Kayla Hui

Texans might get the occasional eye-roll from out-of-state relatives when they announce they’re celebrating the holidays in the Lone Star State. Sure, Texas isn’t exactly known for wintry snowflakes or puffer jacket weather, but holiday cheer? There’s plenty to go around. From free community events to extravagant ticketed experiences, these holiday light shows prove that Texas knows how to sparkle.  

Christmas is arguably the hardest time of year for gift shopping. It’s a balancing act to find something meaningful that your loved ones will actually use.  If you’re still brainstorming on what to buy—don’t fret. Texas is home to over 3 million local businesses, many of which offer one-of-a-kind options perfect for your holiday gifting needs. Whether you’re shopping for a hard-to-please friend or a parent who seems to have everything, these unique Christmas gifts from Texas businesses are sure to impress.  20 unique Christmas gifts from Texas businesses Case Chocolates  A speakeasy located in downtown Houston, Case Chocolates doubles as a luxury chocolate shop. These aren’t your average sweets—each chocolate is filled with spirits that enhance every bite. The gift-ready boxes, which are adorned in blue and gold, make the perfect present for the spirit enthusiast. Or splurge on this specialty box featuring six chocolates filled with exclusive whiskeys, elegantly encased in a custom cacao pod. No wrapping required!   Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Co.  For a gift that’s as practical as it is thoughtful, look no further than Texas Hill Country Olive Oil Co. This family-owned Dripping Springs business grows its olives locally and produces fresh, high-quality extra virgin olive oil. With gifts starting under $30, there’s something for every budget. Our fav is the Deluxe Dipping Bowl Keepsake Box.  Still Austin Whiskey Co. Austinites know Still Austin Whiskey Co for its beloved bour

Celebrity look-alike contests are sweeping the nation. From Timothée Chalamet doppelgangers flooding the streets of New York to Jeremy Allen White look-alikes competing in Chicago, it seems like everyone is vying for a crown. And now, Austinites will have a chance at look-alike glory with this weekend’s Glen Powell contest.  In true Texas fashion, the winner will walk away with a cowboy hat, some money and a Torchy’s Gold Card for a year’s worth of free queso, according to the event page on Partiful. Glen Powell twinsies and admirers are invited to show up at Auditorium Shores at Lady Bird Lake at 1pm—no RVSP necessary.  An Austin native, Glen Powell is best known for his romantic, action and comedic roles in films like Anyone but You, Hit Man and Top Gun: Maverick. But beyond his acting chops, Powell is beloved for his easygoing charm, Texas roots and undeniably swoon-worthy style. Think you’ve got the Glen Powell look? Show up Saturday to see if you’ll be crowned Austin’s newest heartthrob. And who knows—you might even spot the man himself. After all, Powell did move back to Austin this year. 

Despite the heavy reliance on cars in Texas, there’s a surprisingly decent number of transportation options for anyone looking to travel within the state. Car, bus, plane—you name it. Of course, people tend to prefer the latter. After all, it can be the fastest way to get around. From Dallas to San Antonio? A one-hour-and-15-minute flight. Austin to Houston? Just 30 minutes in the air. And let’s not forget skipping the traffic, congestion and bad drivers. Still, despite its advantages, I prefer to drive. Before giving me the side eye, hear me out. Beyond the obvious perk of saving money on car rentals by taking my own car, driving lets me uncover off-the-beaten-path destinations I’d otherwise miss. For example, take my road trip to Marfa from Austin this past April. Along the way, I visited Prada Marfa, a one-of-a-kind art installation on U.S. Route 90. Located roughly 33 minutes from Marfa’s city center, this Insta-famous site would have been nearly impossible to reach without a car. Prada Marfa isn’t an actual store; it’s a hyper-realistic reconstruction of a Prada boutique. The installation, created by artists Elmgreen and Dragset in October 2005, even features real Prada products inside. It’s believed to be a response to the high-priced commercialism that displaced communities in the 1990s. Learning about the installation’s history was fascinating, and snapping photos at this surreal spot? Worth the detour.  Driving also saved me time and money on rideshares. Road-trippin

