Sunday, April 22, 2012

A Food Guide to Austin, San Antonio, and San Marcos
*Please keep in mind that many a restaurant is not featured. If there are any I did not cover that demand attention, please share your review :)

Austin 

1. Chuy's 
Yummy Tex Mex and dangerous drinks(so strong, but you can't taste it).
For some reason, the Chuy's in DFW are terrible, but the ones in Austin and San Antonio are deliciouso.
Bonus for vegetarians: all veg head items are marked with a cartoon cow on the menu.

2. Amy's Ice Cream
The best ice cream I've ever had(besides homemade of course). The menu is constantly evolving with new flavor combinations are cartoon characters to keep the ADD kids interested. Like every place in Austin, the staff is genuinely friendly and will give you a show by tossing your ice cream in the air and catching it with a scoop. I got my old standby combo of Mexican Vanilla with Oreo cookies and Junior Mints. 


3. Magnolia's Cafe
As the gleaming lights will tell you, "Sorry We're Open". And open they are. 24 hours a day to be exact. 
The place is dripping with sarcasm and eclecticism. Mismatched tablecloths, high contrast photos of animals and the twins from The Shining, fake plants, and flamingos galore. The food's pretty good too... ha
I ordered one gingerbread pancake. Yes only one, because you would do good to down a single one, since it takes over the entire plate.
Bonus: The food is huge, the bill is small.

 Le Menu

 Our tablecloth.

The dessert and beer menu.

4. Big Top
Okay so this isn't a restaurant, it's a steam punk themed candy shop filled to the brim with every sweet you can imagine. Childhood treats you thought they stopped making can be found here, along with international treats and an old school soda jerk.
The boy and I found Curly Wurlys! I had never even heard of them until Vicar of Dibley, and have always been curious. I never been able to find them in the States until now. Woohoo! It's literal swirls of caramel covered in chocolate. They're actually pretty light with a little over 100 calories.




 

San Antonio

Ok so there was only one place we ate at while in San Antonio. But in my opinion, it's the only place worth eating at...Mi Terra. Not only does this place have yummy Mexican food, it's been family owned since the 40's(my former roommate's family actually owns it), it's located in Market Square(El Mercado) so there's plenty of shopping surrounding it, many a celebrity has eaten there, and the best part...they have a bakery!

Case upon case holds many a sweet. Many I have never seen before and can not pronounce the names of.


Traditional Mexican decor hangs from every ceiling.



San Marcos

Cedar's Mediterranean Restaurant is something I consistently crave. There's nothing special about the decor(thus the lack of pictures), but the food instantly makes up for that. If you have not had falafel before, run out to you're nearest Mediterranean spot and try it now! So so yummy! 
 

Monday, April 16, 2012

Vacation

As you may have noticed, I have been AWOL lately. Between my mom visiting and a trip to San Marcos/Austin/San Antonio, I've been busy busy. I didn't take too many pictures during the trip. I was just way too busy having fun. The pictures I did take I will post soon, and give you all a list of the wonderful places/restaurants that you must visit if you're ever in the area. My vacation was basically spent eating, shopping, eating, reuniting with old friends, shopping, and eating some more. Seriously there are SO many yummy restaurants there.

Later this week, I'll be traveling to Missouri to visit family and attend a childhood friend's wedding. :)

Much love,
Mary

Sunday, April 1, 2012

10 Things I Love This March

1. Planning for my vacation.
This time next week I will be headed for San Marcos, TX! Finally getting back to the place I love and have missed for so long!

2. Purple nail polish
I got this beautiful deep plum shade at my hair salon. It's so hard to find a purple without a shimmer, so I was quite pleased when I stumbled upon this. 

3. Chocolate Pudding Cake
This recipe from Positively Splendid is seriously my new addiction. So yummy and easy to make. I usually have every thing I need to make it on hand. 

4. All the rain we’ve been getting.
I've been treasuring every drop of rain that comes our way. I'm not looking forward to the Texas summer. At all. At all, at all.

5. Gathering recipes to give to my soon to be married cousin.
As a surprise at her bridal shower, we will be giving my cousin Amber a book of recipes from our own kitchens. Tried and true recipes are the best kind of recipes. :)
Amber and her fiancee Terrence.

6. Planting.
I've purchased two beautiful rose bushes for the front porch. As well as planted seeds of lavender and petunias. So excited! 

7. Getting things organized.
Our house hasn't exactly been err..organized as of late. Mainly the spare bedroom. I'll be honest, it's a disaster. As much as I try, I am simply not the Martha Stewart type. I love to cook and make things, but I'm not exactly quick about finishing things. (Example: My photo a day challenge..kind of a flop. But I will still try post the pictures I have taken. Promise!) 

8. Vicar of Dibley
<3 <3 <3

9. My new sewing machine.
My mom got me my first sewing machine as a every early birthday present! So excited! 
 
10. Finding out that I will be going to Alaska.
As a much belated graduation present(not that I'm complaining), my mom is taking me on an Alaskan cruise!! I'm super stoked. She is being very generous and I am so grateful that I'll be going on my very first cruise. Hope I don't get sea sick!