December 2014

Austin Woman Magazine

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” —Harriet Van Horne

DECEMBER 2014

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2 DO YOU KNOW YOUR TSH?

2 HAVE YOU SEEN AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST?

is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Osteoporosis affects one in two women and one in four men over fifty and is generally missed.

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Contents DECEMBER

A

74

On the Cover

CHEF SARAH MCINTOSH of Épicerie Bringing a little New Orleans to Rosedale.

Photo by Jace Rivers.

By Kristi Willis

80

Feature

Best of Austin 2014 AW’s food and drink exclusive.

By Molly McManus

Contents DECEMBER

on the scene

to your health

24 KRISTY’S TOP 10 December’s To-Do List 26 philanthropy Heart and Sole 28 horoscopes Happy Birthday, Sagittarius!

66 FITNESS Best New Gear 68 HEALTH Understanding Suicide 72 NUTRITION DIY Healthy Gifts

must list

opposite sex

30 Staff picks Must-Have Gifts 32 What’s in store Terra Toys 36 Day at the spa What a Girl Wants

84 memo from JB

style 38 BEAUTY Haute Holiday Hair 40 ask ashley Get the Look for Less 42 STYLE 12 Days of Fashion

home 54 holiday deCORATING Christmas Style

gourmet 58 comforT food Culinary Delight

60 dining

Central Market

Burnet Restaurant Roundup

14 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

My Charlie Strong Decision

savvy women 86 bloggers

Best of the Food Blogs 90 Y ou should know East Side Show Room 92 GIFTS THAT GIVE Five Ways Anyone Can Be a Philanthropist

94 J OB ENVY Daniela Marcone of Andiamo 96 T HE LAST WORD A Perfect Holiday Season

on the cover Photo by Jace Rivers, jacerivers.com.

Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, hair by Amy Salas, Rae Cosemetics, 237 W. Second St., 512.320.8732, raecosmetics.com.

Odd Duck photo by Jane Ko, A Taste of Koko.

86

The

Volume 13, issue 4

AusTin symphony

Co-Founder and Publisher

Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher

Christopher Garvey associate publisher

Cynthia Guajardo Co-Founder

Samantha Stevens Editor-in-chief

Deborah Hamilton-Lynne associate editor

Molly McManus copy editor

Chantal Rice CREATIVE Director

Niki Jones art director

Jennifer Day ART ASSISTANT

Nora Iglesias operations MANAGER

Maggie Rester Account Executives

Kelly Keelan, Elissa Portillo 512.328.2421 Web manager

Rachel Merriman contributors

Rudy Arocha, Paul Bardagjy, Amber Brady, Jill Case, Emma Chapman, Nicole Daniels, John Davidson, Krista Delarosa, Silvana Di Ravenna, Ryan Farnau, Natasha Ford, Cassy Garcia, Carrie Gavit, JB Hager, Ashley Hargrove, Yahaira Hernandez, Jody Horton, Korey Howell, Tom Hushen, Eugene Hyland, Caleb Kerr, Kijana Knight, Shelly Stewart Kronbergs, Matt Lankes, Robert J. Lerma, Kate LeSueur, Margaret Licarione, Sarah Linder, Lauren Lumsden, JoJo Marion, Deborah Mastelotto, Claire McCormack, Rachel Merriman, Dustin Meyer, Kristy Owen, Hilary Pearson, Monique Penner, Jennifer M. Ramos, Sandra Ramos, Jace Rivers, Theresa Roemer, Kelly Rucker, Nathan Russell, Amy Salas, Audrey Sandberg, Mike Sandoval, Shelley Seale, Elizabeth Shear, Brian Stewart, Alison Stoos, Buff Strickland, Tiffany Vogelpohl, Jessica Wetterer, Erica Wilkins, Kristi Willis, Eric Yang Interns

Silvana Di Ravenna, Natasha Ford, Carrie Gavit, Tom Hushen, Audrey Sandberg, Olivia Smith, Alison Stoos Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media, Inc. and is available at more than 1,150 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.

Email us at info@awmediainc.com.

512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

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Upcoming events: Handel’s Messiah December 2 Behind the Mask™ Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber December 29 & 30

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

season sponsor This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

all artists, programs, and dates subject to change.

