One of my best friends has lived in Nashville for nearly two decades and I’ve been lucky to visit multiple times. Every visit is a little different, from young college kid to adult foodie, and it’s been fun returning and discovering more. This list includes places I visited on two visits in the last decade.

See below for recommendations on Nashville food, sweets, and drinks.

FOOD

Audrey

The flagship restaurant of Chef Sean Brock, Audrey celebrates traditional southern food inspired by his Appalachian roots. Named after his maternal grandmother, this restaurant has classic dishes on its menu like cornbread and grits, but the final presentation is elevated by quality ingredients and creative chefs. Their tasting menu, The Feast, is eight dishes served family-style for $75 per person. We were thrilled with the variety and size of the dishes and left very pleased with the meal.

Offering: Dinner, happy hour, weekend brunch

Neighborhood: Northeast, Mcferrin Park

Address: 809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Website: https://www.audreynashville.com/

Cafe Roze

This hip yet low-key spot was great for a spontaneous dinner. I’ll be wishing for the smoked trout dip and steak and frites. Both were excellent and among the best eats we enjoyed in Nashville.

Offering: Lunch, happy hour, dinner

Neighborhood: Eastwood

Address: 1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://www.caferoze.com/

Five Points Pizza

My friends tell me this is the best pizza in Nashville! I couldn’t verify since it’s the only pizza I had in Nashville but I really enjoyed it. I like that you can get it by the slice and the slices are huge! They have two locations.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: West, East

Address: 1012 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 and 4100 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Website: https://fivepointspizza.com/

Prince’s Hot Chicken

Known as the original Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken has seven locations and counting. We tried the X Hot (2 more levels after this) and it was pretty spicy. I think medium or hot would have had better flavor and you don’t want to order tenders.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple, including downtown and the airport

Address: See locations here

Website: https://www.princeshotchicken.com

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

While Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has expanded outside of Tennesee (yes, even Austin!), it continues to be a go-to hot chicken spot in Nashville. They have five levels of spicy, from no spice (Southern) to mouth-on-fire spicy (Shut the Cluck Up). I had the medium but probably wouldn’t have minded more heat. Also, you don’t want to miss the Pimento Mac & Cheese! Their banana pudding is also a guest favorite.

Offering: Spicy Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: Midtown Nashville (original location): 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 plus 4 locations in Nashville

Website: https://www.hattieb.com/

Far East Nashville

What a great vermicelli bowl! I had the Bun Fareast with Vietnamese BBQ pork and it came with vermicelli, crispy egg roll, shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot, sliced cucumber, basil and cilantro. We also started with the tofu fresh rolls, and Abbie got the pork banh mi.

Offering: Vietnamese cuisine, including bun, banh mi, and pho

Neighborhood: East, Watkins Park

Address: 614 18TH Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Website: http://www.fareastnashville.com/

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey is one of the most popular coffee shops in Nashville with multiple locations. They roast their beans so you know they’re serious about their coffee. They’re also a cafe so you can come for a casual meal.

Offering: Coffee; Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 4 locations in Nashville

Website: http://frothymonkey.com

Barista Parlor

We were advised by a local to find the best biscuits here and they did not disappoint! This sleek, modern, and hipster coffee shop is the perfect place to wake up slowly.

Offering: Coffee and snacks

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville

Website: https://baristaparlor.com/

SWEETS

Five Daughter’s Bakery

Yes, this bakery is worth all the hype! The 100 Layer Donut (a croissant donut) takes three days to make. You can never go wrong with a Quinn, their version of a kouign amaan. If you’re paleo or vegan, they have treats for you too.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville. See them here.

Website: http://www.fivedaughtersbakery.com/

Hattie Jane’s Creamery

This small-batch creamery is a Tennesee original and uses local dairy for their ice cream. They have two locations in Nashville, including one at Assembly Food Hall, one in Murfeesboro, and one in Columbia. I enjoyed their classic flavor Cookie Jar Supreme with cookies, brownies, and Oreos.

Offering: Ice cream

Neighborhood: Downtown, Donelson

Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 and 2418 Lebanon Pk, Nashville, TN 37124

Website: https://hattiejanescreamery.com/

Baked on 8th

This bakery is currently being renovated but you can order for pick-up. You’ll have a selection of slices of cake, cookies, treat bars, and more. You’ll find a lot of classic flavors here.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 1512 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Website: https://www.bakedon8th.com/

The Cupcake Collection

The cupcake tour continues! We stopped in The Cupcake Collection right when it opened and the bakery smells were so delightful. We got a four-pack with sweet potato, red velvet, blackout, and strawberry. Fans know best – their most popular sweet potato cupcake with cream cheese icing was my favorite! Can’t make it to Nashville? They ship!

Offering: Cupcakes

Neighborhood: Germantown, Lennox Village

Address: 1213 6th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37208 and 6900 Lenox Village Dr. Suite 15, Nashville, TN 37211

Website: http://www.thecupcakecollection.com/

Fox’s Donut Den

Good ole classic donuts. Because sometimes you don’t need crazy toppings or combinations. You want a classic glazed or a blueberry cake donut. We picked up a few donut holes, and they also sell gigantic, sheet-cake-sized donuts that serve as an alternative to a birthday cake. Stop in if you visit Parnassus Books next door.

Offering: Donuts

Neighborhood: South

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, TN 37215

Website: https://www.facebook.com/FoxsDonutDen/

DRINKS

Attaboy

The only other location of NYC’s award-winning bar of the same name, Attaboy in Nashville operates similarly to its original location. Expect modern and creative cocktails you order by telling the bartender your liquor and taste preferences. No reservations and you get in by waiting outside the door. They’ll be watching for your arrival. Our cocktails were $18 each.

Offering: Cocktails

Neighborhood: East, East End

Address: 8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us-1

Living Waters Brewing

We stopped in here for an afternoon beer. They have a few IPA options, though they brew all types of beer. They also have a coffee bar program, so you could drink both. It’s a cute spot with spacious table and lounge seating.

Offering: Craft beer, coffee

Neighborhood: East Hill

Address: 1056 E Trinity Ln #101, Nashville, TN 37216

Website: https://www.livingwatersbrewing.com/

Yazoo Brewing Company

One of the oldest breweries in Nashville, Yazoo Brewing Company is about 20 minutes from the downtown area. They have a taproom and tours available.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Madison Park

Address: 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN 37115

Website: http://yazoobrew.com/

Jackalope Brewing Company

One of the most popular breweries in Nashville since 2011, Jackalope Brewing Company moved spaces since I last visited and has a colorful taproom.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 429B Houston St., Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://jackalopebrew.com/

The Patterson House

This upscale bar with speakeasy vibes serves craft cocktails with a smile. While we had to wait a bit to get in (no reservations), the low-key atmosphere at the bar gave our laid-back night the cherry on top. Not to mention – the bartenders know their stuff and will help you find your next favorite cocktail.

