So when I took my new position at work, I really thought that it was going to give me better hours, resulting in a better balance of church, family and work. Well...that hasn't quite happened yet. Due to a slew of recent resignations, I've been having to cover my new position as well as fill in wherever we're short. Concerned about my father, stressed at work, and trying to keep up with the rest of the busyness of life has made me...hmmm...not quite the life of the party. In desperate need of regrouping and reconnecting, MJ and I decided to shake things up a little and go out during the middle of the week. Wild. I know. When we received an invitation to attend a private event at Cafe Mueller, we jumped at the opportunity. Located in the bustling, revitalized Mueller neighborhood, Cafe Mueller is the first of its kind for H-E-B (a grocery store powerhouse here in Texas). And trust me..this isn't your typical in-house grocery store restaurant. With several local beers ON TAP, a menu ranging from Texas BBQ to small plates like Thai Curry Samosas and a Prosciutto di Parma Plate, and a live music venue to boot, you quickly forget that you're eating at a grocery store. The outdoor patio was sleek yet comfortable and just a great place to hang out with friends and family. We were considered VIP at this event, and we took full advantage of it...
If we didn't have to attend my friend's show later that night, I think they would've had to kick us out of the cafe :). Prime beef sliders, margherita pizza, tres leches, and one of my new favorite beers...512 Pecan Porter...were just some of the things we feasted on that night. I ate to my heart's content and soaked up the wonderful company of my wife. To shake off the gluttonous stupor that was starting to overtake me, we took a short stroll around the store which boasts being "the most environmentally innovative grocery store" in Austin. I have a feeling we'll be back.
To end the evening, we headed over to Strange Brew, Lounge Side to catch my friend Betty Soo (you can find a video clip here), a local singer-songwriter who has established quite a following in Canada and Europe as well. I was always mesmerized by her singing when we served on worship teams in college, but the way her voice has blossomed over the years is breath-taking. We met up with one of my good buddies, Brian, and just sat back and enjoyed the show (a double set with special guests Charlie Faye and James McMurtry!). For those few hours, I didn't have a care in the world. Just the way I like it...
Cafe Mueller - 1801 E. 51st Street, Austin TX 78723
Strange Brew - 5326 Manchaca Road, Austin TX 78745
Hungryman says
MJ and I couldn't remember the last time we'd had so much fun. What I wouldn't give for more nights like these..
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I'm sorry things have been so stressful lately :S I hope they settle down soon, but in the mean time, this sounds like the perfect way to take a brief break from it all!