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Texas BBQ Doesn’t Get More Iconic Than SaltLick BBQ

 

The Salt Lick at Driftwood is as iconic a venue as you’ll find anywhere in the meaty world of Texas BBQ. A stone’s throw from Austin, you can smell the awesome smokiness as soon as you drive into the (vast) parking lot. You’ll still smell it when you get home. Great atmosphere, amazing food and an all-round iconic experience…even if half the Austin Detours team is veggie…

Start to salivate at www.saltlickbbq.com

We carefully design our detours to be ‘Handcrafted Austin Experiences’, and BBQ & Brew has been planned with the beer drinking Texas BBQ enthusiast in mind. On this detour we’ll take you to visit Real Ale in Blanco, TX, and then, as those hunger pains start, we’ll park up at the Salt Lick just in time for you to feast on their amazing food. We advise our clients to turn up for this detour thirsty and hungry!

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National Tourism Week: Top 10 Plates Around Austin

In the famed words of Nicki Minaj, you can tell “I ain’t missin’ no meals,” and thankfully in Austin, there are many amazing restaurants to keep one from going hungry. Here are Ashley’s Top 10 Dishes:

Clark’s – Crab Louie

I have met many a Crab Louie in my day. From San Francisco to New England, this gal has tried them all. I mean it truly when I say I love this salad. This salad makes me want to stand outside on West 6th with a boombox, blasting Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” at top volume.

Justine’s – Moules Frites

Aside from the incredible ambiance that Justine’s always provides, whether you’re in the tent or the main restaurant, you’ll feel très chic ordering my go-to menu item. The mussels themselves are great, but the broth is so dang good I could just drink it on its own.

Wow Poke – Ponzu Truffle Tuna Bowl

Located just off Lovebirds cocktail lounge off Cesar Chavez, this is THE poke place you must hit up. Offering a variety of bowls with fresh and bold flavors, Wow Poke is a step above all the other poke spots in town. The Ponzu Truffle Tuna and California Poke Bowls are dynamite.

Aba – Classic Hummus

This is one of those restaurants that’s always a fun patio for people watching and my favorite dish to enjoy while doing so is their classic hummus.

Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum – Soup Dumplings

The soup dumplings from Chef Ling Qi Wu and team are truly a warm hug of a meal. Although their patio is a popular destination, I love to sit at the bar and throw down some of these bad boys over a lovely cocktail list.

Launderette – Beet Hummus

I realize two hummus’ have made the list, but hear me out on this one (it’s different)! I live around the corner from this spot and the beets with labneh has consistently been an item I’ve ordered every time I’ve visited. Bonus: their patio is dog-friendly (a favorite of George Michael, my son).

Patrizi’s – Red Sauce Pasta

Family red sauce topped with cheese? Yes, please! Although they have a brick and mortar, I love the trailer out of Butterfly Bar. There’s nothing better than grabbing a Red Sauce and chilling under the twinkle lights of the patio. The handmade pasta is always delicious, and I have always been a fan of the depth of flavor on their red sauce mixed with the creamy cheesy goodness.

Nixta Taqueria – Duck Carnitas Taco

There’s a saying I have in my life: the cuter the animal, the more delicious it will be. I realize I now give off Hannibal Lecter vibes with this life philosophy, but I stick by this with Nixta’s duck carnitas tacos. Duck confit, watermelon radish, and salsa cruda are the perfect combo for a taco you don’t see every day.

Ezov – Kofta

I dream about those little skewers of lamb and beef bliss once a week. The meat is incredibly tender and packed with tons of flavor, and it doesn’t’ hurt that it’s enough food to feed an army.

Odd Duck – Legit everything

I’m cheating here, but literally every plate here is divine. Hands down, this has and will always remain to be my favorite restaurant in Austin. Chef Bryce Gilmore and his team stick the landing every damn meal. Sourcing only from local vendors, every dish is a thoughtful, creative, and a perfect blend of tastes and textures.

If you were twisting my arm, I tend to love most of their starter roasted vegetable dishes (enticing for even the meat eaters in your life), but if you want a true taste of Texas, you can’t go wrong with their skillet cornbread with seasonal butter.

Bonus: Phoebe’s  – Chile Relleno

I must confess, Elizabeth, our Chief Experience Officer, is currently standing over me telling me to include this on the list. Since we don’t say no the boss, this will be our bonus meal (but hey, she’s totally not wrong as it’s quite delicious).

