Before that all gets going, I’ve tried a few incredible new restaurants that I just can’t stop thinking about. I loved them so much that we had to write this extra quickfire newsletter so you can eat them, too! Keep reading for my debrief on these meals, plus a fun announcement on the return of my popular cake collab that you can get your hands on now!

~ AR

Ramen Del Barrio

This Mexican and Japanese Izakaya (yes, both!) previously existed inside the food market at Hana World Market. Newly reopened in a standalone brick-and-mortar down the street from The Domain, we waited in line to order for about 10 minutes, which I wouldn’t even consider a wait for counter service at noon on a Wednesday. This place fills up quickly, and everyone is eating ramen, even in 100-degree weather. Honestly, I could not believe my eyes - see it for yourself HERE. Even though ramen is probably Ramen Del Barrio’s most popular item, it was the O-Toro Sashimi daily special and the Tuna Tostada with aioli, chicharron furikake, eel, sauce, salsa macha, and negi that knocked me out of my seat. I couldn’t hear anything Adele said the rest of our lunch because I truly could not get over the quality of the tuna inside this ramen shop, plus all the bursting flavors in my mouth from that tostada.

Bar Fino

This is another spot I was not expecting to fall in love with. I wish the name didn’t have “Bar” in it because I do think it deters people from recognizing the quality of dinner you can eat here. Yes, my Melon and Basil Spritz was awesome, but it’s the food and the fun garden setting right off Rainey that made me feel like I was in a Nantucket-esque coastal dining scene, but without the preppy flare or lobster (which I guess is the most important part). I came for the burger, but left talking about how fantastic the medium rare Steak Frites were with salty and crispy fries toppling over the Bavette cut steak. The menu reminded me of dining in Spain with several tartares and aperitivos (available from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays), and it just felt really refreshing out there.

Butter Days Cake Collaboration Available to Order!

Well, this is super exciting! Remember last year when I partnered with my favorite cake baker, Butter Days, to create my own cake flavors? She received so many requests to bring back our Miso Hungry flavor that exactly one year later, we are doing it again! Starting now, you can order between two cake flavors I dreamt up and Chelsea created, which are available for pick-up through the month of September. As a UT alum with a Texas football and Arch Manning-obsessed boyfriend, I wanted to create something fun for the whole family to enjoy at a tailgate or a watch party at home. Therefore, we have whipped up the Hook ‘Em Apples flavor with apple cider cake layers, caramel, cashew buttercream, and handmade white chocolate Texas Longhorn toppers. You can choose between all cake sizes on her website, from a sample box with two 4-inch one layer mini cakes to a 10-inch three-layer cake. For the second year, you can also get my Miso Hungry flavor with edible brown butter chocolate chip cookie dough and miso chocolate chip brown butter buttercream. The mini ones are fun for any day of the week, and of course, you can get larger cakes for a birthday or party celebration. See the cakes HERE, and place an order for both flavors now to pick up through the entire month of September by either emailing Chelsea at butterdaysatx@gmail.com or DMing her on Instagram at @butterdays_atx.

Kultur Froyo

This new small-batch Greek frozen yogurt brand will launch next week, and I was thrilled to receive a DM from the owner, Rachel, so I could try it early. Made with real Greek yogurt for you protein heads, as well as kefir and active cultures, this fro-yo surprised me as someone who prefers Greek yogurt for breakfast, not as my dessert. In fact, I told Rachel that I had just tried the infamous Myka in Madrid just to give her a heads up to set expectations. That being said, one of my favorite things in life is to challenge my tastebuds and find things that I haven’t loved in the past, but try them again from a new chef that can spin me around and make me a fan. The Blueberry Crumble is gluten-free, featuring all homemade mix-ins and a Greek yogurt base, and the Confetti one includes cookie dough and dye-free rainbow sprinkles throughout the vanilla Greek yogurt base. Rachel is starting Kultur Froyo on top of her 9-to-5 job, and I can’t wait to support her more and this product that I LOVE. You can order Kultur Froyo starting the first week of September on HotPlate! Crazy enough, after I finished the Blueberry Crumble pint, I also nearly finished the regular Tart pint. Rachel made me change my mind even on this tart flavor because she doesn’t use fake flavors, and everything tastes so real and fresh.

Small’s Wine Bar

Only in Austin will an incredible pizza and wine bar expand from being a pop-up to full opening in a space like Springdale General. While the place as a whole feels like a food hall, the tucked-away Small’s Pizza actually feels more like Bufalina, where the owner, Kelsey Small, previously worked. He grew up in Connecticut, which clearly influences what are probably the crunchiest and crispiest pizzas in Austin outside of Home Slice. The pizzas are HUGE, and I loved the Pepperoni, to which we added cherry peppers, basil, and garlic. The Little Gem was super refreshing and all the staff kept complimenting Ryan on his choice to start with a Root Beer Float, which made me laugh. Kelsey stands behind the bar talking to customers and changing the records, and it’s simply a cozy, fun nook I’d like to be. Next time, I’m trying the meatballs. If you’re looking for a quick slice, you can also order from their stall in the main area.

ICYMI, see my last three Substacks from August below:

Today I’m sharing my favorite places below for a fun swim day in and around Austin, whether it’s a watering hole or a worth-it hotel staycation (you can read a full breakdown of my new favorite staycation here.) If you want a visual for where these are all located, take a look at this Google Maps list Avery on my team made for you HERE. Have a great swim!

~ AR

Natural Swimming Holes

Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park: This 215-acre park is a 25-minute drive from downtown Austin along the Colorado River with a grassy picnic area, dock for sunbathing, volleyball net, and boat watching. Dogs are allowed, and you can bring food/drinks. Easy parking and small walking trails, too

Barton Springs: Austin’s iconic natural pool always hits around 70 degrees, even on the hottest days of the year. Barton is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on Thursdays, when it’s open from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eight lengths = a mile if you’re swimming morning laps with me! If you love Barton like I do, take a look at my Barton Springs prints to buy for your home here. I also encourage fellow fans to donate to the Save Our Springs Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting natural waters in the Hill Country.

Deep Eddy Pool: Located right by Austin High, this is the oldest freshwater (no chlorine) swimming pool in Texas that’s open daily and hovers around the same temperature as Barton Springs. It’s like a country club pool shape with a kids’ shallow area, and the other side is more adult-driven with a grassy knoll and lanes for swimming laps.

Blanco State Park: Bring floats to this park so you can hang on the slow-moving river that’s just a one-hour drive from Austin. The river goes on for one mile with dams and waterfalls spilling over the beautiful limestone ledges. Kids can splash around the shallow wading pool, and everyone can eat at the picnic tables. Make reservations online here ($5 for adults, and free for kids 12 and younger) or call 512-389-8900. FYI it’s not as cold as Deep Eddy or Barton Springs

Blue Hole Regional Park: A beautifully shaded natural swimming hole with rope swings in Wimberley, the swim area at Blue Hole is crystal clear and gorgeous to wade in and out of. I’d time it around lunch so you can bring a picnic, relax on the grassy lawn, and veg out after or before swimming. Grab an area with your posse if you want more sun in the grass as the trees create a shaded wading area in the water. Reservations are required with time slots from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Ottine Mineral Springs: Soak in the mineral rich healing waters — incredible for muscles and skin — with five pools, a 40-degree cold plunge, 104-degree hot plunge, sauna, wood-fired pizzas, margaritas, and massages! By the way, the large pools are chilled for summer and will go back to being naturally heated for winter. They are planning to add private cabanas soon as well if you want to go with a crew.

Krause Springs: At this swimming hole in Spicewood, you’ll find 32 springs around the 115-acre property with a manmade upper pool (featuring natural water) and a lower natural pool that both hover around 68 degrees year round. I recommend arriving before 10 a.m. to beat the crowd and secure a parking spot as you can’t book reservations ahead of time. Also, wear water shoes if you have them because it’s messy! Krause Springs offers real bathrooms with showers, which you’ll want to rinse off after your dip. You can walk around and stroll through the Butterfly Gardens, and camp in tents or make RV site reservations to make it a weekend trip.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park: With a sandy beach for wading into the water, this is a fun place to bring an inner tube, watch boats drive by, and picnic at many of the picnic tables around the park. Entry is $5 per vehicle on weekdays and $10 per vehicle on weekends. Just remember to snag your day pass in advance for weekends because they fill up fast.

Lake Austin: Rent a boat from Float On with friends on Lake Austin and enjoy the ride under the 360 Bridge at sunset!

Lake Travis: Austin’s other lake is a little further out, but also great for renting a boat and spending a day out on the super clear water.

Hippie Hollow Park: Texas’s only legal nude beach offers a unique lakeside experience on Lake Travis with stunning cliff views and crystal-clear swimming holes. It’s adults-only (21+) and quite the experience and view (of the water!!!!).

Sculpture Falls: This waterfall hike sits off of the Greenbelt, and the water level really depends on rainfall conditions so keep that in mind as you plan a visit. Park around the address of 1717 Campcraft Road, and take a walk with some vertical leaps into the rocky area, which is why you should wear sneakers or waterproof shoes to wade through at the end! Once you start walking down, keep going to the left for about a mile-and-a-half and you’ll hit Sculpture Falls. The water feels like a private swimming hole you leap down into, and all the greenery is just so pleasant.

Hotel Pools

Lake Austin Spa: My favorite hotel around Austin, I feel completely out of town when I visit Lake Austin Spa. It’s a beautiful cove surrounded by the most calming trees on both sides with all my favorite things! Although you do get access to the spa pool with a spa-only pass, I prefer the super soothing indoor/outdoor barn pool. You can access this as a hotel guest or with a Tranquility LakeHouse Spa Day Pass, which costs more than the typical spa day pass. No matter which pool you enjoy, there’s nothing better than falling asleep by the water and taking in some spa activities here. If you really want my opinion, it’s worth spending the night so you can swim in the lake, enjoy a cottage with a hot tub, and soak up the peacefulness on the hotel side. Read more about my Lake Austin Spa findings HERE!

Commodore Perry Estate: The most exclusive and luxurious pool in Austin, the only way to visit the Commodore Perry’s pool is as an overnight guest or a member. A lot of people in Hyde Park join and use it as their country club, and I’ve been lucky enough to go a few times with my friend Adele. The pool feels straight out of Slim Aaron’s Palm Springs book with yellow and white striped umbrellas, a sunken rose garden, and bright green grass all around. As for food, the Green Goddess Salad with Chicken was the most expensive salad I’ve ever had, but also one of the most memorable, and I love the cute ice cream sandwiches as a poolside treat.

Camp Lucy: This historic hotel sits on 282 acres of land in Dripping Springs, complete with the amazing Folklore Spa, Tillie’s Restaurant, a chapel, alpacas you can feed, and three hiking trails, but we’re here to talk about the pool and gorgeous sauna with windows looking onto the nature trails. We booked day passes ($105 each) to the Folklore Spa because it’s only accessible if you’ve booked a spa treatment or if you purchase the day pass. We ordered a few Strawberry Basil Spritzes and enjoyed the pool basically to ourselves because it was a Sunday afternoon. I love the combination of the pink umbrellas, gorgeous blue pool tiles, patterned tiles on the walkway, and lounge chairs. The history is unmatched, and the views of nature and the gorgeous tile and design pieces made my experience one that I want over and over again. Read my full review on Camp Lucy in this blog!

Soho House: Also reserved for members only or hotel guests, I love seeing the downtown skyline at the pool at Austin’s SoHo House and the way the day beds face each other so you feel part of something.

Carpenter Hotel: This pool feels stress-free with big trees hanging overhead to provide shade and warm terracotta brick everywhere. I love that it sits just down the street from me in the middle of Austin, but takes you on a quiet vacation, even just for an afternoon.

Austin Motel: Everyone knows the iconic Austin Motel sign on South Congress, and they always have some programming going on, making it more of an active party pool than just people lounging around. Check out their calendar for DJ sets, poolside movies, and dance classes. Although it’s sold out for this summer, look out for Bunkhouse’s Splash Pass in the future to get two days of access to the pools at Austin Motel, Carpenter Hotel, and Hotel Magdalena.

The Orange Magnolia in Lockhart: One of the coolest AirBnBs I’ve ever stayed in, the Orange Magnolia was actually my great aunt and uncle’s house after my family settled in Lockhart in the 1900s! The pool was not there when they lived in this house, but we always gathered there on holidays which makes it very nostalgic for me. The new owners are so kind and invited me to come see it, so I can share that there’s a pool and bathhouse surrounded by turf on a large acreage. This is a perfect spot to rent for a night with friends to swim and grill together in Lockhart.

The Yurtopian: Although not actually the pool at the hotel, by staying at The Yurtopian, you get access to the Blanco River. Walk right down from your fully air-conditioned yurt, and dip into the fresh body of water. Even better than a typical pool! You can read more here about my stay at The Yurtopian.

Renaissance Austin (formerly The Downright): More for a bachelorette party or younger crowd, this pool carries hot pink vibes, a glass-enclosed pool you can see through from the Swim Club restaurant, and poolside food with weekend DJs.

EVENTS

Aug 22: KUTX Wet Hot Dance Party Benefit Show: DJ sets by KUTX hosts to raise funds for the public radio station. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. 29th Street Ballroom. 7 to 11 p.m. Buy a ticket here.

Aug 29: Austin’s Biggest Pizza Party with Home Slice and Lady Bird Soda. Free cheese, pepperoni and margherita slices and Lady Bird Soda. Home Slice at 1415 South Congress Ave. 2 - 5 p.m. See more details here!

Fridays in August: First 100 Tacos Free from Asador at La Perlas. Opens at 4 p.m.

Sept. 4: Barton Springs Mill Pizza Date Night Partner Class. Taught by Frida Silva-Carreira and Nadia Rodriguez, co-directors of the education department at Barton Springs Mill. $250 per couple. Learn how to make NY-style sourdough pizza with fresh flours. 2 to 6 p.m. Get more info and reserve your spot here.

I do know that parents can be picky. Some love loud, “happening” restaurants to see what’s so exciting about the city, while some want a fancy and upscale night that requires a reservation way ahead of time. No matter the category your parents fall into, I’m sharing 16 recommendations for four different types of parents below.

~ AR

For the parent who wants a classic, upscale night out

• The Driskill Grill: The Driskill first opened in 1886, and MML did a great job taking over The Driskill Grill under the direction of Chef April Broomfield, who you might recognize from NYC at The Spotted Pig, John Dory Oyster Bar, and Sailor. Having recently visited MML’s other steakhouse, Jeffrey’s, I admit that Jeffrey’s may be more my style (included in my article on Austin’s best restaurants here). That being said, The Driskill creates a true Texas steakhouse experience, perfect for visiting parents. The design of the space pays respect to the history of the building, and the menu fully takes on the identity of the hotel as a Texas landmark. The steaks here run from $72 to a hefty $200, but you can order the 8 oz. Chopped Steak for a more reasonable $38. If your parents want a fancy martini and a show with Tableside Prime Rib and an old-school dessert cart, this is your spot. Also, if you are introducing your boyfriend or girlfriend to your parents for the first time, these tableside options would be a great conversation starter or distraction while you eat.

• Aris: A Mediterranean steakhouse in Clarksville, Aris offers a fine dining style that I rarely see in Austin, featuring a general manager in a suit, meat locker display, and women wearing stilettos. If your parents enjoy a fancier night out, this suits that desire, while offering more vibrant and fresh meals than most steakhouses. The complimentary bread plate with three dips is just the beginning, and the Fattoush Salad with cucumber, pickled sumac onions, cherry tomato, feta, labneh, and dill creates pure farmers’ market magic in every forkful. The Pan-Seared Fish with crispy skin over creamy risotto made me scream. I don’t know how I’ll go back and not order that dish! It feels like a high-end restaurant in Houston so if you’re from there, I’d say do this!

• Restaurant Francois: For a nicer dining room and higher level service style vs. the picnic tables and casual atmosphere Austin offers, Francois hits the mark. The servers take care of you every bit of the way as you guzzle up champagne and cozy up in the red booths. If I were going for the first time and taking my parents, this would be the ticket — Steak Tartare, Popovers, French Onion Soup, Lobster Pasta, and perhaps the green beans. See all the dishes in action here, and bon appetit! Oh, and don’t foget the chocolate mousse!

• Lutie’s: Located in the prestigious Commodore Perry and designed by Ken Fulk, Lutie’s is a special occasion place that I suspect most parents will love. It was previously difficult to get into, but now, it isn’t too tough to get in on a weekday. The cheeky menu has dishes that leave the plating up to your imagination until you see what you get when your meal arrives. The restaurant is quite an experience (for brunch too!), and the high-end Alice in Wonderland decor keeps you looking up in awe. You’ll want to share, but for parents who don’t like sharing, they could probably get by with a starter and an entree for themselves. I love the Estate Bread, Green Dish with Rainbow Carrot and Goat Feta, Barbecued Shrimp, and you can’t skip the soft serve to end the meal.

Chekmark Eats is a labor of love that requires many meals I buy with my own money, writing, fact-checking, and effort from my whole team in order to send a newsletter out three times a month. To keep reading about 12 more restaurants your parents will love and receive insider access, consider upgrading to a full subscription(that is just the same cost as a coffee) to support us here!

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Now, in today’s newsletter, you’ll learn more about The Confluence, see our summer work recap, discover my Spain itineraries, and learn about a few of those chocolate chip cookies that are new to my list.

~ AR

NEW COOKIE REC
The Bougie Foodie

After receiving so many recs to try The Bougie Foodie every time I share my favorite chocolate chip cookies, I finally made it there to taste test what they call the Choco Chip Cookie Mountain. This huge cookie reminded me of Levain due to its peak high 6-ounce size, but they’re actually better! Soft and melty on the inside and a little crunchy on the outside, these cookies hold the perfect amount of large semi-sweet Guittard Maxi chocolate chips inside. The chips themselves are bigger than you typically see, covering more surface area, so they really set this cookie apart! I had a Levain cookie in NYC (the cookie that really kicked off my search for the best chocolate chip cookie in the world in 2009: read about that HERE) about a week after enjoying this one, and I think Levain’s cookies are now more like scones than soft, gooey cookies. Brianna of The Bougie Foodie was inspired by her grandma to start the bakery, with two of the recipes on the menu coming straight from her grandmother. She doesn’t have any formal culinary training, and she actually opened a second location in Chicago’s West Loop this May. This bakery is on all the delivery apps, and the store is pretty empty, so I would say it’s not a place to venture to for an experience, but really just to get the cookie deed done!

NEW TRAIL REC
The Confluence

As someone who frequents the trail daily, the new 13-acre Confluence thoroughly delighted and impressed me. Running along Waller Creek from 4th Street to Lady Bird Lake, the greenway offers a continuous trail for walkers and bikers to go all the way from the Moody Amphitheater to Rainey Street, an area that has quietly blossomed lately. Construction on the project started in 2023 and just wrapped up this summer. Environmental benefits include improved water quality and more than 2,000 new plants and 1,600 new trees. With birds chirping and water flowing, I felt like I was on a super peaceful vacation. It’s really incredible to see what they’ve built around the trail, so it’s worth your visit to see all this nature in the middle of the city. I can’t wait to take visitors to see a whole other side to Austin!

PR + MARKETING
Summer Client Recap

Amidst all the travel and fun of summer, we’ve been busy with clients as they celebrate openings, anniversaries, and beyond. Take a look at what we’ve been working on:

• Siti marked their first anniversary in July with one of the most fun restaurant parties I’ve ever been to! Eight chefs, including Siti’s Chef Laila Bazam, Chef Jam Sanitchat of Thai Fresh, and Chef Bob Somsith of Lao’d Bar, served the best southeast Asian food all under one roof. With DJs and a custom Dos Hombres Tequila ice luge, it was a memorable night with hundreds of people. Thanks to CultureMap, Austin Monthly, and Tribeza for sharing.

• Gati Scoops opened its second location in Hyde Park, connected to Poke Poke and Juiceland. You can expect to see rotating sundaes here like S’mores Sundae with chunks of s’mores brownie, house-made fudge sauce, and graham cracker crumble; and the Peach Cobbler Sundae, topped with fresh Texas peaches. Check us out in Austin Chronicle’s print edition as one of Austin’s best ice creams.

• Only the Wild Ones recently launched a Frozen Hugo Spritz that keeps selling out, along with a new menu for the summer with dishes like the Green Goddess Hummus and the best tomato salad with stracciatella that I’ve had in the states. As for music, thanks to @WhenWhereWhatAustin for showcasing the DJ set by Cold War Kids, and stay tuned on more of these sets coming soon! Other fun mentions include The Infatuation’s reel and Spots of the Summer Guide.

• As I shared earlier, I just appeared on the local Fox 7 news lifestyle show, Tierra’s Texas, to showcase what has become my claim to fame - the best chocolate chip cookies Austin has to offer. You can watch HERE and read more about all my recs in depth HERE. Thanks again for having me, Tierra!

• The Veracruz All Natural cookbook made its debut, and we are planning some fun collab events this fall. Save the date with Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish on Sept. 3 at the Tarrytown location to celebrate her new cookbook and breakfast taco. Then on Sept. 26, look out for Mimi Cheng’s Dumplings at the Webberville location, and a Veracruz cookbook party at First Light on Nov. 6.

