Summer 2022
RESTAURANTS | AUSTIN, TX
BLUE DAHLIA | Open since 2007, this Austin staple offers consistent European-style fare that thrives during lunchtime. I recommend the chicken salad tartine or the hummus tartine. Locations in Westlake and San Marcos.
BUDDY’S BURGER | Recognized by many as Austin’s best burger. A minimal menu of smash burgers with milkshakes to accompany.
BUFALINA | They have yet to update Google or the site with the new location, but it’s down the street from the old east location catty-corner from Juan in a Million.
CANJE | Caribbean spots in Austin are a rarity. Opened by Tavel Bristol-Joseph in October 2021, Canje brings upscale Caribbean to the city. He co-leads Emmer and Rye’s team alongside Kevin Fink. They’ve increasingly diversified offerings in recent years.
CISCO’S @ MUNY | It’s nearly impossible to snag a spot on any Austin muny course lately, but it’s worth a trip to Lion’s if you’re a fan of the East Austin classic, Cisco’s.
LLAMA KID | Supposedly solid Peruvian food that I haven’t had the chance to try. They offer a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, outdoor with fans and umbrellas, as it should be.
MARCELINO’S | They’ve been around since well before Austin boomed. Texas Monthly recommends the Carne Guisada, Elgin Sausage, Bacon & Egg, Barbacoa, and Migas. They close when they sell out, so go early.
QUALITY SEAFOOD MARKET | Around since 1938, this is where you should buy seafood in Austin. Go for a beer and peel & eat shrimp during happy hour while you pick up seafood for the week.
UCHIKO | My first stop whenever I’m in town. I prefer it over Uchi, and look forward to their Uchiba opening in downtown Austin. Reach out for menu picks before you go!
RESTAURANTS | NEW YORK, NY
ATOMIX | I’ve been to ATOBOY, its sister restaurant in the same neighborhood. While some find the organizations controversial, I think it’s worth noting that the restaurant and Chef Junghyun have been recognized by The World’s 50 Best and James Beard Foundation within the year.
BARBUTO | Day-of, grab a spot at the bar or outside without a reservation. I recommend showing up no later than 6:15 to guarantee a spot. The calamari salad is an all-time favorite dish of mine.
COCORAN MARKET | I’m eager to pick up wagyu, karaage, and soba from this spot. The group has a collection of restaurants as well. They also have the most thoroughfood allergy diagram I’ve seen.
CHERRY ON TOP | I’ve heard very little about this Buschwick natural wine bar, and I’m eager to try it. They offer a selection of light bites alongside $8 glasses of wine until 7pm daily.
DEAD RABBIT | Opened ten years ago by an Irish team of two, Dead Rabbit continually receives recognition for it’s world-class cocktails. They’re working on a New Orleans location, scheduled to open at 616 Conti Street (French Quarter) in 2023.
LE DIVE | Le Croc’s team opened this French Tabac-inspired natural wine bar several months ago on Canal. Light bites and cocktails also available.
MARTINY’S | Takuma Watanabe, Angel’s Share’s head bartender, opened Martiny’s in the spring. Within the three-story carriage house, you can expect a unique Japanese whiskey collection and world-class cocktails and bites by Eleven Madison Park’s Wayne S. Cheng.
MEL’S | Melissa Rodriguez seems to be on a roll lately, opening Al Coro next to Mel’s in a matter of months. Pete Wells already speaks highly of the space.
MOGMOG | The only spot in the country to sell Japanese fruit. Based on the site, the move is to visit it in-person.
PLACE DES FÊTES | I tried this in July. By the team behind Oxalis, pdf has significant hype behind it right now. The wine list, while impressive, quickly took the backseat to a serving of crispy maitake mushroom with black garlic fudge.
ROSELLA | My mini New York Uchiko. Local seafood, which I’m learning more about in American Catch. Check it out.
STUDIO 151 | Sushi, liquor, vinyl. Converts from a Japanese restaurant to a vinyl club at about 11pm. The cocktails are fine, but the space is well worth a visit.
TIDBITS
BONNIE SLOTNICK COOKBOOKS | A highly recommended vintage cookbook store in NY.
CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE | The closest recipe I’ve found to Royal Blue’s chicken salad.
CHOCTI | A chocolate ghee spread to replace your Nutella.
JOANNE HENDRICKS COOKBOOKS | Another vintage cookbook store in NY.
SAD PAPI | One of my favorite content creators on TikTok.
THOMAS STRAKER | Recognized by many as the TikTok butter guy.
TZATZIKI RECIPE | My best tzatziki recipe thus far.
YOLANDA EDWARDS | She’s the founder of Yolo Journal, a fantastic resource for travel. Check out her newsletter as well.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS
“Perhaps we could take a pause and reacquaint ourselves with the specificity of the fish and shellfish on our plates...And in the process we might learn that this environment is as fragile as it is necessary, that it requires our ecological stewardship as much as it does our economic interest.” — Paul Greenberg, American Catch
“Power over others is weakness disguised as strength.” — Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
“Hospitality starts with the genuine enjoyment of doing something well for the purpose of bringing pleasure to other people.” — Danny Meyer, Setting the Table
“These days, the most effective critics are part carnival barker, madly yelling into the TikTok-addled maelstrom of public opinion; part social anthropologist; and part reporter, covering an industry that’s more central to the economic and spiritual well-being of the city than ever before.” — Adam Platt, “I’m Full”