🥐 Rockman Now Open + Hippie Hollow 🥐
Oct. 17, 2024
Hi Y'all!
Welp, this might be the biggest (and most expensive) weekend in Austin with the UT vs. Georgia game, F1 race with Sting and Eminem, LCD Soundsystem secret show, and who knows what else — look to @WhenWhereWhat for that! I'm guessing people are either going to be out all night or hiding at home all weekend. My biggest news is the opening of our new client, Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop, which has had a line at 8 a.m. since day 1, and we've SOLD OUT of our incredible laminated pastries each day. What a dream to know that people in this town respect a good pastry and that we finally have a place dedicated to them — I truly didn't know we had it in us other than barbecue lines! I do love seeing La BBQ line go one way, and a dessert line go the other way right across the street from each other. As most of you know, I don't watch TV but I obviously got sucked into Adam Brody, Kristen Bell, + Erin Foster's Nobody Wants This. I think one of the most joyous things in life is to watch people succeed in building their dream and making it happen with the world accepting and feeling it back. I've gone down a rabbit hole reading Erin Foster's writing career and dream for this, and I also just adored the love story between these two — especially when Adam makes her put down her ice cream cup so he can kiss her. Anywho, GO HORNS!
~AR
PR + MARKETING
Rockman Coffee + Bakeshop
I’m bursting with sweet joy to share that we’ve opened Amanda Rockman’s first solo bakery and coffee shop, ROCKMAN, on the east side right across from La Barbecue. I met and started working with Amanda at her previous restaurant group in 2018, and we started talking about her going out on her own 3 years ago right in my dining room, so while it feels like it’s finally here, I also can’t believe that it is! I think most people know how hard it is to open a restaurant or bakery, but to be able to see each step and challenge along the way is the reason my eyes flooded with tears on opening day watching her fill up the space with croissants that take 5 days to make and a line out the door. I admire and respect Amanda so much, plus her food will make you cry like me, as she’s the MOST talented pastry chef and giving Austin what it’s missing and deserves in terms of laminated pastries. Tasting each dessert and bagel and knowing that it can only get better is very thrilling and emotional because I want Amanda to succeed even more than I want myself to succeed! Rockman is where you can get 11 different types of croissants, plus bagels, cakes, cookies, and more pastries, along with wine, a spritz, or a coffee until 7 p.m. in a musically fun and colorful space. The part you’ve been waiting for, my favorites so far — Chocolate Fudge Croissant, Churro Croissant, Sourdough Chocolate Chip Cookie, Pecan Bar, any bagel with Loaded Lox Schmear or the NY Cheesecake Schmear, and the weekend special Sunshine Cake, Morning Bun, and Strawberry Cheesecake Croissant!! Thanks to @365ThingsAustin, Eater, Tribeza, Austin Monthly, CultureMap, @ATXwithEleanor, and more for sharing the news and to everyone who has waited in line the last week and helped us sell out!
HAPPY HOUR REC
Bufalina
I know I mentioned in a previous newsletter that Jeffrey’s has the best happy hour, and I do love that one, but Bufalina is definitely the best deal for your wallet with half-off pizzas AND half-off bottles of wine under $100 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. daily. There’s certainly a lot of new pizza in town, but I actually believe Bufalina is somehow better since they moved locations, and now, it might be my favorite in town?! The pizza base is sturdy, and there’s no Neapolitan-style flimsiness where the cheese flies off — that, ladies and gentleman, I do not handle well. The dough is soft yet crunchy at the same time and can hold its toppings. We went for the Red Pie because every time I ask for a rec, each staff member says this one, which comes with tomato, double garlic, double parm, chili flake, and oregano, plus we added basil and mozz! I also love the huge, super tall Bibb Salad with mustard vinaigrette, soft herbs, radish, and apples as a really light and nutritious way to start a pizza meal! Rania, an incredible asset and partner here, runs the wine program, which probably boasts the biggest list in town from a large variety of size and style of producers, that is a giant paper booklet with lots of natural options, too. They do their research, have a wine club, and host specialty wine dinners every now and then. We ended the night with the homemade vanilla ice cream and sherry…mmm. Bufalina has always reminded me of Brooklyn with its urban design, exposed pizza oven, style of customers, and packed in tables — which I love because it feels like you’re all together sharing the experience.
