Ginny's Austin

Dish of the Day: Voodoo Doughnuts

Ginny — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 21:48:25 +0000

Because every Friday the 13^th should involve a little voodoo magic, today’s dish of the day is a box of goodness from the newly opened Voodoo Doughnuts.

Voodoo Doughnut Austin

Prior to opening on 6^th Street in downtown Austin, the Portland, OR-based doughnut purveyors garnered a cult following, thanks to their extensive menu of doughnuts flavors and surprisingly fair prices. While there are plenty of choices for doughnut traditionalists, Voodoo’s eclectic, offbeat options are what really put the shop on the map. Truly, with toppings ranging from mango to CoCo Puffs, Butterfingers to bacon, Voodoo leaves no flavor combo unturned in crafting its doughnuts.

Sprinkle Cake Doughnut

In the name of research, I have made a couple of trips by the shop to do a little field-testing on some of these said flavors to overall solid results. Voodoo’s traditional cake style doughnut, such as the maple glazed Old Fashioned and double chocolate, are the clear favorites of the bunch. A perfect coffee companion, the cake doughnut is dense and moist without being overpoweringly sweet. Pro tip: the powered sugar cake doughnuts tend to go quickly, so arrive early to grab one of those.

Maple Old Fashioned, Chocolate Cake, Sprinkle Cake & Apple Fritter Doughnuts

The Apple Fritter runs a close second to the Old Fashioned. The fritter tastes like a center layer of a cinnamon roll combined with warm apples and a hint of maple. Giant in size, it is certainly big enough a share, but no one would blame you if you didn’t.

As for the more out of the box options, the results were a bit more mixed. The shop’s strawberry jelly filled namesake doughnut is a must order, both for its design and deliciousness, while the triple chocolate, pentagram-adorned ‘Diablos Rex’ is a chocolate lover’s dream.

Some of the more creative options, however, tend to look a little more appealing than they actually are to eat. For example, I found the ‘The Loop’, a glazed doughnut covered in vanilla icing and Froot Loops, a bit dry and its cereal topping stale. Thus, I’d recommend sticking to the tried and true.

Oreo, Butterfinger, Froot Loop, Triple Chocolate & Voodoo Doughnuts

Judging by the consistent lines of customers since opening in October, the new shop has quickly become a fan favorite of Austinites eager to jump on the Voodoo bandwagon. The wait can get a little tedious at peak times as the Voodoo crew gets their feet wet, but the resulting pink box filled with warm, fresh doughnuts is well worth it.

Voodoo Doughnuts plans to be open 24 hours a day after the New Year, but for now, the shop is open from 7am Wednesday until the very last doughnut is sold on Sunday (Closed Monday & Tuesday). According to Voodoo’s website, the doughnuts have a short shelf life of 8-12 hours, which I discovered to be very true with a batch bought on Sunday for work on Monday. Each doughnut is priced around $.95-$2.00, making it easy to get a little overzealous when ordering, which of course it not necessarily such a bad thing!

Voodoo Doughnuts, 212 East 6^th Street, Austin TX 78701. Open from 7am Wednesday until the last doughnut is sold on Sunday.

Happenings: Fall 2015 Austin Restaurant Openings, Part I

Ginny — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:43:19 +0000

2015 has already proved to be a banner year for new restaurants, having already welcomed a slew of hotspots such as Launderette, Shake Shack, Dai Due, and more. And with new spots continuing to pop up everywhere you turn, Austin’s restaurant scene shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, which makes keeping track of where to eat no easy feat.

To help guide you along your eat, drink, and be merry little way, here’s a list of new restaurants opening in Fall 2015. I’ve already given you the lowdown on one new spot, Juniper (mentioned here), with more to come as I work through the list!

Fall 2015 Austin Openings: Café No Sé

Wu Chow (Downtown)

The long awaited Wu Chow opened its downtown doors earlier this month. Wu Chow’s mouthwatering menu includes authentic dishes inspired by the eight different styles of Chinese regional cuisine. The restaurant is currently open for dinner Monday through Saturday, with plans to begin lunch and weekend Dim Sum service in the coming weeks.