LUNCH REC
Local Foods

When lunch rolls around, I just want a simple, high-quality chicken or fish with veggies, which means I often prefer to just eat lunch at home. That being said, I returned to Local Foods after having not been in a while, and I declare it my new lunch place ( my full list of lunch recs HERE). Originally hailing from Houston but Austin-owned and operated here, the coolest thing about Local Foods is that their dishes actually are made with LOCAL foods from nearby farms and suppliers such as Sprouts Company, Keeper’s Harvest Honey, and J&B Farms. I loved the Salmon Poke Powl, although I did sub the salmon for tuna – duh. The bowl is SO fresh and filling with several veggies. You might say, “$21 for a bowl?!” but it’s really good fish, AND you’re getting ingredients that don’t make you feel overstuffed in the middle of the day. My previous go-to was the Gulf Seafood Poboy (yes, I prefer it over the Crunchy Chicken Sandwich they’re known for), and the Summer Harvest Salad with an incredible herb vinaigrette is also a new favorite. On the dessert side, the Cowboy Cookies are unbelievable. Vegan and gluten-free, they taste way better than they look with oats, Valrhona white and dark chocolate, and pecans. The Austin-based owner, Martin, is also the founder of Snap Kitchen, and he’s been in the restaurant every time I’ve gone. In fact, the last time I was there, I told him their Chocolate Chip Cookie needed more chocolate chips. (I’m nothing if not consistent). After hearing this feedback, Martin texted me while I was in Spain to confirm that they added 300% MORE chocolate chips, which means each giant batch includes 40 cups of 60% and 70% Valrhona chips instead of the previous 13 cups. Now, this cookie is a winner for me - see my video break down HERE! Look out for their second Austin location opening on North Lamar by Central Market soon.

ON THE BLOG
Begur and Madrid, Spain

During our first date, Ryan and I discovered that we studied abroad on the same program in Spain, over the same summer in college, and somehow never met, so we obviously had to book a trip to Barcelona, Madrid, and Begur, a town in Costa Brava you may not know! Before my friend Amy told me she moved to this village last year, I had never heard of the gorgeous hilltop destination above the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a vacation spot for those who have second homes or, like us, want to visit for the incredible turquoise cold water, beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and fantastic boutique shopping without the typical tourist crowds from the U.S. See my Begur itinerary HERE.

Moving onto Madrid, we stayed with my friend Kristin who was working on a new TV show for six months. Her neighborhood felt youthful with gorgeous boutiques, boulangeries, and colorful buildings. We explored as many restaurants, shops, parks, and museums as possible over four days there, and found that Madrid definitely had the best food. You can copy my whole trip HERE. The style and art is so grand here, I think we loved it a tad more than Barca! Shhhh.

REVISIT REC
Pecan Square Café

When you walk into Pecan Square Café, your nervous system settles. Something about the artwork, black-and-white tile, and eye-level windows everywhere transport you to California. Upon first look at the menu, you recognize the dishes and the seasonal ingredients in their Alice Waters-esque cuisine, allowing every dish to taste like it came straight from the garden. The Local Lettuce salad here is how food should taste, featuring only lettuce and herbs, a sign that the chef knows what they’re doing. Super salty, crispy, and thick enough to taste the potato, their Hand Cut Frites have earned the title of my favorite fries in Austin! The Spring Onion Pizza tastes more like flatbread with super fresh ingredients, and the Wood Oven Roasted Chicken with spinach, caper, and lemon jus is perfectly crispy and my kind of comfort food. The corner of the bar feels like someone’s San Francisco home, the dining room lighting cozies you up, and the patio is an ideal al fresco dining experience. Every seat is fab! You can eat healthy and indulge throughout the same meal without feeling too heavy as they don’t overdo it with heavy amounts of oil and butter and showcase salt-of-the-earth ingredients. I’m convinced that Pecan Square is such a sleeper hit (newly featured on my guide to Austin’s best restaurants HERE) as it showcases what MML does so well in its music, design, and service. I would love to go anytime.

EVENTS

Now through Aug. 15: Singin’ in the Rain at Zilker Hillside Theater. Free admission, but donations are encouraged. Thursdays through Sundays at 8:15 p.m. See full details here!

Aug. 8: Bring It On from Paramount Summer Classic Film Series: A showing of the movie with a drag performance before. Doors at 6 p.m. Show at 7 p.m. Get tickets here.

Aug. 9: Martini Masterclass at Emmer & Rye: Learn about spirits, techniques, garnishes, and stirring vs. shaking from the Emmer & Rye team. $45/person. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Learn more and sign up here!

Aug. 12: New Moon Soak at Ottine Mineral Springs: $160 ticket includes a full day soaking pass, guided yoga class, sound bath, dinner with hot tea service and exclusive access to private courtyard pools. 6 - 9 p.m. Book here!

Aug. 12: Buenas Lotería Club at Fast Friends Beer: Play lotería and raise funds for DACA renewals in Texas via your ticket purchase. 6:30 p.m. Buy $10 tickets here.

Aug. 16: The Cookie Crawl at Austin Beer Garden Brewery: Ticket includes six cookies from local bakers. $19. Buy a ticket here!

The restaurant industry has the toughest margins, and it’s the hardest business to succeed in. Once you start opening multiple restaurants, that’s when you start making money, and it means that one property can help float another at times. It’s fun to work directly with the business owners because I get to help shape and curate small businesses. Once they become too corporate, there is more red tape to cut through, but there are also more resources. There are plenty of growing pains when you move toward the big bucks, but that means you’re doing well financially. When you are a smaller business, you do maintain more creative control.

I decided it’s time for me to help everyone understand who the players are in town with an entire audit below of who owns what and what each group has coming soon. Use this to impress your friends at your next dinner out! The list is in order of when each group opened their first restaurant in Austin, oldest to newest.

~ AR

Guy + Larry Restaurants

The properties: Red Ash, The Kimberly, J. Carver’s, ATX Cocina, Roaring Fork, Salty Sow, Francois, SugarWolf, Bulevar

The players: Larry Foles and Guy Villaroso

What they do well: Although this restaurant group might carry less name recognition than MML (which is by design), they might be the most successful thanks to the founding and sales of Eddie V’s, Hopdoddy, and Tumble 22. Guy and Larry started working on their first restaurant together, Saturday’s, in the 70s, and still have a strong business partnership today. Over the years, they’ve opened Z’Tejas (which is missed) and more fine dining spots like J. Carver’s and Red Ash. Although it’s not as difficult to secure a reservation in Austin like it can be in other big cities, it is genuinely almost impossible to get a reservation at Red Ash. (By the way, if you can’t get a reservation at one of the hot spots in Austin, read my suggestions for where to go instead HERE.) People are proud to get that Red Ash res, and keeping that prestige and popularity up is a feat. The menus at Guy + Larry’s restaurants are not your “every night” type of dinner, but are for real deal Texas folks that can dine on red meats and pasta and do it all over again the next day. Many of these concepts are for that crowd or for special business meetings and high-end date nights. Even this far into their careers, they’re still filling holes in the culinary scene in Austin, opening The Kimberley, Francois (included on my best restaurant list!), and SugarWolf all in the last year. SugarWolf, for example, is a huge metropolitan-style bakery that an independent pastry chef could not open on their own. Enter Guy and Larry, who can afford a giant build-out like this to produce high volume. These entrepreneurs have created concepts that appeal to a specific type of clientele, including older generations who can swing it and younger ones who crave the fabulous hospitality, while still choosing to create innovative concepts and giving opportunities to the chefs and staff they’ve worked with for years. Everyone should know who Guy and Larry are and admire what they’ve built.

Hai Hospitality

The properties: Uchi (multiple), Uchiko (multiple), Uchibā (multiple), Loro (multiple), Oheya (Houston)

The players: Tyson Cole, investment from KSL Capital Partners

What they do well: A household name in Austin, Uchi first opened in a little bungalow on South Lamar in 2003 to give Austin its famous fine dining sushi experience. I remember going for the first time as a college student, laying that Wagyu Beef on a hot rock, having never done anything like that before. James Beard Award‑winning chef and owner Tyson Cole trained in Tokyo, NYC, and Austin before opening Uchi, and many years later, his concepts have seen so much growth following a significant private equity investment in Hai Hospitality. The group has slowly expanded Uchi to Houston, Dallas, Denver, Miami, Philadelphia, Scottsdale, West Hollywood, Charlotte, DC, and more to come. Uchiko, the more approachable sushi offshoot of Uchi, and Uchibā, which opened 20 years after the first Uchi, are both open in a number of cities. Loro, an Asian smokehouse from Tyson and Franklin Barbecue’s Aaron Franklin, also boasts multiple locations across Texas. Hai Hospitality’s growth shows you what can happen when you have significant funding as that is why you are seeing Uchi locations growing so fast! I love seeing this group succeed and expand after starting in Austin.

What’s to come: Uchi in Newport Beach, Nashville, and Salt Lake City

MML Hospitality

The properties: Lamberts, Perla’s, Elizabeth Street Café, Clark’s (multiple), Josephine House, Jeffrey’s, June’s All Day, Pool Burger, Joann’s Fine Foods, Lou’s (multiple), Swedish Hill (multiple), Neighborhood Sushi (multiple), Sammie’s Italian, Favorite Pizza, Pecan Square Café, Ski Shores, Las Montañas Mexican (Aspen), Rosie’s, Howards, Louis Swiss Bakery (Aspen), The Driskill Grill

The players: Larry McGuire, Tom Moorman, Liz Lambert

What they do well: The MML team focuses on how each property makes you feel, including the service, style, and design, all while creating food that is familiar and consistent. After starting my career in NYC and learning so much about food and media there, I then learned about the importance of hospitality and design when I worked at MML, which was known as McGuire Moorman Hospitality at the time. Each MML property’s design makes people feel excited and intrigued, prompting guests to desire to come for the first time and then return. This is all thanks to their in-house design team, who focuses on the decor, lighting, and how each property sounds with customized playlists. Regarding hospitality, you won’t have any lag time at your table as the staff is crisp and professional, dressed in uniforms customized for each restaurant to make you feel transported and stylish. MML has consistently opened concepts in Austin that are needed here, even when Austin didn’t know we needed it. Larry is a visionary who, from what I observed, travels the world to inspire him to bring concepts here that he loves and that Austin, in turn, loves as well. Lamberts came first, opening in 2006 as the first real sit-down, elevated barbecue option in town, and 20 years later, MML operates 20+ properties, with even more in the pipeline. They really own South Congress and Clarksville. You go to MML spots because you know what you’re going to get, and I mean that in the best way. The experience feels accessible for “non-foodies” and older generations, too. You’re never going to be surprised by a menu item at Perla’s, for example, as opposed to somewhere like Emmer & Rye or Roya, where you have to ask what an ingredient is. This company has built their own community and opened all these places without selling to anyone else, which is truly impressive.

What’s to come: Greek restaurant in Clarksville; Sixth&Blanco development; second Bartlett’s location on Riverside, June’s, Clark’s all opening in Dallas, with, I think, a Swedish Hill in Dallas as well

New Waterloo

The properties: La Condesa, Malverde, Sway, Il Brutto, Butler Pitch & Putt, Mañana, Albert Hotel (Fredericksburg), Junebug’s Barbecue (Fredericksburg), Trick Hat Workway, and more hotel management out of state

The players: Bart Knaggs, Patrick Jeffers, Delfo Trombetta

What they do well: Well, I am sad that South Congress Hotel has closed because this marks a big change for our street that is not so local anymore, and I will miss both Otoko and Watertrade. New Waterloo was previously the biggest competitor to MML as it operated Le Politique, two Sway locations, etc., and in recent years, they’ve moved into more management-style contracts with hotels in Austin and other cities that you wouldn’t know about. On the restaurant side, La Condesa opened in 2009 and remains one of my favorite restaurants in Austin. Chef Rick Lopez makes the menu better and better each year, and so many chefs launched their Austin careers here, including Fermín Nunez, Rene Ortiz, and Laura Sawicki. When I worked with La Condesa, the restaurant was nominated as a James Beard Semi-Finalist for Outstanding Restaurant, and now they’re Michelin recommended as well. New Waterloo’s Italian mainstay, Il Brutto, was one of my first clients when I launched my own PR company. New Waterloo has expanded into cities like Baltimore, Cleveland, and Cincinnati as their Austin footprint has changed a bit, but they have played a pivotal role in bringing boutique hotels and innovative restaurant concepts to Austin over the years.

Bryce Gilmore

The properties: Barley Swine, Odd Duck, Sour Duck

What they do well: Bryce Gilmore’s three restaurants offer unique and playful menus that surprise, and all dishes are made from hyper-seasonal and local ingredients. After growing up in the Austin restaurant business (his dad owns Jack Allen’s Kitchen), Gilmore started Odd Duck as a food truck in 2009, eventually evolving that concept into a Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognized brick-and-mortar. Not many people can say they have done that! I think he really set the path in Austin for showing how far a food truck concept can go and proved that it’s a great way to start. The Michelin-starred Barley Swine on Burnet Road offers a fine dining experience with a tasting menu. As for Sour Duck, this casual, all-day spot carries an outdoor beer garden feel and functions as the bakery component to Barley Swine and Odd Duck with pastries and breads (which earned a spot on my best bakeries article here), as well as burgers, salads, sandwiches, and shareables ideal for groups. A multiple-time James Beard Award finalist, Gilmore has really spearheaded the farm-to-table movement in Austin, even opening his own farm in 2023.

Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher

The properties: Lenoir, Boni’s Bar Next Door, Dovetail Pizza (Todd + other partners)

What they do well: This husband-and-wife team opened Michelin-recommended Lenoir in 2012, and this year, they debuted Boni’s Bar Next Door, the Spanish-inspired bar located right next door. Todd and Jess have made up the culinary map of Austin for years now, bringing innovation to seasonal menus that prompt curiosity from diners. The food is New York quality, and they are true visionaries who see their South 1st properties as neighborhood gathering spots for locals. Todd is also a partner in Dovetail Pizza, which opened across the street from Lenoir in 2022, further adding to the food-related resurgence of South 1st. I admire their dedication to producing things that are unique and not a copy cat of anything else.

2 Dine 4 Hospitality

The properties: De Nada Cantina (multiple), Lil’ Easy, Sawyer and Co., 2 Dine 4 Fine Catering

The players: Stephen Shallcross

What they do well: You certainly recognize De Nada’s success from recent years, but 2 Dine 4’s catering company and Sawyer and Co. have actually been around for a long time. De Nada is certainly printing money thanks to the strong margs and those signature pink branded cups. It’s fascinating to see how one frozen margarita can blow up a whole business! The new second De Nada is even bigger, and it opened very quickly because they barely had to do anything to that location.

Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group

The properties: Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Canje, Ezov, Kalimotxo, Lefty’s Day & Night, Pullman Market (San Antonio), Ladino (San Antonio)

The players: Kevin Fink, Alicynn Fink, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Rand Egbert, Berty Richter

What they do well: I consider Emmer & Rye to be one of the restaurants that put Austin on the map (aside from Bryce Gilmore and Tyson Cole) as Chef Kevin Fink was named one of Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs in 2016, the year after they opened. It’s the only real restaurant on Rainey and won a Michelin Green Star for sustainability. I also think of them as one of the first to really talk about their farm fresh ingredients. In my own mind, they’ve recently had a comeback as I’ve been particularly drawn to Emmer & Rye lately, and Canje is one of the top 5 best restaurants in Austin hands down. Almost all of their menus generate curiosity as you have to ask about ingredients. No one else is creating experiences like this at this scale. Each of these restaurants are more “chef-y” than the other big groups this size. Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph was one of the first industry people to encourage me to start my own business, and I love watching him win. Their full managing team and staff always make me feel like I need to come more because the service is top notch. Also, I love their wine programs!

What’s to come: A new restaurant in Houston

Fermín Nuñez and Sam Hellman-Mass

The properties: Suerte, Este, Bar Toti

What they do well: Suerte opened in 2018, and even eight years later, it’s still difficult to secure a reservation. A nice hotspot on the east side amongst all those bars, Chef Fermín Nuñez and Sam Hellman-Mass ran the restaurant for four years before they opened their next spot, Este, followed by Bar Toti after that. I’ve always noticed that when groups open their next restaurant too quickly, that can be the writing on the wall, but the ones that stick around make sure they’re in a good place with their first concept before expanding to ensure longevity. In contrast with MML, the focus in this group is all about the food. The design feels simple and elegant, and the menus shine with dishes like those famous Suadero Tacos with Black Magic Oil at Suerte. Every time I’m in one of these restaurants, I feel taken care of thanks to the high-quality hospitality and the staff’s knowledge of the menus. Sam is the group’s operator, and Fermín is the creative force, who has a new cookbook and several TV appearances. He has many local and global chef friends, which you can see through their guest chef dinners, and has worked super hard to achieve all of this.

What’s to come: Karaz, a middle Eastern spot opening on Manor Road; a new taquería coming to the old Hoover’s location

Scratch Restaurants

The properties: Sushi by Scratch Restaurants (multiple), NADC Burger (multiple), Shokunin, Frank and Margie’s (Round Rock), Pasta Bar (LA)

The players: Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Kallas-Lee

What they do well: After moving their company to Austin in 2020, Chefs Phillip and Margarita have established a cult following in the process of changing the traditional restaurant model to make it their own, as guests are essentially invited into their kitchen to watch chefs cook and tell stories. Each of their concepts has its own cuisine and design, but they share that interactive and up-close theatrical element. Phillip and Margarita work together on all of their concepts, with Phillip as executive chef and Margarita running the dessert programs. At Sushi by Scratch, you watch the chefs break down the fish and blowtorch salmon for that extra flavor all right before your eyes. When they opened a few years ago, they instantly became the inspiration for the overflowing omakase openings in Austin as this was the only nigiri-only 10 seat omakase in town at the time. When Phillip and Margarita first came to Austin, Joe Rogan posted about Sushi by Scratch Restaurants, and the waitlist went up to 20,000 people. Rogan has even had Phillip on his podcast a number of times. Chef Phillip and professional skateboarder Neen Williams started NADC Burger to serve their 100% Wagyu smash burgers, now with more than 10 locations around the country. They always have new ideas so you never know what’s coming next! Right now, they’re focused on Round Rock after recently opening the Frank and Margie’s, an Italian restaurant, and another NADC there.

What’s to come: A Dripping Springs project coming soon

EVENTS

Thursdays from July 23 to Aug. 13: Bésame x Loro Ice Cream Collaboration. Purchase any food item after 6 p.m. every Thursday at Loro South Lamar, and get a complimentary Bésame ice cream creation while supplies last More details here!

July 25: Bob Schneider at Antone's. 8 p.m. Tickets here!

Aug. 1: Take Heart’s 15th Anniversary. 15% off in shop all day - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Free Gati ice cream from noon to 2 p.m. 1211 East 11th. More info here.

New Snack Now Available at H-E-B: Austin-based Think Jerky’s collab with Pat's King of Steaks, the Cheesesteak Beef Stick, now available at H-E-B! Pat’s created the original cheesesteak, and this is their first-ever brand collab. Now available to purchase at H-E-B!

That being said, I’ve compiled a list of exciting restaurants that I truly enjoy regardless of the price and still happen to serve really great meals for less than or around $15. Plus, if you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll be able to read 6 additional options and the happy hours that have the best food deals worth visiting.

~ AR

Anh Em Vietnamese Kitchen Grilled Brisket Bánh Mi Sandwich

$15

Since Koriente closed, I’ve been on the hunt for a more casual, fresh Asian option, and Anh Em blew me out of the water. Owned by a husband and wife and brother who grew up with parents that also own a restaurant, this family business feels so young, modern, and fun. I love the green tile and bumpin’ music. I typically order rice plates at Vietnamese restaurants, so I went with the incredible Grilled Shrimp Rice Plate. However, the owner insisted we also try the Bánh Mi Brisket Sandwich so in a minute of pressure, I listened to the expert, and we were so fascinated by what we found. Usually, the thick bread in a Bánh Mi takes over, but somehow the bread on this was super crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, seasoned with that amazing pho beef broth, topped with pickled carrots and daikon, and served as a huge portion for $15. Located right by Bartlett’s, this would be the perfect place for a healthy lunch, and def add a side of the pho chicken broth.

Asahi Imports Bento Boxes

All under $15

This amazing Japanese grocery store, with locations on Burnet and South Lamar, has the best bento boxes you can pick up and eat on the go. Choose between Chicken Karaage, Tonkatsu, Salmon Miso Yaki, and beyond for your protein, and the box comes with rice, vegetables, omelet, and pickled veggies. Don’t miss the onigiri too! Bento boxes are available Wednesday to Saturday, and you can call ahead of time to check if they’ve run out yet.

Eldorado Cafe Carne Guisada Taco Bowl

$13.95

I love that this no-frills spot has a 45-minute wait regularly, even on a Tuesday, and the menu has so many different options compared to other Mexican/Tex-Mex spots. I was wowed by the incredibly tender Carne Guisada Taco Bowl with fresh greens and black beans for $13.95. Chat with the kind staff that makes Austin feel like Austin, and don’t be scared of the wait as you can have drinks out on the patio in the meantime. The good news is that they are expanding into the space next door soon!

Upgrade and keep reading for seven more $15 and under meals I love, plus the five best happy hours in Austin that include deals on pizza, seafood, burgers, and more. If you’ve enjoyed my newsletter, grab full access to everything I write, including the rest of this newsletter, via a paid subscription here that supports my team and work!

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Before we flew away, I ate a couple unexpected meals and amazing new pastries (see HERE) in Austin, so I’m sharing those below for you to enjoy between your summer travels. We just launched the Veracruz All Natural sisters’ first cookbook with a party at Leona and are hosting a few more events later this summer so stay tuned! Also, read on to see instructions on how you can win a $200 gift card to Ranch 616 just by commenting on this Substack post.