Longhorn fans have two reasons to be excited about this weekend: the Texas Longhorns face off against the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday, and (drum roll, please) $1 bourbon refills. In classic Longhorn fashion—where rivalry banter is all part of the fun—popular Austin-based distiller Still Austin Whiskey Co. is hosting its first-ever Kentucky Fill Up Day on November 23 to show which state’s whiskey reigns supreme.   Texas bourbon lovers and curious skeptics alike are encouraged to bring an empty Kentucky bourbon bottle to Still Austin’s distillery, where it can be refilled with Still Austin Cask Strength Bourbon for just $1. Refills will be offered during one of the following time slots: 9am and 11:30am, with refills limited to the first 500 participants. This event will be followed by a game day watch party, located at 440 E. St. Elmo Rd in South Austin.  This cheeky event not only fuels the football rivalry between Texas and Kentucky fans but also a spirited battle over bourbon supremacy. To qualify for a refill, participants must bring in a clean 750mL bottle that meets the following criteria: Clean  Contains some bourbon from a Kentucky distillery Retains its original cap To participate in the event, you can pre-purchase $1 tickets for a fill-up slot at stillaustin.com/kentucky-fill-up 

After setting its roots in Boulder, Chicago, and Denver, The Kitchen makes its grand debut in Austin. The restaurant officially opened on November 14, occupying an 8,300 square-foot, two-story space on the ground level of the Guadalupe skyscraper. Designed to be “a space where friends meet, loved ones celebrate special moments, and the community gathers,” founder Kimbal Musk shared in a press release, the restaurant brings an elevated yet inviting dining experience. As a fan of celebrating moments both big and small, I decided to toast my new role as Time Out’s Texas and Southern editor with a visit.  The experience began with a warm welcome from two hostesses, who guided my guest and me to our table in the main dining room. The space features a mix of banquette-style seating and individual chairs, some with a view of the open kitchen. For larger parties, there’s an intimate wine room and a private dining room that seats up to 12 guests. The restaurant, designed by Michael Hsu’s Office of Architecture—the same minds behind Nando’s Peri-Peri—features an intimate dining space with a modern feel.  On the menu, people can expect to find shareable plates, each fusing flavors inspired by Peru, Morocco, and Japan. Standout dishes that I tried include grilled oysters engulfed in brown butter, kabayaki and scallions; carrots atop whipped feta; crab fried rice with Thai lime-nam jim; and a juicy Kansas City strip in a red chimichurri sauce.  Courtesy Kayla HuiThe Kitchen Austin's gnoc

New York City hotspot C as in Charlie, the creative Korean-Southern fusion restaurant that earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand distinction last year, is making its debut in Texas. Having grown up in Atlanta, childhood besties David Yun, Steve Choi and Eric Choi opened the restaurant to pay tribute to their upbringing as Korean immigrants. On November 20 only, C as in Charlie will be operating a pop-up at Sí Baby-Q, a BBQ concept by Austin-based Zoé Tong.  Sí Baby-Q is chef Simone Tong and pitmaster Jonathan Lagos's way of reimagining classic Texas BBQ through the lens of Asian flavor profiles. Since hosting the pop-up series, Sí Baby-Q has hosted acclaimed local and national chefs, including NFA Burger of Atlanta, Bill’s Oyster of Austin, George Motz’ Hamburger America of New York and more. For $22, attendees can enjoy a seoulsbury burger, a mouthwatering take on C as in Charlie’s signature seoul’sbury steak. The burger features a galbi short rib patty, char-grilled green tomato, and a pillowy sesame bun, paired with crispy fried Guyère grits. Reservations for this one-day-only event can be made on Resy. While reservations are highly encouraged, walk-ins are welcomed. Don’t miss the chance to experience one of New York’s buzziest restaurants in Texas.     

