Holiday Recs + Gift Guide 🎄
Dec. 5, 2024
Hi Y'all!
This is my second to last newsletter of 2024, and I'm just so grateful y'all are always such diligent readers and use this — feel free to pass it along to someone who isn't in the know! My mind is blown when people know me by this or introduce me to their friends and mention my newsletter vs. saying either how we met or something else relevant. I have been writing blog posts and this for 13 years, so it's very ingrained in my daily life as I haven't really taken a break from it. Finding a hobby like this, which can feel like a job at times, is what keeps me motivated and excited about my daily life. It's never too late to start something new because if you love it, it will just add more joy and opportunity to your life!
Anywho, it's sparkle season so I've curated a whole spreadsheet HERE of the best holiday events, special dinners, and bars that are worthwhile — these are just the ones I like organized by day, not all that exist. I even made a little Gift Guide, and obviously, Apoterra is on it (this link automatically gives a discount) because I can't go anywhere without someone asking about my glowing face oil or Vitamin C balm on my face these days - ha! Lots of love to you this season!
~AR
p.s. Sushi by Scratch Restaurants is back in Austin and opening their downtown restaurant tomorrow finally. Check it on @WhenWhereWhatAustin!
MICHELIN REC
Odd Duck
When I first moved back to Austin eight years ago, I always read about Bryce Gilmore and his restaurants, Barley Swine and Odd Duck, because those were the places to be, but I just didn’t get the menu until I finally went and understood after one bite. It turns out that all the flavors in your mouth come together to create a culinary adventure that doesn’t always exist at other restaurants. Everything is playful and unique and very farm-to-table. Plus, your meal can be as light or as heavy as you want as their typical menu is meat-heavy, but they also offer a vegetarian menu. I revisited recently, and the Butternut Squash Chalupa with habanero-shishito chevre, radish, and spiced apple tasted like a bundle of fall. I also adored the Grilled Jerk Shrimp with banana pepper butter and chimichurri. I ate here with my friend Brita, who’s obsessed with pasta and if you don’t follow her, she has the best pasta and soup recipes! Naturally, she had to try the Capellini with chorizo, zucchini, mushroom, basil, and parmesan, and while it wasn’t a dish I’d normally reach for, I'm so glad we did! Someone order the Thai Apple Salad, Braised Goat Pizza, and Blackened Redfish and tell me how it is. You see, this might not look like a place for everybody as I can imagine someone might look at the menu and not recognize ingredients, but even the pickiest eaters will leave here having enjoyed a true culinary experience and something familiar. Congrats to the whole team on the Michelin Bib!
LUNCH REC
Uroko
While on the East Austin Studio Tour, we got hungry, and because I love sushi and am particularly obsessed with tuna, I knew it was time to try Uroko, the small sushi house at Springdale General. Truthfully, I’ve never been a big fan of handrolls because the seaweed is hard to bite into or the roll falls apart in my hand. However, the temaki here were unlike any I’ve had, so much so that I felt a whole change in my spirit and attitude. The Bluefin Tuna Taku held bluefin tuna, cucumber, takuan, wasabi butter, and shiso for $8, and I absolutely loved the sour, vinegary flavor mixed with tuna in the warm and comforting roll with every ingredient in each bite. The best part, besides it being easy to eat and having enough tuna, was how warm and cozy the rice was. Eating it truly felt like a hug. I also tried the Marfa Roll with tuna, hamachi, avocado, yuzu kosho, cucumber, and shiso, and the Spicy Tuna, which almost tasted like sriracha, but I would go back just to get a bunch of the Bluefin rolls. They also do sushi classes, and an omakase that I need to try! It’s counter-service, open for lunch every day, and I can’t wait to eat there again. Maybe I’ll order the Japanese Pickles Veggie Tamaki when I go next!
PR + MARKETING
Rockman Guest Chef Residencies
We are so grateful for the success of Rockman, and I want to send a special thank you to the people who have been telling me they’re going to try the pastries and letting me know what they love every single day! This is truly what I love most about my job — seeing others enjoy a brand I work on. It is so rewarding to see Amanda, who has worked her entire career to make the best desserts/croissants and start her own business, bring her incredible dream to life! To keep the party going and lean into the bev program (did you know we have wine, vermouth, beer, and cocktails?!), in December, we are launching a chef residency series with some of my clients and other chef friends in town! We’ve put together the first month of programming with Chef Reyna Vazquez of Veracruz Fonda and Bar and Veracruz All Natural, Chef Justin Huffman of Le Beef Burger for his new pop-up here called Fish Shop, and Chef Zak Drummond of Zee’s Wiener System! Each night, Amanda and her team will showcase a fun Rockman dessert and highlight unique beverages on the menu to go with the savory dishes from each chef. Come out for Veracruz Taco Tuesdays on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 (see footage from this week's Veracruz pop-up here!), Zee’s Weiner System Wednesdays on Dec. 4, 11, and 18, and Fish Shop Surfin’ Thursdays on Dec. 5 and 12, all at Rockman from 4:30 to 7!
