Tag Archives: Congress

Llano Llounge

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Yippee!  Cooper’s BBQ is coming to Downtown Austin.  They aren’t totally open yet, but the lounge area upstairs is having a soft opening and serving bar food and drinks.  I tried the Slider Trio and the baked potato and all was wonderful.  When they do open (hopefully soon), they will have a serving line where you make your selections right off the grill.  The restaurant is a combination of two old buildings and in addition to the lounge upstairs, they will have large indoor and outdoor seating areas downstairs.  I am anxiously awaiting the grand opening so we can have another excellent BBQ joint in Austin.

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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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Republic of Texas Biker Rally

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This evening was the Republic of Texas Biker Rally in downtown Austin, including a motorcycle parade, some live music in the middle of Congress Avenue (featuring Asleep at the Wheel), and extra shenanigans on Sixth Street.  It is always fun every year to go down and watch the bikers take over Austin.  Everybody stay safe out there on the roads!

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HONK! TX – Bramaya

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My favorite HONK! TX band tonight on South Congress was Bramaya.  The description on their website says, “Bramaya is the musical project of Austin-based West African master percussionist Abou Sylla. Named in honor of his father’s village, Abou’s band, Bramaya, combines new musical ideas and traditional West African rhythms.” They totally rocked the stage at Jo’s Coffee.  I hope to see them perform again at the remaining two days of the music festival.

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The Frank Frazetta Collection

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As part of the SXSW festivities in Austin, Robert Rodriguez has opened up a gallery of Frank Frazetta artwork.  They asked for no pictures to be taken once I was inside the gallery, so unfortunately, I didn’t get any photos of the great original art.  Below is a copy of one of his prints (the original “Egyptian Queen” was on display and the colors and details were much better in person).  You can find more information at several places on the web, including the online Art History Museum.  The news is that Robert Rodriguez is planning to direct a live-action relaunch of “Fire and Ice”, the 1983 animated feature by Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta.  I’m sure it will be filled with awesome creatures, kind of like the miniature creature that tried to attack me outside the venue.  🙂

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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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