~ AR

NEW BAKERY REC
Matok

After offering online-only orders for a while, Pastry Chef Michal Michaeli opened Matok Artisan Bakery & Patisserie on South Lamar a few months back, and I have been so excited to try it! Originally from Tel Aviv, Michal trained in restaurants in Israel and NYC before starting her pastry work about five years ago. What is so fascinating to me about this place is how soft the dough is inside the croissant. When you pound a croissant, you end up drenched in flakey crumbs , and that’s the joy of it! This one has that crunchy delicate exterior you expect, and I’m so impressed by the contrast between the unbelievably soft interior and that crunchy exterior in the Pistachio Cherry Croissant. Especially because I like my dessert soft and doughy, it’s a perfect treat for me! Filled with plenty of pistachio cream and an incredible cherry jam, I actually liked the cherry flavor more than the pistachio. I jumped out of bed on Sunday after seeing the Dulce De Leche Babka special, which strikes me more as a danish as opposed to the classic babka I’m used to having. The pastry holds just the right amount of dulce de leche cream and a perfect, almost brownie-like chocolate filling, but you can still taste the dough in every bite. I’ve NEVER had anything like this, and they need to add it permanently. Sometimes, when I try a new bakery, one item usually outshines the other, but at Matok, both pastries are permanently stuck in my head. Next time, I’m trying the Chocolate Croissant with homemade chocolate cream and vanilla cream and cocoa dough. I just wasn’t ready for that at 10 a.m. on my last visit - ha! Matok uses croissant and brioche dough for all their pastries, including the Cinnamon Croissant Cake (similar to monkey bread, yum!) and Rugelach, plus an array of sourdough loaves, cakes, cookies, and so much more. I even saw a Cacio e Pepe sourdough. There isn’t much seating so it’s definitely an unassuming and quaint pick-up place. The employees are so nice, and they’re making high quality pastries worth trying.

NEW RESTAURANT REC
Roya

This new Persian restaurant reminded me of Houston with its beautiful decor, diverse crowd, and by serving a cuisine you don’t see in Austin everyday. The way a space makes you feel can elevate your meal’s taste, and that is exactly the case here. Between the cobalt blue walls, amazing chandeliers, and impeccable lighting, I settled right into my chair in Roya’s gorgeous sun room. Although I wasn’t familiar with a number of the ingredients, our waiter, Sami, talked us through it all and helped us learn. The Whipped Feta felt really special as it was fully covered in a mountain of fresh herbs. The Taftoon Bread here leans thinner than a pita so you can focus on what you’re eating with it, although I do prefer a thicker, fluffier bread like at YELLOW in DC, but that’s a different cuisine, I know. The Sabzi Sumac Greens were super flavorful and fresh, too. Moving on to the star of the show, the braised lamb shank, or Mahiche Gheymeh, came in a huge deep bowl with stewed tomatoes, split peas, and crispy shoestring potatoes on top. You could see the meat had been cooked for hours as it fell right off the bone with a little poke, the way all meat should be. The lamb comes from the menu’s full Braised section, which is my preferred cooking method for any meat. I typically wouldn’t order lamb, but my dad wanted it, and I felt like this would be the place for it — turns out we were both right. Another winner is the Shirin Polo jeweled rice, super crunchy on the top and bottom and very soft inside with incredible flavor from orange zest woven throughout. I told our waiter that the texture and orange flavor somehow tricked my mind into thinking it was a cake, and apparently, Persians say it’s like a wedding cake about this dish, so I was on the right track! We ended our meal with the super light Saffron Rose Pistachio Ice Cream Sandwich. If you want a more moody and romantic ambience, you can sit closer to the kitchen where it’s darker, but I say the sun room is the way to go! The service is so great, the style impresses, and the Persian cuisine is one we’ve been missing in Austin.

REVISIT REC
Ranch 616

I partnered with Ranch 616 to give a $200 gift card to the restaurant to one of you Substack readers! For a chance to win, leave a comment on this Substack post telling me the dish you want to try at Ranch 616, and for an extra entry, post a screenshot of my newsletter on your IG story and tag @ChekmarkEats. Entries will close next Wednesday, July 15th, and I’ll announce the winner on my Instagram story.

Ranch 616 has been an Austin classic since 1999, with a meat-heavy, Texas-inspired menu that leans Mexican, but it isn’t Tex Mex, if you know what I mean. I ate here with friends in college and finally went back for drinks and dinner this summer. Starting with the cocktails, they serve a great Frozen Marg, and Ranch 616 claims to be the original home of the Ranch Water! The recipe, created by the late Chef Kevin Williamson, is served with Sauza Hornitos Reposado Tequila, Patrón Citronge and fresh lime, finished with a Topo Chico popped open at your table. We started with the Queso, topped with steak, and loved the two different types of chips that came with it. One variation looked twice-fried, and one was the more typical light tortilla chip you’d think of. Definitely order the Shrimp Ceviche to start, featuring big chunks of shrimp. When we saw the Roasted Chicken King Ranch Casserole on the menu, all four of us started reminiscing on eating King Ranch Chicken at the Pi Phi and Sig Ep houses at UT, so we had to order it. I did not grow up eating casseroles or hearty dishes like this, nor am I a fan of super creamy and heavy entrees, so it blows my mind that I did in fact love this one. In short, it tasted like a hatch green chile enchilada with fried avocado on top. So many of the dishes come with rice and beans. We shared the Tomahawk Pork Chop entree, although I stuck to the really good mashed potatoes and green beans, which would make for a good Thanksgiving spread. For the meat lovers, the South Texas Mixed Grill includes wild board, grilled quail, and sausage. Of course, I had to order the Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie, a thin and crispy, but still soft cookie served with Amy’s ice cream melting on top, caramel, and pecans. I prefer the cookie over the Banana Pudding. It was our duty to partake in the Fire in the Hole Shots that Ranch 616 is known for, served in a jalapeño. You take the shot from the jalapeño, take a bite of it, then shoot the rest of the glass. Wild! This place is pure fun and old school so come this summer, sit on their covered patio in the nice daylight, and have fun over some frozen drinks and ceviche!

WALKING REC
Newly Updated Area of Town Lake

I walk the trail three or four times a week, and at least one or two of those times, I complete the full loop from the Lamar Bridge by the Loren Hotel to the Mopac bridge and back to my house for a 6-mile session. If you are walking past the Lamar Bridge and Zach Theater toward Barton Springs, you’ll notice a portion of the trail that had been closed off for almost a year and finally reopened this spring. It’s so beautiful, and I truly can’t live without it. They closed this portion to work on the water quality (although it’s looking a little cloudy lately but has been incredible), and now the area is more open than it’s ever been with a very nice fence and cream-colored boulders that blends in. I don’t want you to miss this view when you walk the trail because this spot just feels so good. If you’re a regular like me, consider donating to The Trail Conservancy, which works to improve and connect the trail. I’m also excited to tell you about the new Confluence, 13 acres along Waller Creek between 4th Street and Lady Bird Lake that just reopened after some renovations in a future newsletter.

PR + MARKETING
Fields Good Cookies Launch Party

I’m so excited to share this latest project: working with Fields Good to launch their functional and delicious cookies by throwing a party in Austin with top media, CPG founders, entrepreneurs, and creators all in one joyful room. Ashley grew up with a deep love of baking from her mom, Mrs. Fields herself, and now she’s going out on her own to make this better-for-you cookie with her best friend, Kim. They were roommates at Stanford and worked at places like Rent the Runway and Dyson before spending two years perfecting the recipes for their three functional cookies. We secured a guest list with founders and execs from local brands like Tozi, Tecovas, and Bloom; traditional media like Eater, Austin Chronicle, and Fox 7; and more entrepreneurs and locals for Ashley and Kim to meet. At the event at Lambert’s, they built a cute cookie and milk martini glass tower, and we had Ashley and Kim get on stage to share their inspiring story with the whole room. As a result, Fields Good was featured by the best CPG newsletter, Snaxshot; and on Beyond the Plate, a podcast hosted by Andrew Kaplan, Vice President of Culinary Operations for Rachael Ray. We introduced the products to the Whole Foods team and coordinated a potential huge opportunity for the cookies to be carried in a popular hotel’s mini bar opening later this summer. Everyone loved the cookies, and the whole night was an amazing opportunity to share Ashley and Kim’s story with our Austin community. You can order Fields Good’s cookies HERE - my favorite is the Chocolate Focus!

LUNCH REC
Măm Măm

Springdale General might have the best food line-up in proximity with Uroko, Small’s Pizza, and Măm Măm all in one building. Măm Măm doesn’t even have a counter — it’s just a person at an order kiosk. Khao Man Gai is one of my very favorite Thai dishes, and the Chicken & Rice here is essentially just that, with poached chicken, chicken fat rice, ginger lime fish sauce, and pickled veggies. I’ve been singing the praises of P Thai’s since I first tried it, and although I give P Thai’s the edge with their broth, the chicken at Măm Măm is equally as good! I love the yellow rice, and altogether, one dish is probably enough to make two meals of it for $16. A great spot to meet up with someone for a quick, easy, and healthy lunch, you can also order Papaya Salad, Chicken Congee, Fish Sauce Wings, and more. If you want dessert after lunch, I liked Small’s Pizza’s Chocolate Chip Cookie with 60% dark chocolate and sea salt as it was thin, still soft in the middle, and not overly sweet. I was missing that extra sweet and brown butter flavor I love so much, but I still recommend this cookie!

✨ Hope y’all are having a great summer! Coming up, paid subscribers will receive a list of my favorite $15 meals in Austin, and later this month, all subscribers can look forward to my guide to the restaurant players to know in town! ✨

EVENTS

July 16 - 18: Hot Summer Nights: Austin’s annual free music festival in the Red River Cultural District. Venues include Moody Amphitheater, Stubb’s, Marlow, etc. See full line-up and details here!

July 18: Superiority Burger Pop-up at Birdie’s. Food by Superiority Burger, Nixta Taqueria, Franklin Barbecue, and Compadre Panadería to celebrate Birdie’s 5th anniversary. Doors at 5:30 p.m. More info!

July 19: Melody DanceFit Class at FP Movement. 10 a.m. Reserve a spot here.

July 19: Siti’s One Year Pagdiriwang. Ticket includes welcome toast, bites from 6 different chefs, and music from three live DJs. Reservations available from 5 to 9 p.m. Make a res here.

Mondays through end of August: Present Practice Free Sunset Yoga on Brazos Hall Rooftop. Free for all! All levels welcome. 7 p.m. Learn more here.

Thursdays through Aug. 13: The Drop In at The Long Center. 8 p.m. every Thursday. Free live music and food trucks. Weekly artists announced every Friday for the following Thursday. Sign up for updates and RSVP here.

As for Austin, I have my classic weekend event recs at the end of this newsletter so stay tuned for that. I also finally tried Roya, the new Persian restaurant that might be the prettiest dining room here to date with gorgeous royal blue walls, artwork, and natural light. It feels so good in their sunroom, and the hospitality is a great match. It actually reminds me of Houston, and I’m so glad to see a restaurant serving this cuisine open here. Don’t miss the magical Shirin Polo jeweled rice, and stay tuned for a full recap!

~ AR

Houston

As mentioned, Houston has every cuisine you can imagine: Persian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Thai, Korean, Cajun, Indian, and the list goes on. Here, I’m sharing five places to go out to dinner because when people ask me for Houston recs, they always want dinner reservations for a night out! I’m also listing under-the-radar recs you can’t miss.

Poscol

Ok, here is my biggest shock of any meal I’ve had in Houston. Ryan ate here all the time when he was getting his MBA at Rice and wanted to take me to his old stomping grounds to see if it was still as good as he remembered. Plus, they had moved locations. Walking in, I noticed everyone was speaking a different language, so much so that I almost felt like I was on a European vacation. As for the food, I could’ve only eaten the incredible, unbelievable salads and called it a day, but duh, I didn’t. The Farro, Arugula, and Beet salad is probably the freshest salad I’ve ever had, and the Romaine, Walnuts, and Pecorino salad was so beyond crunchy and nutritious. All salads come in incredible portion sizes and at $15 a piece. Pizza is often not my first choice, but I love how crispy and thin the Roman-style crust is, and the Black Rice with Spicy Seafood Risotto also impressed me. Turns out Houston has the best bolognese I’ve ever had as Poscol’s version wowed me with tomato sauce and beef enveloping every noodle — warm and comforting like a good stew, and only $21 for a full bowl. I want to eat here every time I’m in Houston, and I think about this flavorful bowl of ragu often.

Turner’s

This really dark old New York-style restaurant feels like a secret, and might just be the coolest place I’ve eaten this year. Turner’s sits on the ground floor of a building shared with The Annie Café & Bar, along with the Cuba-inspired speakeasy, Emillia’s Havana, that you enter through the Café Annie kitchen. With incredible service (something Houston has across the city, and I miss here in Austin), this is a celebratory steakhouse-like spot with super rich food to treat yourself. The scene excited me with framed artwork on the walls and bustling energy all around. The menu doesn’t overwhelm as much as a full steakhouse menu, but there’s still so many good dishes to try. We went for the Beef Carpaccio and Gnocchi Batonnets to start, and I adored the Scallop entrée special. Although many of the steaks here will cost you upwards of $80, we really enjoyed the $54 Wagyu Skirt Steak with pommes anna, smoked cheddar dressing, and mushroom conserva. There’s other classic dishes such as a Classic Beef Wellington and Lobster Risotto, and although we didn’t go for this, the Wagyu Hot Dog Service looks like a fun adventure if that’s your thing! We loved the piano player and rounding out the night at the front bar chit chatting with the bartender.

Rosie Cannonball

My friend and former MML coworker, June Rodil, moved to Houston several years ago to launch her own hospitality company, and Rosie Cannonball is the group’s fun space that feels like if Jeffrey’s had a pizzeria. With a cool design and more casual vibe (but not a casual pizza vibe if you know what I mean), it’s an ideal spot for a date night or pizza with friends in Montrose. I particularly love their Vegetable section with Melted Leeks, Charred Cabbage, Blistered Bean Salad, plus they serve a whole selection of pizza and pasta. Obviously, Rosie Cannonball boasts an incredible, expansive wine list as June is a Master Somm! All bottles are half off on Sundays. Speaking of wine, through June’s Montrose Cheese & Wine Club, Houstonites can get June’s bottle picks and cheese every month. If you’re local to Houston, learn more and sign up here. For Austin folks, you can join June’s All Day Wine Club, also curated by June herself.

Perseid

This new-ish spot from Chef Aaron Bludorn team is a Gulf Coast take on a bistro. I’m a big fan of all things Bunkhouse, as Perseid is in the Hotel Saint Augustine, and the decor and energy in the room was top tier. The two dishes that stood out the most were the two I did not order, thanks to Ryan. I’m talking about the Escargot en Vol au Vent, essentially snails in a tightly-wrapped puff pastry, and the Wild Boar Bolognese that could feed an army with fresh cut pasta that tasted like it was from a nonna in Italy.

Le Colonial

Vietnamese meets French cuisine at Le Colonial, which feels very Houston to me. My family went for my parents’ 50th anniversary, where we sat in the atrium area surrounded by gorgeous plants and French-style chairs. I could eat everything on this menu, but a few highlights: Bio Bia Chilled Vegetable Roll; Spicy Yellowfin Tuna Tartare; Suon Nuong Heritage Pork Ribs (my dad’s favorite); Cari Tom Green Shrimp Curry; Bo Luc Lac Shaking Beef (my brother loved this so much he ordered a second plate — ridic); Mi Xao He Garlic Noodles; and the whole fish of course, which is a huge display where you can build your own wrap with accouterments. The entire Large Plates section is just an incredible array of offerings. Most of my favorite Asian restaurants are super casual, so I love dressing up to dine here and eat my favorite cuisine. They serve everything you could ever want, so go with a group and share!

A few more notes:

When people say Houston has better and more diverse food than Austin, they’re talking more about the casual places like the following!

• Favorite Tex Mex spots with family: El Tiempo, Lupe Tortilla, Pappasito’s (originally from Houston if you didn’t know)

• Favorite lunches: Mensho, Golden Dumpling House (dumplings so big I have to use my hands because too heavy for chopsticks), Old Saigon Café

• Favorite bakery: Koffeteria - try the Pho Kolache

• Another dinner favorite: Maison Chinoise as an upscale night for the best Peking Duck I’ve ever had

• Next time I’m in town, I want to try Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen!

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Fort Worth

I spent a quick 24 hours visiting Kristen in Fort Worth last month and left in awe of their amazing trail along the Trinity River! I also thought it would be such a great place to grow up, so in that vein, I’m calling on Avery from my team, who actually grew up in Fort Worth, to chime in at the end with some of her local favorites, in addition to sharing what stood out to me from my trip.

The Chumley House

A London-inspired chophouse, The Chumley House has something for everyone. The Kale and Apple Salad tasted amazing with horseradish and white balsamic, and their Saag Paneer was probably the best version I’ve ever had. As for mains, I was really excited to try the Halibut Porterhouse with chimichurri, but they had removed it from the menu that very night, so we went for a Sea Bass special with tahini, lemon oil, and chili oil, and it was unbelievable. We sat on the nice patio outside, and the more intimate interiors hold a gorgeous marble bar, moody lighting, and a glass-enclosed wine bottle display. Hailing from the Duro Hospitality team, which owns a bunch of Dallas spots, Chumley House brings quite the elegance and finer scene to Fort Worth.

Tokyo Cafe

I would describe this casual Japanese restaurant as the Komé of Fort Worth, with plenty of specialty sushi rolls and a full menu of rice bowls, noodles, and starters. The Tok Fries are super popular with Japanese spices and a chili mayo dipping sauce, and you should order them extra crispy, as Kristen does. I keep thinking about the incredible ginger dressing they serve on their salads. As for rolls, we went for the Spicy Tuna and the Tejas Roll with yellowtail, fried jalapeño, avocado, cucumber, chili mayo, sriracha, and scallions.

Avery here adding in a couple notes! Hi, I’ve been on Alex’s team for the last three years and we have pretty similar taste in food. Tokyo Cafe was “the spot” for meeting up with friends for dinner in high school when we all got our driver’s licenses. The Tok Fries are a must order to share, and like Alex said, I would liken this to Komé thanks to their sushi options. I give Komé the upper hand for quality, but sushi in Austin is generally better than Fort Worth so for this city, Tokyo has great options. As a kid, I always went for the classic Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowl, but these days, I’m a fan of the lunch-only Bento Boxes so you can enjoy multiple dishes at a really fair price.

Trinity Trails and Stockyards

When I first stepped foot on this trail, I could not believe that it’s just in people’s backyards in Fort Worth. You can walk to it from neighborhood streets and be transported into a haven for walking, running, and biking. More than 100 miles long, it’s by far my favorite part of this cozy and green city, and we had the most beautiful bike ride where I felt like wildlife was going to jump out at any minute. We also visited the Stockyards, which I would describe as the Disneyland of the western world with old school steakhouses, cattle parading around daily, and a newer section with more upscale hotels and shops. I didn’t get to go on this trip, but I have both the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum on my list for next time. I was surprised to learn how much incredible art Fort Worth holds at these museums, plus the city randomly has one of the best zoos in the country for an activity with kids.

Avery again - I am one of the lucky ones who grew up with the Trinity basically in my backyard at my parents’ house. This trail is as good as Alex says it is — easy to access, great for dogs, and a true highlight of the city. I make it a point to walk part of the trail with my husband, son, and dog every time we’re back.

Local Foods Kitchen

Avery’s back for these last couple recommendations! Whenever I visit Fort Worth, my top lunch spot is Local Foods Kitchen, which has no relation to the Houston and Austin Local Foods, FYI. It reminds me of a more local, small-town Swedish Hill with its overflowing deli section, baked goods, and fresh salads and sandwiches. The Tomato Bisque is the best I’ve ever had so definitely order it if it’s the soup of the day. Other favorites are the Kebab Cobb, a Greek-esque salad with tandoori chicken, avocado, tomato, smoked bacon, onion, feta, peppers, greens, pita and Tzatziki dressing; and the Smoked Chicken Panini with smoked chicken, red onion, mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil pesto, and sriracha aioli on pressed focaccia. Don’t forget a cookie to finish the meal! I will note that this place can be PACKED during lunch hours, and because you order at the counter, sometimes you’re standing in line for a long time, but it’s worth it in the end.

Maria’s Mexican Kitchen

Many people will tell you to go to Joe T. Garcia’s for your Tex Mex fix, but I fall in the camp of thinking that restaurant is VERY overrated. Although the waiting process and ambience feels like Matt’s El Rancho in Austin, the food at Joe T’s is not nearly as good at Matt’s so why wait?! If you’re looking for Tex Mex in Fort Worth, the slightly more upscale Maria’s Kitchen is your ticket. They serve some of the best rice I’ve ever had, which is random, but I know Alex would appreciate it! As for entrees, I love the Enchiladas Tres Colores, and they’re known for their fancy Seafood Enchiladas with blue crab and butter poached shrimp. The margaritas are super fresh and not too sweet too.

San Antonio

My mom is from San Antonio, so I’ve made plenty of trips to this exciting city that’s only an hour and a half from Austin. Nowadays, I like to hit Ottine Mineral Springs on the way there and then make a trip of it by eating at some of the incredible spots in San Antonio, which you can read about below.

Pullman Market

I lost my breath when I walked into this market helmed by the Emmer & Rye team. Think fresh produce, flowers, homemade pasta, sauces, pizza, sandwich bar, burger bar, crackers, tinned fish, jars of anything and everything. I can’t believe all of this is going on here. We tried the Beef Tallow Chocolate Chip Cookie and Blue Corn Macadamia Nut Cookie, and you can get Chef Tavel’s Monster Cookie if you were a fan of it at Henbit at Fareground here back in the day. Go for the Pistachio Croissant, which tasted twice-baked to me due to its extra crunchiness and creamy pistachio layer inside, the Peach Kouign Amann (WOW!), and the cinnamon-forward Monkey Bread.

