Magnolia Cafe

Spiffed up for SXSW 2010

magnolia — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:08:17 +0000

Every year, the Magnolia Cafes host some official and unofficial SXSW breakfasts. No RSVP or special invitation is ever required, honest.

But returning visitors to the Magnolia South (1920 South Congress Ave.) will hopefully notice the spiffing up we’ve done for the event. Though you won’t be back in the kitchen to see the completely refreshed floors and fixtures, you will most certainly notice that the dining room is now a beautiful aqua blue, and that the patio has a computer and beverage station to speed up service for you.

Just as we wiped the dust off our jeans and put the cafe back together again, we were introduced to two young men from Minneapolis, John Grider and Mike Fitzsimmons. Their business is called Broken Crow (http://www.brokencrow.com/about), and they came to Austin searching for large bare walls to paint murals on. Our niche of the neighborhood now has stalking lions, roosters, a giraffe, and birds coming out of an old Victrola.

Last, let me mention that the Magnolia Cafes have been included in the SXSW Eat Well Guide (http://maps.eatwellguide.org/maps/homepage/view/113). Between us and the other fine restaurants in Austin, there’s no need to go home hungry.

Have a great visit to SXSW 2010. Let us know if we can do anything to make it better.

Kid Art Show July 2009

magnolia — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:13:06 +0000

Kids draw the funniest, beautiful and intriguing things. Here we present a selection of children’s art left at the Magnolia Cafe: inspired and heartfelt.

crayon drawing of Sponge Bob

(Click the picture to be taken to the slideshow.)

Discover fun things to do in Austin, TX.

magnolia — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 01:56:18 +0000

We recommend www.TodayinAustin.com. It is a community-wide ‘bulletin board’ for a wide variety of events happening in the City, both for today and upcoming dates. You’ll find live music, film (special screenings), free things to do, kid-centered events, and all of the happenings at the University of Texas suitable for the general public. It’s clear, uncomplicated, and advertising-free.

Again, it’s www.TodayinAustin.com. We like it.

Live Music

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:13:09 +0000

You can find live performances all over town, every night of the week. To know what’s happening, pick up a free copy of the Austin Chronicle on Thursdays at the Magnolia Cafe. South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival — happens in March every year. www.sxsw.com

ACL Music Festival — happens in Sept. every year. www.aclfestival.com

Barton Springs

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:12:32 +0000

A huge spring-fed natural pool, located in Zilker Park, provides swimmers with water that stays a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit. A charming sub-culture of young adults and seniors can be found here at 7 a.m. year-round. A small admission charge is required after 9 am. Zilker park has a giant playground and various gardens (Xeriscape, Rose, Japanese, Native). Swim free in summer every evening from 9-10 pm, and enjoy the party that happens on the nights of the full moon. www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm

SoCo and First Thursday

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:09:08 +0000

Let’s give you the real scoop on South Congress development. We were there in 1988 when it was unloved and uncool. Well, now we’re getting our cool back. The street has slowly earned the privilege of having fine restaurants, clothing stores, gift stores (like Prima Dora www.primadora.com) sprinkled among the venerable dinosaurs (Magnolia Cafe South, Off the Wall, Continental Club, Avenue Gallery, and etc.) You can enjoy the excitement especially on the First Thursday of every month when there is live music and late store hours. www.firstthursday.info

The University of Texas

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:08:26 +0000

About 50,000 students attend UT, Austin. The famous/infamous Tower is illuminated with orange when the football team has won the game. UT now has a great art museum (The Henry Ransom Center, and Blanton Museum), and an interesting Natural History Museum (with dinosaur footprints found in Texas). www.utexas.edu

LBJ Presidential Library

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:02:40 +0000

The LBJ Presidential Library is located on campus, next to the Law School. www.lbjlib.utexas.edu

The Capitol

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:49:11 +0000

The Texas State Capitol Building is made of lovely pink granite. Free tours are available daily, just drop buy. A new visitor’s center is located in a separate building on the grounds. www.tspb.state.tx.us/CVC/home/home.html

The Hike & Bike Trail

admin — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:48:04 +0000

What creates the Austin feeling of community? Places to congregate! The Hike & Bike Trail around Town Lake is a great place to meet and hang out with friends. Good parking place: under the MoPac bridge in Zilker Park. The “lake” is really the dammed-up Colorado River — all the lakes in Texas are man-made. Canoes can be rented at Zilker Park. www.zilkerboats.com Check out the boating club on the north side of the hike & bike trail: www.austincityguide.com/content/austin-rowing-dock.asp