Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/809715
WHO: VP brand marketing, Tito's Handmade Vodka (titosvodka.com) and co-owner of Spartan Pizza (1007 E. Sixth St., 512-484-0798; spartanpizzaaustin.com) AL FRESCO FAVE: "There's always magic in the air at Justine's Brasserie (4710 E. Fifth St., 512-385-2900; justines1937.com), especially when you dine outside. It feels just on the edge of wild, as though anything could happen at any moment. I love to go there with my husband when we need a real grown-ups' night out without the kids." GET YOUR FREAK ON: "Honk!TX (honktx.org), a free festival that happens after South by Southwest, is like the alternate universe version of SXSW. It brings out the weird, the freaky, and the fabulous for a few days of interactive street band performances." KEEP CALM: "As Austin grows, quiet places are few and far between, but Emma Long Metropolitan Park (1600 City Park Rd., 512-974-1831) continues to be a lush sanctuary. You're sure to run into other hikers, usually with their dogs." ‒ Secret Source ‒ NICOLE PORTWOOD INSIDER TIP: Like the exhibits themselves, the museum's gift shop is carefully curated, making it a great resource for unique gifts. 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 512-471- 5482; blantonmuseum.org BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM Learn the story of Texas while also enjoying smart, diverse exhibits that make you think. Look for special concerts and monthly films about the state. The Bullock's IMAX Theatre is the first and only Laser IMAX theater in Texas. 1800 Congress Ave., 512-936-8746; thestoryoftexas.com THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN Contemporary Austin's newly renovated downtown location at the Jones Center features some of the most exciting artists from around the globe as well as a canopied rooftop patio, perfect for parties. Meanwhile, its Laguna Gloria location at the century- old Driscoll Villa features the 14-acre Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park. 700 Congress Ave., 512-453-5312; 3809 W. 35th St., 512-458-8191; thecontemporaryaustin.org THE FRANK ERWIN CENTER Music's biggest names come to the UT arena, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The Erwin Center is also home to the UT Longhorns basketball teams. VIP suites are available for each event. 1701 Red River St., 512-471-7744; uterwincenter.com HARRY RANSOM CENTER Housing the archives of some of the world's most celebrated writers and artists, from Gabriel Garcia Marquez to David Foster Wallace and the Magnum Collection, this internationally known humanities research center and museum puts together compelling exhibits. It's also home to one of the five complete copies of the Gutenberg Bible in the US. 300 W. 21st St., 512-471-8944; hrc.utexas.edu SECOND BAR + KITCHEN Inventive bites and a smart cocktail program have drawn a stylish crowd downtown for years, and now the same thing is happening at Domain Northside, where Chef David Bull has opened a second location at the Archer Hotel. 3121 Palm Way; 200 Congress Ave., 512-827-2750; secondbarkitchen.com SWIFT'S ATTIC Whimsical small plates plus creative cocktails are the name of the game at this bustling, second-floor gastropub in the heart of downtown. 315 Congress Ave., 512-482-8842; swiftsattic.com UCHI Chef Tyson Cole combines his extensive Eastern knowledge with exotic, high-quality ingredients at this landmark restaurant that set the standard for innovative dining in Austin and attracts everyone from celebrities to families. 801 S. Lamar Blvd., 512-916-4808; uchiaustin.com UCHIKO Designed to mimic a Japanese farmhouse, Uchi's sister restaurant is popular for its vegetarian tasting menu and fried-milk dessert. Expect to see one of the more stylish crowds in town. 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., 512-916-4808; uchikoaustin.com WU CHOW From the creative minds behind Swift's Attic, Wu Chow brings authentic farm-to-table Chinese food to downtown Austin. Another favorite with visiting celebs, this spot has a sophisticated yet laid-back vibe. 500 W. Fifth St., Ste. 168, 512-476- 2469; wuchowaustin.com OUT AND ABOUT ACL LIVE AT THE MOODY THEATER Home of the historic Austin City Limits tapings, this state-of-the-art live music venue brings in a wide variety of touring acts, from classic rock bands to the hottest comedians. Don't miss the Willie Nelson statue outside. INSIDER TIP: Spot up-and-coming greats at ACL Live's little sister club, the more intimate 3Ten ACL Live, which is on the ground floor. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd., 512-225-7999; acl-live.com ANTONE'S NIGHTCLUB Austin's iconic home of the blues was founded by the late Clifford Antone in 1975 and has seen all of the greats in those 40-plus years. Now co-owned by hometown hero, the Grammy-award winning Gary Clark Jr., Antone's has live music every night, from free weekly residences to hot touring acts that sell out quickly. 305 E. Fifth St., 512-814-0361; antonesnightclub.com BASS CONCERT HALL With seating for 2,9000, the University of Texas's premier performance venue brings the best in comedy, music, and Broadway to Austin. INSIDER TIP: Want to eat before the show without rushing? Each performance features a limited dinner menu with a special cocktail or wine pairing in the third-floor dining area. 23rd Street and Robert Dedman Drive, 512-471-2787; texasperformingarts.org THE BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART The University of Texas's world-class art museum boasts an impressive array of Latin American art. Its recently renovated second-floor galleries are home to its permanent collections, while carefully selected visiting exhibits are found on the first floor. 84 AUSTINWAY.COM The SOURCE: SCENE