Happy Birthday to Me!

A Monday birthday is the worst, so I've been celebrating since my good friend Karen sent me a card heralding the start of my birthday month. The beginning of the month was pretty routine, agilty classes, Frank's gigs, yada yada. On Saturday, August 11, we went out for the first birthday dinner at Zoot. We haven't been out to dinner for months as we always talk ourselves out of it to stay home with our boys. Now that Shane has calmed down, we feel more free to leave them all home alone.

Click here to read about Zoot.

Zoot is in an old house off a side street down by Lake Austin. We spent quite some time trying to decide where to go and were very anxious. Going in the front door we were quite surprised to find a well-appointed restaurant. The wait staff was very knowledgeable, confident, and professional. The menu was overwhelming, so we chose the tasting menu with wines. I should have saved the menu because I can't remember any of it, but it was spectacular, except for the fish course, which had way too much saffron.

The following week, I tried a new hair salon after spending two years roaming around Austin trying to find someone who could cut my hair properly. I had a good stylist initially, but she disappeared without leaving any hint of where she went. I tried new people and progressively become blonder and blonder. I guess that's what happens when you move to Texas. I did get one good color job only to have it all razored off within an inch of my scalp. I tried showing pictures and that didn't work either. Finally, at my last stop, I got my brown hair back and a fabulous cut. This place is wonderful. No tipping! That alone is worth it. I haven't had this level of experience since I left LA.

Click here to read about Jackson-Ruiz salon.

On Friday, I finally got around to using the gift certificate at the Barton Creek Resort that my sister-in-law and brother-in-law gave me last year. Not too much of a procrastinator... What an amazing place. The massage was good and sorely needed as my shoulder is a mess from a fall I took months ago.

Click here to read about the Barton Creek Resort.

Finally, for my birthday gift, Frank took me to Hudson's on the Bend. A restaurant right around the corner and we've never been. Pulling into the parking lot, we're a bit taken aback because it's all gravel and very undone. The outside of the building looks like an old boat house, but that all changes when you cross the threshold. What a beautiful place and the food was spectacular. The tasting menu was too massive, so we chose to order a la carte. I had scallops wrapped in venison prosciutto and topped with American sturgeon caviar, and Frank had the crab cake. For our main entree, I had venison chops and Frank had bison. For dessert, we shared a chocolate torte.

Click here to read about Hudson's Bend.
Click here to read a recent review describing some of the dishes we had.

Finally, today, my boys gave me more massage certificates at the local health club. My sister-in law and brother-in-law gave me a bocce set, which will be a lot of fun out in the backyard, and my good friend Jennifer, gave me a certificate to Z'Tejas so I can have our favorite margaritas and queso to remember the fun times we had in Phoenix.

All in all, not a bad birthday. Fifty-three is a bit boring, but all my family and friends made it memorable.