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).

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.

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.

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!