Fork & Taco

The first Austin restaurant on our list of new places to try was Fork & Taco on Lamar. The neighborhood is fun, and the food was great!

I had the Beer-Braised Brisket taco, and the man had the Jerk-Dusted Chicken. We also shared some guacamole and chips.

The food was wonderful, but the best part about Fork & Taco was the service. We had the man's tired, 1-year-old niece with us, and one of the employees rushed her out some milk and anything else we needed to keep her happy and smiling.

Again, we are horrible at photos, but I'm working on that!

Try it out for yourself!

Fork & Taco
4801 Burnet Rd.
Austin, Texas 78756

Disclaimer: While I would love to do a sponsored food post, this post is not sponsored in any way. Everything included is my opinion and only influenced by my experience at Fork & Taco last weekend!

Best,

Amber

Austin Monthly Diner's Club

Last week after finding out that I passed the Texas Bar Exam (post to follow), a few friends and I headed out to Nest Modern in downtown Austin for the Austin Monthly Diner's Club.

It was fantastic to really get into the Austin scene. I have been so busy looking for jobs and getting situated, I haven't really had the chance to really do all of the things that make Austin so great.

It was a 50's-themed party featuring food and drinks from some of Austin's hottest new restaurants. I need to get back in the habit of taking pictures, but Austin Monthly took care of that for me too! Check the event out on Austin Monthly's Website.

The man and I have decided that we are going to limit eating out to restaurants that are new-to-us and mostly local Austin spots. Look for reviews to come!

Best,

Amber

Fall Bucket List

In Texas it is usually all about summer bucket lists (because it is summer virtually half of the year), but my favorite season is FALL! I love everything about it - the changing colors, the cooler temperatures, sweaters, pumpkins, Halloween, boots, and darker nail polish hues. Of course the best part is that it is Festival Season in Texas!

Here goes the list:

1) Carve pumpkins

2) Bake pumpkin bread with above pumpkins

3) Enjoy coffee and the news on my porch - Just picked up a new brew in Gonzales, TX this week

4) Enjoy the view above the 360 bridge (Pennybacker Bridge) - Austin

5) Enjoy an outdoor concert - I'm thinking Charlie Mars at Threadgills

6) Go for a hike

7) Go paddle boarding or kayaking before it gets too cold

8) Hit up a few wine festivals - 2014 Texas Fall Wine Festivals

9) Scream at a Haunted House - this one looks good

10) Work hard at Pure Barre 4 times a week - Emily inspired me

Happy Weekend!

Amber

Unlimited Brunch + Friends

The title of this post gives it all away...

Alright, lets back up! I've mentioned before how DC is the mothership of brunching. Well when Amy was in town I obviously had to take her.

It was also a special occasion because Jenni was in town from Vietnam so, we had to celebrate! I decided to make a reservation for bottomless brunch at Cava Mezze. Who doesn't love endless food + drinks? Exactly...

So the deal is you get endless food + mimosas for $30.00. This means you can order anything from the brunch menu & get as much as you want. They are small plates but don't think that won't fill you up, because it will!

^^ The guests of honor! 

We told the server to bring us everything from the menu & to bring a couple of eat dish. Let the fun begin!

My two personal favorites: the Chicken Sausage & the Waffle. 

We all laughed & talked our way through brunch.

After eating for three hours it was time to walk around Eastern Market.

I would say it was a successful day! I got to hang out with some of my favorite people, eat yummy food & explore. I never wanted this weekend to end!

Don't forget to come back to see what Amy & I did on her last day in DC.

Xo,

Emily

Toki Underground

It all started with a donut...

I mean who doesn't love a GBD goodie when they first arrive in DC? 

I was off to get my sister from the airport. I couldn't wait! I arrived an hour before her flight got in (oops!) But I would do anything for that girl even if I had to wait anxiously. 

After reuniting at the airport we dropped her stuff off at my apartment & headed to dinner at Toki Underground. Amy has heard me talk about Toki many times & now she finally got to try it!

Toki is a great ramen place in DC that is located on H street. If you like ramen then this is your place! It is really little. I suggest making a reservation or getting there early. But it's worth it, I promise!

First we started off with drinks.

Amy got the Toki Monster that is garnished with pork belly.

I got the ALT F5 that was extremely refreshing!

Then we washed down some dumplings.

Then slurped up some ramen. 

I ordered the Taipei Curry Chicken. It's one of my favorites! Just look at those chunks of chicken, how can you resist? 

Toki was the perfect spot to take Amy on her first night in DC!  It's was so nice to have her in town & I got to show her a bit of my life. I love her so much!

I wish we could do this every weekend! But for now weekend trips will have to suffice. Don't forget to check back to see what we were up to next... 

Xo,

Emily

P.S. I realize this post is super late! Sometimes life gets away with me.

#CityWeekly: Ice Cream Shops!

PostCityPrints

If you know me, you know I have a huge sweet tooth. I am always on the look out for places to get my sugar fix. Ice cream has always been one of my favorite treats! This week Emily & I are talking about our fav places to grab a scoop (or two!)

Head over to the Vivre Blog to see Ems #CityWeekly picks on the West Coast.

So picture this you’re visiting DC & you are dying for a great ice cream shop. Well, I’ve got you covered, here are my top picks:

1. Nicecream Factory
This gem recently opened in Clarendon which is actually in Virginia but hey it's the DMV! Luckily for me it's right down the street from where I live. I have to say I am quite impressed! All their ice cream is made to order which makes it taste fresh & special. They use liquid nitrogen to make the ice cream right in front of you.