Offering: Fancy cocktails

Neighborhood: Midtown

Address: 1711 Division St. Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://thepattersonnashville.com/

I can’t wait to go back to Nashville again because I still have a list of places to try! Here are some recommended places:

• SS Gai – Thai chicken street food
• Maiz De La Vida – tacos
• East Side Banh Mi – Vietnamese
• Mas Tacos Por Favor – tacos
• Otaku – ramen
• Catbird Seat – tasting menu
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Southern cuisine
• Loveless Café – Southern cuisine
• Biscuit Love –  brunch and biscuits
• Pinewood Social – American food and bowling
• The Treehouse – American cuisine
• The Pharmacy – burgers
• City House – rustic Italian
• Vui’s Kitchen – Vietnamese

What are your favorite restaurants in Nashville?

P.S. Want to read more about travel eats? Check out these posts:

• Chef’s Tasting at Rooster & Owl in Washington, DC
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Eating and Drinking on Big Island of Hawaii
• The Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List

The post Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Austin is very blessed to have an abundance of craft beer options, and it has grown incredibly since I first wrote about my love of craft beer in 2012. Back then, it was easy to have a goal of visiting all the breweries. Now, I consistently have at least 10 breweries to visit because new breweries are always opening. It’s a great problem to have. This list has 62 Austin brewery locations!

Must-Visit Breweries in Austin

Ok, now you’re thinking, 62 breweries?! I only need one or two recommendations! Let me narrow it down for you with a quick list.

• Jester King Brewery – Known for its beautiful acres of land and its farmhouse and barrel-aged ales. GOAT? Yes, they have goats!
• Austin Beerworks – Known for its artistic cans and fun beers
• Pinthouse – If you love IPAs and pizza. They have multiple locations
• Meanwhile Brewing – Hill Country vibes in the city and has the best selection of food trucks
• Austin Beer Garden Brewing (AGBG) – They won best brewpub three years in a row at the Great American Beer Festival along with multiple awards for their beers
• Zilker Brewing Company – I’m consistently impressed with the number of beers they release. IPA lovers should try Heavenly Daze.

Austin Brewery Crawls

You can join a brewery tour company for your beer shindig, but to be entirely in control of where we go, when we go, etc., and make it as affordable as possible, I suggest renting a bus or finding a designated driver. You can easily hop to a few breweries to try out their beers.

In the brew-borhood of North Austin, you’ll find five breweries in a two-mile radius.

In the Hill Country, Jester King Brewery, Beerburg Brewing, and Last Stand Brewing Company are all on Fitzhugh Road and very close to each other.

In South Austin, you’ll find proximity between Meanwhile Brewing, Independence Brewing Co, and Pinthouse. Across I-35, St. Elmo Brewing Company, (512) Brewing Company, and Vacancy Brewing are within walking distance.

I also recommend the Red Line Brewery Tour by taking the Capital MetroRail to visit different areas. There are six rail stops that will get you to eight breweries. The stops are usually two or three blocks away. Here’s the list:

• Kramer Station: Circle Brewing Company and Hopsquad Brewing Co
• Crestview Station: Black Star Co-op Pub & Brewery
• Highland Station: The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen
• MLK Station: Oddwood Ales
• Plaza Saltillo Station: Zilker Brewing Company and Lazarus Brewing
• Downtown Station: Central District Brewing

Below, the breweries are divided by area, and at the bottom of this post is a handy map of all the Austin breweries. Having a food option is important for breweries and I’ve noted if a brewery has a permanent food truck or an in-house kitchen.

I’ve included an * for my favorites/recommendations in each area.

Please check brewery websites and social media accounts before visiting for the most current updates and hours!

North Austin Breweries

I’m slightly biased because the North Austin Breweries are the closest to where I live – this is my favorite area for a brewery crawl. These breweries also have solid food trucks!

1. *Austin Beerworks
Address: 3009 Industrial Terrace, Austin, TX 78758
Website: http://austinbeerworks.com/
Food: Can-tina (In-house taco truck)

2. Celis Brewery
Address: 10001 Metric Blvd. Austin, Texas 78758
Website: https://www.celisbeers.com/
Food: Backdraft Pizzeria (pizza)

3. *Hopsquad Brewing Co
Address: 2307 Kramer Ln, Austin, TX 78758
Website: http://hopsquad.com/
Food: Dough Squad

4. *Big Country Organic Brewing Co
Address: 2400 Patterson Industrial Dr, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Website: https://www.bigcountrytaproom.com/
Food: In-house kitchen for burgers, tacos, wings

Central/Downtown Austin Breweries

This is my second favorite area to visit for breweries. Zilker Brewing Company and Lazarus Brewing Co. are within walking distance from each other on East 6th and both have solid beers.

1. Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches
Address: 3220 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
Website: https://www.batchatx.com/
Food: kolaches and klobasneks

2. Black Star Co-op
Address: 7020 Easy Wind Dr, Austin, TX 78752
Website: https://blackstar.coop/
Food: In-house burgers and snacks

3. Blue Owl Brewing
Address: 2400 E Cesar Chavez St #300, Austin, TX 78702
Website: http://blueowlbrewing.com/
Food: across the street from La Barbecue

4. The Brewtorium
Address: 6015 Dillard Cir A, Austin, TX 78752
Website: http://thebrewtorium.com/
Food: In-house kitchen with German-inspired snacks

5. Central District Brewing
Address: 417 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
Website: http://centraldistrictbrewing.com/

6. Central Machine Works Brewery
Address: 4824 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702
Website: https://www.cmwbrewery.com/
Food: In-house sandwiches and pizza

7. Hi Sign Brewing
Address: 730 Shady Ln, Austin, TX 78702
Website: http://www.hisignbrewing.com/
Food: Burro Cheese Kitchen (grilled cheese)

8. Holdout Brewing
Address: 1208 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78703
Website: https://holdoutbrewing.com/
Food: In-house burgers

9. *Lazarus Brewing Company
Address: 1902 E 6th St, Austin TX 78702 and 4803 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751
Website: http://www.lazarusbrewing.com/
Food: In-house tacos and Mexican

10. *Oddwood Ales
Address: 3108 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
Website: https://www.oddwoodales.com/
Food: In-house pizza

11. *Pinthouse
Address: 4729 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Website: https://pinthousepizza.com/
Food: In-house pizza

12. Southern Heights Brewing Co.
Address: 6014 Techni Center Dr, Ste 2-101, Austin, TX 78721
Website: http://www.southernheightsbrewing.com/

13. The Stay Put
Address: 73 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Website: https://www.stayputbrewery.com/
Food: Nearby food trailers on Rainey St

14. *Zilker Brewing Co.
Address: 1701 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
Website: http://www.zilkerbeer.com/
Food: Spicy Boys Chicken (fried chicken and Thai)

West Austin Breweries

1. Infamous Brewing Company
Address: 4602 Weletka Dr, Austin, TX 78734
Website: http://www.infamousbrewing.com/
Food: In-house snacks

2. Oasis Texas Brewing Company
Address: 6550 Comanche Trail #301, Austin, TX 78732
Website: http://otxbc.com/
Food: In-house burgers and salads

Hill Country Breweries

This area on West 290 is popping up with breweries like wildfire! These breweries are located in Dripping Springs, Driftwood, and Cedar Valley. With plenty of land out here, there’s a lot of room to build a brewery setup and create a destination for guests to enjoy the Hill Country. You’ll find many breweries on Fitzhugh Road.