Mezquite

What sets Pullman Market apart from any other market I’ve been to is that it actually also holds nice restaurants with seating that feels more private, not like you’re eating at a stall or in a high traffic space. We had dinner at Mezquite, and I know that those are the best tortillas made with beef tallow I’ve ever had, no questions asked, because I ate three in just a few minutes AFTER eating the Choriqueso, Tuna Tostada topped over black beans, and a carne asada quesadilla. I loved watching the ladies make them right before our eyes! Pullman is just SO impressive, with Mezquite being a major reason why.

La Fonda

This is where I grew up eating on family visits, so much so that my family knew everyone who worked here. I enjoy the beautiful backyard with overarching trees, vibrant plants, and colorful tiled tables. When I was younger, I would always order the Nachos, but I went back recently for the first time since I was a kid for a great brunch as well. The oldest Mexican restaurant in San Antonio, they offer all the classics you want, including eight different variations of enchiladas, and more elevated dishes like the El Vaquero, a prime oak-grilled New York Strip, and the Pepita-Crusted Salmon a la Plancha.

The Lonesome Rose

Similar to The White Horse or Sagebrush in Austin, this really cool honky tonk is the place to go for San Antonio nightlife. The backyard features fire pits and lots of seating, and inside, two steppers fill the dance floor thanks to all the live music on weekends. Plenty of Austin musicians play here, and it’s just how I would choose to spend a night in town! See all the upcoming shows here.

The Magpie

I enjoyed everything at The Mapgie the last time I walked in and easily secured seats at the counter, where we got to watch them cook! This really casual spot has an open kitchen, and the menu from Chef Sue Kim changes often with influences from her native South Korea, pasta dishes, and more. They showcase their ever-changing dishes on Instagram so you can take a look to get a feel for what they offer.

EVENTS

1. June 20: Rosie Clements’ and Peter McRury’s Surface Tension Exhibition Opening Party at McLennon Pen Co. Gallery. Opening reception from 6 - 9 p.m. Exhibition on view from June 20 through July 26. More info here.

2. June 20: Jonathan Terrell, David Ramirez, and Dan Dyer in the round at Sagebrush. Details here!

3. June 21: Gati Summer Solstice Party. 3 - 7 p.m. in the parking lot with local vendors and a special sundae

4. June 21: Foodie & Tina Pop-up at Far Out Lounge. 5 p.m.

5. July 22: Summer of Ceviche at La Condesa. Save the date and make your res for Made In’s Rhoda Boone’s guest chef night on July 22 here!

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At the end, you’ll see my cheat sheet for top drinking spots organized by drinks: for a glass of wine, frozen cocktail, group hangs, and then dates. Screen shot the list so you can check it out when you’re out and about and that specific situation hits. Cheers!

~ AR

Revenge Bar

This is one of the coolest cocktail bars that opened last year, and even though it sits on my least favorite street, it changed my mind because of how much I love the interiors and the menu. Enter on West Avenue to find a sexy and dark ambience with pretty scarlet booths and black walls and just the right texture to make a date feel hotter late at night. I accidentally stumbled outside when I went to an early visit here before dinner and found a red pool table, and an unassuming outdoor area. There are two times to visit: either with friends because it’s not tough to snag one of the big booths together, or for a date you want to take to the next level, but still be able to hang, chat, and not feel TOO romantic. I love any drink with mezcal and tequila, and they have one called the Devil Made Me Do It with blanco tequila, orange, lime, blackberry, jalapeño, and agave, martinis, and just great dry and also boozy cocktails. I also enjoyed their large ice cubes that are creatively imprinted with a martini design! If you just want to hang out with your people, go before dinner, and if you’re single and want to mingle, go later in the night for the moody vibe.

Bar Hacienda

Bar Hacienda, which originally opened underneath Tiger Lilly, just joined the migration to Rainey Street. When I visited their first location, I loved the cool vintage-looking pieces that decked out the space, and the new venue carries the same vibrant ambience with bright green plants, amazing light fixtures, and Latin music playing. My favorite drink was the Mezcal Highball with mezcal, toasted coconut, clarified citrus, and soda, as it wasn’t sweet or thick at all. If you want something a little more creamy and tropical, the Ramos Colada with gin, pineapple and lime caramel, cream, and soda is very reflective of a Piña Colada. All the names are fun, like Bingo Banjo, Raisin Smuggler, and Sand in my Pants, and they have a few N/A offerings, such as the Lemongrass & Lime.

Keep reading for the scoop on Henry’s Nite & Day plus my favorite new bar food in town from a James Beard-nominated chef, and more spots that you’ll hear of here first! Included are a list for the best frozen cocktails, a glass of wine, where to drink with a group, and date bars. Thank you to my paid subscribers for your support, and click below to upgrade to read this full post and allow me to keep writing these for you!

Read more

Last week, I helped host a cookbook launch party for Erin O’Brien at Wild Ones, stopped by the opening party at Mad Hippie, and had dinner with one of my trainer’s friends that I mentored to help her start her business in LA. I think it’s super important to lend time to those in their early 20s just starting out their career. I then jaunted to Fort Worth for the first time to visit a friend, and now, I’m finalizing our trip to Madrid, Barcelona, and Begur for the first time since I studied abroad 19 years ago! Please send me your favorite activities in those cities!

Below, I’m letting you in on my curated Instagram, Substack, and podcast feeds, plus sharing a few of my favorite books for your summer reading. We’ll get back to more food in the next newsletter, and in the meantime, enjoy a look into my reading/listening list to find a voice that speaks to you too.

INSTAGRAM RECS

@SisterSnacking

The sisters behind @SisterSnacking strike me more as journalists who tell stories as opposed to the food influencers who call every new opening “amazing” with no real details. They do their research, create their own point of view, and ask questions that really shine a spotlight on what the chefs they interview are trying to accomplish and promote through their cooking. Whether I share the same tastes or not doesn’t matter because by watching their videos, I taste a full picture of each place so I can then assess what I want to try. It’s like I’m reading an article when I watch one of their reels, something many food Instagram accounts do not always accomplish. I admire how they’re building their business, even partnering with Mastercard to offer an NYC food crawl so their followers can take the same kind of tours they take celebs on through the city. One of the sisters, Madison, even made it in People Magazine for the massive butter package her husband gave her as her “push present.” I love their confidence and the fact that I always learn the stories of the restaurants they feature, exactly what I want from an account like this.

Start here: Butter Chicken Tasting at Ada in NYC, Their Visit to Austin, Top 10 NYC Restaurants of 2026 Q1

@ItsMeJadeB

Jade is having the exact conversation you are probably having with your friend, but she’s doing it online and we all get to benefit from it! You might know her as Austin’s Chicken Caesar Wrap detective, but I would recommend her as a comfort follow for anyone who’s single or trying to find their match because she also shares her experiences with dating and relationships (and now, she’s engaged!). My favorite videos she makes are when she talks about growing up as a millennial, something I relate to, and all the crazy outfits we wore, songs we listened to, and the ways we grew up in the 2000s. She makes me nostalgic for those years where everything was meant for fun instead of health maxing. She just makes me laugh and will make you feel like you’re friends as she speaks her mind.

Start here: Chicken Caesar Wrap Review, 2016 Music Memories, Millennial Drinks

@IlonaMaher

Ilona Maher should be a required follow for all women. An Olympian fighting for equality in women’s sports, she’s also teaching the world that every body is a healthy and happy body no matter your size or shape. If you’re ever feeling down about the way you look, as all women of course do, Ilona makes you remember that being small should not be the reason that you’re living. As an Olympian, her body carries a different shape than what the media portrays as the “ideal” pilates-type body, even though she looks amazing. She reminds us that we shouldn’t all try to disappear, even if that seems like the most popular option these days, and she makes you want to be yourself. Strangers on the internet often comment on her body, and she turns it into something playful while teaching that being happy and having fun looks better than anything. After the Olympics, Ilona capitalized on her momentum and made it on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition, sharing more about her love of rugby and her appreciation for her body. She and her two sisters also have a hilarious podcast so you can see those clips on her instagram.

Start here: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Photo Shoot, Responding to Comments, Olympic Medalist

SUBSTACK RECS

Breathing Space by Camille Styles

Long time Austinite Camille has built multiple brands that are truly useful for everybody, while still sharing the recipes and entertaining tips she’s always doled out on her Instagram. Now, she writes about how she manages her time as a business owner and mom, gives tips for navigating transitions through different seasons of life, and offers a window into all of the personal work she has done via her Substack, Breathing Space. Camille’s writing is soothing and calm, always offering intuitive lessons and reminding me that my time is worthy enough to spend it doing what I want. You can feel the way she lights up when she shares something she really loves, making her recommendations worthwhile.

Start here: 4 Mindset Shifts That Made Me a More Confident Speaker; On Making Things Just for the Love of It; The 35 Wardrobe Essentials I Can’t Live Without

Feed Me by Emily Sundberg

Emily Sundberg really started the Substack revolution, quickly becoming the person who announces huge openings, breaks the news of layoffs at big companies, and secures great interviews with people like Gwyneth Paltrow, Keith McNally, and Alison Roman. I’m fascinated that people now turn to her instead of the more traditional outlets like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal to plant their big business announcements in all industries. I pay for a subscription because any gossip Emily shares is actually factual. She is truly finding the answers instead of trying to play nice. If you want to know what’s going on in arts, tech, hospitality, or just what’s modern and cool, this is the Substack to follow.

Start here: Guest Lecture: Gwyneth Paltrow; The Texas Takeover of Dimes Square; Keith McNally on the West Village Discourse

Let’s Get Dressed by Liv Perez

This is the newest Substack I’ve added to my reading list for fashion tips and style lessons. I love learning about the affordable brands and luxury labels she says are actually worth it per season. The writer gives you all the ingredients you need to shop well, like highlighting the shoes to wear in summer, telling you what pieces you need for Europe, and giving best practices for cleaning out your closet. I have discovered brands I don’t normally hear about, so I recommend this Substack when you need some style inspiration! (You can also listen on her podcast.)

Start here: Read This When You Hate Everything in Your Closet - an interview with Anne Hathaway’s stylist, Erin Walsh; What Interviewing a Ralph Lauren Expert Taught Me About Fashion; Q&A: Your Summer Style Questions, Answered

PODCAST RECS

Dear Chelsea

I’ve read all of Chelsea Handler’s books, went to a taping of her talk show in LA many years ago (where I took a photo with Chuy!), and have gone to several of her stand-up shows over the years. I love her viewpoint on equality and how she stands up for all groups of people. Chelsea supports her friends and family, even paying for her sisters and their families to take vacations together every year. She’s just a smart, good person, who calls it like it is on her show and deeply cares about doing the right thing. One of my favorite stories Chelsea tells is about the time she ran into a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary in Mallorca and gave them kayaks and LSD, then when she saw them the next day, they had spent the night out on the water and fell in love all over again. Her show features more of her amazing stories, plus the stories she comfortably gets her guests to share.

Start here: The Upside of Conflict with Esther Perel; Underwater Boyfriend with Jason Biggs; The Art of Livin’ with Matthew McConaughey

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I turn to Jay Shetty’s podcast for advice on love and relationships, friendships, work, and beyond as you can really find any topic in his array of episodes. This is the #1 mental health podcast in the world, featuring celebs, health experts, and athletes sharing their ups and downs. Jay Shetty previously was a monk, and I find his voice really soothing through these conversations. I recently listened to the episode featuring Dr. Shannon Ritchey, who shared the importance of lifting weights and made me feel so validated as I have been doing just that since I was 16, first at track practice, then followed by years of Crossfit, and now Train 4 The Game in Westlake. She made me feel confident in the way she shared the science behind this type of movement. I didn’t even know she lived in Austin, and then ended up sitting next to her at a dinner event the same week I listened to the episode! I’ve also experienced more loss in my life this year and found his episode on tools for navigating grief to be helpful as well.

Start here: Dr. Shannon Ritchey: Why You’re Not Seeing Seeing Results in the Gym; Mel Robbins: How to Stop People-Pleasing Without Feeling Guilty; 7 Tools for Navigating Grief; Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco: Their Love Story

The Liz Moody Podcast

This is a go-to listen for me because Liz Moody previously worked as a journalist so she does her due diligence before interviewing expert guests. She is always asking “why” instead of just yapping. Liz clearly knows what she’s doing, but she’s also fun and lets you into her own personal life. I’ve listened to a few of her food-related episodes, and enjoyed her episode on how she made the decision to have kids or not.

Start here: Kids or No Kids? Sharing My Choice and ALL the Reasons Behind It; Design Your Dream Life: Habits for Wealth, Work, & Relationships; How I Deal with Jealousy + Envy (and Make it Into My Super Power)

BOOK RECS

“I Regret Almost Everything” by Keith McNally

Besides Danny Meyer, Keith McNally is the best restaurateur in NYC. He basically created the Meatpacking District and still has Balthazaar, Pastis, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi in the city. In his memoir, you really get a look into his life and how he started his career, moved around Europe, the failure of his marriage, and how he still works with first wife. The book is actually not about food all that much, FYI. I learned more about culture and art than restaurants or food through his raw and vulnerable words. Culture is what makes a restaurant amazing, and you see that in his story. This book will give you every feeling you can imagine, including some chuckles here and there thanks to his British humor.

All books by Dolly Alderton

Although I am typically a purely nonfiction reader, I actually started reading “Ghosts” by Dolly Alderton on my way home from a trip to London, and it ended up being a novel about a British food writer dating in London, which I couldn’t get enough of! Then, I read her other book, “Good Material,” which is written from a man’s POV after his break up. Since the man’s perspective was more practical and logical, I actually related a bit, and I laughed out loud often. I wouldn’t say I’m the type to read romantic beach books, so these are more my style. Dolly’s writing is kind of direct and tough, plus, I love reading all her British words.

“The Ultimate Cookie Handbook: Your Guide to Baking Perfect Cookies Every Time” by Tessa Arias

For a cookbook rec, this cookie-specific book teaches all about the science behind the recipes and ingredients you use. You can choose how you like your cookie, then use the author’s methods to update any recipe you please to make it softer, crispier, whatever you’d like! When you’re flipping through recipes, go for the S’mores Cookie and Bakery Style Chocolate Chip, of course.

✨ Happy June! Stay tuned later this month for more recs in cities around Texas for your upcoming travels. Next week, paid subscribers will receive a guide to where to drink in Austin, including some new under-the-radar spots you haven’t heard of! ✨

EVENTS

1. June 5: Coldplay on Strings at ConcertDome. 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets here!

2. June 7: Summer Vintage Market Series at The Line Hotel. 11 - 4 p.m. 30+ vendors with local food, vintage pieces, home goods, apparel, art, and more. Free and full details here!

3. June 8: Flatware Foundation’s Dam That Cancer: A 21-mile paddle, followed by a post-paddle party. Every dollar raised goes toward providing access to mental health therapy those facing the emotional toll of cancer. Get more info here.

4. June 13: Austin Monthly’s Fourth Annual Burger Bash. 12:30 - 4 p.m. Burgers from Bill’s Oyster, Fish Shop, Lao’d Bar, and more. Tickets here.

5. June 13: Hyde Park Storytelling Night at Batch. 8 p.m. Hear stories from seven storytellers and meet new people. See full details on Partiful here.

6. June 13: Radio’s 12th Birthday with Golden Dawn Arkestra and Club Coma. Radio East. 8 p.m. More info and $12 tickets here.

As for some fun activities this week that we’ve curated for our clients, El Raval is celebrating their 3rd anniversary on Thursday, May 21 with paella on the patio from Rosie’s Wine Bar Chef Chelsea Fadda and tapas from Veracruz All Natural’s Chef Reyna Vazquez, plus Thai Fresh is hosting a Thai crawfish boil on Saturday! I’ve also got you covered with ideas for healthy things to do as summer kicks off HERE, and read to the end of this newsletter for a sneak peek at the restaurants coming to Austin soon.

Kinsho

Neighborhood: Rainey

What it is and why you should care: After opening Rocco’s just last year, restaurateur Wade McElroy and Chef Nick Ford (formerly of Sammie’s) debuted their new sushi concept, Kinsho, this spring. While we all have bemoaned the changes on Rainey Street, there’s more and more happening there now, and I’m happy to see a cool new restaurant that I would go back to open over here.

Must order: A5 Wagyu and Prawn Skewers; Maguro Ko

ku Maki with bluefin tuna, honeycrisp apple, shiso, shallots, horseradish, nikiri

Good for: Last minute res, walk-in, casual date, fun friend catch-up

Reservations: https://www.kinshoatx.com

ThoroughFare

Neighborhood: Mueller

What it is and why you should care: Thanks to my well-documented love of ThoroughBread’s cookies, I’ve been so excited about their new bakery, grocery, and café that opened in Mueller recently, and the amount of offerings in this store blew me away. The grocery features fresh, refrigerated homemade salad dressings, soup, chicken stock, pickled items, fresh squeezed juices and smoothies, all with a focus on using organic, regenerative, and seed oil-free ingredients. You can also get local groceries like Fronks Milk, granola, and Gati ice cream, plus exciting CPG products from my favorites, Fishwife and Graza, among others! As for the cafe, I drank the best matcha I’ve ever had (read on for full details), plus they have sandwiches crafted with their own breads, salads, and don’t forget the cookies, of course.

ThoroughFare will be hosting a free block party for the community in the coming weeks, featuring cookie and bread tastings, $2 off wine by the glass and draft beers, face painting, and free tote bags for the first 20 guests. All the neighboring businesses will be activating outside as well with drink specials and activities for kids. Get more info and RSVP HERE!

Must order: Matcha Cloud with iced coconut water, honey, matcha cream foam; Homemade Soups; Banana Nutella Cookie

Good for: Grocery shopping for some of your favorite CPGs, gifts, ready-made fresh items to make a meal out of, grab-and-go pastries before a walk around Mueller

Tzintzuntzan

Neighborhood: Allandale

What it is and why you should care: Located right next door to Fonda San Miguel and from the same owners, Tzintzuntzan is a contemporary Mexican-inspired café and panedería with a mouthful of a name. It’s pronounced “zin-ZOON-zan” so now you know! I love the pink tile inside, but the real joy is sitting on the well-cooled and covered patio that looks onto a water feature with umbrellas.

Must order: Guacamole and Totopos; Huevos con Machaca; and Chilaquiles Verdes

Good for: Breakfast (FYI they sold out of biscuits and croissants by 1 p.m. on a Tuesday), work lunch, mother-daughter lunch

Reservations: https://resy.com/cities/austin-tx/venues/tzintzuntzan

Boni’s Bar Next Door

Neighborhood: Bouldin Creek

What it is and why you should care: Lenoir owners Todd and Jessica opened Boni’s Bar Next Door — you guessed it — right next door to their first restaurant where they are growing their village on South 1st. Inspired by Jess’s Spanish great-grandfather and housed in a 1930s-era bungalow renovated by hand by Todd himself, Boni’s is a love letter to the owners’ families and their love and respect of Austin. It feels like it’s been here forever with black-and-white framed photos of Boni and the family lining the walls and Todd’s aunt’s piano perched in the back, ready to be played. South 1st has blossomed into a true food destination, and Boni’s is the cocktail bar we’ve been craving here.

Must order: Softshell Crawfish Chips, Shrimp; Pickle Plate; Warm Buckwheat & Chocolate Chip Cookie; Boni’s Margarita; Carajillo

Good for: A gathering on the outdoor patio with groups, cookie and carajillo night cap, a first date over drinks, happy hour catch-up with friends or co-workers

Ciccio Bomba

Neighborhood: South Lamar

What it is and why you should care: You may have heard of Ciccio Bomba because of its famous owner, comedian Tom Segura, who tried Italian baker Gianba Vinzoni’s treats and helped him move to Austin to open these. I was expecting the new South Lamar location to be only a bakery, but it’s a full restaurant with plenty of seating and a full breakfast menu with a Breakfast Sandwich on a buttery croissant, four different omelets, and more. They even have lunch and dinner with pizzas, pasta, sandwiches and a full bar. Who knew? I have not seen that info online… This feels like a standard European cafe you’d pass on any corner abroad and ideal for an easy coffee and pastry, but isn’t necessarily an Austin staple. If you can’t get into SugarWolf (read on for details on that!), try Ciccio Bomba instead.

Must order: Apple Danish; Seasonal Brioche Bun; Breakfast Sandwich; and if you like crispy chocolate chip cookies, this one is for you

Good for: Morning coffee meeting, quick solo meal, last minute brunch

Austin Oyster Co.

Neighborhood: East Cesar Chavez

What it is and why you should care: Better than I could have ever dreamed, Austin Oyster Co’s long-awaited brick-and-mortar nails every dish with inspiration from a number of global cuisines. Between the raw bar, savory cooked dishes, and amazing dessert, everything impressed me. This is the best meal I’ve had in Austin this year so make your reservation as trying to walk in to sit at the bar is not even easy at 5 p.m.!