Wu Chow, 500 West 5^th Street, Austin TX 78701 (IBC Bank Building). Open for dinner Monday through Thursday 5-10pm and Friday & Saturday 5-11pm; Lunch Monday through Friday (coming soon) 11am-3pm; Dim Sum on Sunday from 11am-3pm.

Emmer & Rye (Rainey Street area)

Contemporary American restaurant Emmer & Rye opened its Rainey Street doors this past weekend. Helmed by executive chef Kevin Fink, whose impressive resume includes stints at Noma and French Laundry, Emmer & Rye plans to serve rustic, seasonally inspired cuisine in two unique ways. Guests can either choose to take the more traditional route by ordering off of the full menu of small plates, pastas and larger entrees or, alternatively, select dishes from one of the dim sum style carts circulating throughout the dining room. Both the dim sum offerings and main menu will be updated weekly in order to create dishes from only the best local ingredients.

Emmer & Rye, 51 Rainey Street, Suite 110, Austin, TX 78701. 512.366.5530. Dinner service runs Tuesday – Wednesday from 5-10pm, Thursday-Saturday from 5pm-12am; brunch and dinner on Sunday from 10am-8pm.

Burn Pizza (East Austin)

Burn, the latest concept from Dunlap ATX (Lustre Pearl/Clive/Mettle), opened in at the end of October, bringing a little bit of old world to ever changing East Austin. Burn’s menu centers on authentic Roman-style pizzas (think thin, crispy crust) as well as other Italian favorites such as pork and beef sugo lasagna and pasta carbonara. In addition to the eats, Burn offers craft cocktails, local brews, and an Italian wine selection. Open daily from 5pm, with happy hour specials from 5-7pm.

Burn, 1802 East 6^th Street, Austin, TX 78702. 512.609.8174. Open daily from 5pm-midnight.

Al Fico (East Austin)

The team behind Vino Vino recently opened Italian eatery Al Fico. The new restaurant will offer an osteria-inspired menu includes antipasta, housemade pastas, pizzas, and tons of seafood as well as an all-Italian wine list. Al Fico joins a growing list of Italian restaurants opening around town, which also includes new favorites Juniper (mentioned here), Italic, and Juliet.

Al Fico, 1700 East 2^nd Street, Austin, TX 78702. 512.469.9400. Dinner served nightly from 6-10pm.

Unit-D Pizzeria (Cherrywood)

Manor Road works to solidify its footing as the culinary destination of the eastside with the addition of Unit-D Pizzeria. Featuring a hand crafted pizza oven imported from Naples, Unit-D specializes in Neapolitan style pizzas created using locally source, artisan ingredients. In addition to wood fire pies, the menu includes small plates, cheese & charcuterie, and salads. Beer and wine only.

Unit-D Pizzeria, 2406 Manor Road, Unit D, Austin TX 78722. 512.524.1922. Open for dinner daily at 5pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Bullfight (Airport Blvd.)

Parkside/Backspace chef Shawn Cirkiel ventured out of downtown for his restaurant group’s latest venture, Bullfight. Offerings at the Spanish restaurant, located on Airport, include cured meats, paella, and inspired tapas as well as sangria, cocktails, and an all-Spanish wine list. Bullfight is open nightly beginning at 5pm, with happy hour offered until 6:30pm.

Bullfight, 4807 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751. 512.474.2029. Dinner daily at 5pm.

Café No Sé (South Congress)

One of the fall’s biggest openings is, of course, the new South Congress Hotel and its adjoining restaurant, Café No Sé. The all-day café offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and a weekend brunch as well as a small snack menu in the hotel lobby bar. Expect Café No Sé to quickly become a favorite for ladies who lunch (and brunch) with its light, fresh California-inspired cuisine.

The aptly named South Congress Hotel also promises to be its very own dining destination as Café No Sé is the first of four planned eateries opening at the posh hotel. American bar and grill Central Standard, juice and coffee bar Mañana, and Paul Qui’s Tokyo-inspired tasting room Otoko will join the café in the coming months.

Café No Sé, 1603 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704. 512.942.2061. Open Sunday through Wednesday 1am-10pm and Thursday through Saturday 7am-midnight.