1. 12 Fox Beer Co
Address: 4700 W Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://12foxbeer.com/
Food: In-house barbecue

2. Acopon Brewing Co
Address: 211 W. Mercer St., Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: http://www.acoponbrewing.com/

3. Bell Springs Brewing Company
Address: 3700 Bell Springs Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://www.bellspringsbrewing.com/
Food: In-house snacks and sandwiches

4. Family Business Beer Company
Address: 19510 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://familybusinessbeerco.com/
Food: In-house pizza truck

5. Fitzhugh Brewing
Address: 15435 Fitzhugh Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://www.fitzhughbrewing.com/
Food: In-house bar food, pizza, salads

6. Ghost Note Brewing
Address: 23663 Ranch Road 12, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://www.ghostnotebrewing.com/
Food: Betty Mae’s Gulf Coast Kitchen (seafood, cajun/creole)

7. Hitmaker Brewing Company
Address: 11160 Circle Dr, Austin, TX 78736
Website: https://www.hitmakerbrewing.com/

8. *Jester King Brewery
Address: 13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX 78736
Website: http://jesterkingbrewery.com/
Food: In-house pizza

9. Last Stand Brewery
Note: they also have a location in South Austin
Address: 12345 Pauls Valley Rd, Austin, TX 78737
Website: http://www.laststandbrewing.com/
Food: In-house sandwiches, bar food

10. Suds Monkey
Address: 1032 Canyon Bend Dr, Ste A, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://sudsmonkeybrew.com/
Food: In-house pizza

11. Twisted X Brewing Company
Address: 23455 W RR 150, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Website: https://www.twistedxbrewing.com/

12. Vista Brewing
Address: 13551 Ranch to Market Rd 150, Driftwood, TX 78619
Website: https://vistabrewingtx.com/
Food: In-house snacks and sandwiches

South Austin Breweries

1. (512) Brewing Company
Address: 407 Radam Ln, Austin, TX 78745
Website: http://www.512brewing.com/

2. The ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing)
Address: 1305 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704
Website: https://theabgb.com/
Food: In-house pizza and sandwiches

3. Hi Sign Brewing
Address: 730 Shady Ln, Austin, TX 78702
Website: http://www.hisignbrewing.com/
Food: Burro Cheese Kitchen (grilled cheese)

4. Independence Brewing Co.
Address: 3913 Todd Ln #607, Austin, TX 78744
Website: http://independencebrewing.com/
Food: Hajima Street Kitchen (Korean)

5. Last Stand Brewing
Note: they also have a location outside of Austin, listed under Hill Country
Address: 7601 S Congress, Building 6, Austin, TX 78745
Website: https://www.laststandbrewing.com/
Food: In-house kitchen serving bar snacks

6. *Live Oak Brewing Company
Address: 1615 Crozier Ln, Del Valle, TX 78617
Website: http://liveoakbrewing.com/
Food: The Black Forest (German comfort food)

7. *Meanwhile Brewing
Address: 3901 Promontory Point Dr, Austin, TX 78744
Website: https://www.meanwhilebeer.com/
Food: Besame (ice cream), Distant Relatives (barbecue), Pueblo Viejo (tacos), Side Eye Pie (pizza), Songbird (sandwich/salad)

8. Nomadic Beerworks
Address: 3804 Woodbury Dr, Suite A, Austin, TX 78704
Website: https://www.nomadicbeerworks.com/
Food: In-house panini sandwiches

9. *Pinthouse
Address: 4236 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704 and 2201 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, Texas 78741
Website: https://pinthousepizza.com/
Food: In-house pizza

10. *St. Elmo Brewing Company
Address: 440 E St Elmo Rd G-2, Austin, TX 78745
Website: http://www.stelmobrewing.com/
Food: Spicy Boys Chicken (fried chicken and Thai)

11. Vacancy Brewing
Address: 415 E St Elmo Rd 1-D2, Austin, TX 78745
Website: https://vacancybrewing.com/
Food: SXSE Food Co (Southeast Asian) – See Chef’s Tasting here

North Austin Suburb Breweries

Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Liberty Hill, Taylor, Georgetown – they like beer too! I have a few left to visit in this area, but so far my favorites are Bluebonnet Beer Company and Rentsch Brewery.

1. Barking Armadillo Brewing
Address: 507 River Bend, Georgetown, TX 78628
Website: https://barkingarmadillo.com/
Food: Rotating food trucks

2. *Bluebonnet Beer Company
Address: 1700 Bryant Dr #107, Round Rock, TX 78664
Website: https://bluebonnetbeerco.com/
Food: Rotating food trucks

3. Bull Creek Brewing
Address: 7100 FM 3405, Liberty Hill, TX 78642
Website: http://www.bullcreekbrewing.com/

4. *Pinthouse
Address: 2800 Hoppe Trail, Round Rock, TX 78681
Website: https://pinthousepizza.com/
Food: In-house pizza

5. Red Horn Coffee House and Brewing Co
Address: 13010 W Parmer Ln #800, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Website: https://redhornbrew.com/
Food: In-house sandwiches

6. *Rentsch Brewery
Address: 2500 NE Inner Loop Ste 3105, Georgetown, TX 78626
Website: https://rentschbrewery.com/
Food: Rotating food trucks

7. San Gabriel River Brewery
Address: 500 Chaparral Dr, Liberty Hill, TX 78641
Website: http://www.sangabrielriverbrewery.com/home

8. Slackers Brewing Co
Address: 12233 Ranch Rd 620 N #204, Austin, TX 78750
Website: https://slackersbrewing.com/
Food: In-house sandwiches and snacks

9. Strange Land Brewery
Address: 2500 NE Inner Loop, Georgetown, TX 78626 (they share a location with Rentsch Brewery)
Website: https://strangelandbrewery.com/

10. Texas Beer Co.
Address: 201 N Main St, Taylor, TX 76574
Website: https://www.texasbeerco.com/

11. Whitestone Brewery
Address: 601 E Whitestone Blvd, Suite #500, Cedar Park, TX 78613 and 15390 W State Hwy 29, Liberty Hill, Building 2 & 3, TX 78642
Website: http://www.whitestonebrewery.com/
Food: Van’s Damn Tasty Tacos & Ronburguesas (tacos and burgers)

Austin Brewery Map

Use this Austin brewery guide to find a brewery near you!

• Blue = North Austin
• Green = Central/Downtown
• Red = South
• Purple = Hill Country
• Orange = West
• Yellow = North Austin Suburbs

What’s your favorite craft brewery in Austin?

Save this post for later!

The post Ultimate Austin Brewery Guide appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

When we were planning the Napa trip, I thought maybe it would be my chance. Russian River Brewing, located in Santa Rosa and about an hour from Napa, is distributed in California, so maybe I could find Pliny the Elder at a local bottle shop. Since this trip would be all about my friend’s birthday, I wouldn’t make it a quest (hello, type A trip planner here), but I’d be pretty happy if the stars aligned.

The first day, we walked to a nearby Whole Foods to pick up some snacks and I walked by the beer coolers, just in case…YES there it was! I casually (probably not casually) brought this up to our group and we bought four bottles to start. There was a lot of wine in our future after all.

Pliny the Elder, the Roman author, and philosopher, is thought to be the first person who referenced hops in this writing. Pliny the Elder, the beer, is named after this first hops enthusiast. Rightly so, as the beer is a double IPA with four kinds of hops. It really is one of the best beers I’ve ever had. This beer is hoppy yet refreshing and very approachable for being a double IPA. The balanced flavors of pine, citrus, and floral are well-blended.

