My Off-Menu Orders + Expectations 💌
July 25, 2024
Hi Y'all!
I think I've learned the most important lesson of my life this summer, one that has helped me rise up to allow any situation to be complete and worth it no matter the taste, which I touch on a little here. In my core, I always want to create the best experience for others when it comes to entertainment, food, and hospitality. One of the most impactful conversations I had this summer is with a friend who told me that he enjoys that moment where a meal didn't cut it or a comedian he was excited to see bombed, because he looks at it as a learning lesson of what he likes or does not like, and it made me realize that it's just another experience I get to partake in and it is what it is — instead of thinking that my night is ruined or I didn't provide a good enough experience for someone else.
I can't stop thinking about this and have applied it to every situation as I travel and have high expectations, a work meeting, an unknown relationship, a party, a meal I stumbled across spontaneously, or a moment of being with friends and feeling like I have to be the one to create the fun. Now, I'm kind of just looking at everything to observe, to check in and see how I feel. I see whatever happens with the mindset that this is probably what I needed right now vs. thinking it could've been or should've gone a certain way — it's just that easy, haha. This makes life and every situation a whole lot more fun and removes pressure because it's about what's in front of me now. In the end, I always say that everything is about who you are with and smiling in those moments of learning something new, whether it be something you like or didn't like. Whatever happens, you're getting something juicy out of it!
 ~AR
NEW BAR REC
The Long Goodbye
This new bar right by Fleet Coffee and La Santa Barbacha on Manor feels tropical, but not the tiki kind. Their cute white pergola provides shade (although they could use more fans), and the leafy green plants everywhere and red chairs create a cool, casual, vacation-like place to kick it so you don’t even realize you’re literally just in a front yard. Head inside to the tiny indoor space when you need an AC reprieve from the heat. La Santa Barbacha is one of my top 3 taco spots in town and now that you can order a frozen rosé margarita on the patio to go with it, it’s a whole new ball game for eastsiders. Hanging here feels similar to the Hotel San José courtyard, but in a more hipster-esque, east Austin version, if you will.Â
ICE CREAM REC
Kouign Amann Ice Cream To-Go
Lutie’s, the beautifully-designed, fancy restaurant at Commodore Perry Estate, has made it possible to take home their popular ice cream with Pastry Chef Susana Querejazu’s Kouign Amann pints now available to grab during dinner or brunch hours at the restaurant. I like my ice cream more frozen instead of super milky and overly custardy, so this vanilla bean base really nails my ideal texture, and the flaky chunks of Kouign Amann add flavor to each bite. However, it’s the caramel that keeps me slinging back in there. Lutie’s serves one of my favorite brunches in town, mostly because of all of the dishes Suzana makes, so think about picking up one of her pints at this gorgeous space if you’re willing to skip your grocery store shopping.
TACO REC
Nixta Taqueria
It’s been a long time since I visited Nixta after their closure, so I zipped over one free summer Saturday afternoon after I had a craving for the duck carnitas taco. The one thing I love about this taco is it’s ALWAYS consistent — full of fresh pulled duck that is so tender and filling out the entire tortilla. Hallelujah as I’m only down for a taco when the protein is thicker than the tortilla. I don’t fancy duck often, so it’s fun to go after a dish that I wouldn’t have thought I’d keep in my back pocket, and it’s just so flavorful and tender here. These days, you order at the counter out front instead of out back, so it’s pretty low-touch service with outdoor seating and can kind of feel like you’re eating in a friend’s backyard or neighborhood park.