OUTDOOR REC
Hippie Hollow
I’d always heard about Hippie Hollow growing up in Houston when I visited Lake Travis with my friends whose parents had lake houses there, so when my friend Liza asked if I wanted to go, I paused, dropped my jaw for a second, and then decided to see what this place was all about! We drove out there on a Sunday and paid about $8 each to enter. As you walk in, you see signs that say, "No Nudity In The Parking Lot,” and then you trek down through the rocks to the beach that sort of feels like Europe surrounded by the bright blue waters. Man, America really is so different when it comes to modesty that we have an actual dedicated nude beach available in town. Everyone was minding their own business in their own areas, with the exception of one creepy man who tossed up a football and asked us to play catch while we were quietly snacking on our kale salad and turkey wrap picnic we made. This is definitely a fun place to explore, get out of your comfort zone by exposing yourself to something new (pun intended), and see a gorgeous beach, so if you’ve never been, you should probably go and join in at least once!
RECIPE REC
Celery Date Salad
One of my best party tricks is this incredibly easy recipe for Celery Date Salad that you can even mise en place a day in advance. I got the base of this recipe from my favorite cookbook by Joshua McFadden, “Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables.” We met when I was working at MML as we hosted him for a special dinner at Josephine House, and he generously gave me a copy of his book the next time he came to town after it was published. I recently made this for Rosh Hashanah with a bunch of my Jewish chef friends, and a lot of people on instagram asked me for the recipe so here it is! This crunchy, sweet, acidic, and healthful salad could be a great snack as well. Chop everything in advance, just don’t add the lemon or olive oil early or the dates will disintegrate.
Ice bath celery for 20 min.
Roast ¼ cup of almonds for 8 min.
Chop 8 dates.
Put it all in a bowl with juice of 2 lemons, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and a few handfuls of fresh parm.
Glug that Graza olive oil over the top.
Mix and serve.
Season with more lemon or salt as needed!
FESTIVAL RECAP
Austin City Limits 2024
Believe it or not, this is my first year since 2019 not to attend ACL both weekends. With that being said, I don’t know how I have been doing that with the heat, crowds, and stamina, but l’ve been going to this special festival since I was a freshman in college in 2005 when I got to see Coldplay up front and center! I love everything about the festival before I even see any music. Walking the 45 minutes from my house is my pre-game and getting into the fest around 3 or 4 p.m. is how I like to ease into it. My best friends from high school, Cece and Andie, have made it a tradition to drive in and come one night with me, and we truly look forward to it all year. We began with our Tito’s Lemonade now that the fest has hard alcohol, plus Tito’s has the best tent to hang in the shade and chill. We caught a few tunes from Eggy, and got up front for St. Lucia before seeing Foster the People play my favorite song. Honestly, it’s the best when they play your favorite song right away because then, you can continue to explore other bands and sets — this is also a reason to go both weekends so you can see it all and find new music! We caught Leon Bridges and rocked out to Blink-182, who had the most R-rated banter I’ve ever heard, but my eyes were mostly focused on Travis Barker’s killer drum skills. WOW, he really turns those arms up faster than lightning. The music festival has always been about the city to me as I love seeing the skyline, wandering back to back across the beautiful Zilker Park, and running into friends in the tightest crowded areas possible for a surprise hug. I am so in awe of the operation C3 puts on, as we’re getti see bands that might usually play in a giant arena in an outdoor environment. Can’t wait for next year!