After enjoying our first sips of Pliny the Elder in the hot tub at our house, we took a road trip a few days later to visit its birthplace – Russian River Brewing. We were able to try many of their beers on tap, including Blind Pig (another of their flagship beers) and Pliny for President (a dry-hopped limited release). Their special releases and marketing may have helped drive their popularity, but at the foundation is an excellent beer worthy of praise.

It’s satisfying and surreal to have experienced something you’ve thought about for so long. But I’m also left wondering, did I drink the best beer I’ll ever have? The good thing is, there is a lot of fantastic beer out there, so I’ll keep tasting, just to make sure.

P.S. If you can’t get any Pliny the Elder, here are some hoppy beers you could find in a store near you:

• Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
• Lone Pint Brewery’s Yellow Rose
• 4th Tap’s Stay Gold
• IPAs from Pinthouse and Zilker Brewing

P.P.S. Looking for more posts about beer? See my Ultimate Austin Brewery Guide or my experience with an Italian brewery.

You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post I Crossed Pliny the Elder Off My Bucket List appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Dinner at Sway at The Domain
We were excited to visit Sway at Rock Rose at The Domain. We’ve been waiting for the restaurant to open since it was announced. Same design and feel as its original location on South 1st. We got the whole fried fish, though we were a little disappointed that it wasn’t as crispy as we’d like. We liked the soft-shell crab. It’s been a while since I got the Thai tea affogato and it did not disappoint! It’s easily one of my favorite desserts in town.

Brunch at First Watch
This chain restaurant recently opened a handful of locations in the Austin area, taking over locations of The Egg and I. We shared an eggs benedict and French toast, both solid!

Homemade Tacos
Enthusiasm for my cookbook challenge has simmered considerably but we’re still cooking most of our dinners at home. These were simple street-taco-style tacos with beef, onion, cilantro, lime, and salsa on corn tortillas.

Totchos at PDQ (Complimentary)
Top fried potato things with anything and I’m down! PDQ invited me in to try their new totchos and even though they gave me a complimentary meal, I almost licked the plate. The tater tots are topped with bacon, Fritos, scallions, queso, and ranch. I also tried their Thai chicken rice bowl, which was great also.

Craft Beer and Snacks at The Brewtorium
Propeller Head IPA was a good one at The Brewtorium and I’m glad I visited this place! I love their big, open space, and I bet it will be a happening place this summer. If you visit, come hungry because they’ve got a good menu too. We tried the pretzel with beer cheese along with their potato pot-stickers and brat pot-stickers. I’m definitely coming back for pizza and more beer!

Happy Hour at Academia (Complimentary)
Academia invited me in to check out their new bar on 4th Street. School-themed décor, including a file folder menu, are throughout the place. They have a strong cocktail program and with $5 happy hour drinks, who wouldn’t be a fan? Be sure to get the crab cakes!

Dinner at Julie’s Noodles
When Boyfriend suggests eating noodles, I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT! We went to Julie’s Noodles for soup dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, and noodle soup. Surprisingly, the beef burrito, which was beef wrapped in a scallion pancake was the best thing we ate.

Lunch at Noon
Have y’all visited the newly branded Noon yet? (It used to be Verts.) It’s like a Subway or Chipotle but with Mediterranean food. I like the concept but I’ve gone twice and both times some of my food was too salty. My dining mates liked it though so it was either my dish or my taste buds.

Brunch at Le Politique
I came here for the pastries! Added this delicious kouign amann to my blog list. My eggs benedict was all right. Have you eaten here for dinner? What’s your favorite dish here? I want to like this restaurant because the design is great but I’ll likely only pop into their bakery and grab some pastries to go.

Iced Chai at Merit Coffee
This coffee shop at Seaholm is from San Antonio and their location makes it a happening place. Janna and I sipped drinks outside and waited out a passing thunderstorm. My iced chai was good!

Austin Food Bloggers Alliance Happy Hour (Complimentary)
It’s been a while since I attended a happy hour! We have an awesome food bloggers group in Austin and we have monthly happy hours sponsored by restaurants and/or brands. This month, Lantana Hummus hosted us in their beautiful space and invited Rays Spirits, Mighty Swell, and Siete Foods to join us. It was a lovely evening outside and we got to try all the goodies. We even got to be a part of their user testing for their NEW line of fruit hummus coming out this fall!

Other Food Stuff

• Austin Chronicle released their First Plates awards of the year. This honors the best restaurants in town.
• James Beard Awards for 2018 were announced.
• Coming soon to the blog are my recommendations for what to eat and drink in Mexico City! Stay tuned.

What’s one thing (food/restaurant) I should try this month?

P.S. Want to see the best foodie events in Austin? Check out this list.

Keep up with my food adventures! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Flavors of the Month: May 2018 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Happy Hour at Yuyo
I couldn’t have started off the year better than with a fantastic first visit at Yuyo. It’s been a while since I’ve been excited and pleased with a new restaurant opening, and this new Peruvian restaurant on the east side is a shining star. How come? The staff exudes enthusiasm and expertise about Peruvian cuisine and the food has the chops to back up their enthusiasm. I would order every dish again. On our table: Yuquitas (fried yuca cheese sticks), Causa Nacional (kind of like chicken salad), Cebiche Clasico (love the addition of yuyo – seaweed), chifles (plantain chips), and ended with a Lucuma Sundae. There’s a reason why you keep hearing about this restaurant lately. It’s new and it’s the real deal.

Dinner at Mirchi
My first experience at Mirchi a few months ago had me giggling because we felt like fish out of water. The menu is a list of dishes with no descriptions, and the first time around, we had a hard time understanding our server, so we ended up picking some random dishes and got one dish that was way too spicy. But dang, the food was good. So, we went back. This time was a little less awkward since we knew what to expect. We also got a different server who was able to explain the dishes more. The food was fantastic again and we laughed saying, “remember the first time we came here and were so lost?” Adventures, guys. Live for the adventures. Oh, and if you come here, I recommend the roti and goat korma. If you’re not a fan of goat, they have other proteins to chose from on the menu.

Lunch at La Barbecue
Back when La Barbecue was a trailer… They moved to their brick-and-mortar spot inside Quickie Pickie not too long ago, and their barbecue is still top-notch. Brisket gets a lot of glory but if you’re looking for the good stuff, get the beef ribs. Because it is ginormous and delicious. I didn’t love the potato salad but the mac and cheese was piping hot melted cheese with pasta shells and I’m not sure you can go wrong there. But the meat is magic.

Brunch at Rapscallion (Dallas)
A quick weekend trip to Dallas in January included brunch at Rapscallion, a restaurant I’ve been wanting to try. I’m a fan of their sister restaurant Boulevardier in the Bishop Arts District. I went for the Smoked Chicken Hash plus a biscuit on the side. It wasn’t the best brunch ever but I enjoyed it. That biscuit was my favorite part.

Pastries at Village Baking Co. (Dallas)
I’m glad this bakery is not in Austin because I would definitely have a major problem. (Because I love pastries.) You’ll know you’ve come to the right place when you breathe in the comforting and captivating smells of baked goods as you walk in. Now, try not to buy one of everything. I’m a sucker for croissants and kouign amann, and they are fantastic. It’s going to be hard not to make this a regular spot when I visit Dallas!

