A Glow Up + Birdie’s Italian Pop-Up 🍝
Oct. 31, 2024
Hi Y'all!
This is one of my favorite newsletters because I am amped about some really fun pop-ups ending this week that made my last week very thrilling, AND I'm highlighting some good friends whose work I love! I've been revisiting some old favorite restaurants in an effort to make sure they stay in business, and also because I have been dumpling deprived lately, so here are some of the best meals I've had in the last month that I'd recommend over and over again.
Thank you so much for all being such avid readers as it truly makes my morning to get texts about why you liked the newsletter sometimes before I even wake up ;) That being said, for those of you wanting to share it, we made a lil' bare bone graphic outline HERE for you to post on your story about it so you don't have to screen shot all the text, and it can look a little easier and more fun to read! Feel free to write whatever you please and thank you for caring about my adventures in Austin! P.S. don't miss the new glow-up facial 20% discount just for y'all further down.
~AR
EAT NOW REC
Aiello's at Birdie's
If there is one thing I’m going to tell you to race to before the weekend is over, it’s Birdie’s Italian pop-up restaurant, Aiello’s. Lucky for you (us), they have extended this two-week set meal to add a third week through this Saturday, Nov. 2nd! Get in line before 6 p.m. and you’ll swiftly be welcomed to your ideal red sauce joint with red and white checkered tablecloths, Frank Sinatra tunes, and all the parm and butter you could dream about. Close your eyes, and you’re in your favorite Italian restaurant in New York City, and while it’s a set 4-course menu, you WILL add Nonna’s Meatballs to your order for the most tender and perfect tomato sauce combination that you can’t find elsewhere in Austin. Bring someone that loves food as much as you do, so you can savor and talk about each bite together, and I always recommend sitting at the counter so you can watch Tracy and the other chefs flip and toss the pasta. I loved the House Salad with balsamic because the greens and tomatoes tasted like they were pulled from a garden behind the restaurant — they basically were. The Mozzarella Sticks have the right amount of crispiness to dunk in their incredible red sauce, with cheese that won’t get caught in your throat. To be honest, I never go for mozz sticks as I don’t like something too deep fried, but I know you probably do and I’d say these are higher class haha. Now, the Maccheroni a la Vodka is the main event — warm, hearty, not overly rich, and just the right amount of cream-to-tomato ratio, making you feel like you can in fact still eat an entire vanilla soft serve ice cream with chocolate fudge and sprinkles immediately after. Is Aiello’s the best Italian restaurant in Austin? You’ll want to find out this weekend or you’ll have to wait another year!
NEW RESTAURANT REC
Con Vista Al Mar
If you want to take a trip to Mexico City without leaving the country, Con Vista Al Mar, the new taco spot in town, transports you there. Seriously, if there was a skylight in the restaurant, I actually would think I was in Mexico sitting amongst the green and yellow tiles and colorful folding chairs. The team came straight from Mexico City to bring us a seafood-focused concept, and considering seafood is my favorite food, I’m excited about the 25 different tacos, tostadas, ceviches, and aguachiles on the big menu. My favorite bite was the “I Know the Chef” taco, stuffed to the brim with smoked fish chilorio, octopus, cheese, and Xnipec, which I absolutely loved. We also tried the fish burrito called the Vallarta, and although I wasn’t a fan of the shredded lettuce in here, I still enjoyed it. Heads up — the Classic Aguachile tasted so so spicy that I can’t imagine what the Burnt Habanero Aguachile is like. The “I Know the Chef” Taco pretty much blew me out of the water as the real highlight, as it made me wish I had my own since we shared it all. We sat at the bar, and our bartender gave us this awesome mezcalito with Derrumbes, one of the many tequila and mezcals on the menu that you won’t see around town — they don’t even carry LALO! I tried to order the Tuna Tostada and the Green Ceviche, but they didn’t have either of those, so if you get the Tuna Tostada, please let me know how it is! An easy spot to get a table, Con Vista Al Mar is something for your back pocket on the east side for when you want a casual, last minute bite without going to a food truck.