Central Texas and Houston drivers could save money thanks to a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA). HCTRA will take over all of the billing and customer service operations in an effort to improve invoicing and support.  “HCTRA has successfully performed toll services as its core business for 40 years, and we expect them to deliver reliable, high-quality service for our Central Texas and Houston toll road customers,” said TxDOT executive director Marc Williams in an online statement. “This will bring significant savings and efficiency gain for the state of Texas. Customers could see less fees, and it’ll help keep tolls low going forward.” To prepare for this transition period, TxTag.org, the electronic toll collection system that operates between Austin and Houston, will go into maintenance mode between November 15 and 18. This means that customers will not be able to login to their accounts, update account information, make payments, or receive customer service related to their accounts.  If you have an outstanding balance, don’t worry—it can be paid on November 18 once the system is back online. Although there will be no late fees, it's recommended to settle outstanding balances sooner rather than later.  Any drivers passing through TxDOT toll roads in Austin or the Houston area on or after November 9 will be billed through HCTRA. Existing TxTag customers can expect to have their accounts transf

Nando’s Peri-Peri, the long-awaited South African chicken chain, has finally hatched in Austin. Since its debut in 1987 in Johannesburg, Nandos has been bringing the flavors of South Africa to the world—and now Austinites can taste it, too. The Afro-Portuguese style grilled chicken is marinated in a fiery Peri-Peri sauce, also known as African bird’s eye chilli, which gives the chicken its signature kick. Customers can order a whole chicken, wings, thighs, legs, and breasts, as well as a number of sides, including golden cauliflower, mac and cheese, crispy fries, and the brand’s beloved garlic sticks, because who doesn’t love carbs? You can also enjoy your Peri-Peri chicken as a salad or sandwich.  Nando’s Austin marks the fourth addition to the chain’s Texas portfolio, following locations in Houston, Katy, and Addison. You’ll find it on the ground floor of the Origin Hotel in Mueller at 1825 McBee Street.  Designed by architect Michael Hsu, Nando’s Austin boasts a vibrant interior featuring yellow tiles, wooden furniture, bright red booths, and tiled walls. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, it’s the perfect spot to test your spice tolerance.  Nando’s Peri-Peri is officially open, so you can stop by anytime between 10:30am and 10pm to turn up the heat on your next meal.     

The 2024 Texas Michelin award winners are finally here. After months of anticipation, Texas restaurants and chefs shined with 15 new Michelin stars, 45 Bib Gourmands, two Michelin Green Stars, and four special awards.  Among the one-star Michelin winners, Austin and Houston claimed the spotlight, snagging 13 of the 15 spots, while Dallas and San Antonio proudly claimed one star each. This year's guide also made history for Texas barbecue: InterStellar BBQ, le Barbecue, Leroy and Lewis Barbecue, and CorkScrew BBQ received one-star status, marking the first time American-style barbecue has reached Michelin star heights. In total, 117 restaurants and 26 cuisines were represented in this year’s inaugural Texas Michelin Guide, including Japanese, Indian, Mexican, American, just to name a few.  Courtesy Kayla HuiLa Barbecue wins one Michelin star The special awards were not to be overlooked either, with Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria in Austin taking home the Michelin Young Chef award. Other honors went to Julian Shaffer of Rye for Exceptional Cocktails, Steven McDonald of Pappa Bros Steakhouse for Michelin Sommelier and Hailey Pruitt and Lauren Beckman of Mixtli for Outstanding Service.  Michelin's stars and Bib Gourmand selections are based on the quality of ingredients, mastery of technique, harmony of flavors, creativity and consistency. Unfortunately, not every beloved spot earned a star or Bib Gourmand distinction, but they still made the recommended list. Think Austin's Terr

