Several French rosé wines from the Rhone Valley and Provence

While you never need an excuse to spoil that special someone, Valentine’s Day offers several options to really make the day. From upscale to low-key, there are great places to shop, dine, relax or indulge.

Milk + Honey Salon and Spa will be offering various Valentine’s packages, along with extended hours. All of their locations offer couples spa rooms for treatments together. For instance, the couples retreat boasts a 60-minute massage, facial and manicure. Gift cards are also available for purchase. You can indulge here without going overboard on calories or cluttering up your closet.

Couples Treatment at Milk & Honey

However, some pieces never go out of style. Treat your man to something he’ll want to wear forever. Come check out Edge boutique downtown for staples that last a lifetime. For a personalized shopping experience, don’t hesitate to call on Edge’s “fashion brain,” Phillip Solomon. Come in Thursday nights from 6 to 9 pm and enjoy a Cinco Vodka drink while you shop.

Edge Founders

Women love their shoes. Locally-owned Stella Says Go, on the corner of Lamar and 5th Street, has an array of distinctive shoes with their own comfort rating system. Some of the brands they carry include Seychelles, Poetic License, Miz Mooz, Jeffrey Campbell and more. Look to Stella’s Steals for prices under $60, and don’t forget about the free parking entrance on Baylor Street just west of Lamar.

Does she just love TOMS shoes? Check out Sola for special edition “Let Love Rule” TOMS shoes stenciled in silver and pink over black canvas. Besides being vegan,  TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair you buy.

"Let Love Rule" TOMS shoes

Valentine’s Day is famous for satisfying a sweet tooth. Since 1885, Lammes Candies on Airport Boulevard has been creating some amazing confectionery wonders. While famous for their Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines and Longhorns, they will be offering several special Valentine’s gifts as well.

More than likely, you will probably see chocolate-covered strawberries all around town. One of my personal favorites can be found at Amy’s Ice Creams. Fresh strawberries get dipped in European dark chocolate, drizzled with a white chocolate lattice and then packaged in a lovely pink box. Order your dozen by clicking here.

Flowers can always take it up a notch, and there are some amazing local florists to check out. Verbena off of West 38th Street always have the freshest flowers and work with you to create a unique bouquet. Mercedes Flowers has four different Valentine’s Day bouquets with roses, for delivery or pick-up, at their location on South First Street.

Spice it up this year with a special something from Teddies for Bettys on West Second Street. You will find a great selection of designer lingerie and lounge wear, including La Perla, Cosabella, Jimmy Jane, Lelo, Hanky Panky and more.

You don’t have to be a big spender to purchase lingerie ,either –  just look for the Bazaar on East Riverside. Find all kinds of lingerie at non-designer prices, along with any accessory, including wigs, costumes, and even individual peacock plumes.

Many of Austin’s best restaurants will be offering special Valentine’s Day menus. Feb. 12 through 14, Fleming’s will be offering a special Valentine’s Day menu with options like lobster, filet mignon with prawns, and prime New York Strip with king crab. In addition to recommended wines, a special Valentine’s Day “bella-tini” cocktail will be featured. They are offering a $25 Dining Card for use in the future by reserving here.

Finn & Porter’s Valentine’s menu goes on from Feb. 10 through 14, with three courses for $65. Choose between a selection of lump crab cake, beef carpaccio, tuna with foie gras, citrus salad or cauliflower soup with a salmon dumpling for the appetizer. Entrée selections include mushroom ravioli, lamb shank, red snapper, beef filet, and more. For dessert share a trio for two, consisting of crème brûlée, chocolate espresso bread pudding, and a key lime cannoli.

This is also a perfect time to try their signature French 76 cocktail, Belvedere vodka and Chandon Brut, or their champagne flight. For $20, you receive a two-ounce pour of Chandon Brut, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Moët & Chandon Impérial Rosé.

While limited space with only two seatings at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., Foreign & Domestic will have a four course menu, with wine pairings included, for $50. Highlights include winter cabbage trifle, potato gnocchi and duck fried rice with fennel kimchi.

