We are so lucky to have Dia's market in our neighborhood! They stock a variety of fresh produce, as…read morewell as canned good items, crackers, chips, and frozen food. They have a large selection of beer and wine, as well as a great selection of fresh baked goods. If you are feeling a bit hungry, they have a deli in the back of the store where they make fresh sandwiches. As a member of the local community, they often hold special events in the evenings and on the weekends. The staff is friendly and helpful. The store is clean, and if you are grabbing a sandwich, there is outdoor seating available in front that is covered.

Dia's is a great local market! They have a wide selection of craft beers, wine and nonalcoholic…read morebeverages. They offer home-baked goods and have quite the Rice Krispie selection. The staff is friendly and helpful, making sure that we knew about Thursday night movie night. Tons of local products and the prices are fair. Clean, well-organized. Great place!

I wasn't even planning to write a review for this place until my BF made me try their weekly…read morespecial ice cream swirl. This week's flavor was Red Bean and Matcha, and HOLY WORD-I-SHALL-NOT-SAY... this absolutely blew me out of the water. The red bean and matcha balanced each other so perfectly, and somehow tasted even better swirled together. Both cashiers were super cool too (was that Japanese I heard them speaking?). The guy with the awesome silver hair mentioned he was also from Houston, and we somehow ended up talking about how Austin's Asian scene just can't compare to how insanely diverse Houston's is. Still, it's always nice connecting over a mutual love for a great Asian environment--which Asahi definitely is. Wow--I've been here for 15 minutes, and I already have so much love for this place. My phone is literally dying as I hastily type this, but I felt obligated to spread the gospel immediately.

I walked into Asahi Imports with ONE GOAL: black sesame soft serve. That was the mission…read more Anything else I bumped into would simply be a bonus. And I didn't know what to expect my first visit. I thought I was going into a mini Japanese version of H Mart or something, but nope. This is very much a Japanese CONVENIENCE STORE with a little extra bonus on the side, so adjust any expectations. SIXTY PERCENT OF THE STORE IS NOODLES. Like WTF...is this a noodle headquarters? It felt unbalanced...like I had walked into the wrong store and wasn't supposed to be there. So many noodles, it scared me. I expected a variety store. Carry on. The layout is also a bit confusing for such a small space. I genuinely wasn't sure what areas were designated for customers and what areas were for employees...at one point wandering way into the back. My bad. They've got a solid selection of imported goods. Slightly pricey, but this is expected since they offer quite a few niche items you can't find everywhere. Still affordable, though. I HAPPILY grabbed some black sesame latte mix to whip up iced lattes at home as well as some black tea flavored soy milk. This is what you come to these stores for! The niche items. Now to the soft serve: Flavor-wise? Good strong black sesame flavor. Texture? Not so great. This was very icy and not creamy at all as I had hoped. The online pics were deceiving. Plus there were clumps in it that should've been blended out. However, it was refreshing and I could MAYBE see myself returning on a hot day for more if I'm close by. They only offer it on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It's good, but no need to run for this. You can walk. Lol. It scratched the itch but I'm not running back for it. All in all, not an everyday stop, but an "I'll see you when I see you" spot. Know what I mean? 3 stars.

We had the absolute best experience at Antonelli's on Saturday. First, everyone in here so…read moreextremely kind. Genuinely proud of what they have to offer and happy to share it with you. Everything we sampled was fantastic. It reminded us of Borough Market in London, getting to sample all the best cheese from all over the world. We went home with cheese from France, Italy, Spain and Missouri! I can't wait to bring family and friends next time they're in town. Kudos to Jakob -- it was his fifth day on the job and he was a pure joy to speak to and learn from!

For the cheese tasting: There was LOTS of cheese! They give you your entire cheese tasting plate at…read morethe beginning and then slowly walk you through the tastings 2-3 at a time. The entire experience lasts about 90 minutes, and they did start a few minutes late. They did a good job describing the cheeses, the other paired snacks, and the wine pairings. They also did a good job choosing a good variety of cheeses and giving good pairings. The table crackers are refilled throughout the tasting, but nothing else on the cheese plate is refilled. The setup was not quite what I expected. There are six tables that seat ~six people, so you're going to be sitting with strangers. You start by going around the room and introducing yourself and your favorite cheese, basically as an ice breaker to meet everyone there. It was a little noisy and not intimate for a 2-person outing. It felt much more like a social gathering, and I think it would be better as a friend meeting, group gathering, or even a team-building activity. It's also a good way to meet strangers if that's what you're looking for. You get a discount on in-store purchases, which is a nice bonus. You can also take your leftovers home, so don't feel compelled to eat the entire plate like I did! The only other issue was that cashing out took a long time at the end because their POS system wasn't working well.

Kessho is always great for a hot summer day. Today was no different. The hubs and I grabbed a…read morepineapple upside down cake gelato for a nice afternoon treat. The gelato was cool, smooth and oh so delicious. You can taste the fresh pieces of pineapple and the Taiwanese pineapple cake embedded in the gelato. It's layered for enjoyment. Service is always fast and easy no matter how long the line. Fortunately, today we were able to walk right up. Pretty chill today...no rain and not too much sunshine.

