Best Bars & New Sustainable Clothing Hack 🛍️
March 20, 2025
A few things I heard at panels last week that I keep thinking about are, “One person with enthusiasm can change everything,” from Will Guidara, and "Looking good doesn't mean you're healthy inside," from Chris DiPasquale. These quotes prove to me that you can create your own magic within, and you must figure out what feels best for you. You cannot follow the leader, and you must ignore all those silly wellness ads on Instagram to get you to buy more products. As if! Eat the foods people make with their hands even if it has *gasp* gluten in it, as it's made with love and not a powder from a machine. That being said, enjoy reading about this awesome temaki and other empowering words from entrepreneurs I admire.
SUSHI REC
Little Nishi
When I first rolled up to the sushi food truck, Little Nishi, I wondered how a little spot like this could have the contacts from Japan to source sushi-grade fish as I know that larger restaurants have relationships to secure high-quality fish. Naturally, I quizzed Little Nishi’s chef about it. It turns out she also works at Komé, and Little Nishi buys their fish from the same supplier that Komé does! This is obviously the best sushi food truck we have as the temaki tastes just as good as the temaki from Uroko. However, the best part for me is that Little Nishi is within walking distance from my house at the South 1st food truck park. The menu is full of sashimi, temaki, and snacks like Chicken Karaage and Panko Pork Belly. The Maguro Toro handroll held bluefin tuna belly for $10, and I also loved the Bluefin Tuna Sashimi and Yellowtail Hama Roll. You can enjoy this high-quality fish in an easy setting or solo without planning ahead. Founded in 2023, they’ve since opened a second location at the Armadillo Den, and they’re on the hunt for a brick and mortar! See more details about my favorite sushi spots in Austin here and on my blog. Thanks to David Douglass for posting about Little Nishi and helping me discover the bliss!
SHOP REC
Lululemon LikeNew and Archive Resale
After attending the Lululemon Like New pop-up and pilates class at The Peach House, I am amped to tell you about this secondhand shopping company I had never heard of, Archive Resale. Archive gives brands the chance to sell their own used items at a lower price, and then customers like you and me can purchase them online. Guests at the event were given a Like New item upon arrival to wear in class. I received a smooth Align Bodysuit, and thank goodness I wasn’t dealt pants or a crop top because I would never wear those. I was actually the only one with a bodysuit while everyone else did, in fact, get crop tops and pants, so that worked out magically for me! The outfit fit like a glove, felt so good and smooth, and confused me because it looked brand new — they are doing their job right! Although it’s technically used, Archive sends all clothing to be professionally cleaned, and I was amazed by the quality. The “used” bodysuit retailed for $83, but was originally $128. Through Lululemon’s partnership with Archive, Like New, you can take your old Lululemon to the store and they’ll sell it for you. It’s the opposite of Poshmark where you have to sell your own things and haggle — boo. For other brands in their network, like Sandro, Ulla Johnson, Oscar de la Renta, and North Face, Archive’s platform has you mail in your items and they’ll sell them, or some brands with storefronts will accept items in person like Lululemon. I walked away with this card that said, “Use code Austin20 for 20% off your next order online for up to $250,” so try it?
EXPERT RECS
Inspiring Entrepreneur Takeaways…
What I love about SXSW is listening to inspiring creatives and professionals talk all over town and from every industry. The Inc. House’s Brilliant Brand-Building panel (which was free) featured Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth, Glowbar founder Rachel Liberman, and Apothékary founder Shizu Okasa and here are some of my takeaways:
Shizu Okasa: The goal is to strike an emotion, and not just follow all the trends or worry about what everyone will enjoy. As someone who sends out an email newsletter, I like the way she intentionally worded this, and it made me realize I hope to create a place where you feel the same emotions I do when describing each place here.
Rachel Liverman: The world opened up to me when I started asking for help. I heard a similar message from someone who said that asking for help can mean different things, like asking for an opportunity or for that speaking engagement you desire. Asking for help can mean more things than an act of service.
Allison Ellsworth: You don’t need to focus on your competition. She created her soda because she wanted the product for herself. I’ve always lived by this as I always say my only competition is myself with my time and my own creativity. Congrats to Allison and the whole Poppi team on their $1 billion-plus sale to Pepsi!
