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Category Archives: Dining

Staycation at Sonesta Bee Cave

08 Tuesday Dec 2020

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Austin, Texas, Dining, Motherhood, Travel

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Austin hotels, Bee Cave, girls weekend, Hill Country Galleria, hotel, Meridian 98, Sonesta, Staycation, suite, Texas Hill Country

Most of y’all heard I recently broke my ankle. I was running around my house on Thanksgiving Day and simply slipped on the floor. I knew it was sprained but was surprised to hear it actually fractured, too. Luckily my kindhearted mother came to the rescue during the first part of my recovery. Wanted to thank her for driving in to help out this week and reward my daughter for good behavior at school. Since I love the idea of family experiences instead of gifts, we booked a suite at Sonesta hotel in Bee Cave, TX. Our ‘girls just wanna have fun’ weekend was a great success!

My mother & daughter cozied up with popcorn for a movie night in our suite.

Sonesta is close to our house and right at the Hill Country Galleria so it was the perfect spot for a staycation with my Kindergartener and her grandma. This contemporary chic, yet laid-back hotel welcomes guests with unmatched style and Texas charm. We started off at their rooftop restaurant, Meridian 98.

Cocktails & a view of the Texas Hill Country — it doesn’t get any better.

We felt so safe dining outdoors at a socially-distanced table. Their patio is HUGE! Ordered a couple craft cocktails, The Beehive and The Beekeeper, and Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp. That starter is awesome…comes with fried jalapeno strips, grilled ruby red grapefruit, and a slice of honeycomb!

The sauce & unexpected combination of flavors made this appetizer unique.

The suite was on the fifth floor and was sized just right for our family getaway. Here are a couple shots of the Austin-hip yet modern-minimal bedroom:

Check out those views! Gazing out upon those rolling hills was a welcome way to wake-up.

This mama’s favorite part: the generously deep bathtub with a large picture window of greenspace. Actually, we all loved the tub — we each got a chance to enjoy it at one point or another. –What girl doesn’t relax in a nice hot bubble bath?! But some people prefer a shower and it was enormous as well.

A dream bathroom: large & luxurious!

Wether you’re local to Austin or looking for a driveable getaway in Texas, I highly recommend checking out Bee Cave and staying at the Hill Country-chic Sonesta!

Dell Match Play: Your Dining Guide

22 Thursday Mar 2018

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in ATX Events, Austin, Texas, date night ideas, Dining, Snacks

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Amy's Ice Cream, Austin Country Club, Austin Events, Austin's Pizza, Dell Match Play, Dining Guide, golf tournaments, Mighty Cone, weekend activities, World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play

One of the most elite and exciting tournaments on golf’s calendar, the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play, is going down this weekend in Austin, TX. I think everyone who competes in, commentates on, attends or watches this event on TV falls a little bit in love with our fair city. The weather is absolutely divine, the setting is picturesque, and the food is on point! One thing most people don’t know about this tournament is that the dining options & entertainment offerings reflect the cool, hip #ATX vibe. In addition to the exciting play you’re sure to witness with golf’s top talent in the field, the Dell Match Play has become more than just a world-class golf event. Yep, it has really transformed into one of the most anticipated social & entertainment events of the year.DELL signUnlike some of the other more traditional or historic golf tournaments around the country, I believe this one is unique…it’s fun for both golf super-fans and those who may simply be fans of a good time. Even if someone isn’t a huge golf aficionado, they’ll find this event is perfect for enjoying a fun weekend out with friends. –There’s exceptional food, drinks, and entertainment all around! If you’ve already got your tickets, I want to share a handy entertainment guide to help plan your time at the tourney. Pretty Golf GreenBest Dining:  The Dell Technologies Match Play has more to offer than your average sporting event, and there’s no better illustration of that than in the food selection, which brings some of Austin’s best to Austin Country Club. If it’s variety you’re after, The Fan Village is calling your name. Located along the 16th hole, there are plenty of choices sure to satisfy everyone in your group. Seating and shaded areas give fans the chance to rest, relax and enjoy some delicious menu items.Torcy's Taco

  • For classic concession favorites visit The SHACK for a combo meal aptly named “Dustin’s Grand Slam,” which pays homage to him capturing the World Golf Championships Grand Slam last year.
  • For local favorites, pick up items from Michelthwait Craft Meats, best known for their BBQ.
  • Escape the heat at Amy’s Ice Creams, serving tasty cool treats. Get there early for their signature breakfast item, “Start the Jason Day,” a banana nut bread topped with maple ice cream named after the tournament’s 2016 champ.
  • No food tour is complete without stopping by Mighty Cone, who is returning this year to serve spicy fried meats & veggies inside a tortilla cone.
  • New in 2018, Oak Grove on 6 will be serving craft beers and delicious foods from local vendors like Torchy’s Tacos — their menu items are always made with the freshest ingredients.
  • If you want to try something new, swing by Austin’s Pizza for the PeppeRoryRoll, named after the 2015 champion (I think you can guess who it was).

