Friday Five: South Congress Edition

Today we took a stroll down our block to visit some of our favorite South Congress locations. If you've never been to Austin, this is one of the first districts people will tell you to visit as a tourist. South Congress is a renowned shopping district located in South Austin, and we're lucky to be located on this street!

1. When in Texas...
Austin is the only city where I've seen a cowboy riding a horse down a busy street, so I had to include this image. Plus, we have a great skyline. You can see our Capitol Building from any spot on South Congress.

2. Cup of Jo's

Ask any SoCo Sales Associate where to get a cup of coffee and they'll tell you Jo's. Not only does it have a great outdoor patio for people watching, but it is also home of the Belgian Bomber and Iced Turbo (for those who really need a jolt). You won't have any trouble finding Jo's, it's the one with the line of tourists taking "I Love You So Much" photos (see the guy below), and everyone should have an "I Love You So Much" photo. 

3.  Not So Secret Garden

Hotel San Jose has got to be my favorite hideout on South Congress. Even if you're not staying in the bungalow-style hotel, be sure to swing by their magical courtyard for a kickass happy hour. 

4. Quickie Lunch

When it's a busy day at the store, we're thankful for the many food trucks that grace the SoCo and SoFi neighborhoods. One of my favorites is Burro Cheese Kitchen. I had their Brie and Balsamic Apricot Fig spread on Easy Tiger Beer Bread and then I was hooked. A quickie Gourmet Grilled Cheese from an unassuming food trailer in the middle of your shopping day -- what more could you possibly want from life? 

5. But I want to sit down... 

Ok, so when you'd like to enjoy your coffee and lunch from a cozy booth or counter, then head on over to South Congress Cafe. For me it's more than their mouth-watering Carrot Cake French Toast and Belinis; a lot of my love for South Congress Cafe is because of the staff. The have some of the friendliest servers and bartenders in town. 

And hey, if you've made it to that neck of the woods, stop by next door, we'll be happy to see you!

Austin's Free Music Week | Stubb's Austin

Went to see The Rare Birds at Stubb's Austin during Free Music Week. If you haven't participated in Free Music Week, this is the best (and cheapest) way to check out local music and up & comers! The band sounded great, the BBQ smelled amazing and the beer was served cold with a side of attitude. Great night for music!

Girl's Day/Night Out - Blo Salon!

Looking for a fun night out with the girls or a way to get ready for a night out? Head to Blo Bar for awesome hairstyles, champagne and ambiance. With crystal chandeliers, Audrey and Marilyn photos and pink everything, this place is a nightmare for Butch McGee but a fun, pampering way to spend an afternoon with your best girls. In fact, this is where I got my sex-kitten 60's hair for my engagement photos and was one of the stops on my friend's Bachelorette Party Scavenger Hunt!

Clark's Oyster Bar Austin Review

Last year, Rusty and I along with two of our friends decided to forgo gifts and do an awesome holiday dinner instead. For our Second Annual Holiday dinner we headed to Clark's Oyster Bar on W. 6th. Here's the recap. 

The four of us shared a seafood tower, which included oysters, mussels, lobster, crab, shrimp and ceviche. There is not one complaint I can make about the food here; the oysters and shellfish are fresh and juicey and the ceviche, which was more like a slaw, was the creamy showstopper.

The seafood tower ($90) should be enough to feed four, but with our appetites, it took a few extras. We ordered a wedge salad and the shells and cheese (Mac & Cheese with Crab) and we were not disappointed. I could eat that Mac & Cheese every day for a year. The boys followed up with a Bloody Mary Oyster Bomb, which Rusty suggests over the Beer Oyster Bomb.

If there's one thing other than food that the McGuire/Moorman team (Perla's, Jeffrey's, Elizabeth Street Cafe and more) are known for, it's their ambiance. They are meticulous and detail-oriented from their color schemes to their waitstaff attire. Going to Clark's is like being swept away to a late-summer vacation in the Hamptons. Best of all, the polo-clad waiters know their oysters. A customer can simply describe their fabric oyster (gritty/not gritty, sweet/salty, etc.) and the waiters will make the perfect recommendations.

 Notes: Clark's will not take reservations for more than four people, and due to the tiny size, reservations are recommended. If you choose to wing-it, they do leave bar seating open for walk-ins.

Bon Appétit!

Ice Skating on the Roof of Whole Foods Austin

I was skeptical of ice skating on a grocery store roof, and for most part I was correct, but for $10/person (includes skate rental) this is a great outing for families with kids. We do not have kids, so it was more of a "glad we did it, but probably won't do it again" experience. (Note: This may be just my Northeastern Ohio snow-snobbery talking...)

Here's the photo recap:

The View

Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker

Headed to Ballet Austin's The Nutcracker this week with my favorite girls! Here's a photo recap:

BACKSTAGE 

The Angels await their cue

The Nutcracker Prince & a Snowflake

Mother Ginger

The Party Scene

Mother Ginger & Her Bon-Bons

Party Scene

GIRL'S NIGHT AT THE BALLET

Pre-show Happy Hour @ Paggi House

 

Shots from the Long Center Terrace. Best View in Downtown Austin!

After-Show Snacks @ Eddie V's on 5th.

 
VIEW FROM THE AUDIENCE