brunch

Best Vegan Restaurant in Austin – The Beer Plant

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Going vegan these days is pretty darn easy. There are so many options everywhere and legitimate ones too. Attempting a vegan diet/lifestyle 10 years ago was a miserable task. The options were ordering food at restaurants without all the fun stuff on them like cheeseless pizza or just having some steamed veggies or make something yourself at home which was basically the same options.

Oddly enough in a city famously known for its BBQ and where everything has meat on it, it has the best vegan restaurant. The Beer Plant is all vegan and you wouldn’t know it if you weren’t told. Yea, it’s that spot on. Their brunch menu was something to look forward to every weekend. They have continued service with take out during quarantine and as an added bonus – brunch menu everyday all day!

The Beer Plant has been featured on the food networks list of best vegan restaurants in the country and we would say it’s one of the best restaurants overall and not just for being vegan.

Bagatelle Ibiza

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Bagatelle NYC hosts the ultimate brunch so why not head to Bagatelle Beach in Ibiza to.

Bagatelle is more than a restaurant – it is a lifestyle. They have transformed regular brunching into a party scene where the fabulous go to sip champagne and dance on top of tables. With several locations around the world, each restaurant is slightly different. Ibiza is the largest location and the only one to have its own private beach and pool.

Enjoy a gourmet meal with specialty crafted drinks overlooking their private beach or lay by the pool with bottle service and a DJ.

TIPS:

  • Make a reservation during peak season.
  • If renting a lounge chair at the pool is too pricey, head to their private beach for free.
  • Bring your own towel to lay on the beach to save some money from renting a towel and chair.

The Ultimate Swimming Pool in Texas

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What: Texas shaped lazy river and infinity pool.

Where: The Marriott Marquis in Houston, Texas

Why: Because Texas loves Texas shaped things. It’s a fact.

Could this pool be anymore fun?! This is probably the ultimate hotel pool we have ever swam in. Even if you’re not from Texas, you will love how cool this looks.

It is definitely a hotspot for Sunday Funday, bachelorette parties, and a great instagram photo op. Be sure to check it out at night with the city lights.

It’s SPRITZ Season!

austin, drinks, nyc

Read up on some history and the development of Aperol Spritz…

And where to get a perfect spritz in NYC and Austin…

Aperol with a twist: Get a Frozen Aperol Spritz at Maritime Hotel in NYC or a Fluffy Garibaldi at Uncle Nicky’s in Austin, made with frozen Campari and fluffy orange juice.

Brunch Babes: First Edition

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We love brunch so much, we’ve started a series of our favorite places. Starting with the most over the top brunch spot….

Sorry, Austin but you’ve got nothing on the NYC Brunch scene. NYC Brunch at Bagatelle is an experience like no other.

What is it? Simply put – Brunch meets club. Emulating the champagne brunch parties famous in the South of France, you’ll be popping bottles served by superman, dancing on tables, go-go dancers on the bar, and barely able to hold a conversation over the DJ blasting music. Oh yea, and delicious food.

Brunch in NYC is a lifestyle. Our brunches made Rosé famous. It’s what created the Frosé. Brunch has come a long way and developed into a party scene meets mini vacation vibes. The NYC mentality is work hard, party hard(er).

After a night out at the club in the meatpacking district, why not just carry on the partying with some food in the same area. And that’s just what Bagatelle did. It’s basically a daytime club. It’s over the top. It’s fancy. It’s fun. It’s where everyone wants to be seen.

It’s not cheap though. Spend $2,500 on a jeroboam of Veuve Clicquot and some magnums of Dom Pérignon, and the lights dim, the D.J. cues up the theme from “Superman,” and a waiter is hoisted onto the shoulders of the servers. His arms outstretched as he carries one of the blazing bottles to your table.

Tips:

  • Must make a reservation a month in advance.
  • Only available on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Formal attire only. You will be turned away if not dressed to their liking. Even if you have a reservation!
  • Expect to drop a lot of money.
  • 2 hour max at each table and then you’re kicked out from your table and move to the bar to finish. (Isn’t NYC so kind?)
  • Going with a large group? Order a cocktail in the giant bowl for the table to share and enjoy the fun presentation. (Although, Austinites will not appreciate the box of straws used in the drink.)
  • Food is made to share. They have large portions so order a bunch of items for the table.

It’s a bucket list must for brunching!

New Brunch Spot: Arlo Grey

austin, drinks, fun

Top Chef Winner, Kristen Kish opens Austin’s newest restaurant, Arlo Grey located in Downtown Austin in The Line Hotel. Initially opened for dinner now has brunch.

Super trendy vibe and chic decor at Arlo Grey. Great place for brunch with the tribe and to get some great instagram pics.

It’s not brunch unless there’s alcohol and Arlo Grey serves a Bloody Mary we haven’t seen anywhere else. You become the bartender as it’s a DIY Bloody Mary. We scratched our heads over this but gave it a thumbs up since it’s tasty and specifically made for instagram.

They serve simple morning breakfast items like eggs and bacon and classic drinks at the bar such as an Old Fashioned. As well as delicious items you don’t see on many menus like their chickpea fries or a burger salad.

Tip: Get a great photo op in the bathroom.

  • (The Bathroom)

TREND ALERT: Sgroppino is the new Aperol Spritz.

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We’re calling it now! Sgroppino is the next IT drink for brunching. Bellini’s, Mimosa’s and Frosé all had a good run. Aperol is amazing but it too will have its end. Sgroppino is the next thing and you heard it here first. 

We’re so sure of this because we are brunch connoiseurs. We’re as basic as it comes – We watch the bachelor, we keep up with the Kardashians, we love avocado toast, drink Starbucks lattes, wear Uggs, we can’t even, and we brunch like it’s our job.

As professional brunchers aka acceptable day drinking for the fabulous – a chic alcoholic beverage is essential. It started with a Mimosa but has since then expanded. There was the Rosé era turned into Frosé. More recently the Aperol spritz has hit the brunch scene. Aperol came from Italy and they’re bringing Sgroppino too. 

So what is Sgroppino? It’s simply lemon sorbet, Prosecco and vodka mixed together until it has a creamy texture. 

Any other variation is not a Sgroppino. It’s super smooth and creamy but there is not any dairy in this. It will be whisked together to get the proper texture and should not be blended. A scoop of sorbet or ice cream plopped in Prosecco can not be considered a Sgroppino either. That’s more of an Affogato style. 

Be on the lookout for this drink in the states this summer. Cheers! 

Where to get a Spritz

austin, drinks, fun, nyc

Here’s where to get your fix of those sparkling red-orange drinks in pretty stemmed glasses.

Aperol is an infusion of bitter and sweet orange flavors with  a secret mix of herbs and woody notes.

Austin:

  1. Italic – An Italian restaurant on 6th street where you can enjoy pizza, gelato and happy hour like a true Italian.
  2. Gemelli – A gelato shop that serves up Italian inspired cocktails.
  3. The Line Hotel – A Casual Burger Restaurant in a trendy hotel serving up a unique frozen Aperol with pink lemonade.

New York City:

  1. Bagatelle – Known for its boozy brunch and daytime club atmosphere with a European vibe serving an original spritz.
  2. Dante – Italian cuisine, world class cocktails and an award winning bar that has Aperol on tap.
  3. Maritime – Voted as one of the ten most beautiful bars, Maritime hosts La Sirena, the creator of the frozen Aperol Spritz.