The Most Interesting New Austin Restaurant 🍝
Sept. 19, 2024
Hi Y'all!
As summer comes to a close, I spent most of my time moving slow, in yoga flow, and at home hibernating when I wasn't traveling. Am I maturing or am I just learning to slow down? Maybe both. I'm a professional reflector, and the main thing that kept coming up for me is that I didn't want to do much socializing, which is weird because that is what I thrive on. I'm coming up on my 8 year anniversary of living in Austin (for the second time, not counting my first four years at UT), and I think things shift after a time this long. I'm now looking for softness, instead of busting out of the cannon to make it to every event or birthday party. It's always weird to see a different version of yourself emerge, but it's also exciting to know that growth is on the other side and to wonder, where to next?
Since starting my PR company, I've always shied away from being called a blogger, even though I started Chekmark Eats 13 years ago as a blog or internet person who makes a lot of content in that way. However, I have been feeling an urge to show people where they must eat and can't forget to revisit in town since I see so many reels on every new place popping up, but let’s not forget about our OGs, right? Therefore, I decided to take one for the team and start making reels about Austin's best dishes even though I didn't want to put myself out there in this way, but it was the only way I thought I could make a difference besides in this newsletter. I am really passionate about making sure the community knows who to support and where to eat because I just want people to know the best food and have a memorable experience! Turns out people have enjoyed these reels that I have been hiding myself from, so I'm going to keep going. If you have a request for a theme or a next one, please reply to me here and let me know! In the meantime, here is my latest about Top 8 Spots in NYC where you won't need a res in advance for all of y'all hitting up the big city in the fall!
~AR
NEW RESTAURANT REC
Casa Bianca
Casa Bianca is the most interesting new restaurant to hit the scene in the last few months, period. They describe it as “weirdo Italian,” but I’d say it most resembles Intero if I had to pick something close in Austin. It’s by no means trying to be a red sauce joint, which we all know we crave to find, but I LOVE the design here. It’s simple yet bold; it’s bright yet moody. The wavy textured walls make me feel like I'm at my interior designer friend’s home, and I love the dark green hues. With several different styles of seating areas, go for the bar with another friend or date, enjoy the main dining room with a relaxed larger group, and save the patio for brunch. The menu offers intrigue and a new point of view that doesn’t exist in Austin, as they aren’t replicating anyone else, and it really makes you dig and read deeper into the menu. I think that’s why I love this place so much is that it’s authentic, cozy, sexy, and familiar all in one. I didn’t care to overly examine the food because I just felt so comfortable and excited here! Order the Spicy Tuna Cannoli; Crab, Artichoke & Taleggio Toast; Squash Blossom special stuffed with crab and honey if it’s still there; and the Crispy Skin Branzino with eggplant purée and pistachio salsa verde. Leave the Cavatelli in the kitchen as it’s not as “ragu” like as I’d want, as I’d prefer it with tomato instead of sunflower seeds — says the girl who already called it not a red sauce joint. I do want to try the Risotto with Roasted Squash Ragu and Shrimp & Artichoke Leaves next. They have a full vegetarian menu upon request, so ham it up — pun intended!
RESTAURANT REC
Eldorado Café
I used to work out next to Eldorado twice a week for three years, so yes, I’ve known about this place and that restaurant critic Matthew Odam raves about it, but it took me 8 years to finally try it. What a shame because I could have been eating that incredibly tender Carne Asada Taco Bowl with fresh greens and black beans all these years! I love that this no-frills spot has a 45-minute wait regularly, even on a Tuesday, and that the menu has so many different options compared to other Mexican/Tex-Mex spots. If this was the food Matt’s El Rancho was slinging out, I can’t even imagine what that gold mine would be like. The chef previously worked at TacoDeli for 12 years and Vespaio, and what stands out to me at Eldorado the most is how fresh everything tastes and all the vegetable options, like the Las Calabasas squash side. I find most Tex-Mex or casual Mexican restaurants like this just have a side of shredded lettuce — shrettuce if you will — or pico de gallo. Fresa’s sides rule, but you can tell they are doused in oil or something else that makes them feel a little heavy. I loved the freshness of every bite at Eldorado, the kind staff, and the salsa sampler wins your initiation here with all 5 house salsas, made fresh every day.
