Recently in Austin Category

Oktoberfest isn't just in Germany, of course. There are events all around the United States this month celebrating the brewer's art. Here are a few to look for on your travels.

Each Thursday in October, the Atlanta Botanical Garden hosts the Fest-of-Ale, featuring a selection of seasonal beers selected by Hop City, live music, and nighttime viewing of their fall Scarecrows in the Garden exhibit. The garden is an easy walk from the W Atlanta - Midtown; stop and pick up a flashlight on the way.

On Oct. 17, KC Beerfest gives folks the opportunity to sample nearly 75 beers from around the world and lets you keep the glass as a souvenir. Continue your taste test at Flying Saucer, a short cab ride from the Westin Crown Center.

Flying Saucer's Fort Worth and Austin branches are celebrating their own Fall Beer Festivals on Oct. 17 and 24, respectively. For $15, try out 10 beers from categories including "Texas' Best Brews," "Cap'n Keith's Picks" and "You're Not Worthy." They're close to the Sheraton Fort Worth and Sheraton Austin, respectively. In Austin, you can enjoy a film with your beer at the Alamo Drafthouse.

Gourmet lunch trucks and food carts are popping up in cities all over the country, and have become a big enough trend to catch the attention of the media. While I've written about street food in plenty of countries, I haven't focused much on what's available right here in the US. So I'm going to start featuring some of the best in American food not available in a restaurant — beginning with a round-up of some of the more interesting ones with vegetarian options. (Don't worry, meat eaters, you'll get plenty of recommendations later.)

Washington DC's On the Fly stations its green electric carts along the National Mall and other tourist spots, offering up veggie tacos, chili and various tasty stuff, with a local and environmentally friendly bent. Follow them on Twitter and get $2 off your first order — a nice treat while staying at the Four Points by Sheraton Washington D.C. Downtown.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, the Clover Food Truck provides local workers and students with fresh vegetarian fare, such as rosemary-dusted fries, chickpea fritter sandwiches and more, out of a little grease-fueled truck. It's easy to get to from Le Méridien Cambridge.

Down in Austin, you can get a Mighty Cone, a paper cone filled with, among other things, a deep-fried avocado in a delectably crunchy crust and topped with mango-jalapeno slaw. The Might Cone has a fine pedigree -- it was opened by the folks behind Hudson's on the Bend, a city favorite. Try it this fall, once the aloft Austin at the Domain opens.

With warm weather finally here across most of the country, it seems like a good time to point out some great ice cream shops around the country. These are places that are going well beyond your typical 30-some flavors, with seasonal and limited edition flavors competing for space alongside gourmet versions of vanilla and chocolate.

In Scottsdale, Arizona, it's already passing 100° on some days, so expect a line at the counter at Sweet Republic. Options range from mint chocolate chip flecked with real mint leaves to the "cheese pairing duo" of Roquefort bleu cheese and Medjool dates. If they've got it, you might want to take a pint of the "I heart bacon" ice cream back to The Phoenician for later.

Christina's Ice Cream in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has a menu a mile long, including everything from honey-lavender and cinnamon rice pudding to pistachio and Nietzsche's Chocolate Ascention (only in a college town...) and a couple dozen sorbets, too. It's about a mile from Le Méridien Cambridge, so you'll after you indulge your id you can have a nice walk to assuage your superego.

Austin is lucky enough to have multiple locations of Amy's Ice Creams, including one at the airport, so you should be able to find one during your visit to the Sheraton Austin. Among the features are several flavors with "a little extra kick" like amaretto peach or eggnog with rum. There's plenty of stuff to mix into or top your choice, scooped and served by sassy employees who love to make performance art while making dessert.

Heading to The SXSW Music Festival? Don't forget to eat in between all those concerts and open bars. Here's a quick list of restaurants within easy reach of the Sheraton Austin.

When in Texas, do as the Texans do — which means barbecue and tex-mex. Start your day with one of the best examples of the latter at Las Manitas at Congress and 2nd (though not for much longer). I'm a big fan of their migas — scrambled eggs with strips of corn tortillas, and sauteed onions, chiles, tomatoes and cheese, served with black beans.

There are a number of places to get great barbecue in the city, but you can't go wrong with Stubb's. This barbecue place doubles as a concert venue out back — it's hosting many of the best showcases of the festival — and serves up some lip-smacking barbecue chicken and smoked brisket. (Here's a tip: if you can't get into the club out back, go for dinner and get a table near the balcony. You'll hear the show perfectly and have a great meal at the same time.) Right behind the Austin Conference Center is Ironworks. Housed in a former balcksmith's shop, it's a standby of conference attendees looking for good barbecue fast (though be prepared to wait in line during the lunch rush). Order a sliced brisket plate (piled with tender beef, potato salad, beans and pickles with a slice of white bread) and a Shiner Bock. For ideas beyond these, I recommend downloading this great guide to eating at SXSW and keeping it your back pocket.