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

media sponsors

TickeTs/info

(512) 476-6064 or austinsymphony.org

From the Editor

and often, the memory of food associated with those holidays: the smell of apple cider spiced with nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon simmering on the stove, the fun of melted marshmallow sticking to my lip as I drink a cup of hot chocolate, the sight of the turkey as it comes from the oven all glistening and golden brown, and the taste of my favorite casseroles, gravy over biscuits and stuffing.

Poring over this issue, I started to think about the holidays and what makes those days, moments and meals memorable. I think it is because those traditions feed us, not only physically, but also spiritually. Those memories feed our hearts and souls, using the past to give us hope for the future. For me, the recipe for a memorable meal begins with love and the intention to share with those you love, and has the following ingredients: a dynamite menu with food that appeals to all the senses, a cadre of interesting people you care about and want to know more about, a space that is inviting and warm, and finally, a finale that wows, whether it is dessert, afterdinner drinks or a lively conversation. A memorable meal is one that you want to relive and never want to end.

The thing that separates a great chef from a good cook, for me, is their ability to include a part of themselves as a main ingredient in anything they create and serve. Sarah McIntosh serves up herself from the minute you walk into Épicerie. From her café’s relaxed décor, to the products she has chosen to line the shelves, to her warm coffee and beignets, to her smile, Sarah understands that she isn’t just feeding people; she is sharing her love of food and everything she puts into preparing the distinct cuisine for her guests. Maybe that is why when you ask chefs and foodies in the know throughout Austin where they go to eat, Épicerie is always at the top of the list.

Food, glorious food! Because Austin has become such a foodie town, we thought it was only right to gather a panel of experts to bring you the best of 2014. We also took a look at a neighborhood destination and the many restaurant choices available on a small but packed section of Burnet Road. If cooking at home is your thing, we have recipes from an Austin icon—Central Market— celebrating its 20th anniversary, as well as suggestions for nutritious DIY gifts for the

18 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

holidays. Although the Austin food scene remains a man’s world, we found several women who are making inroads by following their passions to create their own restaurants, East Side Show Room and Andiamo Ristorante. As the reputation of Austin as a food destination grows, so does our need for information and reviews of the many places that pop up seemingly daily, so we have also turned to Austin’s best food bloggers to keep us in the know about the culinary scene.

Of course, everyone has a memory of a special gift either given or received, so we have included lots of suggestions for gifts to give and to get. I have many holiday memories associated with outfits, some heinous with bad hair and Christmas sweaters, and some of the perfect LBD and heels that led to the perfect evening. With a tongue-in-cheek version of a traditional song, we present the 12 Days of Fashion, and our stylist, Ashley Hargrove, brings us the most amazing Splurge or Steal outfit ever. To avoid making a bad-hair night part of your holiday memories, we turned to the experts at Jose Luis for styles that suit every personality and occasion.

Lastly, for creating memorable traditions, look no further than our On the Web page and Kristy’s Top 10 page. I have the best memories of many evenings spent at the Trail of Lights, spinning under the Zilker tree, watching The Nutcracker and holiday films at The Paramount and singing along with the Austin Symphony.

There is no better place to be during the holidays than Austin, and this year, I wish you all the ingredients you need to create memories, starting with being surrounded by friends and loved ones to share those days and moments.

Bon appetit!

deborah hamilton-lynne Editor-in-Chief

Ten Memorable Spots for Dining With Deb Barbecue: Franklin Barbecue (It is worth the wait!)

Tex-Mex: Maudie’s on Lake Austin Boulevard (Rockin’ Ruthanne’s) Chicken-Fried Steak: The Broken Spoke Mexican Martini: The Driskill Bar Happy Hour: The Roaring Fork (green chili stew and lamb-chop fondue) Distinctly Austin: Ranch 616 Special Occasion: Congress Brunch: Fonda San Miguel Romantic Evening: Chez Nous Dessert: Chez Zee

CONNECT WITH US: Have you made a great connection at an AW anniversary event, Tiara Tuesday or launch party? Did you meet someone who became a friend or mentor? Did you read a story in AW that sparked a change or motivated you to take a leap that changed your life personally or professionally? We are collecting stories from our readers for our February issue. Please send them to submissions@awmediainc.com with “Connections” in the subject line.

Sarah McIntosh photo by Jace Rivers. Ashley Hargrove photo by Rudy Arocha. Franklin Barbecue photo by JoJo Marion.

Chez Zee photo by Annie Ray.