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Taste of Bavaria: 5 Beer Stops You Must Visit In Munich

On the beer lovers’ bucket list tour of the world, Munich ranks high. The city is packed with beer gardens and halls that not only offer something tasty to quench your thirst, but an amazing cultural experience. There is no better way to guide yourself through the many sights of Munich than with a beer garden/hall crawl.

Here are five watering holes we recommend drinking.

Zum Augustiner

Neuhauser Str. 27, 80331

The perfect spot to start any day in Munich, Zum Augustiner is located in the pedestrian precinct of Munich, not far from St. Michael’s Church, Frauenkirche and Neues Rathaus. The foundation to the building it resides was laid in 1294, but at the turn of the 20th century the building was revived and to this day offers the art nouveau style this part of the world is known. The Augustiner Brewery dates back to the 14th century and was crucial to the economy of monks who started brewing it.

Fräulein Grüneis

Lerchenfeldstraße 1a, 80538

This hidden gem is the kind of place a damsel in distress would retreat to in Grimm’s Fairy Tale. Located a few hundred yards into the English Garden from the entrance near Munich’s famous surf spot on the Eisbach, this cottage offers small bites, big beers and more. To think – it was once a toilet block, current owners started dreaming up the drink spot in 2008 and finally opened in 2011.

Restaurant und Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm

Englischer Garten 3, 80538

Once a hunting area, the English Garden is now Munich’s largest and most beloved parks. When Great Elector Karl Theodor started his initiative to convert this area into a public park in 1789, the Chinesischer Turm or Chinese Tower, which was built in 1790 was a staple of the change. The original tower was destroyed in WWII and resurrected in 1952. The beer garden that surround it is the second in Munich with about 7,500 seats. You can expect cold Hofbrau beer, live music and lederhosen galore!

Seehaus im Englischen Garten

Kleinhesselohe 3, 80802

The views don’t get much prettier than this! Seehaus is located on Kleinhesseloher See, an artificial lake that was added to the Gardens in 1803. The outdoor gardens are ideal for casual drinking and exceptional food. The restaurant offers something a bit more high end. It’s a popular spot among the younger crowd and definitely a place to be seen. For all our wine lovers, never fear, you can have your very own mug of wine here.

Hofbrauhaus

Platzl 9, 80331

The most frequented by tourist, any beer lover can’t leave Munich without a trip to the city’s most well-known beer gardens. Founded in 1589 by the Duke of Bavaria, Wilhelm V, Hofbrauhaus manages to keep its genuine character and history present without becoming cheesy. This beer hall is a must when in Munich and is the place to be during Oktoberfest.

Did we miss a spot? Share your favorite watering hole in Munich with us! We’d love to check it out.

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Sunday Driving in the Texas Hill Country: Where to Stop, What to See, What to Eat

Austin’s Sunday brunch culture is fun and adventurous in its own right, but in most cases involves waiting among throngs of other folks with similar ideas of mid-morning snacking with friends and family. Turn your Sunday Funday into a scenic drive to the gorgeous Texas Hill Country, only a 30-minute drive from downtown Austin! Of course, the awesome views aren’t all that’s out there. The hill country is home to some amazing wineries, distilleries and restaurants! Here is our priority list of stops for a perfect day out in the hill country:

Jester King Brewery/ Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza
Image courtesy of Texas Highways.

Image courtesy of Texas Highways.

Jester King Brewery and Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza sit side by side on the lovely Fitzhugh Road. For a small farmhouse brewery, Jester King sure knows how to dole out some flavorful and quirky beers, such as Bonnie the Rare, a Berlin-style sour wheat beer, or the Mad Meg, which features naturally occurring wild yeasts. Hop next door to Stanley’s Farmhouse Pizza to try artisan style pizza with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and adventurous flavor combinations.

Salt Lick BBQ

The crowned jewel of hill country BBQ, Salt Lick is an Austin institution, even though it’s located in Driftwood, TX. Grab your group and make a day out of the all-you-can-eat BBQ option, or try their to-go order table and take your feast on the road. However, you choose to do Salt Lick, just remember that it is an experience.

Driftwood Estate Winery

Driftwood Estate Winery is tucked away deep in the hill country, and once there, you’ll never want to leave. The incredible view of the rolling Texas hills paired with great wine is enough to make you forget every worry you ever had. There is plenty of space on the grounds to wander with your glass of wine and relax. Treat yourself to a tasting, or even a bottle of wine!