Sister restaurants Asti and Fino will be putting an Italian spin on Valentine’s Day with their special menus. Fino will be serving tomato gazpacho, scallop with pork belly, lobster risotto and more. Asti will be serving a scallop crudo, gnocchi and grilled lamb chops on their special menu.

The Carillion presents their “Texas Love Affair” menu, boasting seven courses for $80 per person. You can also choose to pair wines with each course for an extra $60. Another ritzy option is the four course prixe fixe menu at Four Season’s TRIO restaurant, priced at $95.

Check out South Austin’s favorite gastropub, Barley Swine, and their six course menu for Valentine’s Day. Reserve by sending your name and phone number to info@barleyswine.com and they will contact you to confirm.

Beginning February 10, Chef Larkin of Chez Zee will prepare a special menu composed of  seared ahi tuna, Valentine’s salad of beets and fennel, redfish stuffed crab and cream cheese, jerk chicken and a house-cut beef onglet with Maine lobster.

Lastly, at Trace, Chef de Cuisine Paul Hargrove will prepare both a vegetarian and omnivorous three course menu. The prix fixe dinner runs $65 a person or $90 with wine pairings. Look out for the hot smoked sabelfish with hushpuppies.  Pastry Chef Janina O’Leary will make her special Valentine’s dessert specials, available Feb. 10, with treats like butterscotch budino, choclate nutella torte and a champagne float.

While Austin has an amazing dining scene, cooking for a loved one can also set the mood. Go fancy and pair your dinner with a champagne or rosé wine. If you’re not sure what to make or how to maneuver the kitchen, try Central Market‘s chef-prepared dinner-for-two this Valentine’s Day, composed of lobster tails and beef tenderloin. They will also have heart-shaped pot de crème and crème brûlée. Click here if you would like to order.

You can appreciate some of Austin’s natural beauty and burn off some calories before or after dinner with a romantic walk up to Mount Bonnell, the city’s highest point. You can see the city and the lake from this gorgeous vista. If scenery could speak, it would say, “I love you.”

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!

Viewing Platform at the top of Mount Bonnell

In case you haven’t heard about Austin’s most-talked about natural soup, Holy Posole, now is your chance to learn more about it and support a local product. This ancient soup, known for its healing properties, is quickly gaining popularity with more and more stores stocking it on their shelves.

For those of you who don’t know what posole is, its roots come from Texas and New Mexico. A combination of Hatch green chiles, Chimayo red chile, tomatoes, hominy, garlic and other spices, including chicken, flavoring create a soup that people say “tastes like home.”

I had a wonderful opp0rtunity to chat with Holy Posole creator, Sharon Ely, and ask her a few questions about her amazing soup.

Emil, Sharon, and Gary at HEB with Holy Posole

Q: What first inspired you to start making posole?

A: The first time I made Holy Posole was after tasting it in Santa Fe, New Mexico at my friend’s house, after my husband and I had driven 14 hours to get to a wedding on time. We were exhausted when we arrived, and my friend had made this wonderful soup from an ancient recipe that a hundred-year-old lady had given her.The taste of this magical soup made us feel so warm, comforted, happy and energized, that I decided from then on I, too, was going to make posole. After more than thirty years of making this delicious soup, I have finally decided to sell my soup in jars and give it the wonderful name of Holy Posole. It is such a healing soup for anything you may have.

Q: Without giving away the recipe, are there any special ingredients that you use?

A: Yes, I use very special spices from the region where I first tasted the soup. I use Chimayo red chile, which comes  from a little town near Santa Fe . I also use Hatch green chiles from another region in New Mexico that are very high in nutrients and vitamin C. We use as many natural ingredients as we can, including the natural chicken broth with low sodium. I have worked very hard to make this soup as naturally good for all of us as possible, and to use the best ingredients from Texas and New Mexico. Everyone that makes posole has their own special recipe which makes it their own. I, too, have evolved an ancient recipe to make it my very own so that many people may enjoy this wonderful healing soup.

Q: The name is so creative, is there a story behind it?

A: The name I give Holy Posole is simple. I love the way it rhymes. I also love it because this soup is made with Chimayo chile, which adds to the flavor and healing power of the soup. I feel that it may very well be a sacred soup, and is appropriately named Holy Posole for that reason. Chimayo is very well known for its little ancient church that has healing dirt all around it. Since the chile we use is from this region, I believe it could also make our soup healing.