What ties the holidays and food together for me are the memories of holiday traditions,

Contributors JACE R IVERS

K R IS TI WILLIS

NOR A IGLESIAS

Monique Penner

COVER STORY PHOTOGRAPHER, “SARAH Mcintosh”

COVER STORY WRITER, “Sarah McIntosh”

Art Assistant

writer/STYLIST, “WHAT’S YOUR christmas style?”

Page 74

Jace Rivers has photographed the far reaches of the world, from Kathmandu to Casablanca, from Borneo to Belfast, documenting adventures and cultures all along the way. Jace is an international award-winning photographer, and his images have been featured in publications worldwide, including National Geographic.

During the last 15 years, he’s explored more than 45 countries, viewing each new experience through the aperture of his lens.

What is your favorite area in Austin for FOOD?

“South Austin is a gold mine of culinary treats if you know where to look. Sway consistently delivers exceptional Thai cuisine, although it didn’t remain a neighborhood secret for long since being named one of the 50 Best New Restaurants in America by Bon Appétit Magazine. Within walking distance of the bat-watching tourists is Bar Congress, a cozy spot with world-class cocktails and amazing bites, like grilled shishito peppers.

Bar Congress is tucked in between Second Bar & Kitchen and the upscale Congress, right in the heart of the city.”

Page 74

Page 54

Kristi Willis is a freelance

writer and technology consultant who shares her passion for food on her blog, Kristi’s Farm to Table, and as a regular contributor for Austin Woman and Edible Austin magazines. She is an active member of the Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization that promotes women in the culinary arts. After more than 25 years in Austin, Kristi is dedicated to Austin’s local neighborhood restaurants, which made interviewing Chef Sarah McIntosh, this issue’s cover woman, a real treat.

What about Épicerie reflects the Rosedale neighborhood?

“Rosedale is a family neighborhood and Épicerie’s casual but refined atmosphere and menu are a perfect fit. Guests can kick back with a burger or get one of the more elegant dishes without it ever feeling like a stuffy or overdone experience. And that patio is fantastic! In addition to Épicerie, some of my favorite neighborhood restaurants are Lenoir, Cafe Josie, Dai Due and Foreign & Domestic.”

Nora Iglesias moved to

Austin in 2011 to pursue a career in graphic design. While she was in school, she realized that magazine layout was her favorite type of design, and was very excited when she was offered the position of art assistant at AW Media. In her free time, she likes to hang out at coffee shops with her friends, and says her favorite area of Austin is the Rainey Street District. Her passions, apart from art and design, are music and traveling, and she hopes to soon travel to Barcelona, Spain, to experience the art and architecture.

Interior designer Monique Penner moved to Austin three

years ago. She brought with her a passion for decorating and renovating spaces that not only capture the lifestyle and personalities of her clients, but also provide a functional and timeless design. Creating style and comfort within all her clients’ budget needs is what drives her to do what she does, and to prove that hiring an interior designer can be affordable. She won the 2014 Woman’s Way Best New Company award, is featured online as a local Austin HGTV designer and is a regular Austin Woman online design writer.

What is your favorite food and what do you love about it?

What is trending for holiday decorating this year?

“My favorite food is chilaquiles.

They are similar to enchiladas, the only difference being that instead of corn tortillas, the recipe calls for tortilla chips. They are my favorite because they taste amazing. In Mexico, they always serve chilaquiles after a wedding or a big party.”

“Natural and organic textures and materials like burlap, berries, pinecones, sprigs, fresh greens and florals are always a timeless way to capture Christmas. The other hot alternative is using gold, silver and mercury-glass metallic, along with other unique objects, instead of hanging ornaments. I really feel like this holiday season, the lessis-more effect goes a long way.”

have the last word?

We love hearing your stories. Send in your submissions for our February Last Word column for a chance to be published.

To be considered, email 500 words or less to submissions@awmediainc.com by Jan. 1.

February’s topic: “Making Connections.”

20 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Life’s most important connections can be found close to home

Martha Pulido Egli Assistant Vice President Financial Advisor 512.397.3709

Proud to serve Austin.

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Life’s better when we’re connected™

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management makes available products and services offered by Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC, and other subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”).

