Urban, An American Grill Opens Thursday, March 11 at The Domain

Last night we were pleased to attend to the soft opening of “Urban, An American Grill”, The Domain’s newest addition to it’s stellar list of fine dining establishments. While Urban is located on the first floor of The Westin, they are actually independent of The Westin; The CZH Hospitality Group is the creator of the concept.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Urban’s motto is “comfort food, reinvented.” Designed to infuse your morning with a burst of energy, breakfast will feature healthy dishes designed to jump start your day. Dinner options include Mussels and Fries, Pot Pie, Urban Burger, Halibut, and Brick Chicken. Add a side of Macaroni and Cheese if you dare, then round it off with a Peach Tart, Berries & “Funnel Cake” or Creme Brulee. These classics are served with a satisfying “home cooked” feel, an ingredient that would definitely fare well in a hotel environment.
Brick ChickenMussels and FriesThe Urban BurgerBasil, Mozzarella,Tomato Salad

The dining room lends a warm, outdoor vibe with cushioned pale booths, earthy green color tones and chain link fence inspired curtains. Urban’s lounge is designed with open, comfortable seating, contemporary decor and strategically placed flatscreen televisions.
Urban's Bar

Urban’s large black granite and glass tile bar offers full beer, wine and alcohol selections, highlighted by hand crafted, mixology inspired cocktails such as a savory bacon infused Bloody Mary. My favorite by far is called the Wildlflower, a light and refreshing lavender scented gin and St. Germain concoction, complete with a lovely lavender bloom adorning the glass. St. Germain is made with fresh wild elderflowers handpicked in the Alps, the first liqueur in the world created in the artisanal French manner. Drinking the “Wildflower” gives one the feeling of sitting in a sun soaked garden filled with the aroma of fresh flowers. What’s not to like? I can’t wait to claim a comfy chair on the patio some Sunday afternoon and relax with a glass of this floral libation in my hand (after an exhausting day of shoe shopping, of course).

Wildflower Cocktail

Urban, An American Grill opens Thursday March 11th and will be open daily from 6:30 am-10pm. Happy Hours had not been determined at the time of this writing, so visit Austinontherocks.com; we’ll post details as soon as we have them.

Gwen, Cherie, Gary and Cathi

Gwen, Cherie, Gary and Cathi


Urban, An American Grill
11301 Domain Drive
Austin TX 78758
512-490-1511
www.urbanatthedomain.com

Swanky and Slick Gibson Bar Opens on South Lamar with Daily Happy Hour 4-7

Driving down South Lamar, I am always struck by the sheer eclectic vibe of the area, which is just a nice way of saying you might pass a big hot mess of a place with stacks of tires or cheap couches sitting out front and then, practically accompanied by an angelic choir singing in your head, you encounter something fabulous. Arriving at Gibson Bar was definitely the latter. Gibson Bar, yet another winning Matt Lucky endeavor, is a lively new place with a great staff and a beautifully polished ambiance.

Gibson Bar

Directly across the street from Alamo Draft House, Gibson Bar is painted an understated deep charcoal with large paned windows and a welcoming array of pretty plants lining the front sidewalk. What made me a bit giddy was the nice and totally free parking lot. Close and dedicated parking is a comfort for those becoming tired of forgetting where one parked one’s car. (I am not speaking of myself, it happened to a friend.)

The snazzy Gibson Bar, designed by the insanely talented Joel Mozersky , boasts a Carrera marble bar which I covet to a fault, a cool chandelier, circular black tufted leather booths that are cushiony enough to sleep in, and warm red candleholders glowing on the tables. The look is so chic, dark and sexy that I would almost expect to see Humphrey Bogart nursing a drink in the corner while waiting for for Lauren Bacall to slink through the door. An open floor plan, set up so that there is room to push tables aside for a bit of impromptu dancing, doesn’t detract from the intimate vibe that the comfortable booth seating delivers. Single dudes pay attention: reportedly there were more lovely female patrons in attendance than male the night prior to my visit, and lots of bubbly being consumed by said females. Nice odds.