REVISIT REC
Elizabeth Street Cafe
Elizabeth Street Cafe is a classic that keeps getting better and better over time. I see people complaining about the prices here, but you can read the price online before you go, so whose problem is that really? Ha! You know they serve a variety of Vietnamese dishes, but it’s the place where I get my same couple orders every time and don’t mind having to choose my own entree instead of sharing (blasphemy!). I secretly love to order the off-menu Chicken and Rice Soup, as it’s similar to congee, and the Wonton Soup has the best broth and wontons in Austin, no discussion. I’ve tried so many, but the wontons here are made with chicken, which I prefer taste wise over the pork ones at other spots, and the jalapeño really adds to the broth and makes it more flavorful and addicting. The Fried Chicken, Snapper, and Shrimp Búns are my next move — ask for extra greens and less vermicelli noodles in the bowls to make it more of a salad with some noodles. My other favorite appetizers are the Steamed Rice Rolls with Gulf Shrimp, Herbs, Coconut Vinegar Ponzu (don’t be distracted by all the other tables with rice paper spring rolls as these rice rolls are probably one of my top 5 bites in town). The Chocolate Mousse takes me back to Paris, and there’s a long table outside in the back for big groups. Reserve the Croissant Room for private parties, which used to be the room where the chefs baked croissants, but now has a full bar and patio to book for a private lunch or dinner and essentially have your own private Elizabeth Street Cafe! Also, their happy hour is half off apps from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday — this is when I’ll allow you to order the spring rolls.
ON THE BLOG
Yoga Retreat in Sicily
I started my PR company 6 years ago this month, and in the last year, I’ve opened seven restaurants and hosted multiple events each month to gain awareness and help tell new stories for clients. After all of this, I didn’t have any big travel plans this summer and was feeling like I could invest in myself whenI kept getting a ping thinking about doing a yoga retreat. Sky Ting is my favorite studio because of their specialized Katonah yoga that is so powerful and strong yet relaxing and healing to the body, along with purposeful breath work. I leave each class feeling like my body is actually levitated, my hip flexors are looser, and my body is lighter! I decided on a whim to see if they had any retreats planned, and when I saw one in Sicily over July 4th, I decided to give this gift to myself. My friend Madeline joined me, and my intention was to just be and enjoy moving my body, rather than trying to figure out something deeper inside. I’m grateful for this wonderful time (click here to watch a video recap to show you all the perks) to not only meet new people, but mostly to unscrew my head from my body for a break full of biking to the beach, swimming, being present, and practicing yoga in a way that doesn’t exist in Austin! If you’re interested in learning more about this style of yoga, try the SkyTing TV online classes or visit their studio in NYC. I actually saw Sukha has a Tuesday Katonah class, so I’m going to check it out and see how it matches up!
PR + MARKETING
Wolf and Wheat in Austin Monthly
After coming up with the idea to add caviar to an ice cream sandwich for Wolf and Wheat’s SXSW special, the menu item became so popular that caviar is now available on the everyday menu item as a Smoked Banana Ice Cream Cone, or you can add it to your ice cream sandwich as a topping. We are so proud to have secured a full page in print in the brand new July/August issue of Austin Monthly about unique frozen treats to check out this summer! You can check out Wolf and Wheat Wednesday to Saturday from 12 to 8 p.m., and I promise you can’t find this anywhere else in town!
MUSIC VENUE REC
Parish Austin
After seeing Me Nd Adam at the Parish, I came away thinking about how much I love that place! It doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a music venue — it feels like you just stumbled upon this almost warehouse place in Brooklyn and only you knew about it. When I walked in to show my friend’s and my tickets, I noticed the bouncer eating a chocolate chip cookie, and a few minutes later, my friend walked in behind me with said chocolate chip cookie in his hand, which made me crack up and love the place even more. The stage is wide and just a teeny higher level with the audience so it feels like you are right there with them and their friends just hanging out. Also, the bar is easy to access wherever you are in the venue, so that is a plus for grumpy people who complain about not being able to get drinks elsewhere. Me Nd Adam put on a fun, energetic hometown show with a random Avril Lavigne cover song that made us sing along. The Parish is an easy place to see local bands because you feel like you’re all together with the band, even in the audience.
SUMMER READING REC
Dolly Alderton Books
I am typically a purely nonfiction reader — memoirs of people I admire, self help, psychology, relationships, swimming, etc. When I traveled to London in December, I remembered my business coach Amy, who owns Parea Books posted about Ghosts by Dolly Alderton on instagram, so I snagged a copy at BookPeople without knowing what it was about. I actually started reading it on my way home from 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 from a man’s POV after his break up that was really sweet and sensitive to see from another perspective. Since it was more practical and logical, I actually related a bit, and I laughed out loud often. I wouldn’t say I’d be the type to read romantic beach books, so these are more my style. She’s kind of direct and tough, plus, I loved reading and learning all her British words so I can try and sound like a local around my friend Clementyne!