SHOP REC
Trovador's Eastside Space
I had my favorite custom hat made at Trovador, which feels somewhere in between Texas, Aspen, and true Western cowboy style. Hatmaker Ryan has been a friend of mine for a long time, so it’s been joyous to see him leave his corporate job to pursue his hat-making craft full time and open this shop on the east side last year. This new location is way bigger than the original and full of beautiful photographs for sale. Buying a hat like this is an investment for your wardrobe as it represents how you feel about your life and reflects stories that you tell Ryan while he designs it surrounding that part of you. Pick a color, and then Ryan asks you questions about your passions, your travels, and any stories you might tell, before he makes the hat to fit the person perfectly, both physically and visually. Whenever I wear my hat, I feel like I carry a different persona, and the amount of compliments I receive is almost overwhelming! The new address is 1204 East Cesar Chavez, Suite B, and it takes a whilget a hat made, so I’m reminding you about this as a gift option now leading up to Christmas and the holidays soon.
ITALIAN REC
Uncle Nicky's
Uncle Nicky’s has one of my favorite turkey sandwiches in town, so I was excited to hear that they opened a location down south by Loro near me! Avery and I went for lunch, although this is not a typical lunch, as I don’t crave pasta often and definitely not for lunch, but there’s kind of nothing else like this in town. It’s a casual Italian spot with a huge all-day menu of sandwiches, salads, pasta, and antipasti, plus a full bar of negronis, spritzes, espresso martinis and more. I can confirm that the homemade pesto is incredible as we got two things with this burst of herby flavor, plus, the Pepperoni Piadina was a delicious pepperoni flatbread I had never seen before, that was super crunchy and filled with cheese that you dip in red sauce — almost like an Italian quesadilla. I recommend this for a lunch meeting, a quick “get out of the office” meal with coworkers, or a super casual and tasty solo meal on the nice patio where you can enjoy some alone time. This is not a place I would make a plan to go to for dinner, as it’s more of a last-minute “let’s go here” place that’s easy and serves high-quality food in a pleasant environment.
GIFT GUIDE
Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Since you should probably be looking for holiday gifts now that it’s December, here’s some stocking stuffers that I like to give and would love to receive, too!
Apoterra Skincare - Apoterra just came out with a new Vitamin C Body Oil that I now love just as much as the Rose Nourishing Face Oil. Use this link for a discount or CHEKMARK as a code when you check out.
Cacio E Pepe Tarot Card Deck - Cute and funny.
Spa Sway Facial - Glow to the max and here's a December discount - CHEKMARKEATS20!
Emily Eisenhart prints - One of my favorite Austin artists
Barton Springs prints, which are are my personal photos for sale - For an Austin lover or someone who moved away
Made In Pinch of Salt Candle - This is the BEST candle that I could smell all day long
V is for Vintage - Love her zodiac necklaces
Dinosaur Designs - Homewares and jewelry made out of resin that I have all over my kitchen and bedroom
Fine & Raw Chocolate - They even have holiday boxes to gift
ON THE BLOG
London and Paris
If you’re traveling over the holidays, don't forget to use my travel guides that I've written over the years, and because I went to London and Paris last year during Christmas time, I'm highlighting these guides here. When you visit London around the holidays, it’s the most magical sight to see, with every single street lit up and luxury stores blowing your mind with bows, angels, and décor that makes you feel like you haven’t really seen a holiday season until now. I had no idea this was the best place to see the holiday spirit (maybe Germany, too?) in the world until my friend Hyo Jin asked me to meet her. You can walk around all evening taking it all in any time of day, and feel your heart bursting with joy and lights. Just beware that most things are closed Dec. 24, 25, and 26th for Boxing Day. If you’re heading to Paris, it’s not as busy and the weather isn’t as cold as London. I skipped down those cobblestone streets and found THE BEST pastries, moved my body, took note of the culture, stumbled upon some great lunch spots by myself, and left with a smile on my face and a satisfied appetite. All of my food and activity recs are included in my blog, and I hope it helps you plan your dream French trip!
RESERVATION RECS
Where to Have a Holiday Dinner
I get lots of questions about where to go with specific groups for a celebration, so I’ve thought of some options for the next res you’re trying to make! If you’re going with girlfriends, try Qi for a nice dinner or girls' night out, or get drinks and snacks at Rosie’s, Flo’s Wine Bar, or Holiday. Looking for a spot for the person you’ve been dating just a month or so and you want to seal the deal? Or maybe you’re married and want a special night out? Go for Sammie’s, Justine’s, Bufalina, Watertrade, or Hestia. Finally, for that company meal with co-workers that’s casual, hit Uptown Sports Club, Oseyo, or Juniper, but if the company is paying, then get to BOA Steakhouse, Lutie’s or Bartlett’s! For even more recs, check my write-up of my favorite restaurants in town and take your pick.