Best of Austin: My Picks

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It’s time once again for the Austin Chronicle’s Best of Austin poll, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to share some of my favorites around town. For more great suggestions, head over to Austin Eavesdropper.

Architecture and Lodging

Public Art: East 5th Street Murals

Statue: Willie Nelson. C’mon.

Bathroom: Hillside Farmacy

Neighborhood/Place to live: Pflugerville! I kid, I kid. Even though we live in the ‘burbs now, my old neighorhood of North Loop is pretty awesome these days, with lots of restaurants and cocktail joints (that all popped up after we moved).

Entertainment

Party of the Year: SXSW, obv.

Emergent Local Filmmaker: Christian Remde

Bar Staff: Peché

New Bar: Midnight Cowboy

Lounge: Red Room Lounge – Cozy seating and smart wine people

Local Beer: There are so many local beers now that this category is getting pretty hard, but my favorite is (512) Brewing Company (specifically the Pecan Porter)

Cocktail Menu: Tigress – Short and sweet! I can’t stand cocktail books that make me worry about choosing the “correct” drink

Food

Local Food Company: Salt & Time

Local Farm: Springdale Farm

Farmer’s Market: SFC Farmers’ Market – Downtown

Neighborhood Grocery: in.gredients

Beer/Wine Prices: Whole Foods Bar Lamar – hello growlers and old schoolers!

Food/Groceries Delivery: Greenling

24-Hour/Late: 24 Diner

Outdoor Dining: Contigo

Food Trailer: East Side King, of course

Sweets/Goodies: Lick Ice Creams, for their inventive flavors and local sourcing

Best-Kept Secret: Probably not much of a secret, but the croissants (especially the chocolate) at Easy Tiger are uh.maze.ing.

Local Food Blog: If you want, you could vote for me, but I also think Boots in the Oven, Food Fash, and notes from maggie’s farm are pretty rad.

Kids

Haircut: Floyd’s Barbershop

Toys: Terra Toys

Restaurant: Galaxy Cafe is a hit with my son, although I’ll add we take him everywhere.

Party Place: Highland Lanes/Dart Bowl

Fun Educational Field Trip: Austin Children’s Museum – my son goes almost every weekend

Media

Food Writer: MM Pack (we have to share her with San Francisco, but half time is better than no time at all)

Local Non-Chronicle Publication: Edible Austin

Radio Station: KUT

Radio DJ/Host: John Aeilli, because COME ON. No one else has provided more head-scratchers and quotables.

Local Blog: The Bloggess is local enough, right?

Services

Barbershop: Floyd’s Barbershop

Hair Salon: Siren’s Salon

Tattoo Shop: Resurrection Tattoo (however, the artist who did my wonderful raspberries tattoo, Annie Mess, has moved on to Golden Age Tattoos)

Pedicure/Manicure: Embellish – booze, M&Ms, and girly movies while you get prettified!

Veterinarian: Dr. Matthew Hamby at White Rock Veterinary Hospital

Who are you voting for?