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value The Bull Symbol and Merrill Lynch are registered trademarks or trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. © 2014 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Connect with us! find us online at austinwomanmagazine.com

FEATURED EVENT

EDITOR’S PICK

Special 75th anniversary screening of Gone With the Wind

Third Annual ACC Rocks Rainey Street Dec. 4, 8 p.m., Container Bar, 90 Rainey Street AW Cover Woman Sara Hickman joins the renowned African Children’s Choir as they celebrate 30 years of change for the children of Uganda with the release of their new CD, co-written and recorded in Uganda by Hickman and the children of the ACC. africanchildrenschoir.com

Dec. 15, The Paramount Theatre, austintheatre.org

On the 75th anniversary of the premiere of this cinematic landmark, The Paramount will host a tribute screening. Check out The Paramount events calendar for other holiday classics, including Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas, showing throughout December.

Best of the Blogs: GivingCity Austin: We take a look at GivingCity (givingcityaustin.com), Monica Williams’ blog that promotes local philanthropy through news and information about volunteering, and share ways you can give back this December.

Can’t get enough of this issue?

Win This! Conspirare Christmas celebration

Check out austinwomanmagazine.com

Dec. 8, The Long Center, thelongcenter.org

More Food:

➥ Explore one of Austin’s best-kept secrets, the Hana World Market, including a review of Kin & Comfort. ➥ We share more healthy DIY gifts to make and give.

More Gifts:

➥ Check out our exclusive interview with the owner of Terra Toys. ➥ Philanthropy: More gifts that give. ➥ Inspired gifts to give and get, from former AW cover women.

The Conspirare Christmas celebration, featuring AW cover woman Ruthie Foster, has become one of Austin’s most beloved holiday traditions.

To win a set of two tickets for the Dec. 8 performance at The Long Center, like us on Facebook and write a post about your favorite ATX holiday tradition.

More Fashion:

➥ We’ve got a tribute to

legendary fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, in his own words.

More Holiday Events:

➥ We’ve got info on the Trail

of Lights and more holiday events for the entire family.

➥ Where to find the best seasonal cocktails.

➥ Happy New Year’s Eve!

Five places to ring in 2015 in style.

Follow us

@austinwoman

22 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

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Top 10

Top 10 Kristy’s

December’s to-do list from 365 Things To Do In Austin, Texas.

By Kristy Owen

2

1 St. Philip Pizza Parlor + Bakeshop 4715 S. Lamar Blvd., 512.358.7445 stpaustin.com This pizza parlor is the brainchild of Uchi’s former executive pastry chef, Philip Speer, and he hit a home run with this new project. To begin with, the space is phenomenal. It features light, airy, indoor/ outdoor seating, seats at the pizza bar and an attached bakeshop. I was already in love before I even tried the food.

I decided to try them out for brunch, and my friend and I split the s’mores waffles and a sausage pizza.

Mind blown. The s’mores waffles were amazing and something that any s’mores lover would instantly devour. Ah, the pizza. They know how to cook a pie.

Regardless of your taste, you’ll have no problem finding a pizza on the menu that speaks to you.

Warning: Once you try this place, it will constantly be on your mind.

5

3

Trail of Lights + Zilker Holiday Tree Dec. 7 through Dec. 21 Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road austintrailoflights.org Walking through this 1.25-mile trail of holiday awesomeness really gets you in the spirit. It’s basically a rite of passage to becoming an Austinite, and it always makes me happy that I live in this great city.

Celebrate the Trail of Lights’ 50th anniversary with performances, dancers and carolers along the trail. Be sure to stand in the center of the big lit-up tree and spin in circles while looking toward the star at the top.

Don’t worry; you won’t be the only one doing it!

Mozart’s Holiday Light Show Dec. 1 through Jan. 1 3825 Lake Austin Blvd. mozartscoffee.com Each year, Mozart’s takes Christmas lights to the extreme with an extravagant display that covers the building and flows throughout the patio.

Imagine a beautiful light show accompanied by musical numbers like Wizards in Winter by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, and Taps, the University of Texas fight song. Shows start on the hour beginning at 6 p.m.

Barton Creek Gingerbread House Competition Dec. 2, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, 8212 Barton Club Drive Gingerbread houses are one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. I never actually decorate one myself; I leave that to the professionals and ogle at all the creative houses in the competition.

This year’s theme is Austin: Live Music Capital of the World, so all entries will be created with that theme in mind.

24 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Bob Schneider’s New Year’s Eve at The Paramount

4

Dec. 31, 9 p.m.

The Paramount Theatre, 719 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org

This is one of the most Austin-y ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Bob Schneider is back for his annual New Year’s Eve concert at The Paramount.

It ultimately turns into one big party with everyone singing along and celebrating the new year.

