♥ Happy Halloween :: Pumpkin Spice

It's Halloween weekend and I've been very excited about getting into the Halloween spirit this year, despite some costume delays :) Although pumpkin carving was never really my thing, I like the thought of adding pumpkin to any ordinary dish or drink to give it the flavor of fall.

The other week I tried a delicious pumpkin beer at the Whip In called Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, which paired very well with the cold rain outside and the spicy yellow curry dish I ordered.

I also found myself drooling over this decadent recipe for Pumpkin Crème Brûlée from Love & Olive Oil.

Click HERE for the recipe!

We may not see the seasons change in central Texas, but the smell of pumpkin spices has the ability to make me eagerly anticipate the holiday season, as well as, induce a curl-up-by-the-fire type coma.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Halloween weekend filled with spooky costumes and sweet treats! Like I said, I am not much of a pumpkin carver, but I did find some people who are. Check out these INCREDIBLE pumpkin sculptures I found on MSN's homepage [they are just too wonderful to call them carvings]!

too cute! what a great idea!

scarrryyyy!!

Happy Halloween Y'all!

♥ Mel

♥ Drunken Doughnuts :: Trace Austin at The W Hotel

While there is much to discuss on the Tastytown homefront, I thought I'd drop by to discuss some tasty treats I have had the delight of devouring lately, and you probably should too.

I've had the fortunate pleasure to do some jetsetting this weekend, out of the hot Texas heat and into the blissful Ozark Mountains for a fun and fresh weekend which truly satisfied my mind and body. While my bags are still unpacked and my fingers still a bit frosty, there is much for me to show you and I look forward to writing about my weekend/posting some pics later this week.

Until then, feast your eyes on these little delights to warm your soul.

Drunken Doughnuts, so nice to meet you on my lovely Sunday Morning!

The Drunken Doughnuts from Trace are heavenly! Each pillowy doughnut hole is covered in cinnamon sugar crystals, with three devilishly sweet toppings to dip these fluffy bites; Vodka whipped cream, Tequila chile fudge sauce and my absolute favorite Bourbon Dulce DeLeche. I highly encourage you order these treats when dining at Trace, at any time of day, sharing is of course optional!

Trace is the classy and refined restaurant located right on the corner of 2nd Street and Lavaca, inside the W Hotel. Although I've only had the pleasure to dine during brunch, I do intend on tasting their dinner fare soon.

Cheers to keeping things short and sweet today! 

Keep calm and Eat on,

♥ Mel



♥ Anything Can Happen

Have you ever had to make a really difficult decision in your life?  One where you really felt the road had met an unknown fork; where you could honestly see yourself walking down either path?

October has thrown me for some very unexpected curves and forced me to visualize myself making some very big decisions and walk down some very differnt paths.

I have mentally been a bit overwhelmed and to say the least, this song, Anything Can Happen by Wyclef Jean, brought a smile to my face and sense of peace amongst the stressfulness.

In life, its true that, at times, anything can happen. Future unknown.

And while lately I have been working on positive thinking, setting positive future intentions and studying the law of attraction; I still think there are unknown elements.

The song is catchy and the lyrics are kinda funny. The beat makes you wanna bob your head. Theres a sense of humility to the song as well. It speaks to the people feeling low or feeling high and mighty. Stay humble, cause anything can happen. Most importantly, it just reminds me that no matter how much we stress over decisions or situations, there is only so much we can control, and in reality anything can happen.

It also makes me want to go roller skating :) Party idea anyone?

Hope y'all like!

♥ Cheers,

Mellie

♥ Lost My Keys to Reality

Weather! Holy Moly! This weather has been amazing! Our 120 days of 100+ are finally broken. Austin has been awesomely greeted by the most brilliant breezes and trust me, we are thankful. Because, trust me, it won't last long.

 This Sunday was especially glorious! A few friends of mine got together to gallivant around the city, literally. It was definitely a 'Choose your own Adventure' kind of day.

We had lunch at Sandra Bullock's own Walton's Cafe on West Sixth Street--then drinks at Second Bar + Kitchen :)

My mimosa, Mike and Carly's Oaktown Beat Down which I think had Appleton Rum and then Tiff's Chai infused cocktail; from Second Bar + Kitchen. Delish!

Searched for the Cow Parade: the strategically placed and eclectically painted cows that are now strewn throughout the city. These -we loved. Click the link to see pics of ALL of the cows!

Hiked through the greenbelt to get some exercise and witness some amazing Hill Country views and sadly smoke in the distance from the Bastrop fires :(



My friends sitting on the edge of the cliff-- Tiffany was the brave one to get down and take the picture.