Must order: Scallop Tostada; Tom Kha Clam; North End Johnnycake; Lobster Roll; Swordfish Steak Frites; Cabbage

Good for: Date night, enjoying fresh seafood, girls’ night out with martinis

Reservations: https://www.austinoysterco.com/book-appointment

Kitsu Nori

Neighborhood: South Lamar

What it is and why you should care: Kitsu Nori offers a less upscale way to try innovative “build-your-own” hand rolls that highlight the quality of the fish and creative Japanese plated dishes for a culinary adventure. The midnight blue dining room features a square bar, which I recommend dining at so you can watch the chefs work. You enter through the giant backyard that has a bar but it was empty so I wonder if people will find out about it or even want to sit here?

Must order: Toro Handroll; Midori Salad; Toro Cashew; Salmon Butter Tostada

Good for: Satisfying your raw fish fix, walk-in friendly weeknight dinner, lunch specials

Churchrow Tejas BBQ

Neighborhood: Crestview

What it is and why you should care: If you were disappointed when Valentina’s closed a few years back, Churchrow comes from its former pitmaster, as well as the owner behind my beloved Taco Flats. With influences from both of those original businesses, Churchrow serves tender meats in Tex Mex-influenced forms such as tacos, nachos, meat-topped queso, and enchiladas. You can also stick to BBQ classics and be fully satisfied, but I love that you can order a taco to try the smoked meats and not feel overly full afterwards.

Must order: Tejanita Taco with smoked and grilled chicken thighs, roasted poblano and red onion, pico, guacamole, tomatillo salsa; Shells and Cheese; Holy Roller sampler platter with brisket, sausage, pork rib, and pulled pork

Good for: Weekend lunch, dinner with your dad, BBQ without the line

Only the Wild Ones

Neighborhood: South Congress

What it is and why you should care: With Austin’s first outdoor custom hi-fi sound system and top-notch natural wine program, Only the Wild Ones is a stunner for looks and transporting you to a beautiful vacation right on South Congress. The shaded old-word oasis makes you feel like you’re in Europe, and the wine program offers bottles that are both familiar and totally fresh and only available here. There are cocktails and NA drinks, as well as food. You can make a reservation for patio seating or hang out in the conversation pit by the shaded tree and meet new friends. Look out for future listening sessions.

Must order: Honeydew Melon Margarita; Drink This Wine; Pan con Tomate

Good for: Listening to vinyls, discovering your new favorite wine, slowing down in a European-inspired escape, end-of-date nightcap, birthday drinks

Reservations: https://resy.com/cities/austin-tx/venues/only-the-wild-ones-tx

Kiin Di

Neighborhood: South Lamar

What it is and why you should care: This casual Thai street food spot offers an ambitious selection that differs from most other Thai restaurants in town. Formerly a food truck, Kiin Di now caters to more diners with extensive seafood and chicken dishes on top of all the pork they focused on in the truck. The restaurant name translates to “eating good,” something you will definitely do here.

Must order: Shrimp Blossom Salad; Dang! Curry; Pork Ribs Kati

Good for: Easy last minute dinner, sampling dishes you’ve never had before

SugarWolf

Neighborhood: Downtown

What it is and why you should care: The long-awaited SugarWolf hails from the Guy + Larry restaurant group, known for the heavy hitters of Restaurant Francois, Red Ash, ATX Cocina, J. Carver’s, and beyond. Because they operate all of these restaurants already, they can pull off this grandiose scale of laminated pastries, sandwiches, sourdough, focaccia, salads, and a full coffee bar in such a magnificent way operationally. This is a breakfast and lunch spot with hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Must order: Housemade Turkey Sandwich on Bone Bread; Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie (available starting at 11 a.m.); Cinnamon Roll

Good for: Cravable sandwiches, breads and pastries, eating a memorable yet casual lunch downtown

COMING SOON

Even with all of these new openings already in 2026 (Roya and Bar Fino, I’m trying you next!), there’s still more to come!

• FOODIE & TINA: A made-to-order sushi counter and standing hand roll bar from the couple behind their monthly backyard omakase. Opening summer 2026.

• The Driskill Grill: The iconic hotel restaurant returns as an American steakhouse under the MML umbrella. Photos from the Friends & Family event look like they have a dessert cart with a gorgeous chocolate cake. Just opened on Monday, May 18th.

• The Butcher’s Daughter: All-day vegetarian café from NYC and LA. Opening late summer 2026. We are working on this, and I can’t wait!!!

• Ramen del Barrio: The much-anticipated brick-and-mortar for the Michelin-recognized Japanese Mexican Ramen spot. Date TBD.

• Texas French Bread: Bistro and bakery finally coming back after a fire! Re-opening spring/summer 2026.

• Cuantos Tacos: Brick-and-mortar from the beloved taco truck coming to Justin Lane. Opening early 2027.

• Bartlett’s: The local favorite will finally open their second location in the former Threadgill’s space, in partnership with MML. Opening 2028.

• Local Foods on North Lamar: The second Austin location of the Houston original with great sandwiches and salads. Opening late spring 2026.

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EVENTS

1. May 21: El Raval 3rd Birthday Party with paella on the patio from Rosie’s Wine Bar Chef Chelsea Fadda and tapas from Veracruz All Natural’s Chef Reyna Vazquez. 5 to 9 p.m. More info here!

2. May 22: Outer Heaven Disco Club at Brushy Street. 9 p.m. $5 tickets here.

3. May 23: Thai Crawfish Boil at Thai Fresh. Noon to sold out. More info here.

4. May 24: Oseyo x Ezov Meze Mash Up Brunch at Ezov. Make a res here.

5. May 25: Canje Block Party. Dishes from Bob Somsith of Lao’d Bar, Ope Amosu of Chop n’ Blok (Houston), and more. Music by Jamie Dredd and the All the Vibes crew. Free entry with RSVP.

6. May 29: Lady Gaga on Strings at ConcertDome. 6:45 and 8:30 p.m. Tickets here!

7. May 29: Friday Night Lights Reunion at Paramount Theatre with Connie Britton, Kyle Chandler, Jesse Plemons, and more. 7 p.m. More info and details on limited tickets here.

More to come next month! In June, paid subscribers will get my recs for where to eat based on where you’re from, and everyone can look forward to Chekmark Eats’ guide to Houston. See you soon! 💫💫💫

Suerte

A Mexican restaurant that feels more like a Mexico City menu than a Texas one with homemade masa in every single dish, Suerte makes me order the Goat Barbacoa and famous Suadero Tacos with black magic oil even though I typically choose seafood because this is some of the most tender and flavorful meat you’ll ever have. Chef Fermín opened Suerte in 2018, and has since branched out with Este and Bar Toti, and his newest cookbook out last month, “Vitamina T,” written with Masienda founder Jorge Gaviria. Now Michelin-recognized, Suerte can be a difficult reservation to come across, especially on weekends.

Enjoy a similar meal at: Comedor

Chef Philip Speer’s upscale Mexican restaurant sits in the center of downtown with a lively atmosphere, fantastic mood lighting, and similarly incredible drinks that you would find at Suerte. Yes, everyone talks about Suerte’s Suadero Tacos but in my eyes, Comedor’s Bone Marrow Tacos will give you the same experience of a dish you haven’t had elsewhere with a protein you might not be used to, but it still feels familiar in its taco form. Even if you are not a bone marrow fan, this changes your mind, plus it’s more fun to add all the kale greens and sauces.

Try something nearby at: Buenos Aires Cafe

To me, meat reigns supreme at Suerte so if you’re on the meat track, walk over to Buenos Aires Cafe down the street. I hadn’t been since college and recently walked in on a Saturday to snag two seats at the bar. Their signature Lomito Beef Sandwich with chimichurri sauce arrives on really soft bread that won’t break your jaw. My favorite type of beef is when it’s extra soft and tender (like Suerte’s goat), which is exactly what this steak is. My friend who works at Suerte, tells me their $42 Roasted Half Chicken is the most popular dish on the menu, so if that’s your favorite, try Buenos Aires’ Half Chicken for $28. What a steal!! I ordered mine with a side of grilled carrots, and we had a big enough portion to take some home as we obviously ordered six other dishes that night. Nothing is covered in heavy sauces, the meat is cooked as you want it, and they also have Milonga Room behind to extend your night. If you have more than a party of two, you might need a res, but it’s still an easier one than Suerte!

Red Ash

Home to the richest meal you’ll eat in Austin, somehow Red Ash NEVER has reservations open for dinner. It seems to be full of dates trying to impress each other that they got in and Texas businessmen, maybe because they’re the ones who are into these heavy dishes. I actually love the desserts at Red Ash as they cook them with just as much butter as they use in their savory dishes, but otherwise, this is not my top Italian rec in town because it’s a little too heavy for me for a weekly visit. The garlic bread, meatballs, and halibut are winners indeed, but no need to sit at your computer waiting for reservations to drop. By the way, if you like their desserts, you MUST go to SugarWolf, the restaurant group’s new downtown bakery!

Enjoy a similar meal at: Intero

At Intero, you’ll see a pattern of the same farm fresh ingredients sprinkled throughout the menu as they stay true to their philosophy of minimizing waste and prioritizing sustainability. I love their pizza with sourdough starter in the dough, resulting in a more toothy and less crispy or crunchy crust, like that of the NYC style at La Volta or Allday. Go for the Beef Carpaccio with thinner flat sheets of meat, the refreshing Kampachi Crudo, and the unique Smoked Duck Confit pizza when they have it on the menu, plus plenty of pastas to choose from! I can kind of forget about Intero over there, but East Cesar Chavez is so full of good food now so time to remember.

Try something nearby at: Restaurant Francois

From the same owners, Larry Foles and Guy Villavaso and also downtown, I actually prefer Restaurant Francois to Red Ash! French food isn’t even my favorite, but this menu and elaborate shiny dining room won me over. The servers take care of you every bit of the way as you guzzle up champagne and cozy up in the red booths. The standout to me was the Steak Tartare with truffles, the Comté Cheese Popovers with house butter are non-negotiable, and I love the French Onion Soup. Of course, if I’m going to send you here instead of Red Ash, I have to tell you they have my favorite pasta, Angel Hair with lobster. Instead of stalking the Red Ash website for a res, book your next night out here and relish in the elegance and hospitality. I love it here!

Birdie’s

Taking counter service to a new level, Birdie’s was named the 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Food & Wine Magazine. The restaurant comes from husband and wife Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and Arjav Ezekiel, and the food is as good as you can get from any New York spot, but is served in an equal playing way without ressies. You usually just have to wait in line unless you show up before 5 p.m. Some people are allergic to lines or have a certain time they need to be somewhere so if you’re in that spot…

The rest of the recommendations are reserved for paid subscribers. To see more of my favorite restaurant swaps for places like Uchi, Jeffrey’s, Paperboy, Odd Duck, etc. and learn about the chefs and best dishes from each one, upgrade to unlock the full post.

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PR + MARKETING
Only the Wild Ones

Every client opening is thrilling in its own way, but this one has been a particularly long time coming! Nearly a year and a half ago, I met Heather, one of the owners of The Butcher’s Daughter and Only the Wild Ones, right before she and her team signed their South Congress lease for both businesses. If you don’t know, The Butcher’s Daughter is a famous vegetarian all-day cafe that first started in NYC and is now based in LA that will open later this year. Just last week, we welcomed Only the Wild Ones, a low-intervention wine garden and first al fresco hi-fi listening bar that stands on its own, to Austin. I traveled to LA last August to experience Butcher’s Daughter and the Venice pop-up of Only the Wild Ones to better understand the concepts, building my excitement to welcome them here. When I first started consulting in January of last year, I acted as a liaison to Austin’s culture and brands, connecting the team with key local individuals to work with and recommending who to establish relationships with in our community. Due to the nature of my work and relationships, I was able to help with hiring to secure the right fit for important positions, leading to the hiring of the wine director, general manager, consulting chef, and cocktail consultant. I typically work with chef-owners so it’s been fascinating to learn from Heather’s more creative, design-focused and business-minded POV with her dedication to creating incredible experiences for her guests and things that do not exist.

To celebrate the opening and give a sneak peek of what’s to come with future listening sessions and live performances, we filled the room with a curated array of artists, entrepreneurs, and musicians for a party with a live DJ set by DāM-FunK, plus wine and cocktails and space to connect. We’ve been missing a place like this in town, proven by the lines around the block that we had all weekend – thanks to so many of you who sent me photos of it!! Check out Austin Monthly, Austin American Statesman, CultureMap, Tribeza, @365ThingsAustin, @WhenWhereWhatAustin, and @TheATXDrinker, to see the news, and for the full details, read our Austin Monthly exclusive here. Only the Wild Ones is NOW open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; and 4 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

NEW RESTAURANT REC
Austin Oyster Co.

This is the best meal I’ve had in Austin this year by far, including revisiting old restaurants that I love. I have to admit that when I saw the menu I thought it reminded me of Este meets Clark’s meets Fish Shop, but once you taste the flavors and see the plating, you’ll realize it could not be more far from all of them! I’ve known one of Austin Oyster Co.’s owners, Dave, since 2020, when an old Bumble date from NYC who I remained friends with introduced us. The team even came over to shuck oysters for a party I created to help them promote their new business. Anyway, I first visited the new space for a José Andrés x Made In paella party during SXSW before they opened. What I did not know was HOW BIG A TREAT this place would be. It feels straight out of Charleston with curtains on the windows, maroon booths with striped cushions, picture frames and nautical shells on the walls, and then an oyster bar, of course. I could not stop talking about the food throughout dinner or thinking about it after. It challenged me, took me by surprise, and is not what I expected from the name Austin Oyster Co., so I’m here to tell you why! The menu somehow hits on Mexican, Asian, AND French cuisines, while staying squarely in the seafood lane.

Starting with raw: the Scallop Tostada on Nixta’s fried tortilla. The Mexican flavors include a maggi-lime broth, cherry tomato, avocado, and aji chile oil. The Thai flavors came through on the Tom Kha Clam, which is a giant chocolate clam (named for their deep brown shells), coconut-galangal broth, pickled mushroom, and shallot. I’ve never seen a clam this big! You could stop at the raw bar, but you’d really miss out on dishes that somehow heighten your experience even more. The North End Johnnycake ($25) is a corn cake with maple-honey butter, trout roe, and salmon bacon. The savory corn mixed with the sweet maple honey butter, which is basically syrup, makes for a fun pancake-type thing to eat for dinner. The salmon is more like smoked salmon than bacon as it’s still tender, and I wish the piece was even bigger! We loved the Lobster Roll, offered at a comparable price to others in town for $34 pre-caviar (that is another $15, and although it’s good, you don’t need it). Clark’s Lobster Roll is $42 and Fish Shop’s smaller Lobster Toast is $31 for reference. Again, you read Burger, Mussels, and Steak Frites and think, “I’ve seen this before,” BUT order the Swordfish Steak Frites with Sauce Chasseur. The swordfish melts perfectly under your fork, providing a curiosity boom of flavor and discovery to your taste buds. We enjoyed the Shells & Cheese, and I demand you order the Cabbage, which is definitely going to be a hidden sleeper as it tastes like chickpea, tomato ragu. The only problem during the meal was that the Shells & Cheese and incredible Banana Bread Toffee Pudding style dessert were both served in a stainless steel dish meant for keeping the items warm, but they were served ice cold on one half of the dish — wah wah. I think they just missed putting it on the center of the burner, but even cold, they were amazing. Hats off to y’all!

TRAVEL RECS
Best Bites in DC

The last time I traveled to Washington D.C. was 2021 when I fell in love with the Middle Eastern flavors at Albi. I can’t even restate exactly what I ate, a typical talent of mine, because I’d never eaten food like that before. This time around, we had a wedding in Virginia and extended our trip just to eat and wander around thanks to Ryan’s great idea. You’ll notice my love of Mediterranean cuisine in my best bites below!

• YELLOW - The restaurant group behind Albi opened this breakfast and lunch place that left me in awe. This is the BEST fast casual concept I have ever seen because the staff were very hospitable, the food was incredibly fresh, and I can’t compare the menu to anything else I’ve had. It’s the style of service you desire for lunch, unlike the meh service at Cava or Sweetgreen for example, and I wish they had locations everywhere. They served probably the best pita I’ve ever had, plus the chicken was incredible, and we loved the Red Shatta Hummus to dip. As for dessert, we obviously shared three, but the Baklawa Labne blew me away with its labne soft serve served in a water-sized cup with brown butter pistachio and baklava pieces. It tasted like a cinnamon roll with the crunchy and soft textures together. I also liked the Chocolate Chip Halva Cookie and Tahini Brownie, but the sundae was UNREAL.

• Maydan - The night before we went to YELLOW, we ate at the more upscale Maydan, and I actually preferred the pita and everything else at YELLOW. Funny enough, the Ribeye was my favorite thing at Maydan — not my typical order, but it was great. Maydan had an open fire pit, which was super cool to watch them make their toné bread, grill their meats, and veggies right in the center of the room, and I did love all the herbs and spices.

• Rye Bunny - We also ate dinner at the new Rye Bunny, which is inspired by Birdie’s service model. The Rye Bunny chefs even staged at Birdie’s to see what the kitchen was like. We arrived right before they closed after flying in and found it to be such a fun environment with incredible music, tapestries on the wall, and colored tile. It felt more like a “scene” than Birdie’s because of its big spacious dining room. Because DC is a city with real farmers’ markets and fresh produce, the fish with fresh ramps was amazing. We enjoyed the awesome anchovy-topped milk bread bites and fried chicken with a sweet jam. They do lean sweet on their dishes. My most memorable dish from the night was their chocolate angel food cake. Covered in hazelnuts, chocolate ganache and sea salt, this was airy and light after a big meal. I’m excited to see how they do this year as they just opened and have earned a lot of buzz already!

Other places I visited, but wouldn’t run back to are Compliments Only for sandwiches, and Baked & Wired mostly because YELLOW just stood out so much more. I loved the Phillips Collection’s French and Spanish art works, and as for sightseeing, nothing beats walking around the monuments after dinner at 11 p.m. when they’re lit up, and you have them all to yourselves!

LUNCH REC
MezzeMe

Although I’ve never truly loved a restaurant at The Triangle, MezzeMe might have changed my mind! This easy Turkish place had remained on my radar for a while so when I really wanted Mediterranean food for lunch recently (do you sense the Mediterranean theme in this newsletter?!), I finally walked in here. I ordered the bountiful Shrimp Skewers with salad and rice, and Mallory had the Mediterranean Salmon. The nutritious fare arrived in a timely manner, and I love that you can get proteins, vegetables, rice, pita, and hummus all together. It’s enough food that you can make multiple meals out of one dish too! I suggest going with a friend or by yourself when you’re craving an easy, healthy meal and don’t want the fuss. This counter-service spot boasts plenty of parking, generous portions, and you won’t feel like you splurged too much after eating.

BBQ REC
La Barbecue

Although La Barbecue was the first barbecue I ate when I moved back to Austin from NYC and have loved through the years, it was a food truck at that time so I had never visited the Cesar Chavez brick-and-mortar until recently. The barbecue counter comes from Chef Ali Clem and the late LeAnn Mueller, who hails from Texas BBQ royalty. My dad, a true BBQ aficionado, hates lines (it would taste bad to him if he has to wait for an hour — he is also 83). I mentioned this to Ali, and she so kindly let us skip the line for this visit. Walking in, I love the covered seating with green ivy that feels like a porch, and the staff is so nice. The food tastes and looks perfectly old school, but the branding and design gives off a more young and colorful vibe that I love. The neon butcher’s knife sign with the L + A is perfect for honoring LeAnn and Ali both. As for food, we ordered a whole spread of Brisket, Ribs, Sausage, Turkey, Potato Salad, Shells and Cheese, and Slaw. I proclaim the ribs to be the best thing here as they literally fall off the bone into your mouth. Eating here reminded me of how different brisket is at every place. There’s really wet and fatty brisket, which is more Franklin’s and Rollin’ Smoke style, and then you have the more standard brisket with bark that you might use a knife to cut as it’s less floppy. The bark at La Barbecue really stands out, but the meat is not as juicy, and I don’t mean that negatively! It reminds me more of Jewish brisket, and when it’s not as fatty, it doesn’t ruin your day like some brisket can. All their sides lean spicy, and I love that they use shells in their mac and cheese. Whenever I’m in the neighborhood, seeing all the people in line every single day brings me so much joy, a line that existed before Dua Lipa and Michelin star, might I add! I’m so proud of Ali for being a successful female pitmaster and Michelin restaurant owner, who consistently gives back to her community. Leave it to us, but before I arrived to meet my parents, my mom walked across the street to Rockman for a Chocolate Croissant and Basque Cake so we had our fair share of dessert after the BBQ. This street is really becoming a bustling food neighborhood!

COFFEE REC
Desnudo at Westside Market

A very expensive marketplace from the MML team, Westside Market houses brands curated by ByGeorge like VADA Sunglasses, Filth Mart for vintage clothing, and Mother of God Studio pottery. There’s even a cool art gallery by Martha’s in the back, but the shopping space itself looks like a wide open gallery with natural light streaming in from the large windows. Obviously, Desnudo is the most popular coffee in town, proven to me by how bustling this coffee shop was inside the market. With plenty of seating, bar stools, and tables, this Desnudo is a fun place to meet a friend for coffee or matcha or have a coworking session. I will warn you that I had to park pretty far down the block as the parking situation here is tricky.

EVENTS

1. May 8-10: Austin Psych Fest w/ The Flaming Lips, The Black Angels, Adrian Quesada DJ set and more. The Far Out Lounge. Full lineup and tickets here.

2. May 11: Good Grief Running’s Two Year Anniversary feat. free goodies and 2.5 or 4 mile routes. 7 a.m. at Noble Joe. More details here!

3. May 16: Feel Good Fest w/ live music by Nightcap, Cigarettes @ Sunset, and more. Benefiting SIMS Foundation. 6 to 11 p.m. Radio East. Tickets here.