Legacy Food Hall (Dallas) and Unlawful Assembly Brewing Company (Dallas)
Dallas got a new food hall and it’s beautiful. It’s next to a busy outdoor shopping mall, so it can be a little chaotic, but parking is free and somewhat plentiful if you don’t mind walking for it. This food hall has more than 30 food stalls, including some favorites like Monkey Noodle Company and Glazed Donuts, indoor and outdoor seating, AND a microbrewery at the very top. Veeeerry impressive. I liked my Blind Justice IPA.

Gelateria Gemelli
Here again. Not sad about it! Dark chocolate and salted caramel were a great combination.

HayleyCakes and Cookies
I’ve been following HayleyCakes and Cookies, an Austin bakery, on the IG for a while. Their cookies are so beautifully decorated! Well, lucky me, my friend Janna brought me a cookie and I scarfed it down and yes, it was everything I hoped and dreamed. So, if you need some custom cookies made or if you can swing by their shop out on 2222, check them out!

Pierogi at Austin Pierogi
I grew up eating and loving dumplings. They were the Chinese kind, but I know a dumpling and this is the kind of dumpling I didn’t know I wanted. A pierogi is a Polish dumpling and this one had potato and cheese, a winning combination. Find these at the farmers markets around town!

Circle Brewing Co. and Girl Scout Cookies
Circle Brewing hosted a beer and Girl Scout cookie pairing event and it was a hit! Their pairings were spot on. My friend Caitlin put together a beer and Girl Scout cookie pairing guide for you – enjoy!

Fareground
Austin jumped into the food hall fun with the opening of Fareground. It features a beautiful space, outdoor and indoor seating, a bar, and seven of Austin’s best restaurants. Pastries, tacos, cheese, and even sushi are available. Read more details here. As I mentioned in my Instagram post, I was frustrated by downtown parking. It’s good to know their parking garage is $3 for 30 minutes with validation, which is reasonable compared to the regular $7 for 30 minutes.

I also said that you can get a better experience with the restaurants at their original location. These restaurants are some of the best in town and some of them (minus Antonelli’s and Easy Tiger) are essentially providing a different product here. It’s different when you sit down in a restaurant, order from a waiter, and get the full experience. Fareground is great if you want to try a bunch of bites from each place.

Pictured are shortrib salad from Henbit, bites from Ni-Kome, and pastries from Easy Tiger.

Craft Beer at Southern Heights Brewery
New brewery in Austin! I mentioned this brewery when I went to the Texas Craft Brewers Festival last September. Little did I know that it is IPA central! They have three of them on tap and my favorite in name and taste is ‘Dave’s not here, man.’ I like their desert chic vibes with the ombre décor. It reminds me a little of Zilker Brewing. Great addition on the east side. It’s looking more and more like craft breweries are minutes away from wherever you are in Austin.

Snacks at Mongers
If you like seafood and haven’t been to Mongers yet, this restaurant should be at the top of your list! I know I’ve talked about them before and with every visit, I like it more and more.

Fairweather Cider Co.
This cidery opened in December and I can’t get enough. They’ve got dry ciders that aren’t overly sweet and are constantly releasing new flavors. Get you some.

Food News

• I’m a fan of Chef’s Table, the Netflix show, so I’m excited to hear they are coming out with a new show focused on pastry! Hello, dessert heaven!
• Is this a once-in-a-lifetime dream party or what?! Justin Timberlake music and Rene Redzepi food.
• Chocolate extinction coming? Say it ain’t so!
• How much do some restaurants make off of meals? Not as much as you might think.

What’s one thing (food/restaurant) I should try this month?

P.S. Want to volunteer in Austin? Check out these culinary-related opportunities.

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Flavors of the Month: January 2018 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Did you know there’s a type of craft beer that originated in Italy?

You heard me correctly. Italy, the world’s largest wine producer and one of the oldest wine regions in the world, not only makes craft beer but created a beer type called Italian Grape Ale. It comes as no surprise that the beer’s secret ingredient is wine!

Birradamare: Italian Craft Brewery

Birradamare can mean two different things in Italian, “beer to love” or “beer of the sea,” and is fitting for a brewery born in Rome. Since 2004, co-founders Massimo Salvatori and Elio Miceli have brewed over 20 beers at Birradamare.

I was lucky to meet Massimo during his first trip to Texas from Rome. With tastings and events in multiple cities, his whirlwind trip was all about connecting with beer lovers, making stops at restaurants, stores, and events.

Yes, when you visit Italy, you’re not only limited to wine. There are over 400 craft breweries in the country! Lucky for us, we can taste Italian craft beer in the U.S.

Birradamare’s Craft Beers

Here are some notes from GlobalLux, Birradamare’s importer, about the eight beers available in Austin and the U.S.

• Onda Bionda: Blonda Lager. German-inspired Hellbock beer with the perfect balance between malt, hops, and alcohol. Though it’s full-bodied, it’s fruity and fresh, making it easy to drink.
• ‘Na Biretta Rossa: Red Lager. Double-malt, deep amber-colored beer, clearly inspired by a German Bock. It shows a clear, soft, and enveloping body, with a strong toasted malt flavor.
• Raaf: Smoked Lager. Inspired by a Rauch beer, is characterized by a slightly smoked flavor due to the use of malts dried on beechwood. With a defined and copper-colored body, not particularly hopped, and a fine foam.
• Bifuel: Italian Grape Ale. A one-of-a-kind beer created from the combination of Vermentino wine and moderately hopped wort. The result is a sparkling blonde beer with a rich bouquet that is fruity and delicate to the nose and mouth.
• Birra Roma: Amber Lager. Intense golden-colored beer of medium bitterness inspired by a German Marzen. Its malted scent is immediately clear. Soft and bitter, it’s toasted with a smokey aftertaste.
• LaZiaAle: Flavored ale. This beer is a light and delicate ale where artichokes and rosemary, typical products of the Latium coast, give aromatic and balsamic notes that strongly characterize the beer.
• Nera: Black Lager. This German Schwartz-inspired beer has a dark and impenetrable color. Its intense nose hits you with an aroma of toasted malt with hints of chocolate, licorice, and coffee.
• Shock: Red Ale. A highly-fermented amber inspired by Belgian ales. Our version is rich in malt and soft and powerful. It lingers pleasantly in the mouth, is well-balanced and slightly spicy.

While all the beers are pretty good, I think the Bifuel and LaZiaAle are the unique Birradamare beers you should try. Bifuel, the Italian Grape Ale, is light yet flavorful. It’s so interesting that artichokes and rosemary are used to make the LaZiaAle, and it’s very drinkable. As with any beer, which you should drink depends on what you’re eating or doing.

Where to Find Birradamare?

Not only is Birradamare growing through more varieties of beer, but in addition to Texas and the United States, they distribute their beer in Europe, Australia, Japan, and Thailand, with sights on more countries. Their distribution plans focus on importers they know around the world. They currently bottle and distribute eight of their beers. You can find them in specialty food and beverage shops.