DINNER RECAP
Siete Juntos Celebramos
Siete Foods is one of the most charitable organizations and incredible companies in Austin. To see what this family has built to not only make a name for themselves, but to bring healthy alternatives to those that can’t have other regular products on the shelves, and make them EVEN better, is something to be proud of. I recently met a few of their employees in the events/communications department and everyone there is just so generous and kind. When they invited me to their Juntos Celebramos cocktail dinner to celebrate Latino Heritage Month and Siete’s Juntos Fund Recipients, who are amazing entrepreneurs selected by the Siete team to receive funding for growth, I knew it was going to be a special night. We enjoyed a fabulous four-course dinner by some of the previous winners and Siete staff and listened to the Garza family talk about what they’ve built and how they give back to the Latin food community with this grant. I loved the Lobster Enchiladas Suizas and the Barbacoa Chile en Nogada prepared by the La Santa Barbacha sisters who gave the most glorifying speech — I was in tears. Man, I don’t know what it is about this month, but I’ve been crying, listening and watching so many business owners make their dreams come true. What’s better than that? The night ended with a fun Mariachi band, and we got to sit next to this year’s winners from Qué Sazón, which I already knew as the team behind the famous chilaquiles at the Mueller Farmers Market, so it was so nice to meet and talk to them in person. Siete is definitely a brand for the people, and I believe they will stay this way!
PODCAST REC
The Austin Pod
The newest podcast in town is actually all about Austin and not a rant! The Austin Pod, from Anthony of @TheATXDrinker and Rachel of @RachelLately and @512Bites, is something I actually enjoy listening to, maybe because I agree with the majority of their opinions, and they don’t ramble on about themselves. A lot of people who talk about Austin describe it in a way I’ve never seen or they’re pessimistic about the change, and I really appreciate and praise Anthony and Rachel for talking about Austin so respectfully and accurately, especially regarding the food and beverage world and explaining what is actually going on here from different points of view. I like that Anthony is newer to town and has a fresh open mind, but he also totally understands the Texan culture, and you can tell Rachel is observant and thoughtful about what she says having experienced Austin for so long. Their opinions are well researched and logical, instead of just knee jerk reactions and overusing superlative phrases or clickbait. I feel at ease listening to them, plus I like their cadence and how they talk to one another! Episode topics include things like Best Burgers, PIzzas, and Tacos and What’s In and Out in Austin. I loved the recent episode about what people should know if they’re planning to move to town, and this is why I wanted to highlight them here because they are just doing it right!
TRAVEL REC
Palm Springs
We know October is the craziest month in Austin, and yet I somehow made it to my good friend Kenzie's bachelorette party in Palm Springs this month, and luckily was rejuvenated by the off-the-beaten path sound bath at The Integratron, a giant dome structure about an hour away from Palm Springs surrounded by plants, well water, and mysterious UFO things — it kind of reminded me of Marfa a bit. A scientist first built the dome for rejuvenation and time travel, but now, three sisters run the property and offer group sound baths in a way I’ve never experienced. The daughter of one of the sisters who started it led the sound bath inside the dome, which was built with only wood and glue and creates incredible sound. When you stand in the Magic Square in the center of the dome upstairs, there’s a hole where she guided us to yell a prayer or intention out loud, and based on the sound mechanics in the space, no one else can hear you. It’s kind of spooky, but you better believe I shared my intention before AND after just for extra good measure :). Sound baths emit a relaxing experience usually, but for me, the sound makes my mind race as I process so many things at once. I asked our leader about this since it’s always this way for me, and she made me feel better by saying people either have this reaction, or they relax during the sound bath then process things later. On our way back to our house, we stopped in Yucca Valley at an incredible vintage shop called Dusty Blue. I met the Parisian owner whose dad invented JNCOs (yes, the baggy jeans), and bought a pair of super cool, bright blue, vintage French factory worker pants. If you’re ever in or around Palm Springs, both of these spots are worth getting out of the fray to discover.