{"id":6463,"date":"2019-02-27T22:33:59","date_gmt":"2019-02-27T22:33:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diningtraveler.com\/?p=6463"},"modified":"2019-02-27T22:33:59","modified_gmt":"2019-02-27T22:33:59","slug":"escapes-a-foodie-weekend-in-austin-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diningtraveler.com\/2019\/02\/escapes-a-foodie-weekend-in-austin-texas.html","title":{"rendered":"Escapes: A Foodie Weekend in Austin, Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"
When I had to go to San Antonio for work this year, I knew this was an excellent opportunity to fit a foodie weekend in Austin, Texas. After all, it has been on my list for a while. I called a few cousins and we embarked on an exciting weekend of fun in one of the country\u2019s best southern cities.<\/p>\n W Austin<\/a>: This hotel is seriously fabulous. From the d\u00e9cor to the dining options to the pool to the service, it will exceed your expectations. Rooms are spacious, with huge beds,\u00a0 sitting areas, and luxurious bathrooms. Be sure to grab drinks in the \u201cLiving Room\u201d before or after dinner; it has a fantastic drink list and a DJ spinning tunes daily after 9pm. The location is also ideal: walking distance to restaurants and sites like Congress Bridge. Follow my advice and book a room if this you will be spending a in weekend in Austin anytime soon, it’s THE place to stay!<\/p>\n The city is filled with fun activities. The hard part is deciding what to do when you just have a weekend in Austin. Here are my picks:<\/p>\n Barton Spring Pools<\/a>: If you are visiting Austin in the spring or summer, you need to visit this spot. And by need to, I really mean it because you will want to cool off! The pools are fed from underground springs, so they are delightfully cool. There is plenty of grass for sunbathing, and then you can jump in as often as you like.<\/p>\n Congress Avenue Bridge\/Lady Bird Lake<\/a>: Every evening from March to October, over a million bats hide under the congress bridge, which crosses over Lady Bird Lake. Around sunset they all take off at the same time, which makes for a truly unique site! It is the largest urban bat colony in the world. There are also daytime and evening boat tours on the lake, which are a great way to see the city from a unique perspective.<\/p>\n Daytime pool party at the W Austin\u2019s Wet Deck<\/a>: Rent a cabana, order some cocktails and get ready for some serious relaxation. You can order snacks like chips and salsa or fresh fruit, sip drinks in the pool, people watch or just doze off on in a cabana. Music, sunshine, and friendly staff are in abundance: the makings for a perfect day.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s be realistic: the main reason to spend a weekend in Austin is to eat and drink!<\/p>\n El Naranjo<\/a>: This is one of the best Mexican food meals I have had the pleasure of consuming. Located on Rainey Street, which is lined with bars and restaurant, this upscale but cozy venue not only offers fantastic, boozy margaritas, but delicious fare from appetizers to dessert. The guacamole is creamy and freshly made, the best way to kick off your meal. The veggie tacos include saut\u00e9ed veggies doused in a smoky pasilla chili sauce, and mushroom empanadas are buttery, crispy and hearty.<\/p>\n For my entr\u00e9e, I had grilled veggies smothered in mole sauce and it was divine. You can choose from mole negro, which is a bold, dark, savory, cocoa-infused mole, mole verde which is a green mole, or mole amarillo, a light and herbaceous mole. Desserts change with the seasons, but all of their selections are great – if you saved room. El Naranjo is open for lunch, brunch and dinner.<\/p>\n The Beer Plant<\/a>: There\u2019s nothing that will cure your hangover like brunch at the beer plant. This vegetarian gastropub has beer, as well as champagne cocktails, and hangover curing dishes like biscuits and gravy, \u201cchicken\u201d and waffles, and a hearty potato and tofu scramble hash, with avocado, mushrooms and tomatoes. For something lighter, get the bagel with carrot lox, avocado toast, or tofu egg sandwich. Really, you can\u2019t go wrong!<\/p>\n East 6th Street: If you are looking for a rowdy crowd, head to East 6th Street. The street is lined with bars, some with rooftops, some with dancefloors, and even one with a giant jackalope statue. You can easily bar hop, and plenty offer great local beers and picnic bench style seating.<\/p>\n Trace<\/a>: The W Austin\u2019s signature restaurant has a gorgeous, modern d\u00e9cor, with indoor and outdoor seating. Grab a seat on their patio for brunch, order a mimosa and treat yourself to lemon poppyseed pancakes, grapefruit avocado toast, fresh fruit, or freshly fried donut holes.<\/p>\n<\/a>
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