Q: With Holy Posole becoming so popular, has it been difficult to keep up with the demand?

A: There is never enough Holy Posole. We always run out. I am constantly asking the factory to make more Holy Posole. Right after New Year’s 2012, we got an order for three truckloads of Holy Posole to be delivered to HEB. We continue to get orders every week. So yes, we are continually surprised by how many orders we are getting, and thus trying to make more posole. Actually, for 30 years this has always been the case. No matter how big a pot of posole we make, we always run out and people are always saying, “where’s the posole?”

Q: Where in Austin can you purchase Holy Posole?

A: You can purchase Holy Posole at 49 HEB grocery stores that have the Kitchen Connections in their store. I have a list on my website, holyposole.net. Also you may find my Holy Posole at Fresh Plus on West Lynn in Austin, Texas. Amazon also carries my soup online for people not living near an HEB grocery store or in Texas.

Q: Do you see Holy Posole expanding beyond Texas?

A: Oh yes, I see Holy Posole being served all over the world. My soup  spreads peace and harmony and comfort and it will allow people all over to world to enjoy this feeling. It is all I can think of to help the world right now, make soup to help us all heal from whatever problems we may have. I would love to provide soup for all the hungry people that may need food.

Q: Would you ever consider selling another natural soup besides posole?

A: Right now we are manufacturing two new natural soups….a Verde Holy Posole and a tortilla soup with hominy. I also have a habenero sauce we are finalizing this week. All of these products are all natural and very tasty. Harmony through hominy and peace through posole!

Check out local HEB’s and Fresh Plus on West Lynn to try out Sharon Ely’s famous Holy Posole, while supplies last. You can also stay up to date with what’s happening with Holy Posole by visiting their blog or Facebook page.

Support a local product and unlock the healing powers of the Chimayo chile with your purchase. Besides tasting great, this natural soup has restorative powers and is made with love. Keep in mind, this also makes a great gift to those not familliar with regional Texas and New Mexico cuisine!

Mardi Gras Mambo your way over to J. BLACK’S Feel Good Lounge for Fat Tuesday!

We will feature Delicious Bacardi Hurricanes and Louisiana Gulf Shrimp & Sausage Gumbo!

Don’t forget to dress in theme and bring your creative mask. We will be having a best mask contest at 9pm sharp! Whoever wins will receive a prize!

Feel Good. Now.

Citizen Generation’s Second Annual Charity Bash and Masquerade Ball will be held Saturday, February 18 benefitting Capital Area Food Bank. The Winter Wonderland will include an open bar, food, entertainment, and art from Generous Art which donates 40% of each piece of art to nonprofits.

The dress code is black tie. Early ticket purchasers will be charged $80 or $150 per couple. Otherwise, the event is $100 per person at the door. VIP bottle service packages are available by emailing info@citizengeneration.org. Click here to purchase tickets.

The artists from Generous Art have also been making headlines. Six Generous Artists were filmed by KLRU during E.A.S.T.  TREND magazine featured Jennifer Chenoweth’s Heaven and Hell piece from the two-part show Hell and Heaven in Santa Fe. ART LIES magazine recently reviewed Virginia Fleck’s 2011 solo exhibition CONSUMED at the Holly Johnson Gallery in Dallas, Texas.

"CO2 Mandala" by Virginia Fleck; plastic bags and tape; 60" in diamter; courtesy of the artist and Holly Johnson Gallery, Dallas

Carol Haymen was selected as one of the ten winning artists of the Austin Art Board’s competition. Lastly, Southwest Art named Generous Artist Kerry Schroeder as their “Arist to Watch” in the November 2011 issue.

In 2011, the combined total donated to charity was $124,390. Generous Art has grown to represent 23 artists and 30 nonprofits in Austin.

Generous Art and Artists will be featured on an upcoming episode of Arts in Context on KLRU airing Thursday, Fenruary 23 at 7:30 pm. Generous Art will have a viewing party.

If you would like to help a Generous Artist raise money to attend a residency at the Vermont Studio Center in March, you can visit Emily Moore’s studio sale online. Additionally, a live event will be held February 5 at Texas French Bread at 2900 Rio Grande from 3 to 7 pm with refreshments provided.