I have stopped by Kessho a few times now to grab pints of gelato to go. So far I've tried their…read moreBlack Sesame Cookies and Cream, Ube, and Mango Sticky Rice (vegan) and every single flavor has been spot on. All three have half bold flavors without being too sweet (this is probably the best compliment an Asian dessert can get). In addition, all of their gelatos have the perfect smooth consistency without melting too quickly. They are located in the same food truck park as Asado's Taqueria so there are plenty of picnic tables to sit at. Between the small lot adjacent to the park area and street parking, I have never had an issue finding somewhere to park close by.

Sometimes there's a meal so wonderful, it makes the day brighter - the wonder & marvel of simple…read moreingredients combined with precise expertise as to walk away feeling satisfied beyond physical hunger. I didn't know that's what I was missing on the grab & go pastry beat for so long, but I've been gratuitously informed! SARAH MCINTOSH's bistro-bar-boulangerie is quietly tucked into the ROSEDALE neighborhood as naturally as a new favorite neighbor, serving a pared-down SNACKS-ENTRÉES-SWEETS/BREADS brunch menu 6 days a week (closed Tuesdays) along with French classics & house-made pasta evenings. The market-style bistro also offers online ordering & FIGURE 8 COFFEE with PASTRIES to-go, so many reasons to find your favorites here or there any day of the week. My first time dining in for some time, I chose MCINTOSH's finest tissue-flaked golden butter croissants, 2 ways. The BREAKFAST CROISSANT is comforting, elegant, and rich - fluffy folded farm eggs seamlessly blended with melted cheddar & tender sausage, gentle jalapeño heat lingering long from the Urfa aioli. It's an exquisite example of a brunch sandwich. Ask EMMA for her recommendations - the CHOCOLATE ALMOND CROIX (an upgrade on the standard almond croissant) includes the classic croissant with a dark chocolate center (melty even at room temp!) layered over frangipane, encrusted with a crown of toasted slivered almonds. It's heavenly & sweet - brunch perfected!

Once of the best places I have been to since to Austin. It's quaint and even from the exterior,…read morethe look of the restaurant has an appeal that makes it look like it will be a good dining experience. Once inside, you get this very comfortable feeling. Nothing over the top but still very nice. We were greeted by the hostess who seated us right away. Definitely make reservations. They bake fresh pastries daily and have them all on display for purchase even if you aren't dining in. Our server came as soon as we were seated and was very friendly. He recommended starting with the fresh biscuits with jam. It can take a little while to bake so order as soon as you are seated. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait long; the biscuits are very fresh and I don't know what the jam was but it's delicious. I had the stuffed French toast and I think this was the first time I didn't put any syrup on the French toast. It was incredibly fresh and so delicious I didn't want to add anything else to it. I also had a side of bacon and that was the only disappointment. The bacon came out cold, and most pieces were extremely overcooked to make them inedible. Before leaving, we got a bag of the fresh baked pastries and they were amazing. The dining experience was quite good but unfortunately, we spent a fair amount of our time swatting flies away. Not a good sign. It was only my first time there so maybe that was just a fluke. Overall, very attractive place, very friendly servers and amazing food (except for the bacon). I will definitely return to try their lunch and dinner menu.

Haven't been here in a while (years). Make sure you have a reservation. Appreciate the free valet…read moreparking. Inside is as inviting (and busy) as ever. Arrived on time and seated on time. Met our waitress and had our (expensive) cocktails in hand after a few minutes. Ceviche app (special) was on point. Delicate and citrusy with just a hint of heat. COCHINITA PIBIL. That is all. It's all I ever order here. (Unless they have duck enchiladas). Better half's crab enchiladas (special) was on point. Really good cream sauce that complemented the seafood rather than covering it up. Service was exceptional. Prices were as expected.

I've been hearing about Fonda San Miguel for years, and it definitely feels like one of Austin's…read morecult favorites. Somehow I'd never been despite living so close, so I was excited to finally check it off my list. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and their famous foyer is just as pretty in person as everyone says. I came with a friend, and we grabbed seats at the bar first while waiting, but I definitely recommend making reservations because this place is BUSY, even on a weeknight. Parking can also be a bit of a struggle since they have a pretty small lot. I had to make a few laps before I finally found a spot, so definitely give yourself a little extra time. They do offer valet, and I believe you may also be able to park in the lot next door after hours since it's their sister restaurant, but don't quote me on that haha. Their margaritas are also really good and definitely on the stronger side, so they were a great way to start the meal. The staff here was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. They even walked us to our table and later showed me where the bathroom was, which I thought was a really nice touch. As for the food, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's on the pricier side, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and was well worth it. We ordered the enchiladas, which were delicious, and the shrimp was probably my favorite part of the meal because it was so fresh and perfectly cooked. I can definitely see why this restaurant has been around for so long and has such a loyal following. It took me way too long to finally come here, but I'll definitely be back. One thing I'm noticing as we do these is that you often write reviews that are genuinely useful--not just "food good/bad." You include things like reservations, parking, what to order, or where to sit. I think we should keep leaning into that because it feels very authentic to your style and makes your reviews stand out.

