Just outside of Austin, I discovered a local distillery making vodkas, gin, and bourbon, called Dripping Springs. I had arrived at the perfect time for one of their daily tastings. It was a great setting. The weather was perfect to sit out on their porch with picnic tables all set up for the tastings. Our guide was fantastic. He explained everything about the process of making the vodka and gin. He was also funny and entertaining. I am not a gin fan but the gin that Dripping Springs makes had a subtle taste. I had no idea that besides juniper,…
Leave a CommentMonth: February 2020
Austin may be the capital of Texas, but it is a college town at heart. And being a college town, I expected to find a pizza joint. What I did not expect to find was an authentic New York style pizza place. That is exactly what Home Slice Pizza is. This place was packed. They have a main restaurant and a separate building for to-go orders or ordering pizza by the slice. That day I ended up visiting them twice. The first time I went to the take-out building. The line was so long but it was worth it to…
Leave a CommentIf you have ever driven on a major highway in Texas you would surly seen a sign or billboard for Bucee’s. Bucee’s is a truck stop on steroids. They have tons of gas pumps, car washes, and the cleanest bathrooms. And do not think I am making that up about the bathrooms, they even promote it. What I love about Bucee’s is their food and snacks. They offer everything you would need for a long drive from Houston to San Antonio or Austin to Dallas. If you like kolaches they have several to choose from. Both sweet and savory. If…
Leave a Comment20 years ago, when I moved to Texas, I was introduced to a pastry called Kolaches. These became a staple for any breakfast get together. And when I moved away from Texas it because impossible to find these specialties. For those of you that are not familiar with what a kolache is, let me give you a quick history lesson. Back on the early 1800s, Texas welcomed settlers from Central Europe. As they settle the vast land, they introduced a pastry from their homeland called the kolache. This pastry started off as a sweet fruit filling. It later evolved to…
Leave a CommentI love going to New Jersey and having fresh seafood. My last visit I got to go to a 40 year old restaurant called The Crab’s Claw Inn. Inside did feel like an old Inn, one that you might find tucked away in the mountains, not near the beach. They had the fireplace going to help warm everyone up from the cold outside. The table started off with a pitcher of sangrias. We went for the red. We also got it without ice so it would not get watered down. It was still cold when it came out so it…
Leave a CommentI hope everyone has a wonderful day filled with chocolates, flowers, and love. Enjoy! T
Leave a CommentI love going to wineries when I travel. It gives me a chance to try something new. When I was visiting the beautiful city of St. Augustine I came across the San Sebastian Winery. I had arrived just in time for their winery tour, and to my surprise this tour and the tasting that followed was free. The tour started off with a video talking about the history of the winery and how they were able to get a hybrid grape to grow in the Florida climate. I also learned that there is a native grape in Florida called the…
Leave a CommentSome friends of mine told me that I had to go eat at The Conch House when I was visiting St. Augustine. They said I would not be disappointed. The restaurant is pretty big. They have tons indoor and outdoor seating. They also have these tiki hut tables that you can sit at for a better view of the water. When I visited it was really cold and windy outside, so I got a table inside. To start out with I ordered a Bloody Mary. They had a basic one and then some specialty ones that almost put an entire…
Leave a CommentDowntown Lakeland is seeing growth of so many new bars and restaurants. Nineteen Sixty-One is one of the newest openings. They were originally located in a smaller location in Lakeland, but popularity has allowed them to expand and open downtown. They offer up a wonderful selection of Latin influenced dishes. I visited them on a Sunday so that I could enjoy their brunch. And what goes best with brunch, bottomless mimosas. They offer a few different flavors. I enjoyed the traditional orange juice and then a few pineapple juices. I started off with an order of the Croquetas de Jamon.…
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