Via

2. Pitango Gelato 
Alright I know we are supposed to be talking ice cream but I can't resist the gelato (it's too good!) I discovered this shop when I was in DC for my internship. I am so happy I did because it's amazing! They have great flavors + this gelato will literally melt in your mouth. I imagine this would be very close to what you would get in Italy ;).

3. Larry's Ice Cream
Craving some delicious homemade ice cream? Look no further! They have plenty of amazing flavors to choose from like Cinnamon Cookie Dough, HELLO. If you're in the mood for something other than ice cream they also have cupcakes! I mean, does it really get much better?

4. Dolcezza 
I am a sucker for gelato + good coffee. If you are too then you should really head to Dolcezza. The gelato is made fresh daily & they use local farms to get their ingredients. The flavors change frequently which keeps me coming back for more (oops!)

Via

5. Georgetown Scoops
I love the feel of this cute little shop! You feel like you have been transplanted into a European town. They offer a variety of ice cream flavors + sorbet. The ice cream is made from fresh ingredients that you can taste in the ice cream. Grab a scoop & sit outside to take in the Georgetown streets + great people watching. 

Next time your sweet tooth kicks in head to the places above & I guarantee you will be satisfied. 

What are your favorite ice cream shops in your area? 

Xo,

Emily

#CityWeekly: Brunch!

I am excited to bring you the #CityWeekly series I have been working on with Emily from the Vivre Blog! I met Em in college & since then we have been able to keep in touch. We both love to travel & explore the places we live. Why not talk about what we've discovered? Well, that’s exactly what we are doing!

Each week we will have new places for you to try from the West Cost (Silicon Valley, CA where Em lives) to the East Coast (DC where I live.) We will pick out our favorites each week. We've got you covered coast to coast!

If you're wondering where we got the cute city prints above, check out PostCityPrints. I love Sarah's illustrations & I am planning to buy one for each city I’ve lived in! 

Now for the good stuff! This week let's talk about brunch, shall we? 

Head over to Ems blog to hear more about her #CityWeekly brunch picks! 

DC is home to brunch (or so people here like to think.) Long story short everyone LOVES brunch! It’s pretty hard to choose just five but I tried to mix it up a bit. Let’s dive right in:

1. Le Diplomate

I’ve heard so many great things about this restaurant & I am not sure how I hadn’t gone, until this past weekend. First of all lets talk about the location, this cute French restaurant is nestled in one of my favorite neighborhoods Logan Circle. The inside is bright, the outside feels exactly like your in France & is set up for relaxing + people watching. The food is nothing short of amazing! They offer different brunch options that you really can’t get anywhere else. 

2. Cava Mezze

DC offers a plenty of "bottomless" brunches & I have tried many. Not all of them impress me but Cava Mezze offers a really good one. Being a Mediterranean restaurant they offer some different options like the Gyro frittata. They also have more traditional plates for the picky eaters! This brunch combines great flavors at a great price. If you're on the lookout for an unlimited brunch- might I suggest here?

3. District Commons

Love an all American brunch? Then this is your spot! This gem is near Foggy Bottom & serves up all your favorite breakfast dishes. They also offer an unlimited drink option for an extra $15.00 if you're into that. 

4. Ted's Bulletin

Homemade Pop Tarts, need I say anything more? But seriously their pastry selection is amazing. They also have great milkshakes which I am a huge fan of. This brunch is perfect for friends after a night out. Serving up hearty dishes to cure any of your problems.

5. 2 Amy's

Want something different? Head to 2 Amy's & order a pizza (of course!) + whichever breakfast item strikes your fancy. This is by far the best pizza I've had in DC & it's authentic Neapolitan pizza with a certification to prove it! 

What are your favorite brunch spots? Share them with us by tagging your pictures #CityWeekly! Don't forget to come back next week to see what we choose next.

Xo,

Emily

The Big Apple 4th of July

This Fourth of July I headed to the Big Apple (NYC) to visit a close friend. Long weekends are the perfect excuse for a mini vacay! So I packed my bags & headed to the big city.

I arrived Thursday night after a terrifying bus ride (rain + lighting.) I happily made my way to Theresa's apartment after arriving. Luckily she had made pasta with her famous sauce (yum!) The night was spent gossiping & catching up over drinks.

On Friday, we wanted to get BBQ for the Fourth of July so we headed to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que in Harlem for some good eatin!

^^ I didn't even feel like I was in New York here. It was so homey & cute inside. 

^^ Happy I got to see SaeHee this trip too! 

^^ I ordered the "petite sampler" that was delicious but much larger than expected! It came with 1/2 a chicken breast, ribs, brisket, beans & macaroni + cheese. After this I was so full I could barely move. It was time to rest up before the fireworks!

Theresa's friend was having a get together on her rooftop to view the fireworks. Much better than dealing with the massive crowds! Plus, check out the view...

^^ I mean, that view of the city, does it get any better? I always forget how HUGE Manhattan is until I see it from the top. 

The fireworks peaked over the buildings & it was sheer beauty! Unfortunately I only got one good photo but you can imagine how gorgeous of a site it was!

Thank you NYC for a spectacular Independence Day! Stay tuned for the next Big Apple adventure...

How did you spend the holiday weekend?

Xo,

Emily