Living it up in the USA

If you think about the going to the USA, Austin (TX) is probably not one of the first places that spring to mind. Think again. Having arrived from Las Vegas the bar was set pretty high (although it would have been higher if the house didn’t always win!) and the bar was trumped royally.

The city is a hip and liberal bastion within a largely conservative state, attracting the creative artsy crowd as well as the young entrepreneurial type from the surrounding areas. Combine this with being the home to the University of Texas, and its fifty thousand or so students, creates an energetic vibrancy around.

6^th Street epitomizes this and on a Saturday night resembles the Mardi Gras with people stumbling along the pedestrianised street as the live blues and rock music blasts from the bars where people drink their cheap drinks. Trek a little deeper and you could find bars that play live Tejano music (a mix of Mexican and ethnic German music!) or find somewhere to dance along to the Honky Tonk rhythms

People will make you feel at home too, polite, sociable and generous in an unforced and natural way. They’ll speak to you to find out more about you, and as a visitor people were always helpful and giving good advice on where its at or where one can grab a good bite. Maybe the year round warmth and sunshine has something to do with it.

They definitely don't joke about their portions, the Americans; but for the most part, the XXL portions are by no means a substitute for good and rich taste. The food highlights come from Texas, although the lunch at Estiatorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Vegas gives you a taste of Mediterranean heaven right in the middle of the strip. Before heading to Lone Star State, we have to mention a diner that serves incredible breakfast (one of the best I've had!). Located in Boulder City, Nevada, about 30 miles from Las Vegas on the way to the Grand Canyon, sits the World Famous Coffee Cup diner. The place has everything you'd expect from an American Diner: the booth and bar seats, the bottomless coffee; but the breakfast menu is the real deal! If it is your first time don't miss the peanut butter bacon waffle (you heard it right!) and the breakfast burrito. There are also lighter healthier options but I suggest you skip the previous night's dinner and go for the real deal.

Back to Austin which is known for its street food carriages but these can be hit or miss, good for a quick greasy bite after a night out drinking but I would give it a miss if you're looking for the Texas dining experience. The Counter Café serves amazing breakfasts made from organic ingredients in a small diner, the pancakes are absolutely incredible. For anything from a light nibble by the bar with some amazing cocktails, to a full dinner with a bottle of wine, you can't go wrong with Parkside on 6th street, if you go between 5 and 7pm you get half off cocktails and bar food menu (an amazing deal!). But the biggest highlight has to be Eddie V's steakhouse. Book in advance to go there and be prepared to part with some cash but if you're in Austin and you love steak, you have to go to Eddie V's. The meat is cut beautifully and cooked to perfection, tender and succulent, for the seafood lover, fresh oysters are also a signature of Eddie V's.