And finished off with Strawberry Margaritas at Red's Porch off of South Lamar.

shotty iphone picture!

Cheers to *Sundays* Fundays!

Much Love,

♥ Mellie

♥ Tastytown takes on the Hippie Highway :: South First Gems

After my ACL adventure last weekend, I had one goal and one goal only this weekend. Rest, relaxation and rejuvenation! Oh and eating some deliciousness of course!

Friday evening was spent treating myself to a little salon and spa action (a girl's gotta have pretty nails!), followed by late night sushi happy hour at Bar Chi with my boyfriend, my sister and some friends. Might I add that, Bar Chi is a hip new spot for late evening sushi cravings on a dime.

Saturday was spent taking ridiculously long cat naps. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t too lazy. I did, in fact, get up for a 9am boot camp workout with MOVE Austin Fitness, but I then proceeded to go straight back to sleep. When I finally awoke from my glorious slumber, it was hungertown USA for me.

Bouldin Creek is one of my absolute favorite spots in South Austin, on the Hippie Highway (aka South First). This restaurant, is entirely vegetarian, organic, fresh, and completely tasty! I'm not a vegetarian myself, but all of their options are filling, satisfying and most importantly healthy. We almost always get the hummus plate to start. It is probably the most delicious hummus, topped by the freshest tomatoes and cucumbers, I have ever tasted.

Once we had a few bites, we decided on a few tasty bevs! Mike had a Shanty, which is half 512 Wit Beer and half lemonade. It was very refreshing, but I must say I won in the drink choices when I decided to try the Champagne Mojito; bubbly and crisp!

Mike ordered the Sweet Potato Tamales, which he wrapped up into little corn tortillas, topped with fresh veggies and salsa.  It was a combination I wouldn’t have thought of myself, and I was pleasantly surprised by the savory combo. My order was the grilled cheese sammie loaded with veggies like basil, cilantro, onion, tomato and jalapenos for a kick. Needless to say, I was smiling ear to ear and I had some to take home for a snack later.

When we finally rolled ourselves out of there, my little eyes spotted something that suddenly made me realize I had a little room for dessert. Directly across the street is Sugar Mama's Bake Shop and I had to stop in. This bakery is adorable, with a little seating area inside and a decadent glass case filled with goodies. I apologize for not picturing what we actually ordered as we sort of devoured it immediately. Mike went with a mini fruit pie, and I, the rich chocolate mint square. We were in HEAVEN!

I highly recommend these Hippie Highway gems in a combo package! Sure you can try one without the other, but the two together was ideal for a lazy Saturday or maybe even a fun date idea!

BOULDIN CREEK

Bouldin Creek Street Sign

Mike sitting outside the funky Bouldin Creek wall

Shanty and Champagne Mojito

Hummus Plate

Sweet Potato Tamales

Grilled Cheese + Veggies sammie

SUGAR MAMA'S BAKESHOP

Sugar Mama's

drool...

tasty icing

cute seating area to get out of the heat

Triple Berry Mini Pie

♥ Dig in!

Mellie

♥ Austin Restaurant Week

One City, Two Weeks, Three Courses.

Last night, Austin Restaurant Week was kicked off at Paggi House where everyone gathered for some live jazz, tasty appetizers and conversations on their big, comfy outdoor seating. The weather was beautiful and our goodie bags were stuffed with awesome Austin Restaurant Week swag and even our own Fearless Critic Guide to Austin restaurants.

Austin Restaurant Week will be held from September 25th-28th and October 2nd-5th.

This annual event was created in celebration of Austin's unique culinary arts. Austin Restaurant Week allows patrons to dine at some of Austin's finest restaurants while allowing our chefs to showcase a customized menu of their best dishes.

Meals range from $10 – $15 for lunch and $25 – $35 for dinner for a three-course pre-fixed menu.

*Remember* this week will be a busy one, so go to the ARW website, peruse the list of fabulous restauarants and be sure to make your reservations ahead of time.

--Ooo! Neat! Here's the link to Austin Restaurant Week Mobile App too!--

Are there any restaurants you want to try?? These are a few that I am dying to get a taste of.

Braise - New American

ADDRESS: 2121 East 6th Street, Suite 101
PHONE: 512-478-8700

Olivia - Gourmet

ADDRESS: 2043 South Lamar
PHONE: 512-804-2700

uchiko - Japanese

ADDRESS: 4200 N. Lamar
PHONE: 512-916-4808

♥ yummmmmm,

Mel