In Austin, you can find the beers at:

• Thom’s Market
• WhichCraft Beer Store
• Desano Pizzeria

Conclusion

Massimo and I bonded over beer and the weather, which at the time had been a cool “faux fall” in Austin (it became too hot to be classified as fall after that) and very similar to Italian fall. “September to October is a great time to visit Italy,” he said, so I’m holding you to it, Massimo! I’m hoping to come drink beer at your brewery soon enough. Until then, I’ll be finding Birradamare in restaurants and grocery stores, dreaming about my trip to Italy.

Want to read more about Italy’s craft breweries? Check out this Eater article or this Beer Connoisseur article.

P.S. Want to read more about craft beer? Take a look at this post about Austin’s craft breweries.

Keep up with me! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Birradamare: Brewing Italian Craft Beer and Making Italian Grape Ale Famous appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Vodka and Sprite. That used to be my alcoholic drink of choice. In my usual ‘late bloomer’ fashion, I started drinking later than most of my college friends, and beer was never my first choice. Beer, the watery amber liquid that smelled and tasted unpleasant, had one job, and that was to fill red solo cups for beer pong or flip cup.

Fast forward to post-college and my discovery of craft breweries in Austin. I’ll admit, I was first attracted by the craft and the passion of the brewers, not the taste of beer, though it was different and much better than the first beers I had tasted in my life. I eventually found appreciation for the flavor of beer after visits and tastings at brewery after brewery. My go-to, favorite beers have shifted from light lagers to hoppy and smooth IPAs.

The past couple of years have propelled my love of craft beer to new heights. It was my first time attending the Texas Craft Brewers Festival, but I know it won’t be the last! The weather was great, though slightly warm, and the beer was tasty and plentiful.

Produced annually by the Texas Craft Brewers Guild since 2003, the Texas Craft Brewers Festival featured 65ish Texas breweries sharing at least two beers each. We see new Austin breweries popping up constantly, but the fest was a strong reminder that new craft beer is being brewed all over Texas. The area most notable to me was the suburbs of Houston. Dallas and Austin also had strong showings. I was glad to see Big Bend Brewing Co and Lone Pint Brewery, two of the more hard-to-get-to breweries we’ve visited, there also.

For about $30, each ticket provided eight three-ounce pours, 24 ounces total per TABC rules. You could buy eight more three-ounce pours for $5.

Some brewers had special tappings that were released at different times throughout the festival.

Next year, I won’t forget my snack necklace! As the maker and wearer of this necklace explained, bringing in outside food and drink is prohibited, but edible jewelry isn’t!

Even though I didn’t wear a snack necklace, I satisfied my munchies at the fest. The food vendors included Salt & Time Butcher Shop and Salumeria, Noble Sandwich Co., Oasis Texas Brewing Company, M’lady’s Bakery, Napa Flats Wood-Fired Kitchen Austin, YAPA Artisan Empanadas, Johnny Joe’s BBQ & Catering, and Leo’s Gorditas.

I aimed for breweries I hadn’t visited with beers I thought I would like. Many of those beers were in the Houston area. Here are a few of the beers I tried:

• Braman Brewing (Richmond) – Double Action (Double IPA)
• Brigadoon Brewery (Plantersville) – Green Ogre (Imperial IPA)
• Jester King Brewery (Austin) – Cherry Funk Metal (Sour Barrel-Aged Stout Refermented with Cherries)
• Lorelei Brewing (Corpus Christi) – Ephyra (Double IPA)
• Orf Brewing (Austin) – Oocheenama (Asian white ale)
• Southern Star Brewing (Conroe) – Mango Theory (Fruit IPA)
• TUPPS Brewery (McKinney) – For Ella (Double IPA)

The breweries represented areas all over Texas. The booths were arranged alphabetically, making them easier to find. The signs also listed the beers the brewery brought.

The fest was a great place to learn about new breweries. Southern Heights Brewing Co, a soon-to-open brewery in Austin, had a prime parking spot for their cute VW van outside the fest entrance.

The fest was also well-managed. Though the line to get in was long, it went through quickly. There were rarely lines at each brewery booth unless it was for a special tapping. There was plenty of space to walk and mingle and lots of areas with shade. Of course, there was live music in the center of the park. Water stations with cups were positioned around the festival.

It was a fun day to celebrate the Texas craft beer community and enjoy the fruits of their labor. I hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

P.S. Want to plan an Austin craft brewery crawl? Check out this post!

The post Celebrating Craft Beer at Texas Craft Brewers Festival appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Summer time means lots of cold treats (mostly ice cream) and seafood! In August I went to one of my favorite foodie events in Austin, tried a famed burger, a new bbq trailer, and a new brewery!

Bites at Pay It Forward
The Pay It Forward with Daniel Curtis event has been one of my favorite annual “sip and stroll” events in Austin. It benefits the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation and includes an A-list lineup of restaurants.

Soft Serve at Sweet Daze Dessert Bar (Dallas)
I didn’t try many new places on this month’s 24-hr trip to Dallas but we did wait in line for late-night soft serve at this buzz worthy ice cream shop. Sadly, they were out of their “designer donuts” but they had ube (purple yam) soft serve. It’s Insta-worthy for a good reason!

Ice Cream at Heritage Creamery (Waco)
We stopped in Waco for some ice cream when coming back from Dallas and happily enjoyed cookie crumble cones. SO GOOD. It’s going to be very hard not making this a regular stop on the Dallas/Austin road trip.

Fish Taco Tuesday at Quality Seafood
Quality Seafood has a wide selection of fish and Tuesdays means fish tacos. They weren’t my favorite but they were still good. I got two tacos – grilled shrimp and blackened black drum fish.

Thai-Style Ice Cream at Holla Mode
While Holla Mode has two locations, their 45th Street location only serves dairy-free coconut milk ice cream. I opted for Oreos and fresh strawberries. For now I like Ice Scrapers more but I’ll have to give a final word after I try Holla Mode’s dairy ice cream. [See this post for more of my favorite cold desserts in Austin.]

Beef Cheek Sandwich with Kimchi at LeRoy and Lewis
This dish was disappointingly a bust for me but the bite of my friend’s mac-and-cheese stuffed quail was great. I’m looking forward to giving them another try.

New England Seafood Bake at The Bonneville with Harpoon Brewery
I had such a fun time at this special event at The Bonneville with Harpoon Brewery! We ate clam chowder, clam steamers, whole lobster, and Boston Crème Pie paired with four of Harpoon Brewery’s beers. My favorite beer was the Camp Wannamango, a mango pale ale that was divine! Harpoon Brewery is from Boston, so it was fun trying their beers!

Burger at Café No Se
I love a juicy burger! This one at Café No Se did not disappoint! I also love the pastries here. Kouign amann is my go-to but the croissants are great too.

Breakfast at Elizabeth St. Café
Speaking of pastries, I also love them at Elizabeth St. Café. On this occasion, I tried the ham and gruyere croissant and it is now easily my go-to dish. I liked their version of the beignet also.

Happy Hour at Chicon
For August’s Austin Food Blogger Alliance Happy Hour, we met up at Chicon. They spoiled us with complimentary drinks and an array of snacks, including charred avocado with pickled beet mayo and kale kurikake, carrot hummus, smoked trout dip, and Szechuan chicken wings. I want to go back for a full plate of charred avocado!