Treaty Oak Distillery

Treaty Oak Ranch is 27 acres of beautiful land in which you can happily sip on Treaty Oak spirits such as Graham’s Texas Tea Vodka, Waterloo Gin, or Treaty Oak Reserve Rum. There are also plenty of Texas-inspired foods to order alongside your drink(s) of choice. Take a distillery tour, or just chill out somewhere on the ranch with your pals.

Pedernales Falls State Park

Pedernales Falls State Park is the perfect way to opt outside. Take a lovely hike along the Pedernales River and take in the limestone cliffs, serene water and beautiful trees. Pedernales offers camping, boating, fishing, biking, and even horse riding! Bring your furry friend and get ready for a hill country adventure.

Want to take a scenic drive out to the hill country, but don’t want to drive? Hop on board our variety of Hill Country Wine tours. Sit back, relax and enjoy the serenity of the rolling Texas hills.

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Wining down in the Texas Hill Country

hill country distillery, vodka texas, whiskey texas, gin texas

Central Texas may not have been on your radar of great American wine destinations, but the state has a long history of wine production and crafting award-winning wines across the region.

Did you know that vines were actually planted in Texas hundreds of years before California?

Franciscan priests planted Mission vines for sacramental wines in West Texas starting as early as the 1650s. Unfortunately, prohibition in the country nearly eliminated the state’s wine industry until a revival that started in Lubbock in the 1970s and quickly spread to Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country, which was named an American Viticultural Area in 1991.

One of eight AVAs in Texas and the second largest in the entire country, the Hill Country encompasses over 9 million acres of the state! Known for its grassy land, rolling hills, underground taverns and underground lakes like Edwards Aquifer, this area is beautiful to look at, and the land is ideal for growing vines. This area specializes in Italian-style wines, such as Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

There are about 46 wineries in this sprawling part of the state, and they start just 30 minutes from the downtown area – making them the perfect “detour” on your Austin trip. Here are a few that we love!

 

Salt Lick Cellars

Sure the line at the Salt Lick in Driftwood can be long some days, but now you and your friends can take turns retreating to their very own vineyard and nothing goes better with BBQ ribs that a fine Tempranillo.

When the Roberts family came to Driftwood in 1956, Thurman (the father) took our a yellow notepad and wrote down 54 things the family could do in Driftwood. Obviously, BBQ and made the list and was a hit! Scott Robert, second generation owner of the world-famous BBQ restaurant, continued the family tradition of adventure when he planted 35 acres of grape vines on the property, including Tempranillo, Mourvedre, Syrah and Granache.

You can try these and other new varieties, including international award-winning wines, in their rustic tasting room opened Monday -Thursday; 11AM – 9PM, Friday and Saturday; 11AM – 9:30PM and Sunday; noon – 9PM.

 

Duchman Family Winery

Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman opened their winery in 2004 in a quest to bring world-class winemaking to Central Texas and the Texas Hill Country. They loved the Italian grape varieties like Vermentino, Sangiovese, and Dolcetto. Luckily, the weather patterns in Texas match that of Italy allowing them to plant their favorite grapes!

In addition to featuring Italian grapes, the estate also has a Tuscan look and was named one of the 20 most picturesque wineries in the country by HGTV. Though they love Italian wine, they are committed to growing 100% Texas grapes and producing 100% Texas wines. You can try a try their wines in their tasting room open Monday; noon – 6PM, Tuesday – Thursday; 11AM – 8PM, Friday and Saturday; 11AM – 9PM and Sunday 11AM – 8PM.

 

Driftwood Estate Winery

Easily the most jaw dropping view in all of Driftwood, the tasting area here sits on a hill above the vineyards, overlooking the fruit of the land as well as they rest of the Hill Country. Gary Elliot, owner and winemaker, and his wife, whose dad purchased the property in 1951, moved here over 20 years ago and still call it home.

They first planted grapes in 1998 and today have over ten varieties of wine to try. Some of the originals and must tries include their Dry Rose made from Syrah grapes, Cuvee Blanc; which was a happy mistake and won first in its class in Californian competition, the common Tuscan variety of the Hill Country Sangiovese and Longhorn Red paying tribute to Texas.

