Elephant Room II

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My favorite jazz bar was open for Christmas Night, so I stepped into the basement bar and enjoyed some great music.  The best part of the evening was when they had a tap dancer on stage to tap away during one of the jazz tunes.  The main performer, Alex Coke, was in town from Amsterdam and he played the flute, bass flute, and soprano sax.  A very fun night!

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Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill

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I think I should just interview for a position at the Bass Pro Shops in Round Rock as much time as I have spent there lately.  Today’s trip was for lunch at Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl and Grill located inside the store. As you can tell from the photos, this place is fully decorated as an undersea wonderland, including a giant shipwreck over the bar, two bowling alleys on either side, and schools of fish and several large sharks hanging from the walls and ceiling.  My lunch was simple but tasty and consisted of a grilled chicken Caesar salad and iced tea.  This place is definitely worth a visit for some food and fun if you like to bowl (shark painted bowling balls are an added bonus).

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Burger Bar

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There is a new hotel that has sprung up on Congress Avenue, between Second and Third Streets.  It is the JW Marriott, and they have a cool concept called the Burger Bar.  Yep, you just walk right up and get yourself some grub.  I think this is their nod to the food trailers that used to be in the area before they decided to plop down a fancy new hotel.  I must say the lobby bar on the first floor, and the Starbucks on the second floor were quite nice.  I ordered the Bacon Burger tonight and it was awesome.  Here is how they make the Burger Bar sound just as yummy as it really is on their website.

“Burger Bar serves up mouth-watering, Texas-sized burgers in a refreshing al fresco setting on Congress so you can people-watch while chowing down. Using premium locally bred beef and regional ingredients, these burgers in downtown Austin are not just delicious, but memorable. Be sure to try our signature Big Mouth Burger, topped with blistered peppers, jalapeno jam, bacon and zesty cheddar. Order a side of cheese fries and wash it all down with a peanut butter pretzel milkshake.”

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The Belmont

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I attended an event after work today at The Belmont, downtown on Sixth Street.  It is billed as a “state-of-the-art music venue and private event space”.  My event was relatively small, so I wandered around a bit and took some photos so you could get an idea of what the space looks like in case you have the inclination to see one of their upcoming concerts or maybe to attend a SXSW event there in March.  Cheers!

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