Golf Ball & Tee

Healthy Eating Helpers

19 Monday Mar 2018

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Dining, Fitness, health & wellness, Life[style], Product Reviews, Snacks

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energy drinks, gluten free, health food, healthy eating, Hydrive Energy Water, lentil pasta, Modern Table, Munk Pack, Protein Cookies

With Spring Break behind us and Summer just around the corner, it’s time for me to start thinking about eating healthy again. I’ll admit: during my pregnancy, I threw caution to the wind and ate absolutely whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I joke that my 8-pound, 12-ounce babe emerged from the womb 40% larger than his older sister did because he was so bloated on all my ice cream sandwiches and breakfast tacos. Now that I’m 6-weeks postpartum and have established a breastfeeding routine, I think it’s safe to reign it in again. I am actually really interested in health food trends and new grocery store options in this area are fascinating to me! Here are a few products new to the health food aisles that I’m trying this month:

Protein-packed Pastas:  Lentil PastaHave you tried lentil-based pasta yet? –It’s so yummy! Recently, Modern Table reformulated its entire product line. Now, each variety of nourishing noodles features dramatically improved pasta texture achieved through a blend of lentils, rice and peas containing all nine essential amino acids for long-lasting energy, good digestion and improved muscle health. Ready in 15 mins or less, they’re particularly convenient for me right now…it’s tough to cook a warm meal with a new baby in the family! Plus, all pastas are non-GMO, vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free.

Supercharged Water:Hydrive Energy WaterHydrive Energy Water is a new refreshing zero-calorie energy drink that’s perfect for exercise hydration. The formulas are light & flavorful with caffeine and added B vitamins. Hydrive comes in six flavors including Black Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Triple Berry, Citrus Burst, Kiwi Melon and Grape Fusion. My favorite one is the Citrus Burst — it tastes like a Creamsicle! As a former Diet Coke-addict turned 100% soda-free, my hubs has really enjoyed trying out this new option to rehydrate & recharge his workouts. Hydrive is available at major retailers such as Walmart, Kroger & QuikTrip for around $1.89 a bottle.

Gluten-free (& Guilt-free!) Cookies:Protein CookieNow this is what I like to hear when it comes to cookies:  health food brand Munk Pack has launched Protein Cookies, featuring 18 grams of plant-protein per cookie. Even better, they are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, a good source of fiber, and available in four delicious flavors, including:  Coconut White Chocolate Macadamia, Double Dark Chocolate, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Oatmeal Raisin Spice. Even better, these ready-to-eat Protein Cookies have no soy, no dairy, no cholesterol and no sugar alcohols. –Convenient, on-the-go nutrition full of better-for-you fuel!

 

 

Life[style]: April ’17 — New Pantry Products

21 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Dining, Fitness, Life[style], Product Reviews, Shopping

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Canned Tuna, coffee, Community Coffee Company, gut health, ISO Thrive, microFood, prebiotics, probiotics, Safe Catch, Save the Coast, wild tuna

Trying out some newly-released pantry staples this month…

Safe Catch:  As y’all may or may not know, I was a pescetarian for about 7 years. Safe to say, I know my canned tuna — I’ve eaten A LOT over the years! Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna is by far one of the best I’ve found. Sustainable, super-healthy, and boasts the lowest mercury content of any brand — perfect for athletes & kids and safe for pregnant women.  Safe Catch tunaNot only does this brand test every single fish used in its products to ensure they are low in mercury, the ingredients used in their new seasoned line of tuna are equally as pure and natural. Plus, each can has over 28 grams of protein to keep you fueled & full for hours.