Happenings: Austin Beer Week 10/23-11/1

Ginny — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 21:28:59 +0000

Austin Beer Week once again makes its triumphant return this Friday, offering beer lovers a bevy of ways to celebrate all things hops and grain. From beer dinners to happy hours, brewing classes to tastings, there are plenty of ways to get in on the fun. The full schedule of events can be found here, but I’ve listed a few highlights below to help you decide.

The 6^th Annual Austin Beer Week runs from Friday, October 23 through Sunday, November 1. Full details can be found here.

Austin Beer Week

Friday, October 23

ABW Official Kickoff party at Craft Pride – The Rainey Street bar will help get things started with a launch party that includes tappings of special and hard to find beers from a dozen craft breweries.

Saturday, October 24

Limited Release Tasting at Easy Tiger @ 1pm – Easy Tiger will be tapping special releases of several beers throughout the afternoon. Pay as you go.

Pumpkin Carving & Beer at School House @ 5pm – Join Brooklyn Brewery and St. Arnold’s for the 2^nd annual pumpkin carving contest that of course includes some pumpkin inspired beers as well.

Circle Firkin Spectacular at Blackheart Bar @ 7pm – Circle Brewing is taking over all the beer taps at Blackheart Bar on Rainey Street for the evening. Expect live music to go along with some delicious brews. Pay as you go.

Sunday, October 25

Blue Owl Brewing Launch Party & Pig Roast at Contigo @ 6pm –Celebrate the launch of Blue Owl with a feast fit for a king! Tickets are $35/pp and available here.

Odell Beer Dinner at Hopfield’s @ 7pm – Join craft beer favorites Odell and Hopfield’s for a French-infused six course dinner. Tickets are $85/pp and available here.

Monday, October 26

Hops & Grain + Antonelli’s Cheese Tasting @ 7pm – Cheese + Beer? Yes please! Tickets are $40/pp and available here.

Tuesday, October 27

ELM Group + Austin Beerworks Restaurant Crawl @ 6pm – The ELM restaurant group is teaming up with Austin Beerworks for a food + beer crawl with stops at Arro, Italic and Easy Tiger. Tickets are $25/pp and available by emailing events (at) italicaustin.com.

Star Bar’s Big Beer Event (all night) – Star Bar putting up their best 16 taps with rare and cellared beers. Pay as you go.

Secret Beer & Taco Pairing at Circle Brewery @ 6pm – Torchy’s Tacos will be on hand to pair a taco off their secret menu w/a special Circle Brewery Beer.

Wednesday, October 28

Battle of the Beers at School House @ 6pm – Join Austin Beerworks for a head to head vote of your favorite ABW beer.

The One They Call Zoe Event @ Wright Bros. @ 6pm – Wright Bros. is hosting a tasting of the finest Zoe’s from around the globe. Pay as you go.

Independence Beer Dinner at St. Phillip’s @ 7pm – St. Phillip’s culinary team will be crafting a six course dinner to pair with some of Independence Brewing Co.’s best beers. Tickets are $55/pp and available by calling 512.358.7445.

Thursday, October 29

(512) Takeover @ Hopfield’s @ 7pm

The German Sparkle Party at ABGB @ 9pm – ABGB is celebrating with a party inspired by this video. Expect things to get awesomely weird.

Friday, October 30

It’s the eve before Halloween so it is only fitting to check out one of these events:

Blue Owl-loween Takeover at Craft Pride @ 7pm

San Antonio Night w/Costume Contest at Hi Hat @ 7pm

Saturday, October 31

Monster Mash Halloween Beer Breakfast at Austin Homebrew @ 10:30am– Start the day with the breakfast of champions! Beer, mimosas, and omelets for all. Pay as you go.

Halloween Cask-o-laterns at Black Star Co-op @ 6pm – Black Star will be serving their special Crotchety Dockhand brew out of jack-o-laterns, along with other Halloween fun. Pay as you go.

Halloween Mashup w/Odell & Real Ale at Draught House @ 7pm – Beers and costumes…need there be more? Pay as you go.

Sunday, November 1

Save the World Beer Dinner at Juliet @ 7pm – Italian eatery Juliet is teaming up with Save the World brewery for a tasting dinner to include four unique beers. Tickets are $75/pp. Email eoconner (at) juilet-austin.com for tickets.