"Home" by Emily Moore; monoprint and watercolor on paper; 10"x6.25"; $100 unframed

If you would like to see more work by the Generous Artists, many have their work on view in Austin. The 2012 People’s Gallery Exhibit at Austin City Hall will feature the work of Jennifer Chenoweth, Larry Graeber, Renee Nunez, and Sydney Yeager. Chenoweth will show her hanging steel sculpture titled Heaven and Hell. Renee will show her work titled Inertial Haze which consists of a reclaimed materials wall installation. She will also show Octofloss, a 7 foot cut canvas painting. The opening reception will be held Friday, February 24 from 6 to 9 pm.

Carolyn Kimball is a part of the upcoming Women Printmakers of Austin show. The juried Monoprint/Monotype Exhibit will take place at the Gallery at the J in Austin, Texas through February 28.

Two of Sydney Yeager’s paintings hang in the restaurant and bar of the W Hotel as a part of their collection. See them at 200 Lavaca St. in downtown Austin.

With Austin’s art scene taking off, these are great oppurtunities to see some of these masterpieces live in person.

Now you can slurp with style even in the a.m. hours at Houndstooth Coffee’s Fancy Fridays. Instead of the normal “casual Fridays,” the Houndstooth baristas are sprucing it up every week. It all began when one employee, Rudi, began wearing his bowtie on Fridays to add some style to the work week. The weekly ritual became a growing fad with the baristas, and voilà! The new, refined Fancy Fridays was born.

“Customers love it and it adds a special feeling to the whole day,” commented Houndstooth barista Sean Henry.

The quirky personalities of Houndstooth employees further complement the sustainable, quality ingredients they use. Much like a bartender, these coffee “mixologists” have even gone through lengthy training sessions and truly master that perfect cup of coffee. The baristas set the tone of Houndstooth by conversing, building relationships with customers, and embracing a sense of community.

With a plethora of coffee shops to choose from, it can be difficult to find the right place to feel comfortable enough to hang out. Houndstooth fosters a creative and social atmosphere without being uptight or pretentious.

This locally owned and operated coffee shop serves premium coffee, tea, beer, wine, and pastries from sustainable sources. The coffee is ever changing, depending on the the life of the bean, the season, and even the time of day. Distributors include Counter Culture, Cuvee, and Intelligentsia. Coffee and tea are both available in bulk. The Steeping Room supplies a large variety of tea. Even if you don’t care for coffee or tea, Houndstooth offers beer on tap from Real Ale, Breckenridge 471, Thirsty Planet, and Anchor Brewing. Bottled beer and wine by the glass or bottle are also available.

Houndstooth also offers public and private “cuppings.” Available by request or appointment, cuppings consist of three different kinds of coffee, cupping utensils, and a personal barista for one to six people. Public cuppings happen Mondays at 1:30.

Stop in for a morning coffee, afternoon tea, or wind down in the evening with a beer or glass of wine. Anyone can pour a cup of coffee. However, Houndstooth will craft you one. Don’t be shy, meet a barista and make a friend!

Houndstooth Coffee
4200 North Lamar Boulevard #120 | Austin, TX 78756
512.531.9417 

Known for its steak, seafood, and fine dining, Finn & Porter truly wows with their sushi happy hour. Located in the Hilton hotel downtown, Finn & Porter offers half-price items off their sushi happy hour menu. However, this isn’t your typical sushi happy hour. Flawless technique and creativity set this menu apart.

For instance, the sea dragon comes with tuna, macadamia nuts, and then gets topped off with shisho pesto and green apple. The green apple gives it an amazing crunch and texture. Sushi Chef Triet Huynh really knows his sushi, using traditional techniques with nontraditional ingredients. The result is an deliciously unique menu.

For more simple sushi items, the nigiri is amazingly fresh and flavorful with a nice selection of fish that includes hamachi, walu, and tombo. I had maguro for my first time, a Japanese big eye tuna. Yum!

