BYOB in BCS

BYOB:
One thing I miss about Chicago is all the restaurants that have a BYOB policy. What a fantastic idea! They do not want to pay for a liquor license, and I do not want to pay $10 a drink. This is what we call a “win-win.” One of my favorite nights in Chicago was spent at an old hole in the wall diner with my roommates from college…with a box of Franzia…
So needless to say I was looking for some unforgettable dining experiences in Bryan College Station that were budget friendly: BYOB restaurants. So far I have only found ONE  but it has potential! Church Street Barbecue, at the end of Northgate right off of Wellborn and Church St., has a city feel with an inviting open porch and live music nightly. AND they are open 24 hours! Barbecue at 4:00 am? Well, if I wasn’t a vegetarian I would be all for it! So check it out! http://www.churchstreetbbq.com/

So maybe you’re not hungry, but instead you are looking for a place to let your creative energy flow while sipping a drink…then check out U Paint It on Wednesday nights. Bring a bottle of wine, some friends, and paint your heart out for half price! Such a cozy, cute art studio, there are literally hundreds of different ceramic pieces available to paint…even margarita glasses! One suggestion: limit the intake until after you finish your piece!

And finally, although I have not been personally, I hear BINGO night, which is also BYOB, is an unforgettable evening out in Bryan. www.brazosbingo.com has the schedule posted with the different ½ price nights!

Do you all have any more suggestions?

Mulling over Muldoon’s

What is most vital to a grad student’s city of residence? Great coffee houses! For some reason, a coffee house has the ability to get me “in the zone” better than any other place to study. A good coffee house allows me to get into me ebb and flow without friends, a kitchen, or the temptation to surf the web to distract me. I have tried out many coffee shops here around campus, but my Saturday 8:00am ritual continually brings me to Muldoon’s, located on Texas next to Los Cucos.

Over the past two weeks with midterms approaching, I have practically established residency here. I like the eclectic nature of coffee shops, a hipster feel, but what attracts me to Muldoon’s is opposite. This coffee shop differs from the other shops in the area with its ample supply of large tables and comfy seating. The plethora of couches and love seats create a homey environment, but in a clean and organize manner. And most importantly, there is not a short supply of outlets! Sometimes my senses are overwhelmed in coffee shops that have art all over the walls and different pieces of furniture dating back to the 1800s. But Muldoon’s has a contemporary, clean, and calming feel.

Their drinks are excellent! The only thing that could improve this establishment is a broader selection of home cooked food. That is where Sweet Eugenes has them beat! But I personally would rather that Muldoon’s focuses on making their drinks the best they can be, and leave the food up to other restaurants. But come check it out…more likely or not I’ll be there

1517 Texas Ave S College Station,

TX 77840-3328

(979) 703-7958

Hello BCS!

Welcome to bcsliving.com Sites.

Surrounded by big cities like Austin, Houston, and Dallas, sometimes Bryan and College Station seem a little underwhelming.  BCS might not have Town Lake or the Galleria, but that just means that we have to be a bit more creative and explore what we do have here right at our fingertips.  Moving down to BCS from Chicago, I spent the first couple of weeks homesick for city life.  It wasn’t long before my Los Angeles native roommate and I began to appreciate the unique culture in our new town.

As a runner, I spent my first months in BCS training for the Chicago marathon.  I ran all over town, literally, logging over 40 miles a week.  On my runs, new sites and new restaurants entertained me.  Nothing better acquaints you with the sites and roads of a new place like running.  And to refuel after these long runs and for some evening entertainment, we would have fun trying new restaurants.  Isn’t that so American?!  “I am bored so let’s go eat.” But who is going to argue with that?

I am impressed with the BCS culinary variety.  From Indian naan to Fro-Yo, you can find everything! And even as a vegetarian, deep in the heart of Texas and BBQ (I know, I know…I think my dad still isn’t over my decision yet…)I was pleased!  Looking for an organic, vegetarian, and healthy little café to venture to, I found a little treasure in downtown Bryan.

The Village Café has character and flavor and will leave you cultured and satisfied.  I discovered this café as I was poking around on Urbanspoon.com, and checked out their website.  The modern and artsy http://www.thevillagedowntown.com/ immediately drew me in.  After carbo loading at Café Capris, my boyfriend and I strolled down to The Village to check out their live music on Thursdays.  My disappointment with the small crowd I found was only momentary as the featured singer/songwriter, Sarah Wise, who is also the general manager, won my heart when she got on stage.  Sipping cappuccinos and sinking into the comfy couches, time flew by as I was engrossed in her music.  In fact, my boyfriend had to drag me out.

So after church one morning, I convince him to take me out to breakfast at my place of choice. With very different appetites, as he loves steaks and doesn’t think twice about ordering Taco Bell while I love “earthy” meals, he was hesitant of my choice.  But the Village Cafe did anything but disappoint!  After staring at the menu and daily specials for a good ten minutes or so, wishing I could try the homemade chili and freshly baked bread and oat orange waffles all at once, we both finally decided.  Not one word was spoken as we both indulged in our plates.  His breakfast burrito, a whole wheat tortilla with scrambled egg, spinach, red pepper, goat cheese, and salsa accompanied by crispy seasoned oven potatoes diminished quickly.  And my steaming hearty oats du jour, adorned with freshly sliced apples, bananas, and raisins, along with a cup of fresh brewed java, left me feeling healthy and thriving.  And the mimosas, made with freshly squeezed orange juice or apple juice, were oh so tempting! If it wasn’t for a full course load of homework I had to work on that morning, I would have been sipping all day!

So come hungry and tired to The Village to allow their menu and their coffee to do their magic!  Maybe next time I visit I will try their Wednesday night salsa dancing lessons and let you know how it goes.  So many places to try…but this café has captured my heart!