First Look: Juniper Austin

Ginny — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 04:22:10 +0000

Long awaited Italian restaurant Juniper officially opens its East Austin doors this week. Originally slated to open this past summer, permitting headaches and construction delays kept our mouths watering for the highly anticipated restaurant. Despite this red tape, the Juniper team, led by longtime Austin chef Nicholas Yanes, turned lemons into lemoncello by hosting a series of pop up dinners throughout the spring and summer. During one such dinner at Barley Swine, the former Uchi chef gave a preview of Juniper’s northern Italy meets Texas cuisine over six delicious courses.

Our dinner started with Juniper’s take on one of my favorite Italian summer dishes, crispy zucchini blossoms stuffed with fontina and ricotta. Served with a flavorful sweet pepper sauce, it made for a fortuitous start to our preview dinner.

Juniper Austin Preview Course 1

Arriving next was a beautifully composed plate of figs, San Daniele ham, and Brunet goat cheese drizzled with local honey vinegar. The rustic, classic dish was designed to let the ingredients shine, which was a consistent theme throughout the meal.

Juniper Austin Preview Course 2

Next came one of the most surprising dishes of the evening featuring squid with grapes and smoked tomato served on top of a celery root puree. In lesser hands, this combination of ingredients could have easily been a bit of a mess, but instead the dish represented a subtle, harmonious balance of smoky and sweet flavors that married well the textures of the meaty squid and creamy celery root.

Juniper Austin Preview Course 3

Because no Italian feast is complete without pasta, our fourth course of the evening was a spiral of al dente angel hair pasta served over a Parmesan cream sauce and topped with a sprinkle of chives and a generous heap of freshly grated Parmesan. Based on this dish, let’s just say one would be wise not to skip the pasta offerings at Juniper.

Juniper Austin Preview Course 4

The final savory course of the evening was an expertly roasted duck, combined with a delicate balance of sweet peaches, pickled onions and marjoram. Once again, Juniper hit it out of the park with its judicious use of high quality, well thought out ingredients to create an unexpected and flavorful dish.

Juniper Austin Preview Course 5

Finally, we rounded out the evening with a dessert of strawberry sorbet, pound cake, toasted merengue, rhubarb, basil and a hint of salt. Sweet and satisfying, it was the cherry on top of an excellent dinner.

Juniper Austin Preview Course 6

From start to finish, the Juniper team delivered dishes that were innovative and at times ambitious, yet all the while staying true to the classic Italian cuisine that inspired them. Overall, the dinner made for a highly promising first glimpse of what is to come at the new Italian restaurant. And though scaling to a full size restaurant beyond the control of a small tasting room will likely present its own unique set of challenges, there is every reason to believe Juniper is ready for primetime.

Juniper Austin, 2400 East Caesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78702. 512.220.9421. Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

ACL 2015: Sunday Top Picks

Ginny — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 21:26:23 +0000

So many bands to see and so little time…

Weekend 1 of Austin City Limits 2015 is officially here! With 130-plus artists representing every genre of music performing throughout the festival, there are plenty of fantastic bands at every turn. Here are a few top picks to help decide which sets to catch!

Friday Top Picks Here. Saturday Top Picks Here.

Sunday, October 4, 2015

1:30pm

Daughter – Miller Lite – Though indie folk band Daughter can get a little too ambient for my own personal taste at times, that same moody sound will make for an easy, relaxed start to the day.

2:30pm

*Lord Huron – Samsung – I caught Lord Huron on tour for their second to last album and they blew me away, only to then follow it up with an even stronger album showcasing their folksy, indie rock sound and immense talent. Missed them in April, but heard it was an incredible show! Top pick of the fest for sure!

BORNS – Honda – Only because I am going to see Lord Huron at their after show on Monday will you find me at singer/songwriter BORNS, which is certainly not a bad place to be. He’s a unique talent with a genre-bending sound that drifts from folk to electronic and everywhere in between.

Years & Years – Austin Ventures – Electropop group Years & Years are a solid third option during this time slot. Filled with upbeat rhythms, it’s the type of music that is club dance floor ready.

3:30pm

*Sylvan Esso – Miller Lite – Hands down, one of the best shows I saw in 2014. While the duo first gained notoriety for the down tempo break up song Coffee, they really deliver with dance worthy electronic/indie pop songs that boast originality, interesting arrangements and catchy hooks.