Quick with a drink and friendly conversation, Kevin (on the left) and Robin are dedicated to great service and making their patrons feel at home. It is also obvious that there is an attention to detail at Gibson Bar, because that place is C.L.E.A.N., with each liquor bottle faced “just so”. A thoughtfully planned and well priced beer and wine list rounds out the top shelf bar menu.

Future plans include hosting special events and an Airstream trailer parked on the property to serve food, so there will be even more good reasons to make Gibson Bar a new favorite place.

Marlo and Will enjoying their drinks AND their Austinontherocks Koozies

For Hours, Happy Hour info and Upcoming Events visit: www.austinontherocks.com

Gibson Bar
1109 South Lamar
512-386-1345

Great Margaritas, Killer Apps, and a Whole Lot More Found At Manuel’s.

manuels

The happy hour at Manuel’s is a champion of its kind. The South Congress staple exceeds any other with 8 Austin Chronicle “Best Happy Hour” nods since 2000, and earlier this year was voted “The Best Place to Take Your Parents.” Learning this after my first happy hour visit was so superb, I returned with my mother the next day. A bit overindulgent it seems, but once you see the list of 16 appetizer courses for half-price, you’ll be back too. There is one item, however, that is permanently on my happy hour diet; and that is the Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Nachos. Who says crab has to be expensive when Manuel’s offers this delicacy for only $8.50?

Fortunately for me, my mother isn’t keen to shellfish so I had my favorite dish all to myself. Although I am equally as satisfied when I share my buttery crab nachos with a friend, as long as they are accompanied by a large bowl of guacamole and salsa. The combination is heavenly, and for only $3.50, I go for the value size.

Before you get too ambitious with the salsa, remember that it’s happy hour and for $4 you can order yourself one of Manuel’s award winning house-margaritas. And for $1 more, you can flavor your rita with mango, prickly pear, strawberry, pomegranate, or watermelon. Mango is my all time favorite, but points to the prickly pear for creativity and its beautiful pink color.

Recently, the team at Manuel’s has made the switch to using only organic and sustainable protein products. All beef dishes, including the Beef Tenderloin and Beef Fajitas, are now certified Premium Black Angus Beef. Director of Communications Jennifer McNevin tells me this “Premium Gold” meat comes from cows who are fed a vegetarian diet in yards certified for humane treatment and along with the poultry and pork, are never given artificial growth hormones. All of Manuel’s seafood items such as the Black Drum and Yellow Fin Tuna are harvested in the Texas Gulf by sustainable fisheries and even though these items are “substantially higher” in price, Jennifer explains, “we are not raising menu prices.”

The staff at Manuel’s has won over critics with their consideration for quality at a low price; and their deliciously fresh cocktails and generously priced appetizers have made Manuel’s a reoccurring happy hour of my own. So students next time your parents come to town, or for your next first-date, treat them to Manuel’s for a quality and authentic taste of Austin.

Manuel’s Mexican Restaurant
Downtown -310 Congress Ave.
Arboretum -10201 Jollyville Rd.

Late Night Happy Hour at Sullivan’s

Girls at Sullivans
Though trying new foods is my favorite pastime, sometimes it’s good to stick to what you know; and when it comes to happy hour, Sullivan’s is sure to please. There’s a cocktail and entrée for everyone on the generously half priced bar menu, which is why Sullivan’s is usually the majority vote amongst my foodie-friends. Each of us has a favorite at “Sullie’s,” starting with Ali’s CEO Martini, Erin’s first place Wedge Salad, and my “Best Burger In Town” with blue cheese and house made potato chips.

sully's wedge

Amongst the ten half priced specialty martinis is Sullivan’s signature Knockout Martini, made with fresh-pineapple infused Smirnoff® Orange Vodka. Between the vodka-infused pineapple and the pineapple-infused vodka, it’s no wonder they call it the Knockout.

martini

And that’s not the only martini-snack pairing on the list. The CEO Martini comes as dirty or clean as you like it and if you’re wise like my friend Ali, order a few extra blue cheese stuffed-olives for the table.

