Rob at a real Honkey Tonk... The Broken Spoke.

Sunday night, I left the dogs, and headed to historic dance hall and dinner place, the broken spoke. While I'm not a big country fan, I appreciate the old timers, and the contribution to American music.
Quite a place, it breathes history.

I got the chicken fried steak, as I heard Willie Nelson still stops in for it a f we times a year. Washed down with a few longhorns on tap, this was a clAssic Texas meal, and quite satisfying

I was considering taking line dancing lessons, but I was paged for work and had to head home (probably saved by the bell on that one, haha. )

There are not many of these places left, I'm glad I went, and any country fans visiting Austin should not miss it.

The Salt Lick BBQ & Vinyard... Wow!

On Sunday we headed out 45 mins intothe Texas hill country, to the Salt Lick. Probably the most famous joint in the Austinarea.this was quite an operation, and just a great outing,
I met both locals and other travelers here,all had a great time...

The babybacks were very good, and the sides were incredible. The love,USC was country versions of 80s pop tunes, I have to say it takes very talented folks to pull that off, and I sat really appreciating the lead guitarists picking, I can't do anything like this guy could pull off, but would love to get in his head...

The place is BYOB, has a huge party pasture, a massive restaurant, tasting room, and paths to wander and enjoy the views of vines and hill country. While many locals insist " it's not what it used to be" and is a huge operation, I must insist anyone visiting Austin,should leave the city and find this place on a weekend afternoon... Wow!

 

Saturday fun in Austin.

This weekend was spent with the dogs outside. There really is no shortage of things to do, and almost anything outdoors is dog friendly.

We started off  with a romp in the park, and a return to Opal Devines downtown. They mix one hell of a bloody Mary, w homemade mix, a bit spicy and a heavy pour... The brunch  menu was incredible,  I got a tex mex egg concoction, that was just perfect With the bloody Mary, while no one picked up the tab this time, the dogs were quite a conversation piece as usual.

We then headed to the river to take in the "Dragon boat festival." This is a rowing boat race and Asian cultural event. I cheered some of the boat teams on. And met some of their family's. We then took in some acts on the stage and enjoyed the colorful presentations of  martial arts, folk dance, and a Asian American folk group of 2 high scool kids that was darn impressive.
The humidity and bugs drove me and the dogs back to the car and back to the air conditioning by mid afternoon.

We regrouped and headed to the neighborhood called "SoCo" or south congress. After finding thos area, I fell on love and was back almost every day.

The musician couple we met at zilker park the week earlier told me that the young lady would play a gig at Gueros tacos, and I wanted to keep my word and show up. Yet again, just an awesome time!! The taco place has converted the lot next door to an outdoor party cantina, it was full!!

I met the family of the lead singer, and the drinks were flowing, the tacos were made fresh to order and carved right into the warm tortillas in front of you, very primo.

The dogs made many friends, and the lovely bass player was appreciative that I showed up, and several young men were disappointed when I mentioned I had met her husband. I did not get the bands name, but a great set of classic rock, everyone loved em! What a great time,  I really wish I'd remember many of the people's names, but you know who you are, and Thanks.

Redefining "Spoiled Dogs"...

A picture is worth a 1000 words... (I'll tell you more about this in an upcoming post, but wanted to get this pic up, as its, so far,  my favorite of the trip!)

SPOILED ROTTEN DOGS!

Austin City Limits... Live! II Boz Scaggs!

On Friday Night I returned to the Moody Thater for a performance by 70/80/90s Rock and Roll/American Music Icon, Boz Scaggs. Another great night out!

I enjoyed a small plate and a drink downstairs at The Coal Vines, a winebar that is wrthy of a second visit. having left the california wine country of Sonoma county, i will give this place props for haveing one heck of a wine list. I chose beer, as i knew i would have been later and don't like to mix the 2... But i will return again for wine in the future. The food was also really well done, and i'd like to try an entre next time.