I am planning an early Father's Day celebration for my husband this weekend because I will be in…read moreLas Vegas on Father's Day for a conference. Yesterday, I purchased some chocolates from Golden Eye. This is the first of several treats I have planned for him. Unfortunately, Golden Eye Chocolates will be closing in about a month, so purchase some chocolates before they close down. Golden Eye is named after the golden eye flower (perennial flower with a sunflowerish look). I tried one of their samples...so smooth and creamy unlike any traditional chocolate I have ever tasted. So, I bought six chocolates. They are a little pricey at $20 given their small size, however, a nice Father's day treat. This chocolate is quite unique with flavors like matcha latte, malted grackle, blood and honey and spiced chai. Also, the owner uses items that are unique to Austin such as the golden eye flower, chocolate sunflower and fruit bats. I also like that some of the chocolate is sourced from Venezuela, Tanzania, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic (DR). I tasted DR chocolate for the first time in November when on a cruise and it was absolutely delicious. In addition to selling chocolate pieces, they sell candy bars and coffee. Service was excellent. I learned the chocolates are made in south Austin and transported to the north location. In addition, I learned the owner is a pro nature and that's why she chose the name golden eye after the flower. The shop is small with no seating indoor or outdoor. Hope my husband likes his chocolates...

I had to write a quick update now that we finished the chocolates and tried all the flavors! Every…read morechocolate was clearly made with love and every flavor was amazing! Personal favorites- Husband said the coconut chocolate (speckled sky blue) was great, and I loved the cherry bomb (swirled red)- their take on a cherry chocolate but with a lovely cherry jam instead of a candied cherry. I also really enjoyed the 'basic' chocolate truffles- smooth, creamy, and decadent!

My friends and I had a great night at Peached Tortilla! Service was top notch, we felt super taken…read morecare of especially since we were celebrating 2 birthdays. The staff wrote and signed a card and we got to try the movies & popcorn dessert which was amazing. We were later told they use fish sauce as the caramel, and it paired perfectly with the ice cream and the airy chips. Ample parking behind the building. It's not very big inside but I'm glad we made a reservation to sit inside. Once the weather cools off they do have a nice patio off the front. We took advantage of their Tuesday steak frites deal for only $23. It came with a 9oz steak, chili crisp butter, fries and even broccolini. The meat was so tender. I finished my plate! We had 10 min of happy hour left so we also tried the brussels sprouts and the kimchi arancini balls off their 'social hour' menu. I wish we kept the sauces from the arancini because the wasabi aioli was bomb! Everything from the night was delicious.

I came for a co-bday celebration with a group of friends and had a great time…read more We came for Steak Frites night and the steak was delicious (and the butter!). Fries were crispy and yummy as well. We came in time for happy hour and we were debating the burger but everyone was so glad they got the steak frites. Someone has has the burger before and she said it's amazing. I tried the Dry January mocktail and I really enjoyed it. I was hesitant at first because it said five spice and that's a spice blend that needs to be wielded carefully and they did it perfectly. We also had the aricini and brussel sprouts appetizers. Both great. The sauces for the aricini were delicious! They also surprised us with really amazing ice cream. The caramel had fish sauce that gave it an amazing umami taste to it. They also has thin shrimp chips around the glass to give it a little bit of crunch (they were going for a popcorn inspired dessert and they really hit the mark!) Our server was awesome. Very friendly. Very attentive. Made our group feel very special. Even before we arrived as I was making reservations, they were super friendly and accommodating. I have been to their airport location and the breakfast tacos are great so I was hoping their main location was good and it was amazing! I definitely recommend this restaurant. They also have such a lovely patio area that would be nice in the fall.

While they are very expensive for general groceries, they are a good little grocery store to have…read morearound the corner when you need to grab a fruit or vegetable while you're in the middle of cooking. They have a reasonable selection of beer and not too badly priced for when you have last minute company. Thats about all I come here for.

Spacious aisles, courteous staff, a great selection of your Whole Foods favorites for just a smidge…read morecheaper, and best of all - it's in my neighborhood! But because there isn't much traffic, many things stay on the shelf for a long period of time. I found out when I purchased "Tony's Chocoloney." Chocolate only gets this chalky color if it's been sitting a while.

Local Pastures is a farmer-owned market on N. Lamar that I happened to discover while shopping…read morenearby. This small, inviting shop is dedicated to bridging the gap between Central Texas farms and city consumers. The store offers pasture-raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, small-batch dairy products, and pantry staples from local producers. The market specializes in high-quality, locally sourced goods rather than everyday household items. So do not expect aisles stocked with paper towels or other big-box essentials. Its intimate size allows for a small, carefully selected collection of specialty products. Beyond the marketplace, Local Pastures hosts supper clubs, butchery classes, and educational workshops, creating meaningful opportunities to educate its customers. I was intrigued by Local Pastures.

Local products supplied by local farmers and artisans. Many of the same products you find at the…read morefarmer's market, available every day! I stopped in for a last minute Christmas gift of Sloan Seasonings. Yum!!