If the olives won’t suffice, “Sullie’s” has got you covered. In fact, this bar-only happy hour surprisingly offers more than just appetizers. I’m not sure exactly who coined “The Best Burger In Town,” but I know we have one thing in common. I usually prefer blue cheese, but what makes this burger the best are the endless options for customizing your toppings. What I like to do is split a Swiss-cheeseburger and the Tavern Sliced Steak with sautéed mushrooms with a friend and top my burger with the mushroom and butter sauce. No condiments necessary for making this burger the best. And according to my wedge-connoisseur friend Erin, Sullivan’s is also home of “The Best Wedge In Town.”

The only thing better than dessert is a dessert-cocktail. So to end your next date, stop by Sullivan’s Reverse Happy Hour from 9 to 11pm and try both the Key Lime Pie Martini and the Chocolate Diva made with Bailey’s® and Godiva® Liquor. Combine these tasty after-dinner drinks with a live band and social-atmosphere, and your night is just getting started. Visit Sullivan’s once and you and your friends will be happy hour regulars in no time.

Happy Hour at Independence Brewing Co? Sure, FREE BEER always makes me happy.

Keeping the beer cold since 2009

AOTR Koozies - Keeping beer cold since 2009

Rainy day clouds declined to attend and instead, our old buddy Mr. Blue Sky tagged along to enjoy a few free beers at Independence Brewing Co.’s First Saturday last weekend. After packing up our portable lawn chairs, my husband Gary and I herded Ginger the Rover Reporter into the car and made our way to Independence to enjoy top notch beer, good friends and surprisingly warm-even-for-Texas weather.
Independence and US Flags
Independence Brewing Co. was founded by Rob and Amy Cartwright in October of 2004. They brought along their dog Jasper and later added another pooch, Indy, for the ride. Jasper, the Lucky Dog, even has a namesake beer, Jasperilla Old Ale.

A love of great beer inspired Rob and Amy to create smooth, clean tasting beer that goes down easy. Since then, over 200 plus establishments in Austin and San Antonio offer their full flavored concoctions in bottles and on draft.
serving the beer CIMG4553 Tim as Michael Jackson Lap doggie

All you need is an ID proving you are old enough to legally drink to enjoy the truly “Austin Cool” environment. Kids are allowed if with a parent, and they join in the fun by playing games and dancing to the music. You get a plastic cup at the entrance for the free beer but to properly partake of the golden brew, just pay $6 for an Independence Brewing Co official beer drinkin’ glass. It’s well worth the investment and a nice memento for your bar at home. Get your wristband, which is good for three beers, and you’re all set. The crowd is congenial and happy to stand in line for the brews, partly due to the generally laid back ambiance and partly due the great live music, which always eases the pain of waiting for a refill. Naturally, the best reason to stand in line is for the payoff: awesomely delicious beer. We tried the Austin Amber, the Pale Ale and Freestyle Wheat, which was my personal favorite.

IndyDachsund
The biggest smiles, however, were found on the mugs of the friendly dogs that pranced amongst the crowd. The epitome of social networking, with tongues lagging and tails wagging, their jubilance embodied the festivity of the day. If happiness could have morphed into form, it would have had four legs and a cold wet nose. Yes, you can bring your well behaved canine along because Independence Brewing Co likes dogs so much, they are even hosting a benefit on April 10th called “Pints for Pups”. A $10 donation benefits local Animal Rescue organizations. This event gets a happy bark of approval from the dog loving likes of us at Austinontherocks. You’ll see more info about “Pints for Pups” at Austinontherocks.com in the near future.