Halsey – HomeAway – With a slew of Billboard singles rising the charts, Halsey’s radio friendly pop sound – combined with lyrics commenting on those crazy Millennial kids – will make for a buzzed about performance. She’s got lots of talent, but for something a little more original, see Sylvan Esso.

4:30pm

*Ben Howard – Samsung – Another excellent singer/songwriter, indie folk rocker Howard is known for his outstanding acoustic live shows and surfer vibe, but his most recent releases showcase an edgier sound with the addition of more percussions.

The Decemberists – Honda – A bit too angsty for my liking, but the rock group is known for putting on eclectic and memorable live sets with plenty of audience participation.

5:30pm

Chance the Rapper – Miller Lite – A rising star of hip-hop, Chance the Rapper has been known to create mayhem due to his high octane performances. Expect a fun, loud set that will likely capture lots of Sunday’s buzz.

Kurt Vile and the Violators – Austin Ventures – Former War on Drugs member Vile is classic American rock in its purest form. He’s very much at home on stage and should perform a solid set.

*Vance Joy – HomeAway – As a songwriter, Vance Joy has the ability to break your heart and fill you with hope all at the same time. As a singer, he’s easy on the ears, albeit not as memorable as some solo stars at this year’s fest, but the emotion and urgency in his voice makes him stand out. His 2014 album is a favorite of mine , and I can’t wait to see it live.

6:30pm

alt-J – Honda – One of the more original new bands to launch on the scene in recent years, alt-J moves between electronic, folk, and rock to create damn good music. A festival top pick for me, but since I am seeing them Saturday night, I’ll be elsewhere.

Muddy Magnolias – BMI – Though they have only been on the scene for a short time, these gals have quickly garnered plenty of buzz coming out of Nashville. The duo from Mississippi is known to bring down the house with their country sound infused with a little R&B and rock and roll.

*Of Monsters and Men – Samsung – One of my favorites that I have yet to see live, this five-piece indie folk group gained international acclaim with their breakout single Little Talks, but they are more than just a one hit wonder. Expect big instrumental numbers and upbeat, feet tapping rhythms that are hard to beat!

7:30pm

*Hozier – HomeAway – Though I should probably turn in my Texan card for choosing Hozier over Dwight Yoakum, his cancelation at last year’s festival still haunts me, and I won’t miss the opportunity to see him this year.

Dwight Yoakam – Austin Ventures – Fans of Texas country need no introduction to the one and only Dwight Yoakum. He’s honky tonk at its finest!

8:30pm

The Weeknd – Honda – Drake protégé The Weeknd has solidified his move from cult favorite hipster R&B artist to household name with his latest release The Hills, which received both critical and commercial success. While the Strokes are the official Weekend 1 headliner, Sunday night might actually belong to the Weeknd.

*The Strokes – Samsung – One of the biggest new American rock bands in the 2000s, the Strokes are credited with leading the garage rock revival movement that has influenced a number of bands that followed, including many playing this year’s fest. Should

ACL 2015: Saturday Top Picks

Ginny — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 20:14:38 +0000

So many bands to see and so little time…

Friday picks here!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

12:45pm

*Echosmith – Samsung – If there were a reason to make the push to get to the park early on Saturday, Echosmith might be it. I love this sibling foursome’s 80s dark pop sound!

Milo Greene – Honda – This folk/rock band is another solid way to start the day, back on tour for their sophomore album. The band has injected a little more synth and soul in their latest music which should be interesting to see live.

1:30pm

*San Fermin – Miller Lite – Have wanted to see neoclassical wunderkid San Fermin since catching him at SXSW a few years back, and won’t pass up my chance despite several other good options during this time slot.

Ryn Weaver – HomeAway – She might be playing early in the day this year, but expect big things from up and coming pop songstress Ryn Weaver. Her single Octa Hate Word is she was an excellent opening act for Billy Idol Thursday as well! If you like Charli XCX, Weaver’s your gal.

Charlotte OC – Austin Ventures – Another solid up and coming female artist. Charlotte OC’s sound is pop with an edge, infused with R&B and soul. Can’t go wrong any which way during the 1:30 time slot!

