Deals in Zilker

Wine might be the traditional beverage that comes to mind when you think about tastings, but spirits are the newest rage for gourmet flights and tasting events. Scotch tastings are increasingly common, and infused vodkas are not far behind. In the Southwest, it’s all about tequila. Thanks to a strong Mexican-American tradition, cities like Austin have come to embrace the south-of-the-border booze, and many local drink spots now offer tequila tastings that are sure to impress. Unsurprisingly, Tacos and Tequila makes for a great place to start. As the name implies, this fun West Downtown spot specializes in gourmet tacos and a large selection of tequilas. Simplicity is the theme, however, which prevents customers – especially those just getting introduced to the world of specialty tequila – from becoming overwhelmed. There are a hundred premium tequilas on the shelf here, and each month a different tequila distillery is featured, but the premium flights focus on small elements of style rather than large shot glasses and a quick buzz. The modern Mexican restaurant Cantina Laredo also offers an excellent tequila selection, as well as their own award-winning signature margarita, the Casa Rita. But the real draw here is the occasional tequila dinner, hosted at the refreshing downtown restaurant. Guests can sip away while enjoying a wide array of contemporary Mexican dishes, and hopefully learn a thing or two in the process. If you’re really looking to get serious about your tequila taste buds, head over to Casa Chapala, home of the Austin Tequila Society. This community of agave aficionados gathers regularly to enjoy tequila in its many forms, and promote it as a sophisticated spirit worth keeping in the home cabinet. From smaller tasting sessions and tequila dinners to the Society’s Annual Tequila Fest, Casa Chapala’s locations in North Austin and downtown are the places to mingle with other tequila lovers. Iron Cactus, with locations downtown and in North Austin, holds a yearly tequila tour, where a flat fee will get you about a dozen tequilas for sampling, live music and hors d’oeuvres. Many of these bottles are also regularly on offer at the bar as flights or for mixing in one of their numerous specialty margaritas. There are many more options to choose from around Austin – the hardest part is finding a friend who’s willing to drive you home.

For relaxation and pampering, there’s no more inviting spot than Lake Austin Spa Resort. Named a Top Ten Spa in the World almost annually by Travel + Leisure, this top-notch spa recently received Condé Nast Traveler’s first and only Platinum Circle award for being named to its Gold List five years in a row. The luxury accommodation began as a fishing camp on Lake Austin more than 70 years ago. It morphed briefly into a nudist camp, housed cowboys and rodeo clowns who trained at nearby Steiner Rodeo Ranch, and later attracted extreme dieters – all before developing into a premier facility focused on healthy lifestyles. Nestled along the shores of Lake Austin, the resort offers nutritious, chef-prepared cuisine; a variety of wellness, fitness and cooking programs; and activities that take advantage of its scenic lake setting. Try hydrobiking or kayaking, hiking through nature and along wildlife trails, or strolling among organic gardens with more than 1,000 species of plants, vegetables and herbs. Clients say the nineteen-acre Hill Country resort provides the ambience and warmth of visiting a best friend’s lake house. All-inclusive vacation packages cover accommodations in one of the 40 soothing lakeside guest rooms, three gourmet meals daily and a selection of unique spa and body treatments. Classes include balance, flexibility and strength activities, as well as various aromatherapy sessions with upbeat and instructive staff. Come for one treatment, spend the day, or splurge on a week-long retreat without rigid schedules. Indulge in massages on gingham-covered tables, or try a night-time workover in one of the resort’s outdoor treatment areas. Conjure up visions of Texas wildflowers during a lavender oil massage guaranteed to lull you to sleep. For a real de-stressor, get softly hammered in a unique treatment that uses a wooden peg to tap away tension. Located just 30 minutes from downtown Austin and the city’s airport, Lake Austin Spa Resort includes an indoor lap pool, two acres of terraced foliage and aquatic gardens and healing gardens from which herbs are picked daily to be used in both the kitchen and select spa treatments. There are many ways to rev up your health quotient at Lake Austin Spa Resort, not the least of which is simply soaking up serenity on the peaceful grounds.

Let’s face it. First dates are awkward in general. However, they tend to be SUPER AWKWARD when you um, well you know, “met” online. So unless you’ve been blowing up each other’s Facetime/Skype/(insert other video chat app here) and feel comfortable with said person, I suggest you do something other than rely on conversation and alcohol for your first real encounter, and with some many great things to do in Austin, it will be easy to find that perfect first date activity. Check out my suggestions below: Express Your Creativity Art & Soul, Austin’s newest art studio, has taken the ATX by storm with it’s twist to the traditional art class. Not only are they open 7 days a week, but they are also open to 10pm every evening, making catching a “Creativity & Wine” class very do-able after work or on the weekend. During the class, you and your date will create a beautiful acrylic painting, step by step, while also learning the history of the artist and masterpiece you are recreating. The class is BYOW (Bring Your Own Wine) and caters to all levels of artists so no experience is necessary. Fitness Fanatics They say the couple who sweats together, stays together right? If both of you have fitness as a common denominator, why not have fall back on that for a first date? It’ll be an awesome way to bond and test your actual, real life chemistry, because nothing brings out a person’s character more than when they’re faced with physical challenges. If running around Town Lake or hiking Mt. Bonnell seems a little too easy, I suggest taking an indoor cycling class at RIDE Austin or trying out rock climbing at one of Austin Rock Gym’s various locations. Both places have lots of different options regarding time and level of experience, so you can have the freedom to choose how easy or how challenging you’d like the experience to be. Word to the wise however, maybe inform your partner beforehand of what the date involves instead of doing the whole, “meet me here, text me when you get here” thing. I’d hate for your date to show up in their best heels/best outfit, hair done, etc. only to find out you’re going cycling or rock climbing. Oops. Movie Buffs If you’ve done a sufficient background check (Facebook stalked, Google’d Searched, etc.) and feel like said date is not the next Norman Bates, I’d suggest trying out Austin’s mini-urban drive-in movie venue, The Blue Starlite. As where other modern drive-ins are sprawling, rural affairs, the Blue Starlite happens right in the heart of the city thus making it more exclusive, more personal, and way more convenient. Their movie selections are always crowd pleasers and if you do decide to sit in the pedestrian section, picnics and outside alcohol are welcome. Doesn’t that sound enticing? An evening under the stars, watching an awesome movie, without the glow of a smartphone in sight. Seems too good be true, eh? Well, remember, you still have to acknowledge your date. Music Lovers Did you and your future OkCupid success story bond over the music you listed in your profile? Or maybe you spent countless hours texting about your record collections and how they compare? Whatever the reason is that made you agree to the date in the first place, you should definitely do something that will spark both parties interests and leave you with a better impression of the person. After all, someone can only be SO charming via text right? If music is your thing, go to Austin’s best kept secret, Motown Mondays at One-2-One Bar on South Lamar. Not only will you be able to enjoy live Motown, funk, and soul cover bands all night long but you can show off some of those dance moves that only make their appearance at weddings or family functions. If dancing isn’t your thing, the music itself is enough to go. The bands are amazing and will get your foot tapping to your favorite Motown jam no matter how awkward your date gets. Promise! Just be sure to get there early as it gets VERY packed and parking is limited.