Bryan and Carrie CIMG4564 CIMG4567 CIMG4559

We had a great time at this truly unique, Austin-style event. It’s one that you should be sure to attend – it’s the best way to Find Your New Favorite Beer! We recommend that you check Independence Brewing Co’s website for details and important information regarding First Saturday before you go.
CIMG4550 CIMG4548
Cheers!
Cathi, Gary, Bryan, Carrie, Tim and Ginger

Moonshine’s Happy Meal Hour

If there’s one thing I don’t like about happy hour, is that it’s not dinner. An untrained happy hour seeker often ends up taking advantage of the discounted menu by ordering snack after snack in order to achieve satisfaction. Not anymore. Moonshine Patio & Grill is the place to go for that “Happy Meal Hour” we have all been craving. Gentlemen, you especially will appreciate this classic American comfort food; and trust me, it’s better than your mama’s. Every one of Moonshine’s 12 appetizers are half price and same goes for their specialty cocktails and select wines.

Aside from happy hour hunting, I have recently started a crusade for the best Wedge Salad in town. Along with my friend Erin, a self-proclaimed blue cheese expert, I will search for the best Blue Cheese Wedge Salad in Austin. And currently in first place is Moonshine’s SLICE OF ICEBERG SALAD with Tomato, Candied Pecans, Bacon, Blue Cheese Crumbles, & Green Goddess Dressing for $5.95. The candied pecans alone make this salad my #1 pick and Erin’s second place fave. Stay tuned for more wedge updates.

Now for the good stuff. Everyone will love the refreshing Hard Lemonade with fresh mint and a splash of Paula’s Texas Lemon. Its savory counterpart, Ann’s Bloody Mary, is one of my personal favorites, and my Aunt Sherry has been ordering the Ruby Slipper Martini for years. Don’t worry gentlemen, Moonshine hasn’t forgotten about you. For your “Happy Meal Hour,” do the following: first, with your cocktail, order the ROASTED GARLIC BULBS with Goat Cheese, Roasted Red Peppers & Toast or the BAKED BRIE with Pear Chutney & Toast. Both are a light yet satisfying snack to amuse until your dinner arrives. Then, at the same time, order the SPINACH & ARTICHOKE FONDUE with Parmesan & Garlic Bread, and the ST. LOUIS SYTLE PORK RIBS with Jerk Spice and Habañero Glaze. It sounds like a lot, and that’s because it is. But no worries, you have only spent $13! An even better deal is the STONE-BAKED PIZZA with Roasted Garlic, Artichoke & Goat Cheese for $7.95. Split it with two friends and have yourself another drink, you’ve earned it from all of your savings. No matter what you order, Moonshine’s appetizer portions are ideal for sharing and make it easy to leave satisfied. Come try one of my all time favorite happy hours at Moonshine Patio & Bar weekdays between 3 and 6:30. And for less than ten bucks, feel free to over-indulge in your “Happy Meal Hour.” I’m lovin it.

Moonshine's Wedge Salad

Moonshine's Wedge Salad

Happy Hour at Black Sheep Lodge by Ginger

When my Mom and Dad go plazes I uzually get left behind. That’s ok bekuz I need my beauty rest and I really like to hang out with the catz. I used to get bored and eat shoes, but I don’t do that enymore. Now I like to surf the internet but it’s hard bekuz I don’t have thumbz. My Mom duz Austinontheorocks.com, so evry now and then, one of my parunts says wurds to me and I hear the best one of all…”GO”! But then I hear an even better word: “LEESH” and it’s so exciting! My head gets to be out the window, and stuff smells so good. This time we went to a brand new place. My Mom said Black Sheep Lodge but I didn’t see any sheep but I wouldn’t know anyway becuz I havent evur met one befor. There were pepul all around and we sat on the patio, and the cute lady brought me watur in a bowl, which was nice of hur. I didn’t get to go inside but I heard a familur sound coming from the door – when I hear that sound my Dad says “Football!” and hollerz and cusses a lot. (I feel bad for that Colt, nobudy should yell at a horse that way.) Anyhow, then my Dad ordered a Dog and I was nervous but then nothing bad happund so I guess it was ok. He said he liked it a lot, it remindid him of Chickago. And my Mom loves fries, she eats erebodys fries that they don’t eat, so she got those and a chickun sandwich and it must have been good bekuz there wazunt much left fur me. They love beeur and they both got a beeur and they were happy bekuz they were only two bucks. Two Bucks! I got excited agin…but then I didn’t see any deer, so maybe they were in the back. They drank their beeur and I got to eat sum fries, and it was sunshiny and people petted me and I was vury vury happy. I like Black Sheep Lodge, but I hope the sheep come out to play next time.