Meeting some fun locals, This time  went ustairs to the balcony level, and was enjoying the displays of Photography by Jim Marshall!

The many shots dispalyed are worth a trip in itself, i was told you can take a tour of the venue and see even more.

Opening the show was renowned songwriter, Bill Carter. I was very blown away by his storytelling ability and chordmanship on his guitar. It takes quiet a character and voice to fill that venue and keep everyones attention solo. Bill is famous for writing songs for others like Steve Ray Vaughn, Peter Gabriel, and Billy Gibbons. I really enjoyed the set, and again, would have paid just to see him perform.

Boz's set was really outstanding... his band was premium, with special props the the horn playing fellow, and a bow of respect to the Lady Vocalist, at times she stole the show! The set was alot of new tunes mixed with some of his classics. I was pretty tired after the show from getting up and dancin with the crown so many times.

It was a another great Friday out in Austin, and I really look forward to my return here.

The weekend continued with some outings with locals in 2 other spots in Austin... I'll get the photos togethr and continue the tale in the next few days...

Rob 'n Willie's statue

Famous Rock Photography lines all of the walls!

Bill Carter 

Some of famour Rock photographer, Jim Marshall's belongings.

Boz Skaggs and his band.

 "Lido Shuffle" aka "One for the road"...

An evening of fine dining in Austin.

So mid day Tuesday, after having a rough time with some work stuff, I decided to treat myself to a fine meal that night, and change it up from my usual texas BBQ, and taco choices...

I had gotten a suggestion on a place that allows dogs while on the park, and was told the risotto was really good. I looked it up, and put it in the GPS... The dogs had a romp at the dog park and we headed to "Paggi House" near the river in Austin. 

This upscale Austin eatery was really nice, an old house, with a huge porchlike deck. They serve seasonal, farm fresh culinary creations. - They also mix a good agave margarita. The service, presentation, plating and food was great, they allowed the dogs on the porch, and served some extra bread to share with them. The food was so good, the dogs were lucky to get the bread!

I chose a seared tuna small plate, and the Risotto. The waiter made a great selection of a white ale from belgium to have with it, as i was not i. A wine mood.  Wow! The quality of this meal was superior to anything i'v had on the first 7 weeks of this journey... I  some cases, you sure get what you pay for! My compliments to the chef, and my thanks to an attentive, and informed staff.  

I'm really glad I got out to this great place, I highly recommended it to any "foodies" in, or visiting Austin.

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Austin City Limits... Live! The Gipsy Kings...

Following one of the roughest days at work in recent memory, I was able to get a few hours out last Wednesday night.

I headed over to the Moody Theater, the new Home of the longest running Music Television show, "Austin City Limits" . I got a ticket for The Gipsy Kings, and I had a Blast at the Show!

The Theatre is located downtown, across the street from Austin City hall. Its is open air on the sides, and a large, new, digital, well designed theater is within. The venue is on Willie Nelson Blvd. And a large bronze statue greets all visitors as they  begin the stairs to go up to the show.

While some local Austinites made sure to tell me its not the original location, and also to add "its not the same" as the old venue. Well, i have not reference, and I have been to Many, many shows, i will assure all this is a high quality venue, and not a bad seat in the house.

the Gipsy Kings are a Flamenco fuled latin ballad/pop/rock band with a huge internation following. They are actually from france and spain, i believe. The show;s audience was mostly Latino/Latina. I enjoyed the company and conversations with several folks from Mexico, and some drinks with some very cute Latina ladies. That made the show even more fun, and I thank each of them for their time and smiles!

The show was Amazing - not a word in English, all in Spanish , i was taken on a ride!  great latin rytms make your booty move,  sad ballads that make you want to cry, and just an enthusiastic audience, that felt honored at the opportunity to be there. I would see them again anywhere, what a great night, check them out if you can...

Another Item now off my 'bucket list'!