, Fall Creek Vineyards goal is to take advantage of the unique Hill Country microclimate north of Austin. Since its opening, the vineyard has developed into one of Texas’s best wineries. Named after the gorgeous creek that winds through the property before emptying into the Colorado River at an amazing waterfall, visitors can tour the lovely property and also enjoy sampling many of Fall Creek’s high-quality wines. On nice days, sit outside and enjoy the great views of Lake Buchanan. Visitors remark that the tour is a little short, but it gets extra points for giving visitors the chance to get their feet in the action by stomping some grapes themselves. The winery has been in the news lately with the unveiling of Meritus, a new super-premium red that has won raves from critics all over the world as possibly the best wine produced in the state of Texas. Fall Creek also hosts a number of events throughout the year, so be sure to visit their website to check out all the fun offerings.

Fall Creek Vineyards
1402 San Antonio St.
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 476-4477

Elixer Coffee: Coffee With A Conscience

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:01:19 +0000

Sometimes it seems that organic food is only available exclusively to those with deep pockets, but the times are a-changin' and Austin's Elixer Coffee is proof. A cup of their smooth, smoky, organic drip coffee will only run you $2, and a latte is a mere $3. That's less than you'd pay at some chain coffee shops! Along with making exceptionally good coffee, Elixer offers incentives to encourage kindness towards our environment. Bring your own mug on Mondays and the barista will fill it with coffee for just 50 cents. Elixer offers other specials, too, like 2-for-1 Tuesdays and the Wednesday baked good special: buy any baked good and you'll get a drip coffee for free. This coffee with a conscience will leave you with a smile, without emptying your piggy bank.

Elixer Coffee
4209 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78723
(512) 689-1448

Threadgill’s: Meals with Music

admin — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:03:29 +0000

This legendary restaurant is open 365 days a year at both of its two locations. Threadgill's offers traditional Southern comfort, home cooked meals, and live music. Famous for being the place where Janis Joplin developed her sound, this restaurant and music hall has showcased countless talented musicians over the years. Not only are they making history with their musical acts, the North Austin location, the original Threadgill’s, has bragging rights as owning the first beer license in the county.

"Threadgill's World Headquarters", its South Austin location, hosts a family friendly beer garden as well as a Sunday Gospel Brunch. Both Austin locations have “Howdy Hour,” Monday through Friday, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m and brunch on Sundays from 10 am – 1 pm. The North location also offers an additional after hours "happy hour" Monday through Friday from 9 – 11 p.m. Still can’t get enough? The restaurant also has an online store for restaurant merchandise including t-shirts and a cookbook.

Threadgill’s

North Austin:
6416 North Lamar
Austin, TX 78752
(512) 451-5440

South Austin:
301 West Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 472-9304

Houston Rockets: Ready For Launch

admin — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:01:14 +0000

The Houston Rockets had a winning season last year — and they didn't make the playoffs. As the rebuilding continues, Rockets fans have a lot to look forward to. They're now led by former Celtics great and Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, for starters. Houston hopes McHale will put his legendary leadership skills to use and lead the team to the post-season. Speedy veteran Kevin Martin continues to succeed with his unique shooting style, and Johnny Flynn comes to town from the Timberwolves. He's coming off hip surgery, but he has something to prove. With promising youngsters Chase Budinger and Terrence Williams on board, the final pieces of the Rockets' puzzle might be in place.

Check out http://www.nba.com/rockets for Rockets schedules, merchandise, ticketing, and more!

Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata: Helping Keep Austin Weird

admin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 14:04:16 +0000

Hang out in Austin more than five minutes and you'll see a sign or bumper sticker campaigning to "Keep Austin Weird." The Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata certainly does its part. Located in a private house, the Museum is dedicated to that most human of passions, collecting. Check out the constantly changing display of the weirdest, wildest, most unique stuff imaginable — if you can imagine it. There's urban phantasmagoria, celebrity collections, snowglobes, and what the husband-and-wife owners call “an entire wig collection dedicated to sleep.” The Museum hosts events, but if you're thinking weddings, dinners, or conferences, think again. True to its mission, you might find an after-hours seance or komboucha workshop here. Check out the website for more.

Museum of Natural and Artificial Ephemerata
1808 Singleton Avenue
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 320-0566

Happy New Year!

admin — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:05:15 +0000

Wishing you and your loved ones all the best that 2012 has to offer.

Best Movies of 2011

admin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 14:02:14 +0000

2011 saw a score of interesting Oscar contenders helmed by actors exercising their talent in new ways. Here are five of the year's best films:

The Descendants
Sideways director and writer Alexander Payne returns triumphantly after a seven-hiatus with a complicated dramatic comedy. George Clooney is understated yet spot-on as a father dealing with his wife’s infidelity and his misbehaving daughters.

Drive
Perhaps not a typical Oscar contender, Drive is an action-packed drama that pits Ryan Gosling in a fight against good and evil. Gosling’s quiet performance anchors the movie’s more outrageous moments.

Midnight in Paris
Hailed by many as Woody Allen’s best film in years, Midnight in Paris was a love note to the City of Lights as well as a more glamorous literary time. Owen Wilson reached new maturity in a surprising as well as convincing role as a neurotic writer transported into 1920s Paris, schmoozing with infamous authors.

Moneyball
Like the television series Friday Night Lights, Moneyball was a sports movie that you didn’t need to care about sports to enjoy. Brad Pitt’s dedication to the story and director Bennett Miller’s fast-pacing kept the movie engaging and empathetic.

Melancholia
Both epic and intimate, Lars von Trier’s portrait of the end of the world is surprisingly breath-taking, particularly the prologue. His narrative remains a distant character study of two sisters dealing with depression and the sudden advance of a neighboring planet.