Me, My Dad and My Leesh

Me, My Dad and My Leesh


That's a Dog?

That's a Dog?


My Mom's Frize

My Mom's Frize


Wher r tha feathers on those wings?

Wher r tha feathers on those wings?

A Night of Paella at Malaga

Chef Duran preparing our Paella

Chef Duran preparing our Paella

Malaga is the renowned Tapas Restaurant and Bar located in the 2nd Street District. It has received numerous accolades, including “The Best Of” by Tribeza, Rare Magazine, Citysearch, Austin Chronicle and Yahoo. The restaurant has also been designated as “One of Austin’s Top Destinations” by Food Network, Zagat Guide Book, Bon Appetit, Texas Monthly, and many more.

For the next two months, Malaga will be featuring “Paella Night”. Paella is a classic rice dish that originated in Spain sometime in the 19th Century. It is cooked in a large round pan called a Paellera, or more simply a “Paella Pan”, and can contain a variety of ingredients from beans and vegetables to meats and fish. However, very often it is made with seafood and shellfish. I happen to love both, but having the misfortune of being highly allergic to shellfish, I don’t usually go for the Paella. That would be kind of like blindfolding myself and taking a leisurely stroll down the center lane of Mopac during rush hour. Holy Anaphylactic Shock, Batman, that could hurt! So when I got the e mail newsletter from Malaga about their Paella nights every Tuesday in October and November, with the recipe changing each week, I picked up the phone and asked the obvious quesion: “Are you making one without shellfish….PLEEEEASE?” Chef Alejandro Duran did not disappoint. He chose my favorite, beef tenderloin, and threw in pork and chorizo to create a wonderful Paella De Carnes con Costra (Mixed Meat Crusted Paella) that thankfully would not kill me, or at the very least put me out for several days. For these Paella dinners, you can be a Party Pooper and show up at 7 ready to eat, or you can join the fun and show up at 6 to watch Chef Duran prepare the Paella on a grill right at the table. My cousin and I chose the latter. Similar to attending an intimate dinner at a close friend’s home, we sat and enjoyed a fine glass of Spanish wine while listening to Chef tell us anecdotes of his life and of his passion for food. He gestured to photographs of a beautiful Flamenco dancer on the wall, and proudly announced that the woman was indeed his own mother. The entire time he was effortlessly preparing our Paella, true to the traditions of his mother and grandmother, and pointing out important tips on how to make it at home. For instance, using the right kind of rice is essential for the best result, so don’t think you can just toss in some Arborio or Uncle Ben’s and have it become proper Paella. He even showed us the box of rice so we would be sure to get it right. I could not recall the name for the rice that cooks to crunchiness on the bottom of the pan, which many consider is the best part of this dish. He told me it is called “Soccorat”, and that when you put the Paella in a bowl, you flip it upside down, so the Soccorat is on the top. It’s just not Paella without it. He even shared the recipe with us, and explained in detail how to create the broth from stock, chickpeas and the essential Paella ingredient, Saffron. The finishing touches were smoky Paprika, wine, chopped parsley and beaten eggs poured over the top. A Sommelier who has received Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” for his 300 plus wine list, Chef Duran chose a fabulous Rioja to serve with dinner, Casajus Riberia Del Duero 2004. Do I even have tell you how fun and fabulous the evening was? I highly recommend that you reserve a spot at one of Malaga’s Paella dinners. They are offered on Tuesday nights now through November for $20 per person, and include a bowl of Paella and a glass of wine. For more information on Malaga’s events and happy hours, visit Austinontherocks.com.