4. May 17: Juvenile at The Far Out Lounge. Doors at 5 p.m. Tickets here!

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My first cookie memory is my mom baking chocolate chip cookies that she would always mix by hand, the reason I myself don’t have a mixer at home. I feel like it’s part of the nostalgia and at-home cooking life to just mix the dough with a big spoon! I would even eat a chocolate chip cookie the day after she baked them with my scrambled eggs at breakfast. Hey, some eat toast, but I ate a fresh cookie when available. I have just always LOVED them. In college, I remember eating five cookies one day when the really good ones were out at the Pi Phi house. No wonder I gained the “senior 15” instead of the “freshman 15.”

Another really special cookie memory is my first visit to Levain in New York City. If you care about cookies, you know this bakery. It was July 2008, and I read an article in “The New York Times” about chocolate chip cookies in which they mentioned the six-ounce Levain cookies on the Upper West Side. It was my last week interning before heading home to Austin, so I did what any normal cookie connoisseur would do. I booked it to the farthest destination of Manhattan I had been to, 74th and Amsterdam (I did not even have to look that up writing this), and waddled down through the small bakery doors. I marveled at the massive cookies baking behind the counter in this 200-square-feet shop and ordered two Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies. I definitely remember being annoyed that walnuts were included, but now they offer one without! Anywho, I ordered two and raced back to my dorm to get ready for dinner at Bar Pitti for our last night out. Well, I could barely eat at the restaurant because I ate both of the chocolate chip cookies beforehand…

Levain, which is not my favorite cookie in the whole world anymore because I’ve moved on preferring one that’s less gigantic, still is the cookie that sets the standard and was the BC for me (before cookie). I’ve now opened up a whole new world of baking myself, trying bakeries from around the world, sampling baked goods from other chef friends, etc. Up until last year, I proclaimed that New York City has the best chocolate chip cookies, but after my last visit, aside from Hani’s, I think Austin’s sea salt chocolate chip cookie game may now be the best in the world! Don’t tell the New Yorkers.

The bottom line is, I’ve tried more than 60 chocolate chip cookies in Austin and have narrowed it down to the 11 best below!

MY CRITERIA

• You don’t just taste chocolate, and you don’t just taste the flour base. Everything has to meld together for the perfect bite.

• I want some bites with melty chocolate and some with chocolate that’s more hardened, which is why it’s great to use different types of chocolate. I want dark and milk, chips and discs — all kinds of sizes and flavors! From my research, I have found that Valrhona is the consistent brand of chocolate that ends up being in my favorite cookies. It’s the most expensive, so some places use Cacao Barry.

• I desire softness or doughiness in the middle, paired with a little crisp around the edges to give it some texture, but let me say I “doughn’t” want it raw.

• They don’t all have to be brown butter because some end up compensating in other ways, but I do love brown butter.

• I find that the ones at my tippy top favorite all MUST have flaky sea salt on top as it really brings out the chocolate

• Side note: please don’t ask me my thoughts about Crumbl hehe

Without further ado and in no particular order, the best of the best…

Bake Box
The Half-Pound One (4 for $28, online order only)

It’s getting to the point where the at-home bakers are just as good as the “professional” brick-and-mortar offerings. These half-pound cookies are probably the gooeyest on this list… any more gooey and it would have been too much, but these also have crisp edges and are full of semi-sweet chocolate. Theresa drops four flavors weekly, so I tried Chocolate Chip, Confetti Sugar, Salted Peanut Butter, and Cookies and Cream. My favorite of the pack was the Peanut Butter with milk chocolate chips, PB chips, and a homemade filling because the smooth ribbon of peanut butter sneaks through to add a unique texture. You can order a box of four cookies for $28 during the week and pick them up on Saturdays. In case you are wondering, while they look large, I’d say they are much doughier than Levain and don’t have the big hunks that make it too crunchy. Order your box here!

Lyoness
The Fancy One ($5, online order only)

These cookies are plump, but not too outrageously big and enjoyable enough that you’d want this treat regularly. The baker, who was trained by a French chef when she lived in Canada, feels less like a home baker and more like a pastry chef because she is. Her ingredients are more upscale. I love the chocolate chips and the amount of sea salt she applied. When I ordered the cookies, I met up with Karla at Merit to hear her life story and how she got into baking. It was so much fun, and watching her grow into making cakes and other pastries has me excited for when she opens a brick-and-mortar. The cookie was super warm when I tried it because it was like 100 degrees outside, and I actually ended up liking it even more the next day after the chocolate had settled so now we know it can last a few days. P.S. While you’re here, try Karla’s Biscoff Cookie.

Swedish Hill and June’s All Day (same recipe from MML)
The Everyday One ($5)

Swedish Hill has some of the best chocolate chip cookies in town, but they are not always consistent at the end of the day. There’s nothing like splitting one with your lunch date after a yummy meal from their fresh menu. If you’re lucky and arrive at Swedish Hill when they come out of the oven, every bite is gooey with the perfect amount of chocolate and topped with sea salt. If you didn’t know, June’s serves the same cookie and since I can be a vibe eater, I actually like ordering it here more as they’ll offer to warm it up for you so it oozes out a bit, and then you can pair the cookie with your bubbly June’s Rosé at the end of the meal.

Boni's Bar Next Door
The Nightcap One ($4)

A chocolate chip cookie at a bar? You better believe it when it’s from the Lenoir team. This new South 1st neighborhood bar is baking up an incredible cookie with dark chocolate, white chocolate, and candied orange zest. Made with buckwheat, the cookie tastes a little heartier and nuttier in the best way, and the fact that I can get a cookie at a bar really makes the end of my night special. I also have to say that I am not an orange zesty kinda gal, but the cookie base and mixed chocolates are so good I don’t even care. End your evening with a cookie and their carajillo night cap.

Four Seasons
The Surprise One ($10)

Yes, this is the hotel lobby cookie. Giant and wide, but thin enough that you won’t get a stomach ache, this Four Seasons cookie really caught me by surprise. It’s not a hotel I frequent, and I’m not sure how I got here or ordered a cookie for the first time, but I did. With great flavor, a melty interior, and sea salt on top, this is a thinner cookie than my typical favorites, but it’s making me really lean toward the thin guys lately. What really wins me over is the chocolate-to-salt ratio. It also feels like these cookies hold mini chocolate chips because with each bite, you get the cookie base, chocolate, and salt. It breaks so easily like a little cracker, and it’s fun to have a different style cookie than the chunky ones. Thicker doesn’t always make it better I have learned! I also appreciate the softness, while still being thin and maintaining its crunchy edges.

The best story about my recent visit is my friend Jocelyn was in town and asked me to meet up with her before her event, and I said I would come there instead because I hadn’t had their cookies in SO long and wanted to double check myself. We each got our own, and then, this is the best part: my brother and sister-in-law arrived to Austin for dinner later that same night. After pizza at La Volta, they wanted to get a drink at a hotel bar, so we all went to the Four Seasons. At this point, I had been talking up my cookie from earlier in the day, so we got the cookie AGAIN, and Ryan ingeniously added a scoop of Amy’s Mexican Vanilla ice cream for the win! Do it.

Spread & Co.
The Unknown One ($5)

I came to Spread & Co. specifically for their cookie (thanks Margaret), and I’m happy to report that I devoured it. It reminds me a bit of All Day’s cookie (more on that later!), and I appreciate the crunchy edges, melty chocolate, and house vanilla bean salt sprinkles on top. It’s super dark in color, which signals brown butter. Sink your teeth in, and it’s soft and crunchy on the outside. Honestly, I think I need to do a blind taste test with All Day to see which is better because they look so similar.

Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop
The Sourdough One ($5)

I first tried Amanda Rockman’s Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie when she made it for my 5-year business anniversary, and I’m so glad that it’s now available for everyone to try at her bake shop. The different types of chocolate come through in every bite, and you get a unique flavor from Amanda’s sourdough starter that’s mixed into the dough. Her cookie is not doughy, but it’s soft, and the chocolate is melted so it hits that criteria. Pair it with a spritz for my ideal chocolate chip cookie happy hour in Rockman’s vibrant dining room!

Épicerie
The Gourmet One ($4)

This is a restaurant, not even a dedicated cookie bakery, and it does in fact have one of the best cookies in Austin. With a doughy rise right in the center that is higher than the rest of the cookie, this one is full of melted chips throughout each bite. It tastes more gourmet than a homemade cookie, and it’s a mix of a little fluffy to a little crumbly on the edges. Each pillowy bite is full of happiness and the only thing I could possibly alter would be to have the edges cooked one second longer. Other than that, I am sold on looks, taste, and performance! The way Sarah chops up the Valrhona chocolate makes the cookie look so unique and provides enough chocolate in each bite. Another tip is to try their Sprinkle/Funfetti-looking sugar cookie. It’s the same consistency, but without chocolate, and I would say it’s the best sprinkle cookie in Austin (maybe the only one worth it). This chocolate chip cookie was my original winner in Austin almost a decade ago, and it is still in my top 5!

ThoroughBread
The Melty One ($5)

I love this tiny local bakery tucked away in Zilker, and I’ll never forget my first bite of these cookies. I’ve tried all of them: the Peanut Butter & Jelly, Banana Nutella, Chocolate Chip with and without pecans, Strawberry and Chocolate Chip, and Trail Mix specials. The thickness of the cookie mixed with the melted chocolate inside is a combination I can only dream of when searching for the best cookie. These are definitely the thickest cookies at any brick-and-mortar in town. Every person I give these to loves them, and everyone has a different favorite. The Banana Nutella is fascinating, but of course, I’m a classic chocolate chip lover. These are pretty dense, but so good that you’ll fool yourself into thinking you can eat the whole thing in one sitting. As someone that does not prefer nuts in their cookies, the Pecan and Chocolate Chip converted me. Maybe it’s because the cookie is so big that it’s nice to have a little nut texture to break up each bite. Grab these for a friend’s birthday or after a swim at Barton Springs.

Kurty’s Cookies
The Farmers’ Market One ($5)

Twin brothers Eric and Kurt launched Kurty’s Cookies as a side hustle because they’re so passionate about their 4.5 oz. cookies that really are soft throughout with great flavor. When you heat them up for 14 seconds like Eric told me I should, you pump up that doughiness and perfectly melty chocolate on the inside. The cookies come in pizza boxes, and they are at the SFC Farmer’s Market downtown and in Sunset Valley every Saturday. They also just launched on DoorDash as they have quit their tech jobs and decided to go full time! The guys change their flavors often, and so far, I’ve had Red Velvet with cream cheese, Lemon Tart, Cookies and Cream, and Mexican Hot Chocolate to name a few, but they always have the chocolate chip and also a gluten-free chocolate chip, which I do like. They use Kirkland chocolate from Costco, and even though I say I’m a Valrhona snob, it works!

Allday Pizza
The Perfect Combo ($5)

Yes, this is a pizza spot, but the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie really steals the show for me. The cookie costs more than their Classic Cheese Slice, and respectfully so. Brown butter and flaky sea salt are my essential cookie ingredients, so this checks all the boxes! You can pick it up without it falling apart, yet it’s still soft and creamy inside. You can bite your teeth into it for a crunch, and again, it’s still soft, which is really hard to do! A match made in heaven when paired with their slices, or just go for the cookie and Caesar Salad…

What didn’t make the list…

I thought about ranking the cookies in order of my favorite, but because some are so similar, it’s too hard to decipher. Also, sometimes you are in the mood for a giant rock like ThoroughBread, and sometimes, you want a thinner cookie, like the Four Seasons. However, I know what did not make my list after trying over 60.

There are some that I truly enjoy and recommend, but aren’t quite at the top of my list or simply make more sense to be included as a cookie that is available at all times for you to grab on a whim, like Better Half or Tiny Boxwoods. I really do love Tiny Boxwoods’ cookie, but maybe since it’s not local, I didn’t want to put it on the top 11, or maybe it’s because I genuinely think it tastes homemade and these other cookies taste more bakery-worthy that I must run to get to. For the record, I would eat a Tiny Boxwood cookie ANY day and I did eat three in one sitting.

As for my personal no go’s? I wanted Cheri to be in my top 10. Thanks to the looks of it going in, my confidence was high, and then the flavor fell flat because it almost didn’t taste sweet? Sour Duck was so hard and too crunchy, Teddy V’s had a whole pocket of baking soda that fell out in several bites most recently, and Meteor’s cookie would be best for those that love it super crunchy!

Now, you tell me, what is the best cookie in town to you and why?

EVENTS

1. April 17: The Friday Kickback Live Music Series with Matt Tedder and Jordan Matthew Young at Carpenter Hotel. 6 to 8 p.m. on the patio. Reserve your table here.

2. April 24: Improvement Movement + The Point Concert at Central Machine Works. 8 p.m. Free to the public! RSVP here.

3. April 29: Visit Austin’s Give Back Gig Tasting Experience w/ collaborative tasting menu by Chefs Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Ali Clem, Rick Lopez, and more. VIP Reception from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and GA from 6:30 - 9 p.m. at SKYBOX. Give Back Gig supports the Visit Austin Foundation, Good Work Austin, and Urban Roots. Get tickets here!

4. May 2: Partnerships for Children’s A Derby Affair Gala. Cocktails, dinner, auctions to support children and families connected to foster care in Central Texas. VIP happy hour to watch the Derby at 5 p.m., and typical entry at 6:30 p.m. Support and buy your ticket here!

5. May 3: Texas Indie Oysterfest at Far Out Lounge. Oyster tickets are $25 for 12 naked oysters or 6 chef-dressed oysters. Get more details and buy tickets.

6. May 3: Free Bakery in North Loop. Free monthly baked goods pop up with Texas-themed treats. 10 to 11 a.m. at Bruning Green in the North Loop neighborhood. See an example of the pop-up here!

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If you want to relax at the all-inclusive spa…

Castle Hot Springs in Arizona

STAY: Whenever people ask what is my absolute favorite wellness hotel, my mind immediately thinks of this getaway right outside of Phoenix that has a 24-hour built-in natural hot spring and actually feels like an oasis of Jurassic Park, but full of yoga, flowers, sound baths, and healthy food instead of dinosaurs. Celebrating 130 years in business, the historic resort will be open for the summer months with special rates. The fact that you can hike in the backyard of your room or go jump in a healing mineral hot spring at any time is unreal. Might I add they had the BEST free in-room snacks, an outdoor shower, and views that created peace as soon as you arrived. This easy location made for the best weekend getaway for my friend Kim and I in June when it is a bit more affordable than, say, February. All the daily meals, snacks, and activities are included, and because the landscape and gardens are so gorgeous, you really do not need to leave the property at all, which is the only one on this list, besides Lake Austin Spa, that I feel that way about.

DO: Take advantage of all the activities! We participated in some sort of yoga, meditation or soundbath every day. Paddle board yoga in the water is not for the weak! My most memorable activity was actually archery. I hadn’t pulled back a bow and arrow since Camp Longhorn, and it must have been beginner’s luck because I eventually got a bullseye!! It was actually really hard to do several rounds of this, but I loved being back in a situation where I was a bit nervous and did not know what to do. The naturally heated bathing pools, which were built in 1900, are the star reason why I found this hotel and why I wanted to visit. With three options nestled into the trees and natural rocks, you can sit under the waterfalls or float around all day basking. The warmest pool is 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and the coolest is 86. It’s such a delight to see how they keep up the plants, flowers, trees all over the property, and you just feel so much warmth from all the color. They even have a green house and little farm over three acres you can peruse.

EAT: When I visited, the resort only had one restaurant so I’m sharing my intel from that, but it looks like they have a few new ones now! For breakfast and lunch, you can choose between several dishes such as: fruit, pastry and bread, a quinoa pancake, omelet of the day, breakfast sandwich, shakshuka, and then for lunch: shrimp cocktail, wood-fired pizzas, burger, turkey club, seared tuna bowl, and mushroom pasta. Dinner is a tasting menu with five courses but the only one you choose is your entree. One night, we had Miso Mushroom Soup, Mixed Green Salad, and entree was our choice of Beef Tenderloin, Salmon, Pork Chop, or Hearth Roasted Vegetables. On your way back to the airport, visit my favorite soft serve vegan spot in Phoenix that has the best mix-ins, Nami Vegan Sweets.

Lake Austin Spa and Miraval Spa

STAY: At Lake Austin Spa, I LOVE the cottage-like feel under the canopies surrounded by lots of lush brush, plants, and shade. Voted Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 Destination Spa last year, Lake Austin also appears on all the “Best” lists for USA Today, Travel + Leisure, Newsweek, and more so how lucky are we to have it in our backyard! I prefer spending the night at Lake Austin because I enjoy the lake access to all the work out classes and water deck activities in their beautiful green cove, such as paddle boarding, aqua jogging bike, and boats, but there is the option for the day pass if an overnight stay is too pricey. I feel similarly about Miraval, which truly transports you out of the hustle and bustle so just staying for a day instead of overnight can be a big jolt. Miraval feels more like condos with a lot of concrete, but the activities and learning sessions here really shine so keep reading to learn more…

The rest of the itineraries are for paid subscribers. This is our longest Substack yet, including specific details you can't find anywhere else and the most important tips for planning your summer vacations. You’ll read more about how to hike from Crested Butte to Aspen, the all-inclusive wellness resort Civana, plus Sedona, Big Sur, and Bali itineraries, healthy ideas for Austin. and more.

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We just booked our flights to Madrid, Begur, and Barcelona this summer, and I haven’t been back since I was a young 20-year-old sorority girl studying abroad so please send recs! Stay tuned later this month for my fully ranked chocolate chip cookie list in Austin— after trying more than 50, I only have one left on my list before I release the Top 10! Be sure to check out the events section at the bottom as the Austin Blues Festival is back, and April is just as full as October!

NEW SUSHI REC
Kitsu Nori

Paul Qui’s newest venture, Kitsu Nori, opened on South Lamar in December not long after his previous hand roll spot, Top Roe, closed. Even though I was sad to see Top Roe go, I’m pleased to report that I prefer this new concept to the old! At Kitsu Nori, walk through a gigantic back garden upon arrival into a midnight blue dining room with a square bar, which I recommend dining at so you can watch the chefs assemble the mostly raw fish dishes. The space doesn’t feel like anything I’m used to in Austin because of its size — I find that most sushi spots in town are either a 10-seat omakase centered around the chefs or a really expansive space like Uchi, but this was somewhere right in the middle. I typically much prefer nigiri or Uroko’s temaki to hand rolls, but these hand rolls enticed me with a “build-your-own” process that led to such a fresh bite on crisp paper. The food arrives on a wooden plate, then you pick up a nori sheet, flip the fish and rice onto the nori, dress it yourself with a soy sauce “eyedropper,” wrap it, and eat right away. Of course, I went for the Toro, and the ideal proportions really made the fish sing. At Top Roe, I couldn’t really taste the fish itself as it was wrapped so tightly, making me think I’m just not into hand rolls, but at Kitsu Nori, the fish is much bigger, and it’s not fully wrapped so the fish and rice hit your tongue directly. As for starters, the greens in the Midori Salad tasted so fresh, and the Toro Cashew with sultana raisin, shiro dashi, negi, and olive oil melted in my mouth. Next to the hand rolls, the must-order dish is the deconstructed Salmon Butter Tostada with medium rare Ora King salmon topped with chili crisp, and layers next to each other of smoked trout roe, pickled onion, egg, and a white cream sauce. The fish is served with a sumac-seasoned tostada chip, that, again, you get to dress yourself so the chip stays fresh from start to finish. I loved this space, and the hand roll lived up to my desires since I love raw fish so much! We walked right in on a Tuesday, and I have not seen any press, so I’d call this a great place to pop in on a weeknight, grab a couple hand rolls, and go on your merry way solo or with a crew.

REVISIT REC
Hestia

I had been wanting to check out Hestia’s $10 Tuesday martini happy hour from 5:30 to 7:30 — such a persuasive idea for an expensive restaurant like this — so I brought my friend, Angela, who was in town from NYC. Every time I visit her, she ends up taking me to my new favorite restaurant in New York, and I actually hadn’t been back here since 2019 so thought it was time to bring it back around! In my opinion, the Emmer & Rye group restaurants boast the best bread program in town, namely with the roti at Canje and sourdough bread cart at Emmer & Rye. Hestia falls in line with its Sourdough Boule, almost like a really soft baguette with delicious butter. I’ve also been trying to make something similar to the Green Beans with XO sauce after crunching on their big plate here. The star of the show, however, is the best scallop I’ve ever had. That’s right! I came into this night remembering this fact from 2019, and thankfully, it lived up to my own hype and proved why I’ve still included it on my Best Dishes blog. Sliced in three slivers and topped with beef tallow, apple kosho, and mushroom gelée, this is 100% the best scallop you’ll ever taste, plated delicately on an open shell. I would go here exclusively to order these scallops. I never really talk about Hestia, but everything was a winner, which is reason enough to say it’s one of the best restaurants in town! If you love martinis, go for that $10 Tuesday deal only available at their bar, but I don’t really care about martinis or their bar atmosphere for that matter, so I would rather sit in the dining room next time to see the live fire and feel the true purpose of the restaurant.