SPA REC
Spa Sway
After I ran into a friend days after I got a Hydrafacial at Spa Sway for the first time, and she asked if I had come directly from a facial, I thought I should share the goods with y’all! The new Spa Sway opened in a shopping center in Westlake that I’d actually like to explore more, a month agoI don’t do treatments like Botox or lasers so I was concerned the Hydrafacial might be something that would worry me, but the whole experience was very classy and calm, starting with the serene waiting room that felt like a hug instead of a dermatologist’s office. I got the 80-minute Hydrafacial with dermaplaning, which includes LED light therapy to stimulate collagen for anti-aging and eliminate acne-producing bacteria, a machine that felt like suction cups on my skin, which is very hard to explain, but made me feel really clean, and ended with a nice shoulder massage. My knowledgeable esthetician, Tristan, explained that when you get a Hydrafacial instead of a regular facial, it goes deeper into your skin and pores so that your face products can actually get under there, and the benefits last longer. I left feeling like I was taking care of my skin in a way I haven't before. I usually just use Apoterra face oil, which I also swear by — and you can use this link for a discount — and call it a day. It went by so fast, and my face felt really bright, glowy, and soft after the service. I know we have a lot of spas in town, and Westlake might not be your first thought, but it was only 15 minutes from downtown and fun to go out there and try something new! Spa Sway also offers medical grade services, massages, and other facials. Use my code CHEKMARKEATS20 for 20% off your first full-priced massage, facial, or med spa treatment for one month!
BAR REC
Moe's Tavern at Nickel City
My favorite bar, Nickel City, transforms every Halloween into Moe’s Tavern from “The Simpsons,” a show I barely remember watching, but the bar’s makeover is worth the visit if only to see how much fun the team is having dressed in character and to order from a completely new menu. I mean, the bartender is literally dressed up as Marge Simpson with a giant blue wig and green dress. Known for their Flaming Moe, a rum-based drink they basically light on fire, along with the very cute Coffee & Donuts drink, a Spicy Marge’s Marg, and the Plopper AKA Spider’s Pig, served in a literal pig-shaped glass, Nickel City makes drinks that are still tasty, even with the silly concept. They’ve hosted a bunch of different food pop-ups, and the onsite Delray Cafe truck even re-branded as the Krusty Burger throughout the Moe’s transformation. The Nickel City team really dedicates themselves to their pop-ups — I’m already looking forward to their tiki theme over Christmas — and I just enjoy everything they’re doing over there. If you’re on the hunt for something fun to do tonight on Halloween and aren’t going trick-or-treating, here’s your spot!
PRIVATE CHEF REC
Chef Matt Looney
My friends Matt and Alex recently moved to Austin, and I feel so lucky they’re here because Matt is an incredible chef who just keeps feeding me what feels like effortless dinners, but they’re really flavor bombs and meals I can’t stop craving. I wish I had a meal plan at their house! If you're looking to book a chef for any holiday parties or birthday event, Matt’s elevated restaurant food comes to your house, and it's even better than being in a restaurant because you get to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home and on such a personal level that brightens the flavors and experience even more. Watching him cook with the excitement and professionalism he brings is just the cherry on top of a healthful meal that I’m telling you, you’ll think about for weeks and only be sad that you can’t have it on demand — well, I guess you can if you hire him weekly, ha! I’ve loved his shrimp aguachile and homemade blue corn mushroom quesadillas that he made on a whim for me at their house, so I can’t imagine how incredible his meal would be if he planned it as a private chef in advance! His roast chicken and chickpeas with labneh, kale, and squash are a taste of fall. Matt clearly loves to cook and only uses the best ingredients, plus he’s a baker so there’s nothing he can’t do. People always ask for private chefs, and now that Matt is in Austin, he is my #1 recommendation. You can’t get anything better than this in your own home. Matt is currently accepting bookings through January 2025 so reach out to him here and tell him I sent you!