ISO Thrive:  My husband has gotten into taking probiotics lately. He likes to supplement with probiotics not only for health benefits, but for the weight-management properties as well. I partnered with ISOThrive —a gastroenterologist-endorsed, bacterially fermented microFood ‘pre’-biotic— to try out a new type of so-called probiotic. First, I learned why those probiotic yogurts never made me feel any better—the bacteria they were touting never made it to the part of my gut where they were needed! ISO Thrive

So-called “microFood” feeds the bacteria that are already in your gut, but aren’t getting the nutrition they need. Here’s what else I learned about what microFood can do:

1. Go where probiotics can’t
Most probiotics are neutralized in our stomachs and never make it to our lower digestive tract. To heal GI issues, the whole digestive system has to be re-balanced. A daily dose of fermented microFood like ISOThrive fuels the good bacteria to tackle the organisms that cause gas, bloating, and constipation.

2. Rebalance our diets the ancient way
Most modern diets lack nutrients to feed our “good” bacteria—more particularly, a very specific type of microFood that our ancestors got by eating lots of fermented vegetables or sourdough breads made from heirloom wheat. ISOThrive adds back this bacterially fermented food to rebalance our diets and keep our bacteria happy. (And, no, the sauerkraut on your hot dog or the kimchi on your bibimbap won’t get you the the microFood you need—you’d have to eat several cups of fermented veggies every day to get the same amount of microFood in one 1/4 teaspoon of ISOThrive microFood!)

3. Prep our bodies to prevent disease
Because the modern Western diet is so deficient in specially fermented microFood, our starving “good” gut bacteria are “breaking bad”—adapting to use other energy sources (such as our gut lining), and making us sick. Fermented microFood restores this imbalance, enhancing immune function and staving off disease.

Community Coffee:  Just in time for spring entertaining, Community Coffee Company’s new Amber Sunrise Blend is perfect for coffee drinkers who prefer a lighter roast with a smooth finish (try pairing it with this recipe for crème brûlée!).Community CoffeePlus, for every dollar redeemed on specially-marked coupons, Community will donate a matching dollar to land preservation efforts along the gulf coast, one of the largest threatened ecosystems in the world. You can learn more about this important cause and their new gulf coast campaign by visiting www.communitycoffee.com/Save-the-Coast

 

 

Making Winter Birthdays Special for Kids

04 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Austin, Texas, Baby Girl A, Dining, Everyday Joie, Gatherings, Holidays, Motherhood

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birthday parties, brisket, Dos Chivos, First birthday, Franklin Barbeque, Little Land Play Gym, Mr. Will, Second birthday, Texas Two Step, winter birthdays

frist-bday-cakeThey’ve just opened a plethora of presents under the tree and were drug to more holiday events than they can count.  As much as we try to make them feel special and not forgotten after the Christmas chaos, winter birthdays aren’t the best. Everyone’s coming down from that yule-tide high and ready to just #NetflixandChill. After those packed schedules that come with the holiday season, people are beginning to settle back into their regular routine and at this point, are frankly partied-out.

Personally, my summer birthday was awesome: close enough to the end of the school year to keep in touch with friends on event details, yet everyone was already bored & eager to gather for something fun, and there were boundless ideas for celebrating in the summer sun…I vividly remember amazing birthdays spent at the wave pool, the water park, and more.little-land-pic-1But what to do when the dreary days of January & February have most of us ready to hit the fast forward button to Easter? My little one has an early January birthday and last year I kept it low-key for her first birthday celebration. Admittedly, that approach was due to me feeling like I was still getting my shit together has a new mom and couldn’t fathom adding party planning into the mix. So we went for something small and intimate, no guest list to manage, no decorations to fuss over. I have a little twinge of mom-guilt over it, but we ended up skipping the traditional 1st bday party in lieu of a morning of simply doing an activity she loved. We chose to spend a couple hours at Little Land Play Gym before a Tex-Mex lunch with my parents joining us. A true Texas babe, her first birthday dessert was an avocado tres leches cake from Dos Chivos.little-land-pic-2This year, I am kinda taking the opposite approach…  Thankfully it is now in my capacity to take it up a few notches for her second birthday. We’re throwing our little one a Texas “2”-Step themed party. To kick things off, we are hosting local children’s music artist “Mr. Will” Dupuy for a live performance at our home. Y’all, he’s soooooo good: his kids songs sung with a Texas-country twang, laid back cowboy style, and jokes for the parents that go over the little one’s heads make for a kids concert that all attendees will enjoy. My daughter Alexandra has one of his branded t-shirts and whenever she sees it, she starts singing Wheels on the Bus…it’s super cute BUT…imagine how she’s going to flip her lid when she sees him live and in concert right from her living room!mr-will-picLunch will be catered by Austin’s famous Franklin Barbecue. –Have y’all tried their brisket? Some swear it’s the absolute best in Texas. This Eastside joint is a favorite of President Obama, celebrities, and famous chefs. However, due to their 2-hour wait (like at least 2 hours standing outside in line, with no guarantee that there will be any left for you when it’s your turn to order), we’ve never tasted its deliciousness in the 5 years we’ve lived here. There is a workaround, though: Pre-Orders. Place your large catering order online in advance and walk right up to pick it up at the designated time your choose. –Score!

