One of the most attractive parts about life in Austin is our ability to be outdoors almost the entire year round. Austin's restaurants reflect this outdoorsy aesthetic, with many of them providing attractive and fun al fresco dining. Here are some of the best patios to be found around Austin.
Old Alligator Grill - This casual South Austin staple has a large, wooden patio. Specializing in oysters, shrimp, and other Cajun delicacies, the OAG even has live music periodically. The patio, although adjacent to the parking lot of a mall, features enormous trees for shade, and the people watching is premium. A great beer selection and an unbelievable happy hour make this South Lamar spot an oasis for all. (3003 South Lamar, Austin, TX 78704)
Eastside Cafe - This East Austin treasure has long held to a local, natural, and partially vegetarian menu, and their patio has the unique distinction of being adjacent to the garden from which they harvest much of their daily ingredients. Walking through the converted house gives diners the impression of being at a very special party, and the beauty and serenity of the patio enhances their celebrated food and wine greatly. (2113 Manor Road / Austin, TX 78722)
Four Seasons - A splurge for some, the Four Seasons' menu is superb, and although it is pricey, the beauty of their patio, overlooking Lady Bird Johnson Lake (formerly Town Lake) makes this a special destination with a uniquely Austin feel. Enjoy the patio for dinner, or for their famous buffet brunch, featuring eggs Benedict; carving, griddle and omelette stations; fresh seafood and salads, and more. (98 San Jacinto Boulevard / Austin, TX 78701-4039)
Fino - Couch-style seats are available on the patio/terrace of this centrally located gem, with plenty of gorgeous old oak trees providing shade and scenery. Fino is open for lunch and dinner, and specialized in small, creative plates. With an excellent wine list, this patio is perfect for a relaxing meal above the fray. (2905 San Gabriel Street / Austin, TX 78705)
Texican - Although technically in Cedar Park, the north location of this Tex-New-Mex stalwart allows diners to sample their justifiably famous cabrito, enchiladas and margaritas on one of the area's nicest decks. The large, covered patio is tiled, and has ceiling fans every few feet - a nice touch during the summer. (11066 Pecan Park Blvd. / Cedar Park, TX 78613)
The Oasis - Known as the "Sunset Capitol of Texas," this Lake Travis institution offers some of the most spectacular views of the lake and its surrounding hills. At one point the Oasis featured thirty-two separate decks, all facing west, and although a lightning fire caused serious damage, they reopened within three days and continue to rebuild and refurbish. The beauty of the views from the patios makes this a popular choice for wedding receptions and other romantic occasions, but all are welcome to enjoy their diverse menu and specialty cocktails while watching the sunset over the lake. (6550 Comanche Trail / Austin, Texas 78732)
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Ki is a real estate broker. He runs a site dedicated to Austin real estate and provides a graphical search for Austin homes.
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French candy is rich in history and tradition as well as being very tasty. You can take a whole tour of France just by tasting these unusual candies - each with its unique story. Enjoy your bonbons.
Le Calisson
A calisson is a little treasure of a candy to be savored slowly with much appreciation. These diamond shaped candies are made from a jelly of ground almonds and melon and are topped with white royal icing. They are a speciality of Aix in the south of France and at one time in history even served as the eucharistic bread in Catholic churches in the area.
Les Marrons Glaces
These are whole candied chestnuts and are a speciality of the Ardeche region in the south of France. They are meant to be eaten whole just as as they are although you can also find jars of broken ones used for cooking. In France, candied chestnuts are eaten mostly at Christmas time. Le Nougat de Montelimar
The Nougat of Montelimar comes from the south of France and is sanctioned by an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Controlee). A product that marks itself with the appellation must contain a minimum of 30 percent almonds (or 28 percent almonds and 2 percent pistachios) and 25 percent honey. This sticky nougat also characteristically features egg whites which makes an airy, light candy. Nougat is often featured as one of the thirteen desserts at Christmas eve celebrations in Provence.
Les Pastilles de Vichy
These hexagonal hard candies were developed as a digestive aid by a pharmacist working in Vichy in the 1800's. They incorporate the mineral salts contained in Vichy water and come in mint, lemon and anise flavors. Perhaps you would enjoy trying them as an accompaniment to your next ten course French meal.
Les Cachous
These licorice drops were invented by a pharmacist, Leon Lajaunie, working in Toulouse in the late 1800's. The success of this candy is attributed as much to its innovative packaging as to its taste. Lajaunie had the brilliant idea of marketing his licorice drops in a special little yellow box that persists to this day, with more than 10 million tins sold each year.
Le Berlingot de Nantes
A berlingot is a hard candy with an unusual tetrahedron shape that invites you to turn the candy over and over in your mouth. It comes in just about any flavor you can imagine and is a speciality of the city of Nantes, in north western France. There is also a striped berlingot that hails from Carpentras and the two cities like to contend which was the originator of this fun candy.
La Betise de Cambrai
These candies were supposedly invented as a result of an error or stupidity (the French word betise does not have a perfect English translation) committed by an apprentice candy maker in the 1800's in the northern town of Cambrai. They are white mint flavored hard candies with a strip of caramel on the side to sweeten their taste.
La Bergamote de Nancy
The town of Nancy in the north east region of Lorraine is renowned in France for its bergamot candy. Bergamot is a sort of orange tree that produces a very sour orange, and it is the essence from the peel of this orange that is used to make these square, slightly sour candies.
L'anis de Flavigny
These hard candies have a surprise at their center - an anise seed. They come in several enchanting flavors including rose, orange, anise, licorice and mint. These days there is only one company making these candies which are a speciality of Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in the Burgundy region of France.
Le Negus de Nevers
Another candy from the Burgundy region, this one features a soft chocolate center encased in a hard, clear candy coating. These candies are difficult to make and must be made by hand, considerably adding to their mystique. They were invented by a candy maker for the World Expo in 1901 and are named after the ruler (or negus) of Ethiopia who was visiting France that year.
Kim Steele writes Easy French Food, a wonderful source of not only French recipes and French food, but also French culture. If you want to taste even more French treats, try these French Dragees or these Candied Violets. A bientot.