2:20pm

Father John Misty – Honda – The always surprising Father John Misty is the type of artist I enjoy significantly more live. At times his music can tend to be a little too slow and whiney for me on an album, but his pure talent and artistry erases that live. Catch this set if you haven’t seen him before!

2:30pm

*Vince Staples – Austin Ventures – In a year (deservedly) dominated by West Coast, anointed-one Kendrick Lamar, Vince Staples’ album “Summertime ’06” demanded everybody’s attention this year. Go for what could be a star-making performance.

Glass Animals – Samsung – If hip-hop is not your things, I love this up and coming band’s unique blend of electronic and indie-rock music and am interested to see them live. Expect a more up tempo set than Father John Misty but still relaxed enough for early in the day.

3:20pm

*Shakey Graves – Miller Lite – There is no question that Austinite Shakey Graves is having banner career year, and his alt-folk/country rock music is a solid choice for the midafternoon. It’s a tough call for me as MisterWives is a top pick of the fest I can’t bear to pass up!

3:30pm

Houndmouth – Austin Ventures – Southern country infused indie rock band for fans of groups like the Lumineers.

3:30pm

*MisterWives – HomeAway – A festival top pick for yours truly! Reminiscent of No Doubt, the indie-pop group’s Our Own House album has remained on constant rotation in my own house thanks to catchy lyrics, upbeat rhythms,

4:20pm

*Sturgill Simpson – Honda – Earlier this year, country/rock singer/songwriter Simpson played a series of sold out shows around town that were buzzed about nonstop by friends. I sadly missed said shows but will not be missing him at ACL.

4:30pm

Twenty One Pilots – Samsung – With plenty of punk mixed into this high-tech pop trio’s music, Twenty One Pilots could have easily filled a spot at the Warped Tour back in the day. Expect a high energy set!

Austin Eats break for me!

5:20pm

WALK THE MOON – Miller Lite – They might not be the most serious band to take the stage but it’s hard not to like this fun pop/rock group with their catchy, upbeat songs.

6:20pm

Alabama Shakes – Honda – I’m conflicted about this because I love the Southern soul band Alabama Shakes, especially live, but their latest album was a bit of a disappointment for me. They do deliver on stage and you should catch them if you haven’t before!

6:30pm

*A$AP Rocky – Samsung – East coast born but Southern in style, A$AP openly wears his love and appreciation for the Houston rap scene, though his last album featured more psychedelic than purple influences. Expect dope outfits and a thick haze above the crowd.

7:20pm

*TV on the Radio – Miller Lite – One of my favorite bands and always a festival Top Pick for me. TV on the Radio always puts on a high intensity set with thanks to the band’s instrumental rock/R&B music and thoughtful lyrics.

7:30pm

BOOTS – Austin Ventures – After first gaining notoriety as Beyonce’s songwriter, producer BOOTS is now making a splash on his own with his hip-hop/R&B sound and a series of critically acclaimed performances.

Bassnectar – HomeAway – Warm up your eardrums for deadmau5 with festival favorite Bassnectar who regularly tests the city’s decibel limitations. Dubtep/Electronic.

8:20pm

deadmau5 – Honda – Dubstep/electronic fans, this one is for you. It will be loud, there will be lights, and the bass will drop.

8:30pm

*Drake – Samsung – The prolific hip-hop artist with all the feels is known for putting on a great live show, and I can’t wait to see him live!

ACL 2015: Austin EATS Top Picks

Ginny — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 18:04:28 +0000

Festival regulars know that when it comes to the food, nothing quite compares to the gourmet eats at Austin City Limits. But with so many options from which to choose, deciding which Austin EATS vendor to visit can be almost as difficult as deciding between music on the main stage. In order to help navigate through the multitude of mouthwatering offerings, I’ve put together a few tips and tricks to ensure you discover the best bites at this year’s Austin City Limits Festival!

Cure Those Cravings

There are few dishes that have reached the local cult status quite like the fried Brussels sprouts from East Side Kings. The salty-sweet salad is hard to beat but for something a little heartier, you can’t go wrong with an order of ESK’s spicy fried Thai Chicken Kara-Age.