PR + MARKETING
Veracruz Happenings
As we continue to work with the Veracruz All Natural and Veracruz Fonda family, it has been rewarding to facilitate connections between these incredible women and the Austin community. Starting off this weekend for Dia de Los Muertos, we have partnered with my favorite brunch spot, Paperboy, for Chef Reyna to serve some special pastries for the holiday created just for the weekend, such as: Veracruz’s Pan de Muerto, Conchas, and Pambazo Veracruzano at Paperboy on Saturday, Nov. 2. Also coming up this week, in honor of Día de los Muertos, they are hosting a big party at Veracruz’s Webberville location to honor the lives of loved ones that have passed while inviting guests to bring their own tamales to be warmed up to share over an open fire. In addition, last weekend, in honor of Goop’s big partnership with the SoCo New Balance store, they hosted a morning run outfitting participants in their gear, and we had Veracruz pop up to provide runners with the best breakfast tacos in town! Finally, we’re thrilled to share that Veracruz All Natural won THREE categories in the Austin Chronicle’s Best of 2024 awards, Best Taco, Best Breakfast Taco, and Best Food Truck. Well deserved and the readers are right — these really are the best tacos in town.
SHOP REC
Abbey Dyed
Abbey is one of my most creative friends, and through her plant dying company, Abbey Dyed, she dyes everything from bandanas to silk dresses and old clothing with natural flowers and plants like marigold and cochineal, which makes a hot pink color. Abbey is very keen on sustainability and finds the flowers everywhere, even dumpster diving (with permission!) behind flower shops to procure flowers that the shops have to throw out. If you stain a silk dress or top in your closet, have pit stains on white clothing, or just want to refresh your closet into a new masterpiece, she can do it! She makes patterns with dyes so you can still wear it or transforms clothing into different solid colors. She dyed these previously white linen shorts into an indigo design with a floral pattern for ACL this year! You tell her what you’re looking for and without a doubt, she turns a product you’re not happy with into a high-end piece that you can wear and be excited about! What’s so awesome and sustainable about her business is it stops you from having to go shopping — if you have a white shirt you don’t like anymore, hire her to transform it into something new. She also offers incredible workshops, does custom dyeing for brands, and can pop up at baby showers as your activity for the group to make onesies, housewarming events for napkins or table cloths, bachelorette parties, etc. It’s all local and helping with the sustainable clothing movement, not to mention, she has the best eye for style, and I love everything she has made me! Contact her by DMing her on Instagram @AbbeyDyed.
MUSIC REC
Vampire Weekend
My love story with Vampire Weekend started in 2008 at Austin City Limits Festival and then shortly after, I moved to NYC and saw them perform at Radio City Music Hall in 2010. Seeing anyone in that venue is magical especially with the acoustics and knowing that the Tony Awards are held here. I remember calling my mom after that show telling her I thought I might marry Ezra — a statement I’ve never said about a stranger, but it must have just been those upbeat, funky lyrics that got me as a 23-year-old. It didn’t stop there, as one of my clients was the Royalton Hotel and my boss, Randee, and I found out they were doing a private show there, so, of course, she got us into the event so we could bop and dance. Next, I saw them at ACL Live a few years ago for their Father of the Bride tour, and then got to see a once in a lifetime show at the Eclipse this year at Moody Amphitheater. It was so strange seeing the sky turn black while seeing a band with the name vampire in it on a Monday at noon! My one goal for my past NYC summer trip was to go to SNL, so when I landed, opened my instagram, saw that they announced that Vampire Weekend was performing that weekend, I had to make it happen!. Y’all, I know I’m a witch sometimes, but the fact that this lined up so well, and THEN an old boss of mine texted me to ask a PR question, my gut told me, “Maybe HE can get you in.” Sure enough, three days later, I had 2 SNL tickets in my inbox, which taught me that you can make ANYTHING happen if you believe. That being said, when Vampire Weekend came to town a couple weeks ago, I decided I’d had enough time with them and didn’t need to attend. However, the Universe thought otherwise as I ran into my friend Hannah, and she randomly asked me if I liked Vampire Weekend or if I even knew who they were…KNEW WHO THEY WERE? Just like that, she slapped two tickets into will call, and I got to see them a third time this year at Moody Center. I mean who else saw them at the Eclipse, SNL, and Moody Theater? I guess I am their biggest fan after all!