It was awesome to see Becca of Fishwife, who I’ve become friendly with, sit on a panel moderated by our Tiny Grocer client, Steph Steele, with Fly by Jing’s Jing Gao. I was touched hearing both founders thank Steph for carrying them in her stores.
Jing Gao: Stick to your vision and never accept shortcuts so that you’ll get the end result you want, instead of doing something you might not end up being proud of. This is from someone who cares about product quality, her customers, and her staff. I’m really glad to work as a cheerleader and promoter for food people who work hard and learn as they go.
Becca Millstein: Being supported by other business owners, like Steph, makes such a difference for growth and discovery. Also, Becca teased that Fishwife will launch a tuna belly product in Q4 so look out for that!
PR + MARKETING
Rockman + Veracruz All Natural in “Austin Monthly”
It’s pretty obvious from my Instagram that I’ve loved working with Amanda Rockman on her first solo bakery and Reyna and Maritza Vazquez on Veracruz All Natural this past year. We secured them both in Austin Monthly’s cover story now on stands on the best breakfasts in town, and the magazine looks fab! Amanda has created an incredible space for her community with baked goods, catering, and cocktails in less than six months of being open. Also, I am SO touched by all the people that came up to me during SXSW to tell me they go to Rockman because they read this newsletter — wow! The Migas Poblanas taco at Veracruz All Natural is what first made me fall in love with all of their food, and clearly everyone else loves it too.
PARTY RECAP
Everything Ecstatic
My high school buddy, Walker Lukens, and I threw one of our signature Everything Ecstatic house parties with two musicians at our generous friend Lucas’s casa with a turnout of 150 guests, from artists to media friends, restaurant people, and other homies. We ended up with a mini “food festival,” featuring Bad Larry Burger Club, The Seafood Dude’s oysters, served with an amazing green sauce, and my favorite Kurty’s Cookies (chocolate chip and the Willie Nelson 😉). Cocktails were made with LALO Tequila and Still Austin Whiskey and Gin mixed with Lady Bird Soda — I loved the Cactus Pear splash! We also had CANN’s new THC+ CBD drink. We’ve received a lot of requests to bring this back more regularly, so if you are a food vendor or beverage company, let us know if you want in on the next one. Or if you want to host in your backyard or at your venue, reach out — we provide day-after clean-up and a respectful guest list!
HAPPY HOUR REC
Truluck’s
You might be surprised to see me cover Truluck’s because I’m not a chain or “steakhouse vibe” kinda gal. However, it’s nostalgic for me because it’s the first place I had an espresso martini during SXSW in 2019, and I do love watching the crowd. The happy hour here from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. makes for a good spot to hit after work or before a show at ACL Live with half-off all liquor and half-off 50 bottles of wine in the cozy, plush seating bar area. I’m not necessarily obsessed with their appetizers — the Blue Crab Guacamole didn’t taste as fresh as something I would get at Este, for example — but I love the Shrimp Cocktail with an experiential dry ice smoke presentation, and yes, the shrimp is worthy. I also appreciate their crisp Caesar Salad, and I used to order the Ahi Tuna entree at the old location, but the experience and ambience here is really what I’m clocking in for as it’s a different space than I regularly venture to. With an older crowd of mainly 40s and up, you’ll partake in an elegant and expensive seafood meal in the huge dining room, but it’s more fun to sit in the lounge with black-and-white tile winding throughout the restaurant.
ON THE BLOG
Best Bars in Austin
Dive bars and music clubs are the charm that Austin is all about, and those are the places you’re most likely to find me. However, in the last few years, our city has also developed a craft cocktail and speakeasy scene. I’ve rounded up my favorite cocktail bars for great drinks, outdoor bars for when the weather is top-notch (aka now!), and restaurant-style bars where you can enjoy a meal that’s a step above wings and slimy food. Check out my list, and tell me what your favorites are in the comments (yes, you can go to my Substack outside of email to leave comments)! Also, I just visited the new Mother’s Ruin on East 6th so stay tuned for a full review once I go back for food!
EVENTS
Where to hang this week…
ATX Cake Bae’s Cake + Celebration: March 20 at 5:30 p.m. at The Sanctuary. Spring rolls, herbal mocktails, sound bath and meditation, and decorate your own mini cake.
Suerte Turns 7: March 23 from 4 to 9 p.m. Guest chefs, tacos, and live music.