Homemade Rum Cake
Ever since Boyfriend came back from the Bahamas with a souvenir rum cake and I got a taste of that deliciousness, I’ve been dreaming about rum cake. Well, I finally made it! And it was AMAZING! MOIST.

Pizza at Little Deli & Pizza
It’s been a while since I’ve been there but now I can’t believe it’s been so long because it is fantastic! I enjoyed a slice of pepperoni and mushroom, a Greek salad, and a shortbread cookie. Nomnomnom. I would say it’s a best-kept secret, especially since it’s tucked into the neighborhood but everyone in the neighborhood knows how good it is; it was packed!

Craft Beers at Hi Sign Brewing
Surprisingly, the IPAs weren’t my absolute favorite on the day we visited Hi Sign Brewing. It was viciously hot outside, so the Blonde Ale was more my speed. They do have a strong double IPA and a fruited blonde ale. They also have wall art by one of my favorite Austin artists, Mike Johnston. Yes, Jay-Z as an astronaut.

Lunch at Clark’s Oyster Bar
We popped into Clark’s one weekend while we were in the neighborhood. It was around 3 pm, a weird hour for food, but it was packed! Since only their cold menu was available, we enjoyed fresh oysters, ceviche, and beef tartare, all very good! If you like seafood, you should give this place a try.

Mochi Bar at Whole Foods
Is this a dream or what?! Whole Foods in Austin now has a mochi bar where you can fill up a container and pay per ball. Yep, it’s as good as it sounds. For those unfamiliar, mochi ice cream is a glutinous flour wrapped around ice cream. The outside is a bit chewy. My favorite flavors were pineapple coconut, strawberry, and green tea. I also tried salted caramel and vanilla.

Lunch at Pizzeria Sorellina
This heirloom tomato dish changed my life! It’s got coconut “stracciatella” cheese, green coriander vinaigrette, and shaved serrano chili. The tomato flavors were vibrant and strong, and I never thought tomatoes could taste this way. We also tried a margherita pizza and the panna cotta with marinated watermelon. That heirloom tomato salad though. I would travel for that!

Try any new restaurants lately? Have a recipe I should try? Comment below!

P.S. What’s on your food bucket list? Check out what some of my favorite foodies had to say.

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bloglovin’. You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Flavors of the Month: August 2017 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

After January’s conscious effort of not eating out, it went out the window in February. We indulged in trying new Austin breweries, tried a pop-up restaurant, and ate with friends. While it looks like a lot of eating out, I will say they were quality eats and drinks, and for all the meals not listed here, we ate in.

Cupcakes, Ice Cream, and Cookies at Sprinkles
Austin got a Sprinkles! This Los Angeles cupcake shop is now at The Domain. Hello, 24/7 cupcake ATM! At their pre-open party, I tried a cupcake sundae with salty caramel cake and rocky road ice cream. Delish! I also had the oatmeal cookie and the maple bacon cupcake. All good stuff, so go check it out.

Short Ribs at Carnal
Carnal is a pop-up restaurant at Parlor & Yard and all the way from New York. The guys are barbecue enthusiasts, so it was so delicious tasting their offerings. The slow cooked short rib with bone marrow was my hands-down favorite. So juicy and tender. We also tried the two-day pork shoulder, whole roasted lamb breast, fried sweetbreads, and grilled cauliflower.

Craft Beer at Thousand Oaks Brewing
I visited a newer nano brewery in Cedar Park called Thousand Oaks Brewing. (They took over Twisted X Brewing’s old spot.) They have a great pale ale and IPA. You can find them on tap at Alamo Drafthouse or go visit their brewery!

Super Bowl Eats
Not only is it fun to see the hoopla of the most-watched TV event in the U.S., but Super Bowl means all the best food! We did skillet LOADED nachos (grilled beef, refried beans, cheese, guacamole, pico, jalapenos, sour cream) and grilled crab legs. Our stomachs weren’t happy by the end of the night but it make our mouths happy.

Lunch at Wu Chow
I finally visited Wu Chow after many occasions of tasting their soup dumplings at pre-opening events. The Gong Bao Chicken (organic chicken thigh, spicy sauce, peanuts, local bell peppers) and the Sichuan Braised Eggplant were amazing! I loved all the different flavors and the meal was satisfying but not heavy.

Maine Lobster Roll at Garbo’s
It’s so good but it’s so dang small, especially if you split a bunch of plates with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. But with the fries, it’s a good portion for dinner.

Craft Beer at Twisted X Brewing Co.
Crossed this brewery off the list! The Later Days (IPA – Session) was my favorite. Hoppy yet smooth. They also have an interesting, smokey beer called Ale-ternative Facts. The outdoor patio is great and they had live music!

Craft Beer at Jester King Brewery
It’s been a while since I’ve drank Jester King beers. The Super Ultramega Hyperforce (Saison/Farmhouse Ale) was my favorite with the Estival Dichotomous close behind. Even on a cloudy day, it was nice being out there.

Torchy’s Tacos
Breakfast tacos are the perfect way to start a day!

Craft Beer at Live Oak Brewing Company
Live Oak was the first brewery I visited when it was a small brewery in central, east Austin. Now they’ve expanded to a huge piece of land close to the airport. In fact, you get the joy of watching airplanes fly right above your head while sitting in their outdoor space. It’s been years since I first tried craft beer and it was interesting to find my tastebuds have shifted me from liking their signature Primus to their Liberation IPA. I definitely love my hops!

Pastrami Plate at Pieous
HECK YES. I wish I could eat this all the time. (Pieous, can you please move closer?) Their pastrami is AMAZING. It’s something you put in your mouth and close your eyes as you savor the flavors. Combined with the pickles and mustard, it’s perfection. You need to try this.

Craft Beer at Lazarus Brewery
I was so surprised about this brewery and excited to be there. I loved their IPA, double IPA, and Saison. They also have a pretty tap room and plentiful patio, which will be perfect for the nicer weather we’re getting.

Bao at Heo Eatery
There’s a new Vietnamese eatery in town! The restaurant is trendy and a tad more expensive than other Vietnamese restaurants (banh mi for $10 each). I tried two of their baos (small buns), each $4. I loved the pork belly one but the beef one was a bit dry. This was my first visit, so I want to come back and try their rice boxes, as this is what is getting the best reviews.

Craft Beer at Bluebonnet Beer Company
For now, this is one of the closest breweries to me and while the brewery is small, its beers are exciting and they’ve developed many loyal fans based on the packed place. I had the double IPA (10%!) called the Immortal Ten Winchester and would gladly drink it again.

Brunch at June’s
June’s is a cute, little restaurant on South Congress. I went for brunch with my friend MJ, and we split the Café Breakfast and had June’s Punch cocktails. The breakfast plate was simple and satisfying, though I thought it was a little expensive for $16: sunny side up eggs, ham, Gruyere, English muffin, and marmalade. June’s Punch is one of their signature cocktails and has rum, brandy, absinthe, clarified milk, green tea, spices, and pandan. It tastes as interesting as it sounds!

Home-Cooked Eats
With my goal of slow cooking two new recipes a month we tried this Tom Kha Gai Soup (recipe needed more spice!) and a Korean Beef recipe (perfect and eaten with Jasmine rice!). Both are on the “would make again” list.

