Residents of Mesa Park live close to a number of Austin’s best shopping centers. In all, the neighborhood’s enviable location gives homeowners the option of reaching seven major shopping centers in 15 minutes or less. Together, these shopping centers represent more than 550 quality department stores, local and national merchants, movie theaters and restaurants.
There are also plenty of grocery options in this area of northwest Austin. Mesa Park residents are conveniently located right down the street from Gateway Shopping Center’s Whole Foods Market, as well as conveniently near Randall’s, Sam’s Club, and Sprouts Farmers’ Market.
Four Convenient Shopping Centers with Hundreds of Stores and Restaurants
The Domain, just more over five minutes from home, is known for its upscale retailers. The mall features Niemen Marcus, Coach, an Apple Store, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co. The Domain features scores of other retailers and a number of popular restaurants. A few of the several noteworthy restaurants are NoRTH, The Daily Grill, Blackfinn’s, Maggiano’s Little Italy, and McCormick & Schmick’s.
Only about 10 minutes away, Lakeline Mall hosts more than 150 retailers and service providers including Dillard’s, Macy’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, and GAP. A few of the popular restaurants at Lakeline are Applebee’s, Chile’s, Frullati Café, Little Tokyo, Los Canarios Fine Mexican Cuisine, Phil’s Philly Grill and Simon’s Sushi, among others.
The mall is also home to the Regal Lakeine 9 Cinema and features an Inflatable Wonderland bounce house extravaganza for the kids.
The Arboretum, just less than 10 minutes away, is a park-like outdoor mall that features rolling lawns studded with mature, beautiful oaks. It hosts about 40 retailers and restaurants including Barnes & Noble, Cheesecake Factory, Sephora, GAP, and Amy’s Ice Cream. In a nearby shopping center related to the Arboretum, the Arbor Theater shows limited circulation art films and festival winners.
Texas Running Company, The Container Store, Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, Whole Foods Market, REI Outfitters, and a Regal Cinema 16 with IMAX are just across the highway from the Arboretum in the Gateway Shopping Center.
Chicken Potpie, Zucchini Fritta and Curled Macaroni with Pork and Peppers
Amazing dining options abound in northwest Austin and delicious choices range from hearty American fare to the elegant Italian — and way beyond. Among the restaurants popular with local residents is the Brick House Tavern. With a comfy and inviting atmosphere, the Tavern offers big booths, a fireplace, and multiple widescreen televisions that ensure you won’t ever miss a University of Texas sporting event. Two food favorites are the fish and chips and the chicken pot pie. (But be warned — come early. The chicken pot pie is so popular it’s been known to sell out before closing time.)
Another favorite close to home is Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Dedicated to authentic Italian and Sicilian cuisine, owners Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola have made a name for themselves by serving up the kind of traditional and hearty food that they grew up with and have always loved. The zucchini fritta is among their delicious appetizers. Cavatappi Amatriciana, one of their popular side dishes, is curled macaroni tossed in Carrabba’s own carefully crafted pork, peppers, and tomato sauce. Specialties of the house include a number of grilled chicken, seafood, beef, and pork dishes, and traditional Italian entrees such as Chicken Parmesan. Authentic Italian food can sometimes be difficult to find, but it’s always available at Carrabba’s.