For a match made in food fusion heaven, be sure to pick up an order of Chi’lantro’s spicy kimchi fries topped with bulgogi beef. The local food truck is known to cure many an Austinite’s late night craving but does the trick any time of day.

However, if a day of walking from one end of Zilker to the other has worked up a hankering only a cheesy comfort food can satisfy, then I recommend beelining it over to either Burro Cheese Kitchen for The Waylon & Willie grilled cheese filled with gooey cheese, bacon and pepperoni or Frank for some waffle fries smothered in queso goodness. Finally, for those suffering from a serious sweet tooth, there is nothing better than an order of warm, freshly baked cookies from Tiff Treat’s.

Eat Like a Texan

If you are visiting from out of town, be sure to get a taste for our great state by eating like a tried and true Texan at this year’s fest.

It’s no secret Texans love them some BBQ, and no Austin EATS lineup would be complete without a little ‘cue. You can’t go wrong with either the sausage wrap or the chopped beef sandwich at The Salt Lick – just be sure to smother on that famous sauce. If brisket is what you are after, head to Stubb’s Bar-B-Q for an order of jalapeno brisket. For some gussied-up BBQ, Chef Tim Love is offering BBQ Pork Ribs at Woodshed Smokehouse.

It’s a well-known fact that Austinites fueled largely by the unofficial food of the city, tacos. Live like a local by picking up a couple Green Pork Chili Tacos from Torchy’s Tacos. I recommend throwing in an order of Mexican Street Corn for good measure – extra napkins recommended!

For a quick grab and go in between sets, I recommend getting a little Tex-Mex at mmmpandas for mini pie stuffed with Green Chili Chicken or Tamale Addiction for tamales stuffed with fillings like chicken mole and black bean and cheese.

Finally, no festival is complete of course without a visit to the Austin EATS OG, Mighty Cone, for one of those famed Hot & Crunchy Cones.

Refresh & Revive

With three full days filled with music, sunshine and cold beer, Austin City Limits is a marathon, not a sprint. However, pacing oneself is not always easiest of tasks. Maybe you danced just a bit too hard at Disclosure on Friday or perhaps your tried to keep up with Drake’s Energy on Saturday; no matter the ailment, this year’s Austin EATS lineup has a number of options to get you back on your feet.

Need a quick way to quench last night’s unquenchable thirst? Pick up a cold glass of Strawberry Lemonade from ShadeTree or stop by El Cruz Ranch Café at the HOPE Farmer’s Market for a Horchata Agua Fresca. Or, better yet, rehydrate and recharge with a vitamin-packed smoothie from Juiceland.

While one can’t go wrong with shaved ice from summertime staple Snowie’s or a Mexican Vanilla Milkshake from Amy’s Ice Cream, I recommend making a beeline for personal favorite GoodPop Popsicles to escape the midday heat. With unique flavors like Watermelon Agave and Hibiscus Mint, these all-natural popsicles are hard to beat.

If in need of something a little less green and little more grease, I recommend picking up a failsafe favorite such as a Hat Creek Burger Co. Cheeseburger and Fries or a pepperoni pie from Southside Flying Pizza.

ACL 2015: Friday Top Picks

Ginny — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 17:20:34 +0000

So many bands to see and so little time…

Friday, October 2

12:00pm

Leopold and his Fiction – Austin Ventures – Start off this year’s ACL fest strong by taking in this blues-infused up and coming rock band.

12:15pm

*Meg Myers – Samsung – With her angsty single Sorry quickly climbing the charts, Nashville singer-songwriter Myers is the second of two solid opening acts worth getting to the park early to see.

1:00pm

*Ruen Brothers – HomeAway – This rising brother duo is a little bit vintage pop, a lot a bit rock, and just what the festival needs to get kicked into gear. Anchored by brother Henry’s big melodies, the Ruen Brothers’ skillfully play homage to 60’s rock greats with aggressive guitar and drum beats while still managing to sound fresh. Excited to see these guys!

The Maccabees – Miller Lite – If you are looking for something slightly more low key, this London-based band’s indie rock/folk sound is perfect for easing into the afternoon. Throw down a blanket, grab a cold beer and enjoy!