NEW LOCATION REC
De Nada Cantina

Calling all De Nada fans! The Tex Mex spot took over the old El Mercado space on South 1st, and it seems like De Nada has been here from the start by just moving right into the old-school, wooden decor left behind. This place is HUGE and overall a great #2 location for them. When you drive by at night, you see the herd of human animals hanging out in the parking lot with their pink cups waiting for a table, so maybe they don’t know that you can make a reservation here! We had a 7 p.m. table and sat in the big outdoor area, where we ate my favorite Mexico City Quesadillas. I tried the Poblano Chicken and Cheese, although I actually prefer the Fried Carnitas Quesadilla — something I can’t believe I’m saying because it is pork and “I don’t eat pork,” but the creamy black beans and crunchy blue corn tortilla seal the deal. As for drinks, what De Nada really is known for, the Mezcal Rocks Margs on draft were refreshing and not too sweet, and I slurped one down in about five minutes — making me almost embarrassed, but not too afraid to ask for another. Great ice! A nice place in the evening with sunset lighting, I really did like the look of the inside dining area with a much bigger bar that is churning out drinks nonstop. The crowd is definitely young! I probably will never go back to the east location because I love that you can see everything happening in this one, and I want to support all the local businesses adding to their portfolios on South 1st. We even walked down to Boni’s for a cookie and espresso martini nightcap after this. How great that we can do that on South 1st now!

BAKERY REC
Nougatine Bakery

I am really thrilled to see how many new croissants are now available in Austin as it seemed like we only had two options just a few years ago. This adds to my theory that everything grows in popularity in NYC, Paris, or London first, then becomes popular in Austin five years later — ha! As the newest addition to the Austin croissant arena, Nougatine Bakery hails from the husband-and-wife duo of French-trained pastry chef, Aurélien, and Tala, a Texas native. They met in a D.C. pastry shop before moving here to open their own patisserie. Austin doesn’t have as many people with different cultural backgrounds who can create authentic specialities from their childhoods or homeland like this so I’m always happy to try a new one! They sell their pastries at the Barton Creek Farmers’ Market, and I encountered a whole sampling of Croissants (chocolate, butter, ham & cheese) and Cinnamon Buns. With gorgeous lamination and huge sizes overall, these croissants are super buttery and last a few days at home, which is definitely longer than most other bakeries. They also sell quiches, brioche, and other French specialties. My favorite item was the Pain Suisse, which I think is better than the one I had in Paris last summer, and filled with pastry cream. While I do ultimately prefer the Chocolate Croissant at Rockman, I love supporting small businesses starting out and am excited to see them move inside Austin Winery starting today! I’m also excited to try the new Matok Bakery on South Lamar near me. Maybe I need to create a croissant list like my best cookie list soon?!

NEW BBQ REC
Churchrow BBQ

I loved Valentina’s so I hated when something bad happened with ownership and they closed a couple years ago. Now, the owner of Valentina’s has teamed up with the founder of Taco Flats, whose breakfast tacos I love, to open a similar concept on Anderson Lane called Churchrow Tejas BBQ. I always wonder who’s eating barbecue every day to keep so many of these places alive because, frankly, I can only eat it once or twice a year. However, this place enlightened me and confirmed my guesses as I saw a dining room full of all old Texas men like my dad out to lunch with their cronies on a Friday. On the weekends, you’ll see more families, and with this patio weather we’re having, the outdoor space would be ideal for kids and groups. You could order something different every time from the expansive menu, and it’s a lot lighter than other traditional BBQ spots because of the individual tacos. I went with the Tejanita taco with smoked and grilled chicken thighs, roasted poblano and red onion, pico, guacamole, and tomatillo salsa because I always loved the chicken at Valentina’s. I similarly love it here because of how thick and flavorful it is vs. the boring, sometimes stringy chicken at other taco spots. If I wrote out a list of my favorite mac and cheese in town, Churchrow’s would now be at the top with its potato roll breadcrumbs. Order meat by the pound like any BBQ place, or sample all the meats with the Holy Roller, a taste of the brisket, sausage link, pork rib, and pulled pork. Being there brought me back to the Texas culture I grew up with in Houston, and I hate to say this is an adventure destination, but it did take me 20 minutes to drive up there. While I don’t foresee this being on Texas Monthly’s best BBQ list, I think it should be on your list because it won’t knock you out with heaviness like a lot of these meat-y places do!

PR + MARKETING
Tiny Grocer Café Launch + Clients on Chef's PSA

After opening the original Tiny Grocer on South Congress five years ago and Tiny Grocer’s second location with Bureau de Poste a couple years after, we are now launching Steph’s vision to bring an all-day café to the Hyde Park neighborhood with Tiny Grocer Café. Now, you can order BdP French-inspired favorites, breakfast and brunch dishes, AND Tiny Grocer Deli classics and sandwiches at the same time in an all-day format. Stay tuned for the brand new Tiny Grocer coming to East Austin on MLK later this year, which will feature a full in-house butcher shop, BBQ menu, and bread program. I can’t wait!

As the media landscape continues to evolve, podcasts have become one of the best outlets to show off our clients, their personalities, and all the hard work they put into their food and businesses that you can’t see. We worked with André at Chef’s PSA to highlight our clients, Chef Laila Bazahm from Siti and El Raval, and Chef Jam Sanitchat, from Thai Fresh and Gati, in their individual episodes that you should listen to! Laila dove into her background in finance (yes, JP Morgan!), the real process of opening your own restaurants, and what it’s like to bring her memories and culture to Austin. Jam and André discussed her decision to remove tipping at her restaurants, how she crowdfunded her cookbook, and the five flavor elements of Thai food. Both of these episodes showcase why I love working with these chefs so I hope you listen, and thank you to André for highlighting Laila and Jam’s incredible work!

EVENTS

1. April 9: Country Cruising: An Old School Country Dance at Mother’s Ruin. Bolo ties, western wear and cocktails. 8 p.m. Free! More info here.

2. April 11: Body Language dance event at Bar Fino with DJ sets by Night Cap, Joshy Soul, Hoodatboy, and Ren Blank. 3 - 10 p.m. Free with RSVP!

3. April 11: Little House Market at Hotel San José. Community market with vintage clothing, home decor, jewelry, etc. Live jazz by Social Call and matcha by Mori Matcha. 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. More details here!

4. April 11 + 12: Manhattan Vintage Show at Fair Market. Buy tickets here!

5. April 12: Gin Fest: Oyster and Martini Festival at Murray’s Tavern. Tastings of 20+ gins, classic martinis, and oysters. 2 - 6 pm. Get tickets.

6. April 15: GATHER with Yoga With Adriene yoga class at Waterloo Greenway. Open to all levels. Free admission. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. More info here.

7. April 25-26: Austin Blues Festival at Moody Amphitheater. Jimmie Vaughan, Chaparelle, Eric Johnson and more. Get tickets here!

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It’s always fun to receive a surprise text from friends that I grew up with, an old college pal from UT, or someone I met while living in NYC telling me they’ve perused my website for ideas, but need some last-minute guidance for their trip to Austin. (It was really fun doing this with Mickey Ashmore the other week, the founder of Sabah shoes.) I think most people assume I have a go-to list of places I send people automatically, but I DO NOT! I curate a custom response to each person by asking what they like to eat or what type of mood they are looking for — unless I know them really well, in which case I rattle off what I intuitively think they’d desire. Yes, I know it could be easy for me to just respond with this blog post, but I truly want to make their food dreams come true.

That being said, I’m going to break down how I decided on my favorite restaurants in Austin for my in-depth Top 46 list I recently updated this year so you can choose your next reservation. It’s very different than a James Beard or Michelin ranking as I create my list based on how a restaurant makes me feel vs. who is “cool” or the how the chef is serving the community – obviously, this is important, but I don’t feel it should put one restaurant higher than another based on what my audience is asking me for. I personally patronize places that I feel support the community, and I list notes about this when it applies, but I will not recommend one bakery over another solely because of a kind act they did if I think another shop tastes and/or feels better inside. I will leave that task up to the national awards, and I will provide my customers with what will create a memorable lunch, anniversary dinner, or dessert extravaganza.

If you ask me, the best restaurants are not just about the best dish you’ve ever eaten as eating is an emotional experience. For example, some people proclaim that Birdie’s is their favorite restaurant, while others say they won’t go back because of the line. The line has nothing to do with how the handmade pasta or creamy gelato hit their lips, but it clearly triggered something in them to throw off their night, yet another person (probably a New Yorker who is more accustomed to waiting in line) finds it to be the most charming spot on the eastside. Regardless of my opinion about the line or that it’s pre-fixe only now, it’s the diner’s fault if they are not educated on how it works or if they are not okay with those arrangements. The information is clear on their website so complaining about that is your own fault as no one is forcing you to eat there in a city full of amazing restaurants. You can complain about hospitality or food at a restaurant, but you can’t complain about how they choose to serve a customer or if a restaurant has tip included as you should be aware of that in advance or can always talk to an employee if you don’t think tipping should apply to you.

Another example — I went on a first date at Bar Peached when they opened years ago. The guy asked me when I was hoping to get married before I even learned where he grew up, and I haven’t been back to that restaurant because of that uncomfortable date experience. Pasquale Jones served my favorite clam pizza during the last meal I had in NYC before moving back to Texas. It was so memorable that I still have the restaurant’s matchbooks displayed almost 10 years later and took photos with my mom and friends that night that I still have not deleted on my phone, but when I came back to visit a year later, the dough was anything but crispy, and I truthfully hated it. You know why? Because my emotions were flooded on the night before I said goodbye to the city that never sleeps. At that time,I was ecstatic about starting my new job as the Communications Director at MML in Austin, headed to a Broadway show that very night, and had been gallivanting around the city all week making my last memories as a New York City gal. Coming back a year later and expecting to feel that higher-than-high emotion doomed that pizza for me before I even walked in the door. You just simply cannot replicate something — I promise you it’s not only about the food!

Consistency. Don’t get me wrong, the food at Bartlett’s is dreamy. I love the simple Ahi Tuna Salad, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, and Smoked Salmon, but the reason it’s every restauranteur’s favorite restaurant is its consistency and familiarity of ingredients, plus the always smooth service. At Clark’s, Perla’s, and Jeffrey’s, your dad doesn’t have to ask what Shishito Relish or Koji Salsa Verde is like they could be intimidated by at Emmer & Rye. Most people feel safe ordering the Red Fish on the Half Shell and a Burger knowing what they are getting themselves into! I, on the other hand, love an adventure and visiting restaurants like El Raval, where I have to ask what Punjabi Makhani Sauce is made out of, or at Lenoir, where I ask what Creamer Pea Conserva is. Truthfully, it makes my heart skip a beat with excitement and discovery to know that I’m in for a treat with no idea what’s coming my way! I want to be challenged and learn when I dine out, but I also want to enjoy the fresh herby green salad with vegetables that were grown nearby and cooked simply.That’s why I can’t answer the question, ”What is your favorite restaurant?” with only one answer. Am I talking about an evening where I’m in for a whirl around the dining room through the menu in my favorite dress, or are you wanting my favorite go-to curry and stir fry that I’d simply enjoy eating alone each week in the corner at Thai Fresh? This is why my list of Best Restaurants in Austin includes 46 places. I need to provide restaurants for those looking for a magical experience that will make their conversation taste better just by the fun playlist, or for a casual yet hip evening at the moody corner table that La Volta allows.

So, yes, I take into consideration how the music, design, and staff make my eyes sparkle or my head turn at something I’ve never experienced just as much as the food. This is why I don’t regularly eat at food trucks for dinner because the experience is shorter and not as novel, unless you go to Barton Springs or walk the trail and head to Blue Apsara after for some Jungle Curry and Bahn Mi. That’s usually not what people are asking me for when they are flying in town for the weekend or when locals are looking for their big night out to create a memorable evening and extend the night into a cocktail or two. People typically turn to me when they want to be wowed or try something “worth it,” not when they want an easy night out with the family in the neighborhood. Therefore, I’ve divided my list by cuisine so when you are perusing or studying (ha!), you can decide how to use it based on what your body might be craving. The restaurants are intended to be for dinner and an exciting night out where you’ll feel taken care of visually and tastefully. I do have a few casual spots on the list for the nights and days you just want to trust you’ll have a dynamite weekday meal plus those that I just always patronize and can’t stop talking about.

Let’s dive into my article about Where to Eat in Austin, Texas Now, so I can walk you through my process. The blog starts with my thoughts on Asian restaurants because that is my favorite cuisine and what I crave even for breakfast — if only we had a Japanese breakfast spot in Austin. OK, back to the list. Keep reading to see how my brain works and what lights me up when narrowing down my lists.

• Qi: I love this space and crave the soup dumplings regularly. It’s casual enough to go in a hoodie on a Sunday afternoon or to walk in on a weekend and grab two spots at the bar in your weekend get-up. A much easier seat than Lin down the road, I like the upleveled design more at Qi with almost the exact same food.

• Uchiba: While Komé serves my favorite sushi, Uchiba offers a sexy dining space in the middle of downtown that you’d want for a special night out. You can still enjoy the dressed raw fish plates and other dishes besides sushi, and it makes for an impressive work dinner, date, or girl’s dinner when you want to treat yourself. The service!

• Thai Fresh: I eat here minimum once a week. I think I actually hit up the bakery and ice cream side 60% of the time and the red curry and Thai Omelette breakfast tacos the other 40%. It’s casual for the nights you want to chill and also ideal for solo dining or co-working. I do recommend this for lunch to visitors who want a taste of Austin and are into farm-to-table ingredients.

• Siti: I like to recommend this to the adventurous eater who loves to travel and wants to experience flavors from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines that you can’t get anywhere else in town, with a tiny similarity to Oko below. Siti shows Austin another part of the world, and I think about the Laksa and Cabbage regularly. If a restaurant has dishes that I close my eyes and dream about, it earns a spot on this list.

• Oseyo: Similarly, if a restaurant offers a beautiful dining room with a story about the owner’s culture that Austin doesn’t see a lot of, then it’s in my recommendations. I like the lighting and music at Oseyo, creating a fun and sparkly atmosphere for the delicious Korean food.

• Oko: This is a great option for east Austin, and I like the tighter dining room feel. Check out Oko for a great date night or pre-game dinner if you’re going out in this area.

• Kappo Kappo: The only tasting menu and omakase I’ve had in town that has a mix of raw fish and incredible wagyu from both Japan and Texas. This is here for those that want to ball out or are just dining out geeks who want the best experiences.

• Komé - My favorite nigiri and the only place I’ll order a roll, this is on here for Austin locals or regulars who are craving the best fish quality in a casual space. Honestly, it’s the only option.

• Kiin Di - Another casual Thai spot that you can wear work out clothes to, I wouldn’t recommend this to someone who only has a few days in town, but I would recommend it to someone who lives here and wants flavor bombs in your mouth from a different selection from most other Thai spots in town.

So. there you have it. That is how I break down ideas for where to dine based on atmosphere, food alone, style of the space, etc. It’s how I think to recommend a place to a reader or friend based on knowing their desire of dress, type of evening, and food. Food can be last priority sometimes, but that doesn’t mean it’s the least important part. It’s like setting up a scene in a movie — you need the actors, location, lighting, and then the music, or food in this case, to bring it all together.

Now you tell me, what is YOUR favorite restaurant, and how did you make your decision? Leave me a comment below, and let me know what you think.

EVENTS

1. March 25: Yamas Mamma Mia Night. Free mini cocktail, plate breaking, and flower crowns. Make a reservation here!

2. March 26: Rosewood Wine Walk. Shop at Pecos Jane, Kindred Spirits, Charm School Vintage, and more w/ wine at each stop on East 11th. 6 - 8 p.m. More info here.

3. March 26: TRIBEZA & The Trail Conservancy’s Art Walk on the Trail. Guided 1.5-mile “walk-and-talk” featuring the artists behind TEMPO on the Trail exhibition. Event starts at Seaholm Intake Facility and concludes at Mañana Coffee for discounted bites and beverages. 6 p.m. RSVP here!

4. March 27: Izakaya by Ramen del Barrio at Lolo. Spicy Tuna Toast, Al Pastor Yaki Taco, and Scallop Crudo from Chef Chris, plus wine and beer. 6 p.m. until sold out.

5. March 29: Fishwife Handroll Party w/ brand-new Soy Ginger Tuna. Whole Foods Flagship on North Lamar. 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

6. March 29: Ezov Meze Mash Up with Nixta Taqueria. One day only brunch collab. Make a res here!

7. April 1: Tribeza’s Birthday Bash with Tiffany. Antone’s Nightclub. 8 p.m. Tickets here!

8. April 2: Joshy Soul at Hotel San José. Little Moon Oyster Ranch Pop-Up, plus $8 Negronis, $6 Ranch Waters, $5 off cheeseboards. 7 - 9 p.m.

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FOR A CASUAL DATE NIGHT

• The Greek Bar: The Greek Bar is a casual, “come any day of the week with any type of person” spot with healthy, vegetarian, or meat-heavy options. To be honest, I kind of forget about it sometimes because it’s TOO easy. They make their own pita, and it looks like it might be whole wheat, while still being soft and the perfect vehicle for drenching in that Whipped Feta. Honestly, the feta in this dip and in the Horiatiki Salata bursts with flavor and makes me like cold cheese more than I ever have — I usually prefer hot and melted cheese as a Texan). The salad with tomato, cucumber, red onions, and green pepper is one I would pick up to-go because I have craved it so much. I’m not one to randomly order Fried Chicken, but their Greek Style one is feta-brined, light, and topped with Greek honey, so yes! P.S. Do NOT park in Curra’s parking lot as I’ve seen the tow truck ruining lives here.

• Dovetail: This pizza spot on South First has crispy pizza, big craveable salads, entrees like Chicken Parm and Mushroom Rigatoni, Negronis on draft, and a decadent chocolate torte to end the night. It’s super chill for an easy date night, and is mostly for walk-ins. It fits right in with the neighborhood, so don’t forget about it! If you’re looking for a place last minute to grab pizza, great cocktails, or for a group, and even kids, this is it.

• Kiin Di: There are a ton of Thai restaurants around here, but this newcomer offers dishes from the Northern part of Thailand that I don’t see regularly. Walk right in and go for the Shrimp Blossom Salad appetizer covered in herbs and bold flavors like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, mint, fried shallots, and a spicy homemade chili jam dressing, and the Dang! Curry, essentially a red curry served with potatoes, roasted onions, jalapeños, and basil. I also recommend the Pork Ribs Kati with grilled pork that fell off the bone and were paired with a spicy smokey green chili dip.The space kind of feels like an office building with nothing on the walls and a giant room so there is zilch vibe, but you come here for the food, not the ambience.

• Epicerie: Not only does this French bistro and grocery have incredible cookies and laminated pastries, but they also offer an ever-changing menu of French favorites and seasonal dishes. Owner Sara McIntosh brings French-Louisiana inspiration to dishes like their rotating pastas, Burgers and Frites, Chicken Caesar Schnitzel, and Beef Tartare. I love the casual-yet-cute cafe atmosphere, and although they recently added reservations, you can still get a walk-in table at night no problem. Don’t leave without ordering a Chocolate Chip Cookie or the Funfetti one!

Read more

SXSW might just be 7 “official” days this year, but our local Austin music community still knows how to pack it all in! I’m excited for the annual free music and local vendor shopping at Hotel San José (March 12-14), which I always pop into since it’s no badge required, and C-Boys Soco Stomp with bands playing all day and night inside and outside (March 18-22) so I’m so glad they don’t overlap for the first time! I’ll always venture to a Bad Larry Burger pop-up at LoLo and a free Shakey Graves show at Sagebrush. The Point was one of my favorite bands I discovered last year, and they’re playing for free next Sunday as well. Justine’s is joining the game with a crawfish night market, Foster the People and Calvin Harris are performing with tickets you can actually buy for those who hate to wait in line, and there are some other fun wellness panels and food pop-ups I’ve put together in my third annual spreadsheet to save you the headache of making your own itinerary.

I’ll have to share the project I’ve been working on with Paramount+ on my Instagram later this week as they aren’t announcing until tomorrow, and I hope you visit Boni’s Bar Next Door, our newest client opening from the Lenoir team, if you’re looking for something chill this weekend.

I also just got back from 48 hours in Chicago and somehow managed to get into the famous Kasama, the Filipino bakery and brunch spot that turns into a two star Michelin dinner at night. More on Chicago soon!

~ AR

FOOD TRUCK REC
Blue Apsara Kitchen

My most memorable meal last month (see full list HERE!) came from a little ‘ol food truck right by the new Desnudo on South Lamar that you’ve driven by hundreds of times. The Cambodian cuisine straddles dishes you’d be familiar with, such as Vietnamese-like rice paper rolls and bahn mi, plus Thai curry. The Jungle Curry is what I keep dreaming about as it seems lighter in coconut milk texture than most curries, and still very flavorful. A vegetarian dish, it’s simmered with coconut curry, lemongrass, vegetables, basil, and kaffir lime leaves, then served with rice. I can’t stop thinking about it, and unfortunately, it’s always Monday when I want it and they are closed Mondays and Tuesdays. I love pickled veggies so definitely recommend a side order of these for $3. As a rice paper roll lover, for some reason, the shrimp ones here didn’t do it for me. Pho Please are my go-to and maybe just a bit softer or it could be that the curry and soft Bahn Mi blew me away so much so that the basic rolls seemed like they deserved a time out. Choose between pork or chicken for the sandwich! Other options here are Beef Sticks, Egg Rolls, Fish Amok, Cambodian Chicken Curry, Chicken Wings.

SXSW RECS
My Annual Free Guide to SXSW

Here we go again — it’s SXSW season! No matter how you feel about the 40-year-old conference, whether you fully embrace it or want to avoid the crowds, I am here to share the most fun events you can go to in Austin. If you’re searching for free and easy-to-get-into live music, fun food and wine pop-ups, entrepreneurial chats, a new inspiring event at Present Practice, or other cool things to knock out depending on if you have 7 days available or just a couple hours to escape from the kids/work! Drum roll please…. here is my free annual SXSW Spreadsheet I created for those without a badge (like me!) so feel free to share with locals and anyone coming to town, and let me know what you think! For my top restaurant recs, read HERE, and click through THIS!

