Mozart’s Coffee Roasters

by Hannah Thornby Posted on December 4, 2012

This riverside oasis is truly one of Austin’s great gems. It’s the type of place where you know you have stumbled upon something great before you even step inside. In Mozart’s case, this is especially true given their fantastically large, absolutely perfect deck/patio that wraps almost all the way around the entire establishment on two separate floors and offers up both shade, sun, and wifi. Oh, and did I mention the fantastic view of the lake?

If basking in the sun is not your thing or it’s too cold outside, don’t fear, Mozart’s is just as comfortable inside. With an inside made of wood, brick and window (for the view), the indoors of Mozart’s offers up a perfect near-rustic coffee shop environment. In terms of fixins’, they offer a range of bottomless coffees and all the regular syrups and coffee special orders. Their food menu is also quite large and features such treats as Amy’s ice cream, cookies and bagels, and a number of homemade cheesecakes and dessert cups. Personally, I wouldn’t mind some breakfast taco options, but the quiches normally suffice.

But really, there’s just nothing like a place that hands you a delicious mocha in a fancy coffee cup and then encourages you to spend the rest of your day in their establishment, just lounging about.

Oh but one note, Mozart’s is expensive. If you want a drink and at least a little grub , you’re going to be spending more than $5. Also, while there is substantial seating options, expect to find Mozart’s packed on especially nice weekends. Still beautiful, but packed…

In a perfect world, I would be sipping coffee at Mozart’s and pondering life at least once a week. In this perfect world, I also have a car.

It’s hard to not want to spend all day here
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Keeping Austin Weird at Magnolia’s Cafe

by Hannah Thornby Posted on November 9, 2012

I’m going to be honest. In large part for me, Magnolia’s isn’t really about the food. They’ve got some delicious breakfast plates and reasonably well-inspired and well-cooked traditional diner meals, but that’s not really the draw.

People come to Magnolia’s 24-hours a day 8-days a week to celebrate the perpetually awesome life of an Austinite. Magnolia exists and flourishes because people need to go do crazy fun things or see crazy cool bands and know they can continue their awesome night/day with a visit to an Austin institution – specifically one that embraces the quirky, offers breakfast tacos and other slightly greasy comfort foods, and has the kind of welcoming environment that will let the good times keep rolling.

For that, I praise Magnolia’s and respect its place as a fixture within Austin’s culture.

With that being said, I have been to Magnolia’s a million times and know their menu like the back of my hand. First off, stay away from their dinner tacos. There are a million better tacos to be had in Austin. Their breakfast tacos, on the other hand, are musts. Either the flaco taco (bacon, avocado, eggs) or the three alarm taco (three different salsas, eggs, and cheese) are sure to please at any time of night. Their pancakes are also divine and come huge and in different flavors, including gingerbread. If you are to make it past the always tempting breakfast menu, Magnolia’s boasts a surprisingly good specials menu. Their steak salad, crawfish etoufee, and stuffed squash are definitely worth trying if featured.

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Perfection in Donut Form – Gourdough’s

by Hannah Thornby Posted on November 2, 2012

People may call it a donut truck, but really Gourdough’s is much much more. It’s a peek at what they serve in heaven.

In heaven and at Gourdough’s, donuts aren’t just donuts. They’re decadent, over-the-top dish creations where toppings ranging from fried chicken and pudding to oreos and fresh fruit are heaped up on top of a perfectly fried and fluffed chunk of bready donut and then covered in cream cheese, chocolate, peanut butter, or jam. In heaven, donuts require forks, knives, and one’s utmost respect.

Son of a Peach - Peach Stuff

I repeat, Gourdough’s is no ordinary donut place. To perhaps put it in better perspective, take my friend Max. Every time we visit the South 1st food truck pod in which Gourdough’s resides, he talks in length about how his younger brother has it better in life because he discovered Gourdough’s secrets earlier in life. Max is 19.

This holiest of places is my guiltiest pleasure. I’m not proud of it, but there have been numerous occasions when I’ve visited the Gourdough’s website when I’m down or deep in procrastination mode. Just glancing through the picture posts of over 20 of their inventions is sometimes necessary for me to continue with my day.

I would recommend a donut, but there is literally one for every type of person and they are literally all perfectly capable of being someones’s favorite. I think if I even tried to name my favorite, I would just keep changing my mind or making it a list. I won’t try.
Word on the street is that Gourdough’s is expanding and opening a real brick-and-mortar restaurant on South Lamar. I shall be there on opening day, come join me.

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