Sushi might not be for everyone. Luckily, there are still several delicious options available on the menu. Executive Chef Ryan Gossett’s “direct farm-to-table” approach comes through solidly with his attention to freshness and locally-grown foods.  Try the crab cake. Thai seasoned jumbo lump crab meat served beside a jicama and red pepper slaw with a mango coulis… It’s hard to beat.

Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday from 5 to 7 pm. Also, don’t forget to ask about Finn & Porter’s new champagne flight. It’s a fun way to try a variety of champagnes and decide which one is your favorite.

If you enjoy your sushi with a little sake, look no further than Finn & Porter’s list of premium sakes. If you’re like me, you might enjoy sake without knowing too much about it. However, Pearl from Finn & Porter is my new go-to on any questions about sake. Part of the excellent waitstaff team, Pearl explained several nuances on sake I had never known. Like fine wine, delicate conditions like the amount of sea salt in the air can temper the sake.

While not on the happy hour menu, try Chef Huynh’s take on east meets west in the lobsteryaki roll.  Saffron rice surrounds a vanilla butter poached lobster tail with cucumber and dried fig. Seared foie gras and truffle balsamic teriyaki crown the roll to give it a delightfully rich and buttery taste. This unique roll pairs well with sake or champagne.

The sweeping staircase, open space, and modern design elements of Finn & Porter make this a comfortable and lovely place to relax and get a bite to eat. The dining room includes two different nooks that have private and semi-private dining options. The parking is easily accessible with an entrance on Red River. For reservations, call (512) 493-4900.

Don’t miss out on these sushi masterpieces offered at happy-hour prices!

Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail

Whether your New Year’s resolutions involve getting active, eating right, de-cluttering, guilt-free shopping, or saving a little money, we’ve got you covered with a few ideas and mentions to kick off 2012. Many larger gyms around town are also offering membership savings for the new year as well.

Sometimes even just changing up your normal workout routine can give you more results.  The Bar Method Austin on West Fifth Street creates a sculpts bodies and elongates muscles by blending isometrics, dance conditioning, and physical therapy. Ask about their new client special.

One of Austin’s favorite green trainers, urban animal, has recently merged with Dynamax Training to incorporate medicine balls into their workouts. Partner-based Velocity Boot Camp offers fast-paced workouts with killer results. For the duration of a month, Phase Ten Training will use a scaled sequence of programs, drills, and medicine ball work. Both classes are offered at multiple locations.

Another local favorite, with it’s donation-based classes, Black Swan Yoga features heated yoga with their Sweaty Yoga and more advanced Power Yoga. Don’t worry, beginners can still take Vinyasa classes. Bring your own mat or rent one for a $2 donation. You might want to bring a towel as well if you take a heater class!

Remember, you can always get in shape on a budget. Take a stroll, jog, run, or bike ride around Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail featured above. There are 3, 4.5, 5, 7, and 10.3 mile loops that span the picturesque Barton Creek area to Austin’s downtown, all surrounding the lake. Just gorgeous!

Another free way to work out is just by cleaning up! Try de-cluttering and some other housework to burn up to an extra 170 calories on average.

For many people, eating right with little time or while on the go can be tough. Ditch the fast food and opt for some nutritionally balanced take-out from My Fit Foods, Mel’s Meals, or Snap Kitchen. Click for locations and ask about vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. Many offer delivery options as well.

For tons of delivery options, check out Greenling for local food and organic products from Central Texas. Save money, gas, and time with their free delivery. You can even get a profile of all of their farmers.

Engage in some guilt-free shopping with new fair-trade accessory line from Ghana, Della. Della helps empower a team of women through education, jobs, and skills training. Instead of buying from China, they use 100% West African textiles to make unique prints that stimulate the local economy. All items are signed by the women that made it.

Saving money can also help out in the new year. Find a large jar or container and start putting your spare change away. Don’t be afraid to put a few bills in there. The reward will be taking it to the bank once it fills up.

They say time is money, but sometimes spending a little extra time to look for deals and coupons means not spending a little extra money. If you’re not in a hurry, take your time at the store and peruse the coupon section.

Start the new year right - it’s never too late to make a change! Happy 2012!

No matter what your idea of the perfect way to usher in the New Year, Austin has an incredible amount of options if you’re ready for a night out! Several bars, clubs, and restaurants are offering special menus, party favors and entertainment.