PR + MARKETING
Boni’s Bar Next Door

Boni’s Bar Next Door, your new favorite bar and our new client, just opened next to Lenoir on South 1st, and I can’t wait for y’all to try it! Husband-and-wife duo, Todd and Jess, have been serving our community with incredible farm-to-table food and a natural wine-only wine garden at Lenoir for 14 years, and have now opened Boni’s as South 1st’s first cocktail bar, with Spanish-inspired drinks, stand-out bar food, and the best Old Austin ambience we’ve been shouting for! While we all bemoan out-of-towners and corporate ventures snatching up classic buildings and properties with concepts I’m not interested in at all, it’s so important to support families like Todd and Jess, who have put so much care and intention into this little village now and preserved the nearly 100-year-old bungalow that Boni’s occupies. Plus, you won’t find better food or drinks at such a cozy, easygoing neighborhood bar! As someone that will never order bar wings, I’m grateful to have the healthy and homemade Pickle Bowl, Preserved Gulf White Fish, Shrimp and Garlic Butter with glass bread, and you’ll never believe this — A CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE that will def be added to my Best CCC round-up when I have time to update it! Thanks to everyone who has shared our news, including the Austin American Statesman, Austin Monthly, CultureMap, Austin Tidbits, and more!

NEW BAKERY REC
Salty Blonde Bakery

After getting a few recs from y’all to try the Hyde Park food truck, Salty Blonde Bakery, I rolled up after a Tiny Grocer client meeting specifically to taste the Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie, of course. The generous owner felt like an older sister with her friendliness and charm as she chatted with us about her location right next to Quack’s and sold us her last cookie, which was so fresh and soft that I could barely pick it up. It’s also only $3.50, which feels like a deal these days! While I did like the cookie and its gooeyness, I was most impressed by the soft and pillowy dough in her cinnamon rolls. The novelty of the Oreo Cinnamon Roll really caught my eye, and while the chocolate-y decadence was fun and a combo that really teased my brain, I’m excited to go back to try the traditional Cinnamon Roll after loving that dough and icing so much. Open everyday but Monday and Tuesday, the flavors rotate weekly so you can try a Blueberry Compote Roll, Strawberry Pop-Tart Cookie, or Cinnamon Sugar Monkey Bread, depending on the week. This is a true one-woman show, and she makes everything from scratch so go support her and tell her I sent you! You can also place special pre-orders 48 hours in advance for a party or event.

REVISIT REC
Casper Fermentables

While Casper Fermentables is not new, you might originally know them from the farmer’s market before they opened this deli off the freeway down south. I’ve been drinking their Turmeric Kombucha exclusively for years, because of the freshness and low sugar compared to other brands. This is a Jewrean style deli aka Jewish x Korean as kimchi, fermented foods, and kombucha meet bagels, freshly baked breads, and seasonal Jewish treats like rugelach, and sourdough challah (on Friday and Saturday only.) Owners Ben, who is Korean, and Phoebe, who is Jewish, expanded into this brick-and-mortar in 2022, and the most exciting part of this small space is the open kitchen and bakery, where you can see the bakers actually baking their bread. People in Austin always seem to complain about not having good sandwiches or already know that Homeslice has the best subs. Well, let me tell you, if you want a homemade focaccia sandwich that comes out so soft on the inside, but with just the right amount of crunch on the outside, then you’ll love CF. This was my second visit, and I ordered WAY better this time with the Spicy Turkey with oven roasted turkey, szechuan chili oil, tomato, red onion, green, mayo, and dijon on Focaccia. Now, I’m not the biggest fan of a bunch of condiments on my sandwich. I’d typically rather have double the turkey and forget all that messy mayo, but the more things you change from a chef’s planned menu item, the higher chance you’ll feel it’s missing something. I made that mistake the first time by ordering this without the mayo, so this time, especially after falling in love with the dill mayo turkey sandy at Elbow Bread in NYC, I went for it, and I LOVED it. This is definitely on my list of favorite turkey sandwiches here, which is what I’ll always order for my sandwich. We loved the Bagel and Lox, with super fresh salmon and a bagel that was soft enough to bite into without everything on top falling apart, complete with their incredible cream cheese. The Miso Chocolate Chip Cookie reminded me of the after-sandwich school lunch dessert, but I prefer my chocolate chips more melty and bigger than this one. Next time, I want to try the giant brownie.

BRUNCH REC
Ezov

I noticed this Israeli restaurant started serving brunch back in September, but I only just made it back to try one recent Sunday. My mouth waters every time I look at their menu, which I noticed had changed a few times before I went. The biggest surprise was how delicious the Falafel Scotch Egg with tahini, amba, green schug. It’s basically a 6-minute hard boiled egg with the gooey, bright yellow yolk center, encrusted on the outside with crunchy falafel ingredients, and then the schug seals the deal. At $5 a pop, grab one of these, plus the Lebanese 7-Spice Pistachio Bun for $8, and you’ve got a solid breakfast. However, I could never stop there obviously. I wanted to be obsessed with the Khachapuri Bread Boat, which is a traditional Georgian bread filled with melty cheese and an egg yolk, but everything else we tried offered much more attractive and unique flavors that the bread boat just felt like a good thing to start with if you want a hunk of bread. Instead, stick to the Loaded Latke for something splurgy — a giant crispy latke hidden underneath fried eggs, akkawi cheese, beef bacon, and chives. You’ve never had anything like this. It’s almost like a riff of a baked potato, but a giant crunchy latke that adds some childlike discovery. Overall, the traditional Shakshuka served my purpose of what I’m always looking for in brunch, aside from a table pancake or biscuit, as it’s a great egg dish with herbs, stewed tomato, and toasted frena. Definitely plan a Sunday brunch here, and let me know how the Pan-Fried Halloumi is!

EVENTS

1. Check out my SXSW spreadsheet for my event recs from March 11-March 22 weekend!

2. March 26-27: Book a night at The Orange Magnolia for the Stampworthy Goods curated shopping trip. Stay at my great aunt’s old house in Lockhart where my great grandparents settled, and enjoy a full day exploring Round Top. Round trip transportation, wine tasting, meals, and delivery of your purchases included for $485. Allison of Stampworthy Goods sells amazing vintage finds and planed this trip to bring you along for the experience. Book here, and use code CHEKREC for 10% off!

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As you all know by now, I love planning parties, whether it’s just an excuse to get people together to hang, a way to introduce all your buddies, a reason to throw a cookie exchange, or my favorite themed party from the last few years – a tinned fish party! Of course, there’s also the normal birthdays, work client events, and even bachelorette parties. It’s important for us to have something to look forward to that isn’t a birthday or engagement and to celebrate each other for other types of success. Parties bring people together for joy, and you always leave (at least at mine) with a new friend or connection that serves you better.

With event season around the corner and SXSW fast approaching, here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned to make sure everyone leaves my parties remembering how much fun they had, who they met, and having established a meaningful connection vs. just a party that they had to attend because they are my friend or I had some sort of defining moment to celebrate. I also have some extra special brands and products I’ve used to level up my events you will like.

~ AR

1. Pick a theme or overall concept for the event.

While I do love a birthday or holiday party, I also like to choose themes and occasions as an excuse to bring people together just for fun, like a Tinned Fish theme and Astrology Party I co-hosted with my friend Cosmic Clem, who you can hire for yours as well. At the Tinned Fish Party I hosted with Abbey, besides having tins of fish from my Portugal trip and Fish Wife, I bought fish-shaped cookie cutters and made sprinkle cookies, Abbey smoked a whole salmon, and we wore custom stitched monogrammed fish shirts and whatever fish jewelry we had (we had a lot). This made it fun and took things a step further! At the Astrology party, we had guests provide their birthdays so we could make their chart as their place setting. I also made handwritten name plate cards with notes to each guest, as well as a fun question for them to answer to get people to know each other better. We had disco balls and a fancy table cloth my friend Alex put together to put my rainbow dining room into a more moody astrological vibe.

For clients, every event we plan has a different audience, concept, and guest list so we lean into what we think will best show off the brand by distinguishing custom experiences and identities for our events. Every time we host something for a client, multiple people say they leave feeling a true sense of community as opposed to every other repeat style event they attend. There’s no higher compliment for me! To promote the launch of CoCollect and its concept as an art leasing service, we planned and curated a party to show off their concept and raise awareness of the business. Hosted by founder Keli Hogsett, designer Joel Mozersky, and artist Xavier Schipani at Rachel Lomas‘ home in Hyde Park, we installed top artwork from the extensive, high-end collection that new members could actually loan. We then offered a guided tour of the home and work to give a true experience vs. just having a dinner party telling people what the concept would be when live. We also showcased an edible still-life at the center of the party created by Denise Prince, that everyone could photograph and also eat paired with an artistic guest list to fit the evening.

When tasked with throwing TROVADOR’s 1-year anniversary party celebrating Ryan McGrath’s hat shop during SXSW, we elevated the party and invited top editors and media impactors to attend by dreaming up and coordinating 4 local creative founders that were musicians by night, but also talented jewelry designers or makers by day to present a “Meet the Makers” discussion panel, as well as arranging an intimate musical performance by Nik Parr & The Selfless Lovers, 150 guests to lean into the theme of these artists and creatives in Austin.

2. Curate the right guest list that clicks.

For my events, I actually don’t invite the same people to everything. This is where I am a true “curator” for lack of a better word. Think about who will get along, who will enjoy each other’s company, and who will feel connected to the party and the activities or vibe you’ve planned for it. When you’re hosting a party at your house, think of who would enjoy the theme or who would have fun and feel comfortable around each other based on their personalities and interests. It doesn’t have to be so serious, and it’s also a great way to invite people that you wish you had more time to connect with and haven’t been able to with busy schedules. I sometimes end up inviting someone I met the day before randomly and it just makes it more fun and no pressure!

It’s okay to not invite every single person to every event you host, especially if you take care of others often and stay in touch in other ways! There’s occasions for both, and intimate settings really create powerful moments and future long-term friendships. I often think of parties I host at my home as a fun way to see certain friends that I don’t see on my weekly trail walk line-up or talk to on the phone with regularly. Think of who you want to meet each other or who likes the same things. For example, when I’m hosting my annual Tinned Fish Party, I think of the people who chat me up about tinned fish and my friends who love food in general, but I also think about introducing people to that concept. It’s fun because everyone is trying to make sure they are bringing the right thing, some are wondering how you even eat it, and others are just there to enjoy some wine and good company! It does give them a common conversation topic if they haven’t met! When I hosted the astrology-themed party, I included a group that would be into that idea, along with those who I knew might not know anything about it, but would be open. I could only invite the amount of people that could fit around the table for intimacy. Ten years ago, I came up with the idea to host a cookbook club to force myself to learn how to cook when I moved back from NYC, and also so I could eat dishes from some of my favorite restaurants like Gabrielle Hamilton’s “Prune” cookbook. All of your different events can be with different people who like different things. Every time I host a party, people ask me to send them someone’s number because they had so much fun talking or they have a child the same age and want to schedule a play date, so I take pride in creating a space for this!

For client openings, we come up with ways to introduce each client to the right people, whether that’s like-minded entrepreneurs, local creators, or simple people we know will love what the restaurant, retail shop, or fitness studio is offering. No guest list is exactly the same!

As for managing this guest list, I previously emailed all invitees and kept track of who said yes, maybe, no in an open email draft. Luckily, Partiful has entered the chat and literally takes away any RSVP drama and miscounting issues I gave myself in the past as it shows who is coming (and everyone wants to see that, you know), and tallies up the list so you can see how many people have responded without having to count yourself. Instead of sending messages one by one, the app will send out text reminders that pop up on everyone’s phones, making it so easy. The design process also is very easy as you can upload your own photos or choose from their fun GIFs. Everything about it feels younger and more modern than a Paperless Post, plus their organization can’t be beat. Guests can even go back and message someone they met at the party.

3. Decorate wisely.

At my last house party, my friend Margaret’s company, Festivities, located in both Houston and Austin, set up an entire balloon installation. She helped me choose colors that made sense for the holidays and produced an extra shiny display in the backyard that would be seen and made a really chic display to round out the night. I had no idea how nice balloons could be if you get the right ones. Margaret arrives with her balloons blown up and ready to go and places them in the perfect spot that makes sense for your party’s flow. She’s a magician, and I didn’t have to do a thing. When you work with Festivities, you fill out the form, get a call to help with selections, receive a quote via email, schedule delivery, and Margaret arrives ready to go on the party day and sets it all up to look glam. If you’re hosting in a venue, she can prearrange with the venue or restaurant what their requirements are and figure out an option that would work for any scenario. With eight years in business, her success shows as she even worked with NRG Stadium for a Beyonce concert! From baby showers to corporate events and galas, Festivities offers custom made balloon designs, fringe garlands for ceiling installations, photo backdrop rentals, and any other bespoke requests for event decor! Contact Margaret here: 713-705-7560.

For a dinner party or something a bit smaller, I recommend tea candles and lavish candlesticks to set the mood. You can find some really colorful and patterned candles — just make sure they fit in your candlestick holder. You can’t have too many candles as it creates a sort of old school edge that’s respectful yet cool. This also goes into the element of lighting, which is sometimes more important than the food. You need dimmers or even lamp lighting to create a feeling of relaxation, safety, and a place where people want to share and talk — at least for a dinner party in the evening. Bright overhead neon lights feel like a classroom, and if you have those, which I actually do and need to get rid of, use the candle lighting or some lamps in the evening instead.

4. Be creative with drinks.

When thinking of serving drinks at home, and if you want it to feel special but not go over your budget, instead of hiring an expensive bartender, I worked with Marfa Spirit Co. to pop up with cocktails on draft from their branded cooler. We had Espresso Martinis and Sotol Margaritas that guests could help themselves to with no fuss, but still with consistency. Skipping the bartender cut costs, while still giving guests a way to enjoy special cocktails. My friend Austin made a cookie butter rim topping station to pair with the hint of homemade cookie butter syrup in the espresso martini! This encouraged guests to dip their cup rim in the cookie crumbs and then fill their own cups with the cocktail. It was so fun and a great talking point that felt on brand for me! Now for the wine drinkers. One of my favorite things I’ve ever seen was from an old Bon Appetit magazine where they filled a kitchen sink or bathtub full of ice and stuck wine bottles inside to save space and also keep things cold! This way people can help themselves. I also laid out bottles of Wedding Oak Winery wine on a table outside with glasses to make it a self serve area, creating two distinct spaces throughout the party where people can find a drink and not have to wait in line or only stay inside or outside to pour a beverage. I love the Chenin Blanc specifically and the red went fast! I usually have all different types of natural wine, but using one brand like Wedding Oak wine kept it consistent, and since it was so good, everyone liked it and didn’t need other options. By the way, they are local and you can visit their winery in Fredericksburg! Although these ideas do help cut costs, if you are hosting a more elevated party and looking for a bartender, hire Coleman Dewayne at Chapter ATX or Max and Drew at In Good Faith!

For client events, we work with local vendors to mix drinks for guests or offer them in cans as grabbable options in coolers. When we hosted an opening for a new bakery client, we arranged for Carabuena Tequila to pop up with their tequila trailer to create Espresso Martinis to complement guests’ cookies. More recently, when planning a fun Valentine’s Day-themed pilates class at our client Present Practice, we had Austinite Amelia Hiller host her friends that morning as a fun way to reach a new audience. We secured the new Swedish Hill location to donate coffee and pastries for everyone as a treat after class to help promote their new downtown spot, along with Bloom’s pink prebiotic soda flavors. Our guests served themselves while mingling with each other and Amelia and started their day off rejuvenated.

5. Serve celebratory food and present it well!

Obviously, desserts are my favorite, and sometimes, I think I like them just because I love how they look! When I last visited New York, I noticed all the new bakeries serving desserts and ice cream on polished silver to uplevel their treats, so I recently staged an overflowing array of desserts and served all of it on vintage silver from my parents — by the way, you can buy it at old vintage stores all over the world. When serving, height is super important to create a fascinating and addicting looking display. Since I only had a certain amount of cake stands, I turned bowls over and put my decorative plates on top to achieve that. Showcasing desserts on different levels gives everything a sense of dimension and more excitement! I also used my grandmother’s table cloth underneath the platters and wrote out the name of each dessert on cute stationery cards so guests knew what they were eating. I baked Magnolia Bakery’s Banana Pudding recipe in a trifle dish with Siete cookies to make it gluten-free, and cooked a couple recipes from Vaughn Vreeland’s cookbook, “Cookies!” This set-up looked smashing, and I didn’t have to pay anyone to do it! Just this last weekend, we celebrated my mom’s 80th, and my sister in law, Brooke, whipped out a chocolate fountain, which all the kids and my 83-year-old dad huddled around most of the night, dipping banana, strawberries, and marshmallows in the contraption. It was SO cute to watch and participate in, and you can use other liquids like ranch, BBQ sauce, or cheese for other savory options with the fountain.

Cakes are essential for birthdays (and really any other event) so for the best birthday cakes in Austin, see my favorite in my video reel HERE and read my full blog post HERE for more details and contact info. If you want to order any other dessert, read more about Austin’s best bakeries HERE! Even if you’re not making this stuff, buy good treats, dress them up on silver dishes, and you have a winning table!

Also, if you’d rather work with a private chef than cook yourself, reach out to personal chef Taylor Teichman or work with The Tivity to take care of all of your food.

6. Plan activities that engage guests and keep the event moving.

In general, you need to have something for guests to do that isn’t just standing around and talking, if you want an extra memorable time that is! Obviously, if it’s a quick dinner, you don’t need it. To create lasting memories, I worked with Smilebooth for an easy and fun photo option. The whole process was smooth and gave all the guests a photo memento that instantly uploaded to their phones so they could share it or retake it if they didn’t like that first snap. They have two different options — a roamer photographer where the photographer walks around and takes photos OR a camera on a tripod that’s a more traditional photobooth, but without the heavy booth part, making it much easier to be mobile. We created a whole backdrop with our balloons from Festivities, so it did look like a fancy photobooth! Smile Booth can add colored text, graphics like a restaurant logo, wedding monogram, “SXSW 2026,” and beyond that you plan with them in advance. When you take the photo, you scan a QR code to receive it directly on your phone to upload on Instagram or just save for yourself. At the end of the night, the host receives all the photos so after you plan a whole event, you can see how much fun your friends had through the photos that you would otherwise miss!

When I desired a fun activity for a group of people who didn’t all know each other for a Hanukkah party, I reached out to this local piñata maker, Magia Papel Piñateria, and asked her to make a menorah, which she had never done before (ha!), and she made a masterpiece!! Just send her a picture of what you want, and she’ll create it with three weeks’ notice. The cost ranges from $40 to $60, and metallic colors are a higher price. I LOVED her work, how gold it was, and overall, this little extra party trick just made me so happy! Communicate with her via Instagram, and pick up your piñata on the east side. I filled mine with a bunch of Christmas candy, plus some cans of Fishwife sardines (gosh all I talk about are cookies and tinned fish it seems). This added sparkle to the group cohesiveness, and the piñata really made the party. If you decide to support her, tell her I sent you!

7. Final tips for hosts and guests!

• Don’t be afraid to try something different. Think beyond what everyone else does!

• Never gift flowers that are not in a vase to the host. If you do, the host will have to disrupt their night to search for one, cut the stems, and then end up leaving something in the oven too long! No one wants that.

• Bringing a bottle of wine is a gift. You can’t take it home at the end of the night.

• Everyone has dietary restrictions so make a gluten-free food option. It’s not hard! Check out Olivia Adriance’s recipes if you need help.

• It’s okay not to bring a gift because everyone ends up repaying each other back in some way, and if you don’t have time to get a gift, your presence is the present! I’d rather you spend a longer time with me then be 30 minutes late because you were searching for a gift.

• If you know of a guest who doesn’t know anyone, as soon as they enter, I try to help introduce another person to them so they get to chatting quickly.

• If you are planning an event or birthday for someone else, lean into what they would want, not what you THINK they would want. For example, when my brothers and I planned my mom’s 80th birthday, I wanted to invite all of her friends, but she told me many times that she just wanted family. I had to tell myself just because I wanted to celebrate her in a big way or have a big party like my dad did for his 80th, she did not! Therefore, we ordered all her favorite desserts, Mexican food, and made a slideshow of old photos with our family as that is what she would love. Also, if your special someone does not like surprise parties, do not throw them one ;)

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EVENTS

1. Big Bend and all the trails need our help! U.S. Border Protection released a “Smart Wall” plans to build a border wall in Big Bend National Park. Spread the word, sign the petition, and call your reps to show your dissent and keep Big Bend accessible and free of a physical border wall. Details here to help.

2. Feb. 27: An Evening with Yotam Ottolenghi. Tickets here. Paramount Theatre. 7:30 p.m.

3. March 3: Ottine Mineral Springs Full Moon Event with yoga, sound bath, meal and hot tea, full day soaking pass. 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets here!

4. March 3: Mandola’s Italian Kitchen will celebrate their 20th anniversary by offering 20% off your meal all day.

5. March 3: Full Moon Floating Sound Bath with @ATXYogaGirl and Rowing Dock. $50/person includes stand up paddleboard rental and a complimentary dry bag rental. Book here.

6. March 8: The Blanton opens “American Modernism from the Charles Butt Collection” exhibit with work by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe and Alma Thomas. Read more in Tribeza here.

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