Austin Food Blogger Alliance 2017 City Guide
The 2017 City Guide to the best eats in Austin is now live! These are put together by Austin bloggers. I contributed three guides, so please check them out!

• Best North Austin Restaurants
• Best Pastries in Austin
• Best Cupcakes in Austin

Recommendations from Austin Bloggers and Media

• My friend Yulia of The Foodie Miles tried Franklin’s BBQ. Check out her experience here.
• I have yet to try new Chinese restaurant Old Thousand but I enjoyed this review in the Austin Chronicle.
• My friend Caitlin of Big World, Small Girl wrote about all the booze producers to visit in Dripping Springs.
• My friend Kelsey of So Much Life gave a first look at new donut shop Bougie’s Donuts and Coffee.

Try any new restaurants lately? Give me your recommendation!
Have a recipe I should try? Comment below!

Keep up with me elsewhere! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Snapchat (@wanderlustanita). You can also subscribe to the exclusive email list.

The post Flavors of the Month: February 2017 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

December was a VERY delicious month with visits to three breweries, six newly opened restaurants, and dishes I’ll be dreaming about for a while. The month included eats in Austin and Dallas and unless marked, the places are in Austin.

Family-Style Dishes at General Tso’Boy
The month started with an Austin Food Bloggers Alliance happy hour at General Tso’Boy at the Domain. They are introducing family-style dishes, so we tried chicken, noodle, and veggie dishes. I need to go back to try their soft serve! (General Tso’Boy provided us this tasting complimentary.)

Beers at St Elmo Brewing
A new brewery opened in South Austin, so we made the long trek from North Austin to check it out. I really like their space. I got their beer flight and tried the Jan (German IPA), Slater (American IPA), Chico (Kolsch), Koufax (Shandy), and Dampf (Hefe-Barley). Their IPAs are intense! My favorites were the Chico and Dampf.

Thai Fusion Lunch at Soursop
The food at Soursop was incredible! I’m excited about this new Austin food trailer and I wish it were up north. It is located at St Elmo Brewing so we enjoyed lunch with our beers. We tried the Sambal Wings, Fried Chicken Sandwich with fries, Thai Salad (Som Tam), and ice cream sandwich. The fried chicken sandwich was HANDS DOWN our favorite dish. You have to try this one when you go!

Happy Hour at Salty Sow
I took Boyfriend for a quick happy hour before my work holiday party. I’m always excited when I leave Salty Sow because I remember how much I like it! We indulged in the duck fat fries, deviled eggs, and Brussels sprouts.

Brunch at Vinaigrette
For the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance holiday party, we had brunch at Vinaigrette. I love this place because it’s a very pretty restaurant, and they have many healthy dishes on their menu. I started with the orange turmeric juice. For food, we tried the Huevos Rancheros, Vinny Steak and Eggs, Kale and Corned Beef Hash, Fried Egg and Green Chile Breakfast Sandwich, and Savory Cilantro-Corn Pancakes. The Kale and Corned Beef Hash and the Savory Cilantro-Corn Pancakes were my favorite dishes. (Vinaigrette provided us this tasting complimentary. Comments are my own.)

Dinner at Eberly
I was excited to see this beautiful, new restaurant in person! It’s a bigger space than I thought and the atrium-like dining area fills with beautiful light! My friend Janna and I enjoyed the charcuterie, short ribs, potato galette and the sweet potato donut dessert.

Happy Hour at Culinary Dropout
Some of my favorite blogger girls and I got together at Culinary Dropout for happy hour. We enjoyed the cheese plate, pretzels and fondue, house-made chips, grilled cheese, and sangrias. Their patio was perfect for the weather, since it got slightly warm in December, and their happy hour prices are GREAT, especially when split among us. This is definitely a hot, new spot at the Domain.

Strawberries and Cream Cupcake at Silos Baking Co. (Waco)
As you might have seen from this post about our road trip stop, I got to try a cupcake from Silos Baking Co. Click for more details.

Brunch at Boulevardier (Dallas)
I love going home for the holidays because it means getting together with the girls I grew up with in my hometown. We span four different cities in three different states but have a tradition of meeting up for at least one meal when we’re all home. This time it was at Boulevardier, and while my first visit was ok, this one was outstanding! The Lox Benedict with perfectly poached eggs was mouth-watering and I inhaled it. We finished off our meal with the bread pudding with huckleberry jam, bourbon butter sauce, and vanilla bean ice cream, and I wouldn’t mind eating that every day.

Beer at Deep Ellum Brewing Company (Dallas) 
While in Dallas, Boyfriend and I decided to try some of the breweries we haven’t visited. First on the list was one Dallas’ most well-known – Deep Ellum Brewing – in downtown Dallas. Their branding is really cool and their taproom is spacious. I enjoyed the Easy Peasy IPA. It’s still an IPA but easier to drink than others. If you want something a little more intense, try the Deep Ellum IPA. I also had a sip of the Bourbon Barrel Aged Oak Cliff Coffee Ale, and while it’s not something I usually drink, it’s very smooth with strong flavors.

Beer at Lakewood Brewing Co. (Dallas)
After Deep Ellum Brewing, we hopped over to Lakewood Brewing Co in Garland. Here I tried the Red Wine Barrel Hop Trapp with Cherries. Yep, it’s a Belgian-style IPA aged in a red wine barrel. There was definitely a red wine flavor and I enjoyed it! Boyfriend was a big fan of the Temptress on nitro.

Holiday Eats
Visiting family for the holidays means a big Chinese meal! Lobster, crab, duck, veggies, fish. *sigh*

Thai Dishes at CrushCraft (Dallas)
CrushCraft has been on my list for a while, and it did not disappoint! We enjoyed the Pad Thai, Khao Soi, Papaya Salad, and Thai Iced Tea. Of course, the Khao Soi was my favorite, but the rest of the meal was so good also!

Kale Salad with Chicken and Olive Oil Lemon Cake at Flower Child
I could eat this meal every day. The kale salad has pink grapefruit, organic apple, black currant, smoked almond, white cheddar, and apple cider vinaigrette, and I added chicken to it. The flavors mixed perfectly and the chicken was very moist. That olive oil lemon cake felt sinful yet healthy at the same time. They also have kombucha on tap! It was no surprise that I liked Flower Child since True Food Kitchen is also in the company’s restaurant concepts. I can’t wait to go back!

Brunch at Forthright
I was excited to finally try Forthright after hearing so much about it. My friend Janna and I had the pork belly hash, egg nog French toast (a current special), and the avocado toast topped with poached eggs. The avocado toast was our favorite dish! Forthright is such a cute little café tucked off of West Cesar Chavez before Congress, and they’re open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. (Forthright provided us this tasting complimentary. Comments are my own.)

New Year’s Eve Dinner
This year, Boyfriend and I decided to have a quiet night in with a home-cooked meal to celebrate New Year’s Eve. It’s been a busy couple of months with Thailand and holiday parties and going to Dallas. We grilled steaks and lobster tails – two “small” (regular) sized tail and one JUMBO 15oz one. They were so good!

Phew – what a month of good eats! There is so much great craft beer and restaurants out there. I hope you’re enjoying some good eats as well.

Eat anywhere fantastic lately? Tell me your favorite dish below!

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The post Flavors of the Month: December 2016 appeared first on Fearless Captivations.