Before you pull out the holiday decor—faux tree, shiny globes and string lights—don’t forget that Thanksgiving deserves its own moment to shine. Whether you’re hosting the big dinner or tasked with bringing dessert, the most important decision might just be the showstopping pie.  Texas is no stranger to incredible desserts, with some of its cities ranked among the best pie in the U.S. And with just a few weeks away from turkey day, now’s the best time to place your pie orders.  Ahead, find some of the best spots across Texas to pre-order your Thanksgiving pie, whether you’re in the mood for a classic pumpkin or ready to try something new like peanut butter chocolate.  The best places in Texas to preorder pie for Thanksgiving 2024  Austin Gati Ice Cream  For vegan pies that don't skimp on flavor, look no further than Gati Ice Cream. This local bakery is taking preorders for pecan, crumbled apple maple walnut, pumpkin and French silk pies. Order by November 17 or until they sell out.  Quack’s 43rd Bakery  Want a homemade feel minus the kitchen mess? Quack’s 43rd Bakery has got you covered with seven delicious options, from chocolate pecan to apple cinnamon.  Wheatsville  Wheatsville offers a variety of vegan pies, including the holiday staples pumpkin and pecan. Oreo lovers, don't miss their peanut butter pie—a creamy filling nestled in a crunchy Oreo crust. The LINE ATX   Southern pecan pie with Chantilly cream and sweet potato pies topped with toasted meringue and can

Before bringing out the eggnog and Panettone, don’t overlook November. It’s an exciting time to be in Texas, with barbecue events and the state’s inaugural Michelin award ceremony on November 11. Plus, several new restaurant openings are opening this month. We’ve got the recent opening of Afuri, one of Japan’s top ramen spots, along with a seafood and South African restaurant. Looking for a spot to catch up with friends? Or somewhere to slurp on oysters? These new Texas restaurants have you covered.  New restaurants to dine at this November  Afuri, Houston, Texas Some of Japan’s best ramen has finally made its way to H-Town. Located at 1215 N Durham Drive, Afuri serves a standout selection of ramen and sushi rolls. Their yuzu shio ramen, featuring a light broth made with chicken, seaweed, chashu, egg, nori and of course, yuzu, is a must-try. Pair it with an appetizer like Japanese fried chicken or fried pork dumplings. And don’t skip dessert: a basque cheesecake layered with whipped cream, yuzu curd, and candied hazelnuts.  Claremont, Houston, Texas Brought to you by the Katz brothers of Beverly’s Clifton Club and Green Point Seafood, Claremont is the latest restaurant concept to join Dallas. While the menu is under wraps, it’s believed that the restaurant will take inspiration from the brothers’ South African roots. The restaurant is expected to open this month.  Little Em’s, San Antonio, Texas Set to relaunch on November 12, Little Em’s is moving across the street into a la

It’s no secret that Michelin Guide inspectors have been eating their way through Texas’ five major cities—Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Fort Worth—over the past year. Now, after months of tastings, the winners will finally be revealed at the November 11 award ceremony, which will be held in Houston’s 713 Music Hall.  Known for its culinary trailblazers, award-winning chefs and hospitality scene, it’s no surprise that Houston was chosen to host Texas’ inaugural Michelin Awards.  “We are delighted to be hosting the inaugural Michelin Guide Texas Ceremony in the vibrant city of Houston,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides in an online statement. “Houston is full of culinary innovation and world-class hospitality, which goes hand in hand with our values at the Michelin Guide. Together with Houston First, as well as the support of Travel Texas, we look forward to an evening of celebration as we toast to the restaurants that our inspectors have chosen to award in Texas.” Michelin’s arrival in the Lone Star State marks a major milestone. Known for its acclaimed barbecue, Texas now has the opportunity to showcase the full diversity of its culinary landscape, which spans everything from Oaxacan fare to Caribbean flavors. At the ceremony, chefs will discover if their restaurants earned one of Michelin’s highly elusive stars or another distinction.  This celebration follows a number of Michelin ceremonies earlier this year, including a join