Now, I know random things like Cedar Fever, toddler tantrums (these have officially started for us!), and last-minute guest cancellations can possibly put a damper on the day, but I’m hoping we fondly remember her epic second birthday party. I’m unabashedly looking forward to a pretty fantastic morning of music and BBQ. However we choose to celebrate birthdays, wether it be small & intimate or over-the-top, I hope my little one grows up knowing how valued she is each and every day of the year.

 

National Taco Day: free fajita tacos & fundraiser for Austin Children’s Shelter

04 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Charity Events, Dining, Holidays

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Austin, charity, for a good cause, free stuff, fundraisers, National Taco Day, tacos, Tex-Mex

Calling all my Tex-Mex lovers:  Today is National Taco Day!  Whew, I’ve never lived in a city with so many taco places:  from the fancy modern (La Condesa), to the trailer park (Torchy’s) to the drive-thru (Taco Cabana) — it’s head-spinning!  When I first moved to Austin, I would baffle at how there was a various taco option for every meal of the day.  Well, to celebrate today’s occasion, Austin Taco Cabanas will offer guests one FREE Chicken Fajita Taco from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4. ntd-image-1This event will also celebrate the launch of Taco Cabana’s month-long fundraiser, Taco Treat, to benefit the Austin Children’s Shelter.  Throughout October, local Taco Cabana guests can help raise money for the charity by purchasing $1 coupon books.  Coupon booklets include five free bean and cheese tacos and a buy-one-get-one Dr Pepper fountain drink – a $7 value, with 100% of the proceeds going to the organization.  So go ahead & grab some tacos for lunch AND dinner today — c’mon, it’s for the kids! 😉ntd-image-2

Liberty Kitchen now open in Austin!

27 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by blogjoiedevivre in Dining, Everyday Joie, Gatherings

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Austin restaurant, deviled eggs, F.E.E.D. TX Restaurant Group, fried oysters, Gulf coast dining, Liberty Kitchen

Houston-based F.E.E.D. TX Restaurant Group is expanding its culinary reach to Austin, bringing its much-loved Liberty Kitchen to the capitol city. Liberty Kitchen (LKATX) will be open seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends. The menu includes specially-created items just for the Austin restaurant, and the interior blends authentic Texas images with the playful design elements the group is known for.Liberty Kitchen dining room Austin

For their first venture outside of Houston, partners Lee Elis and Carl Eaves created a 3,800 square feet space at 507 Pressler, Suite 700 (entrance is on 5th Street) in the thriving Clarksville neighborhood. The 140-seat restaurant includes a full bar a private dining/multimedia room for up to 24 people, and a patio for outdoor dining. The Texas-centric details for the decor include coastal and West Texas photographs and printed yard sticks that spells out “The Stars at Night are Big and Bright,” for the ultimate ode to the Lone Star State.

The menu exemplifies Gulf Coast dining with a F.E.E.D. TX twist. Liberty Kitchen serves rotisserie meats and seafood, fresh oysters, plus new favorites such as the Georges Bank Haddie Chowder, Point Judith Squid & Sausage Stuffing, Vegetable Tagine, and the Deviled Egg Trial, an alluring combination of smoked salmon, fried oyster and bacon, Babi Guling, and pimento cheese and crab.Liberty Kitchen Mac-n-cheese

Liberty Kitchen’s culinary director and partner, Lance Fegen created the menu to appeal to the area, offering exciting but unpretentious choices. “All of our menus are different and cater to the neighborhood place we strive to be” Fegen said. “We are a neighborhood restaurant.”Oysters at Liberty Kitchen

Liberty Kitchen features a full bar with 29 beer taps specializing in Texas craft beer and two liquor taps with small batch bourbons or a classic cocktail. The classic cocktail menu was developed by Morgan Weber, Revival Market & Coltivare and soon to be 8-Row Flint Icehouse and Tacos, all in Houston.Liberty Kitchen Dining Room

For more information and full menu and hours visit http://www.libertykitchenatx.com or follow @lkatx on Twitter. You can also receive updates by liking Austin Liberty Kitchen on Facebook.

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