Lambert’s BBQ Downtown is hosting a black/white tie optional party with an open bar, champagne toasts, late night tacos, and performances by the Black and White Years and Ritzz.

Not every place is over $100 either. J. Blacks has individual tickets to their New Years Eve 2012 Party for $40, where DJ Arsenal will spin from 7 pm to 2 am.

Parties will be happening literally all over town, with events held at Seaholm Power Plant, Speakeasy, ND at 501 Studios, Republic Live, the Mansion, Dogwood, the Omni, Kung Fu Saloon, Scoot Inn, Mohawks, Stephen F. Austin Hotel, Austin Music Hall, La Zona Rosa, Spiderhouse Ballroom, and Uncle Billy’s BBQ. Click here for a full list of events.

If music is a little more up your alley, there will be some real stand-out shows with some local favorites. Gary Clark Jr. will play at Antone’s. The Black Angels will also put on a show at Emo’s East and T Bird and the Breaks play Stubb’s.

For some foodies, a meal with multiple courses may be your key to a perfect New Year. If this is the case, several restaurants have made special New Years menus. On the upscale side, TRIO at Four Seasons will offer a four course menu and brunch the following day.

The Carillion, Parkside, Max’s Wine Dive, Aviary, Trace, Asti, Carmelo’s, eleven plates, Finn and Porter, Fino, and Perry’s Steakhouse will all have special menus.

The NYE menu at Fleming’s boasts steak and seafood with Moët & Chandon Impérial Champagne served from magnum bottles all night long!

Cheers and Happy New Years!

Don’t miss out on a unique chance to do some holiday shopping – Austin-style! The Armadillo Christmas Bazaar is the city’s hub for seasonal shopping, live music, and all-around fun. Back for it’s 36th season, this year’s Armadillo will feature even more new artists and bands alongside longtime favorites, making this the coolest shopping scene in town.

The event is a music festival and an art fair all rolled into one, with over 160 artists and more than 30 live acts over an 11-day period. At least three bands will take the stage every day. Bands encompass all sorts of genres, including country, rock & roll, salsa, bayou, gospel, and soul. See the full music line-up below.

Discover one-of-a-kind gifts, ranging from funky to sophisticated, at the veritable pop-up museum of art. Click here to check out the artist gallery for a full listing.

The fun begins on December 14 and runs through Christmas Eve, with daily festivities from 11am to 11 pm. Food and drink will be served from open to close, with new brews and faster service available at multiple stations.

Admission is $5 on weekdays before 7 pm, and $8 on weekends. Children under age 12 can get in free.

Live Music Lineup

Wednesday, December 14
12:00pm Kyle Park
3:30pm  Brian Keane
8:00pm  Band of Heathens

Thursday, December 15
12:00pm  The Drakes

3:30pm  Deadman

8:00pm  BoDeans

Friday, December 16

12:00pm  Sahara Smith
3:30pm   Hank & Shaidri Alrich w/ Special Guest Andrew Hardin
8:00pm  Patricia Vonne
9:15pm  Del Castillo

Saturday, December 17

12:00pm  Terri Hendrix
3:30pm  Eliza Gilkyson
8:00pm  Jimmy LaFave

Sunday, December 18

12:00pm  Kat Edmonson
3:30pm  Ruthie Foster
8:00pm  James McMurtry

Monday, December 19

12:00pm  Biscuit Brothers
3:30pm  Robyn Ludwick
8:00pm  The Eggmen

Tuesday, December 20

12:00pm  Kalu James
3:30pm  Albert & Gage
8:00pm  Marcia Ball

Wednesday, December 21

12:00pm  The Trishas
3:30pm   Suzanna Choffel
8:00pm   Twangbangers

Thursday, December 22

12:00pm  Hot Club of Cowtown
3:30pm  Warren Hood and the Goods
8:00pm  Ray Wylie Hubbard

 Friday, December 23

12:00pm  Sons of Fathers
3:30pm  Shelley King
6:30pm Mary Hattersley’s Blazing Bows
8:00pm  Slaid Cleaves

Saturday, December 24

12:00pm  Cienfuegos
3:30pm  Jitterbug Vipers
8:00pm  Texana Dames