My bowl, and my bottle....er, I mean, my glass.

My bowl, and my bottle....er, I mean, my glass.


Sherry enjoying her glass of wine

Sherry enjoying her glass of wine

Don't even think about using any rice but Paella Rice.

Austin, We Have Lift-Off.

Austinontherocks.com has been live for just one week and we have seen so much interest and enthusiasm that we are literally dancing on air! Our goal to is to become the first place you go if you are looking for an Austin Happy Hour, Brunch, Wine Pairing Event or Prix Fixe Dinner. We are improving our site daily, adding more and more great spots for you to experience, so there are lots of reasons to keep coming back to visit us! We want and appreciate your input, so if you have any recommendations of new places to add, please do not hesitate to let us know. If you see a happy hour or event that needs to be changed, please tell us that as well. Being a vibrant city with all kinds of moving and shaking going on, things change fast here in the Capital of Texas. It can be a challenge to stay informed, but we are up for it! Become a member of the AOTR family to enjoy special privileges in the near future, and take part in making us the Best Happy Hour Source in Austin!

If you are a restaurant owner or manager and wish to be listed, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We aren’t ignoring you, we want you here! We just have a lot of ground to cover because Austin does have an abundance of great food and drink specials. Contact us here to begin to market your food and drink specials with us, and bring new customers straight to your door! You can even have your own user name and password so that you can update your events yourself to ensure their accuracy. If that’s a bit more than you want to do, that’s fine too, we can keep in touch via e mail or phone. We have also been known to “pop in” to say hello from time to time, just to find out what great things you have happening. At any rate, whatever works best for you is what works best for us!

If you wish to advertise with us, there are lots of possibilities for that as well. Please use the form to submit your request online and we will get back with you quickly.

Thank you for your continued support. And, as always, CHEERS!

Piranha’s Killer Happy Hour

 

The Marry Me Roll.  I Do.

The Marry Me Roll. I Do.

Piranha Killer Sushi undoubtedly has one of the best happy hours in Austin.  For they offer something so rare, it is virtually unheard of: The Reverse Happy Hour.  The late hours and convenient downtown location make Piranha a perfect stop for some after-drinks dinner. Though timing and location are everything, I have yet to share my favorite part about this particular happy hour.  Piranha is the only restaurant, in all of my happy hour days, that discounts my favorite drink of all time, The Wedding Cake Martini.  Church-bells ring at just the aroma of this vanilla and amaretto treat.  And for all of you limoncello lovers, The Italian Ice Martini is equally as delicious.  My other all time favorite, ceviche, also made the happy hour cut.  You will be hooked after one bite of the salmon with mango and cilantro salsa.  It’s hard to share this delicious plate and for only $7, you might want to order 2!  I share my addiction to this heavenly ceviche with Fort Worth Monthly who has voted Piranha Killer Sushi “Best Sushi” three years in a row!  Not to mention, Executive Chef Kenzo Tran was named “Best Sushi Chef” in 2006. 

Last week Piranha hosted a happy hour at Legacy on The Lake Apartments and impressed  guests with their sushi bar set up and generous cocktail service.  The “Forget About It” roll was all the rave and sure enough, can be found on the happy hour menu for $7.  And the delight doesn’t stop at dinner.  Piranha’s knows that the late night snack often comes with a sweet tooth so they’ve half-offed all desserts, even the Tower of Chocolate!  For something light, the Green Tea Ice Cream is a welcomed refreshing and simple option.  With so many favorites, Piranha’s happy hour menu is remarkably impressive and as genuine as the staff.  Go with friends for an after downtown snack or share a late night dessert with a date.  And don’t forget to say hello to Aaron behind the bar and ask for a free AOTR koozie!