Retail Roundup: Boulders at Crystal Falls Area Shopping, Dining and Entertainment

Locals do much of their grocery shopping at the Leander HEB plus! grocery superstore just about five minutes from Crystal Falls. This isn’t just another supermarket. In addition to a full inventory of quality groceries, produce, meats and dairy — it also includes a garden center, bakery, and pharmacy. Other nearby grocery options include Wal-Mart and Sam’s. The freshest organic produce can be picked up at the Leander farmers’ market on weekends.

For more diverse shopping lists, homeowners have their choice of six major shopping centers within about 20 minutes of the neighborhood, including the decidedly upscale Domain, 1890 Ranch, The Arboretum at Great Hills, Gateway Shopping Center, Round Rock Premium Outlets, and Wolf Ranch Town Center. Together, the six shopping centers host more than 480 shops, stores and restaurants.

Fun, Food and Movies at 1890 Ranch

The 1890 Ranch Shopping center, adjacent to the new Cedar Park Regional Medical Center, is less than 10 minutes from Crystal Falls. Homeowners enjoy the more than 80 stores, services, restaurants and entertainment options that include SuperTarget, Academy Sports and Outdoors, PetSmart, Hobby Lobby, and Bealls, to name a few.

Among the fun and tasty restaurant options are one of the area’s best burgers at Mighty Fine Burgers, or flavorful fajitas at award-winning Rosa’s Cafe. There is also a 12-screen Cinemark multiplex movie theater at 1890 Ranch, making it a complete shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.

Blue Corn Crispy Salmon and Savory Flat Iron Steak

Area foodies love The Blue Corn Harvest Bar & Grill for adding a spicy twist to the local dinner scene with fresh Southwestern-style dishes. The menu boasts Southwestern fare like New Mexico Pork Verde and vibrant Southwest-influenced salads. Popular entrees include the Blue Corn Crispy Salmon. This, one of several signature dinner offerings, is accompanied by crab and avocado salad, roasted tomatillo buerre blanc, cheddar a seared potato cake, and farm-fresh vegetables of the day. The bar offers a number of specialty margaritas and mojitos as well. The Sunday brunch from 10:00 in the morning until 3:00 in the afternoon is also quite popular.

Cedar Park’s Surf & Turf and Oyster Bar is another of the many favorite local restaurants. The signature surf & turf platter invites diners to choose one surf and one turf item, and then chose two side dishes. The surf options are fried, broiled, or stuffed catfish; fried or grilled shrimp; stuffed crab; or fried or grilled scallops. On the turf side, the menu offers a flat iron steak, grilled chicken breast, grilled or fried pork loin, or a steak kabob.

Live Sporting Events and World-Class Entertainment

The newly completed Cedar Park Center provides a wide variety of live entertainment in a state-of-the-art, 8,000-seat venue. The center hosts more than 130 events per year, including live concerts by popular touring acts, family shows, and sporting events. Sports fans in particular appreciate the Cedar Park Center, as both the Austin Toros basketball and Texas Stars hockey teams call the center home.