One perk is that the tasting area gets a nice breeze even when visiting on the hottest of summer days. It’s easy to make a stop of Driftwood and not want to leave. Their tasting room is open daily, 11AM – 7PM in the summer and daily, 11AM – 6PM in the winter.

These are just a few picturesque and tasty vineyards and wineries worth a stop in the Hill Country. We visit the Hill Country every week during our Hill Country Wine Tasting, Hill Country BBQ and Wine Tasting and our Hill Country Sampler tours. To truly understand Texas culture and the states’ beauty, you have to get out of city! Join us on one of these relaxing and interesting tours on your next trip to Austin.

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Beer, Wurst and Nimitz: A Day in Fredericksburg, TX

We recently took a visiting family from England on a private detour to Fredericksburg, where they enjoyed beer, wurst, and an informative and reflective day at the National Museum of the Pacific War. We also made a quick stop in Johnson City and the LBJ Ranch.

Beer_Fredericksburg_TX

At our clients’ request our first stop was The Auslander Restaurant and Biergarten, a Fredericksburg institution complete with Bavarian street scenes and menu offerings including Jagerschnitzel, Sauerbraten, and Krauerbutter Lendenstuck. Our clients opted for the Traditional Bratwurst, a sausage made with pork and smoked veal, and the Kasewurst, another sausage but this one made with beef, smoked pork and sharp cheddar. The meat, and more-than-ample soups and sides, were washed down with Paulaner Hefe-Weissen.

You can check out the Auslander’s menu and live music offerings at: http://www.theauslander.com

The Wall Street Journal’s Mark Yost recently described the National Museum of the Pacific War as “perhaps the most comprehensive, well-organized military museum I’ve ever seen.” Thanks Mark, you took the words right of our mouth! The sprawling complex is packed full of artifacts, memorabilia and information, with a few airplanes, submarines and interactive displays mixed in for good measure. Our clients were fascinated by the details of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and particularly enjoyed re-tracing the war as it raged through the Pacific islands.

You can learn more about the museum at: http://www.pacificwarmuseum.org

We love handcrafting experiences around our private clients’ specific requirements, and often run detours from Austin to Fredericksburg, the Hill Country and surrounding attractions. Please contact us for more details and let us create the perfect detour for you!

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Sunday Funday at Threadgills

Our popular Sunday Funday detour this week took guests to Threadgill’s for a great brunch and fantastic uplifting music from The Stapletones. Here’s a photo from our great seats close to the action!

 

The Stapletones are Ange Kogutz on vocals, Alex and Glen Peterson on bass and guitar, Michael Hale on drums and vocals, and Dane Farnsworth on keyboard. If you haven’t seen them yet, you need to see them soon. Alex and Glen also do a regular Monday night slot at The Continental Club so you shouldn’t have to look hard to find them. You can check out the Continental’s play schedule at: http://continentalclub.com/

After brunch guests enjoyed a tour of Austin landmarks and a relaxing cruise on Lady Bird Lake. The cliched joke about the ‘national’ bird of Austin being the crane still somehow manages to get a laugh or two.

We rotate our Sunday Funday venues and activities to provide guests with a range of authentic Austin experiences. We have some great new things planned for fall and winter, so if you or your visitors want to discover Austin while avoiding the NFL, come join us on a Sunday Funday!

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White Wine Summer Friday @ The Austin Winery

Austin_Winery

We really like what Ross and Cooper are doing at The Austin Winery. We love wine but often feel intimated at some of the fancier upscale wine bars in town. That’s not to say The Austin Winery is shabby – far from it – but the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming and makes us feel at ease. Andy and Ross source from only family-owned growers from the best regions in California, Oregon, Washington and, of course, Texas.

You can check things out at the winery and tasting room in Austin’s buzzing East Side, a few minutes across I35 from downtown. Alternatively, sign up for our Wine Not? An Urban Wine Experience detour, and we’ll make all the arrangements. Our recommendation for these warm summer evenings is a chilled Wild Hare Sauvignon Blanc.

http://theaustinwinery.com/#/about

We carefully design our detours to be ‘Handcrafted Austin Experiences’, and Wine Not? An Urban Wine Experience, has been planned with the wine enthusiast in mind. On this detour we’ll take you to meet the folk at The Austin Winery and several other fun, fresh venues around the city. Whether you’re into red, white, or something in the middle, Wine Not? is a great day out.

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