ACTIVITY REC
Playland Skate Adult Night
If you’re like me and have the MOST fun high school friends, then you’ll want to plan a Tuesday night out starting at El Dorado for margs and tostadas, followed by Adult Skate Night at Playland Skate, which happens every Tuesday from 7 to 11 p.m. with $14 admission. We rolled up and pounced on that floor like we were back at the Dairy Ashford Roller rink in elementary school, wobbling over the carpet, with neon lights and little picnic tables, but this time, there was a DJ and a floor with legit PROFESSIONAL locals and regular skaters. Kathleen and I paid a few dollars extra for the blades, and Shelby kept the classic roller skates. Now, these are two of my best friends who were Varsity athletes freshman year of high school, and I knew better than to get too close to them on the rink until we decided to create our own relay race and time ourselves against the clock — I know.... Haha! We skated and danced to Whitney Houston, held hands, and flung each other around while weaving between the regulars with their headphones. The community here is all ages, all races, all décor — you shouldn’t miss it. Honestly, I’ve never had more fun and the last time I used my roller blades was in college at that blade and bike trail down south called the Veloway so I might be due for a new pair.
DESSERT REC
Tiny's Milk and Cookies
I often forget about Tiny Boxwoods and Tiny’s Milk and Cookies because I think of it being originally in Houston rather than in Austin. I’m also not really into a “lady who lunches" type of vibe, so it just gets lost on me. However, they have an awesome private event space where my friend Merritt recently hosted a party, and I’d highly recommend that! Anywho, after my friend Adele and I walked the trail recently, I really wanted hard ice cream — not gelato, not soft serve, not Amy’s. She brilliantly reminded me of Tiny’s Milk and Cookies since they have so many flavors, and yes, I remembered that Milk & Cookies flavor. We raced over there, and I also tried the Vanilla Caramel Crunch, which you should order as your second scoop. It’s such a cute little after-school spot for kids and high schoolers, and I can imagine it’s also a popular coffee spot in the morning. Try their memorable Chocolate Chip Cookies and other baked goods such as Morning Buns, Rosemary Cheddar Scones, and Brownies, and a few of their ice cream flavors include DF Coconut Milk Chocolate, Fresh Strawberry, and Birthday Cake!
COCKTAIL REC
Eden Cocktail Room
Ok, this place is fun, a little bit spooky, and I don’t really know anyone who had been here before my friend Alex invited me to meet him for drinks. The speakeasy sends you a code day-of once you make a res, and you enter down an alley right across from The Driskill hotel. It’s so dark inside that I almost couldn’t find him when I walked in, which made me laugh and enjoy a new experience. The drink menu looks more serious and features a font that reminded me of “The Canterbury Tales.” I liked the Dandelion & Disco with Mezcal, Italicus, Cointreau, Agave, Citrus, and yes, Gold Dust. Who knew? I got two! The tables at Eden Cocktail Room are very intimate and mostly two tops, so I think this is truly meant to be a date spot.
SHOP REC
Framebridge
I’ve used Framebridge online multiple times in the past, sending in art and photos to have framed and sent directly back to my house. Whenever I travel, I end up buying rings or artwork, and this has been the easy company to use when buying random size prints from photographers on the streets. At this company, no matter the size, you can pick from all different colors and sizes of frames. However, now, you can actually go into the store for a super easy framing process with their new location in Rosedale. I framed my favorite phrase at the opening party, "The Magic Finds You P.S. Level Up." If you need a place to get something framed, you can go here for a frame and look at the coloring and touch it before choosing.
PR + MARKETING
"A Life in Between" Book Launch
I met Calais when she was working at Outdoor Voices and I was working at MML, and after years of being friends, I had the honor to work with her and publisher, Amy Snook of Parea Books, on a book launch event for her debut memoir, “A Life In Between.” Calais wrote the book to share her journey of navigating the illness and eventual loss of her sister, Briel, from a point of view you don’t typically get to fully witness, with all the steps that come with it, while also still trying to live and pursue your own life dreams. In planning this special evening, we invited inspiring members of our community together to celebrate resilience and honor what people have created and put into the world as a result of adversity. Calais and other guests shared their stories while we enjoyed treats from Love&Cookies, where we hosted the event, and hearing the amount of kind words that were shared over the evening and how grateful guests were to be invited has been truly moving. When you see connections being made, people exchanging numbers, and happiness surpassing grief before your eyes due to this book and conversation, you know it was impactful.
BAKING REC
Guittard Coconut Sugar Chocolate Chips
It should be no surprise to hear thatI try different chocolate chips all the time, not necessarily for baking, but just to eat by themselves for a lil’ baby dessert after breakfast and lunch. My go-to is dark chocolate for sure, and Valrhona is my favorite brand baked in cookies, which I’ve learned from all my favorite bakeries that use it. You can only really buy Valrhona at maybe Whole Foods and Central Market, so for something more accessible, I like these new-to-me Guittard Coconut Sugar Chocolate Chips with low sugar that don’t compromise on taste! I also go for the Extra Dark from Trader Joe’s, as well as the Nestle Toll House semi sweet squares, not chips. Something about a square shape adds to the flavor and yummy texture. Guittard is what I prefer for the most part for easy access, and I love when they have a new one to try!