2:00pm

Nate Ruess – Honda – Best known as the front man for Fun., singer/songwriter Nate Ruess quickly found success all on his own with his solo album released earlier this year, thanks to his unique voice and big anthem ballads. He doesn’t stray too far from Fun.’s successful formula so if you’re a fan of the band, you will like what Ruess brings to the table.

*Royal Blood – Samsung – While Ruess is no doubt the popular choice during this time slot, you will find me posted up at blues rock duo Royal Blood. They remind me a little bit of The Black Keys’ early albums with an edge, and generally speaking it’s a sound that translates well on stage at ACL.

I’ll be taking my first of many Austin EATS breaks around this time in lieu of the 3:00pm sets, but still plenty to see!

3:00pm

Cherub – Miller Lite – One can’t help but dance to this funk-infused pop duo, best known for last summer’s hit Doses & Mimosas. If you are just now arriving, this is a great way to get excited for a big afternoon to follow.

*Albert Hammond Jr. – HomeAway – Strokes fans will of course recognize rhythm guitarist Hammond, Jr. who is doing double duty during weekend 1 of this year’s fest. His recently released third solo album is reminiscent of the band that made him famous but slightly more refined and polished. It’s a great album and will be excellent to see live.

With so many great choices packed into the second half of Friday, deciding which sets to catch is no easy task. Grab some Austin Eats and a cold beer or two because you might not be able to pull yourself away for the rest of the evening!

4:00pm

Leon Bridges – Honda – As one of the biggest rising stars of the festival, crooner Bridges will likely draw quite a crowd and for good reason. His soulful 60s-inspired sound, combined with heartfelt songwriting, makes for a must-see set at this year’s fest.

*Billy Idol – Samsung – As one of the lucky few who scored tickets to Leon Bridges’ sell out late night show, you will find me Dancing with Myself (sorry) at the musical styling’s of the one and only Billy Idol.

5:00pm

*Run the Jewels – Miller Lite – Though I usually don’t like to try and dart from opposite ends of the park at this point in the day when the crowds are thick, I may have to make an exception for this energetic hip-hop duo.

Moon Taxi – Austin Ventures – For something a little less intense, indie alt-rock group Moon Taxi is a solid alternative. Known for their extensive touring schedule and fantastic live shows, the five-piece jam band was a highlight of SXSW two years ago, and certainly one set I wouldn’t hesitate to see again.

6:00pm

*Tame Impala – Samsung – Since breaking out in 2010, Tame Impala has consistently produced some of the more original music out on the market. Their psych pop/rock sound has evoked comparisons to the Flaming Lips and the Beatles and should be great to hear live. And with plans to catch either George Ezra or Gary Clark, Jr. at nearby stages in the next hour, sticking close by for Tame Impala is a no brainer for me.

Brandon Flowers – Honda – Fans of the rock group The Killers will remember the group’s well-received ACL performance a few years back. Now touring in support of his solo project, Killers front man Flowers will no doubt make for a solid choice thanks to his new wave pop sound and radio friendly library of singles.

With three solid and unique acts occupying the 7:00pm timeslot, deciding which to see is no easy task. I recommend deciding which headliner you plan to catch and go with the band playing at the stage closest to your final stop of the day.

7:00pm

*Gary Clark, Jr. – HomeAway –Austin’s native son and festival staple Gary Clark, Jr. is hard to pass up, especially since the rock and roll star is better than ever. And given the HomeAway stage’s close proximity to the Samsung stage, catching GCJ before Foo Fighters is a no brainer.

*George Ezra – Austin Ventures – English singer/songwriter Ezra is perfect for those looking for a little more folk with their blues-rock. If Gary Clark, Jr. is your guy, don’t worry; with his unique voice and talent way beyond his years, Ezra is a name I’d expect to see on festival line-ups for years to come.

Flosstradamus – Miller Lite – For those looking for plenty of lights and bass to get ready for Disclosure, look no further than the Miller Lite stage.

8:00pm

*Foo Fighters – Samsung – Though I love Disclosure, the Foo Fighters are a band I have wanted to see for quite some time having grown up listening to them over the years. David Grohl knows how to bring a house down, and this should be a great headlining act.

Disclosure – Honda – Known for their pop collaborations and futuristic funk sound, this electronic duo will be a fun and exciting way to cap off the day if you’ve had your fill of rock music.