1. Photo by Kristy Owen. 2. Photo by Margaret Licarione. 5. Photo courtesy of Barton Creek Resort & Spa.

on the scene /

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar Dec. 16 through Dec. 24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Palmer Event Center, 900 Barton Springs Road armadillobazaar.com

7

It’s already less than two weeks until Christmas! Where does the time go? It’s crazy, but that means it’s time for one of Austin’s favorite Christmas traditions: the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. Now in its 39th season, the bazaar manages to keep Austin bizarre and Christmas-y all at the same time.

The bazaar was originally created to give local musicians a warm, dry place to play during the holiday season. The live music combined with the Christmas market was immensely popular, and while it was originally scheduled for two days that first year, it now runs right up until Christmas Eve. This is something you must experience in Austin, and those who have been can’t imagine the holiday season without it.

6

Ice Skating on The Plaza at Whole Foods Nov. 29 through Jan. 11, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Whole Foods Market, 525 N. Lamar Blvd.

In Austin, December is often a mix of cold, cool and unseasonably warm days.

Sometimes you have to participate in activities that remind you it’s the holiday season. Ice skating on the Whole Foods Plaza falls into that category.

6. Photo courtesy of Whole Foods. 7. Photo courtesy of Armadillo Christmas Bazaar.

9. Photo courtesy of KUT. 10. Photo courtesy of Austin Police Department.

It might not be the biggest rink you’ve ever been to, but strapping on ice skates with holiday music playing can make anyone feel like a kid at heart. Finish your skate session with a cup of hot cocoa or soup from inside the store.

8

The Nutcracker at The Long Center Dec. 6 through Dec. 23 The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside Drive thelongcenter.org/event/nutcracker

Ballet Austin has been bringing The Nutcracker to Austin for more than 50 years. This is one of those signature Christmas shows that I just can’t get enough of. Maybe it’s the famous Russian Dance song from the play that just exudes the magic of Christmas.

9

KUT & KUTX Holiday Sing-A-Long Dec. 6, 6 to 9 p.m.

Texas State Capitol and Congress Avenue downtownaustin.com/holiday-stroll Sing-alongs are always fun, and this is a great way to get everyone in full-on holiday mode. This family-friendly event is a chance to get out and enjoy Austin while it’s decorated for the holidays. Caroling will begin on the grounds of the Capitol, and once the tree is lit, you can stroll down Congress Avenue, singing the night away.

The 40-foot Capitol tree will be lit at 7 p.m. on the south lawn. Bring non-perishable food or cash donations to the Capitol Christmas tree for the Capital Area Food Bank.

For more from Kristy Owen: 365thingsaustin.com

10

Austin Police Operation Blue Santa Dec. 20, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Blue Santa Warehouse, 4101 S. Industrial Drive bluesanta.org Delivering presents for Operation Blue Santa is one of the most rewarding things I participate in each year. The joy on the kids’ faces when I drop off the presents is unmatched, and it proves that it really is better to give than receive.

They need all the help they can get on delivery day. You basically get to deliver presents and make people’s day. The folks at Blue Santa will load your vehicle with as many presents as you wish to deliver, and then off you go to make families’ holiday wishes come true.

Post delivery, you’re invited to a barbecue with live music as a thank you for participating!

austinwomanmagazine.com 25

phil a nth ropy

Heart and Sole The eighth annual fashion luncheon benefits the RISE School of Austin.

By Rachel Merriman

Heart and Sole event Chair Cindy Lind.

Heart and Sole benefits the RISE School of Austin, which provides educational services for children ages 18 months to 6 years old with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. The school also accepts children without disabilities, creating an inclusive environment that encourages children to learn from one another.

“Children don’t see a difference at that age. It’s a time where everyone’s just the same. They learn from each other,” says Cindy Lind, Heart and Sole event chair and RISE School of Austin board member.

The RISE School of Austin recently moved into its own building in East Austin, and Lind says the school aims to open a classroom specifically for infants in the new space. Early intervention programs, such as speech and language therapy or physical therapy, provide critical support for children with developmental delays.

“We’ve learned that when we start teaching, the younger we have them, the better. They just absorb everything. [Infancy] is the prime time for them to learn,” Lind says.

The RISE School is committed to recognizing the unique needs of each child and offering an individualized learning experience. The specially tailored programs are designed to help children reach critical milestones in their development, and to ensure their success after they leave the school.

“Each child is so different, and we recognize that we can’t teach overall. I think that’s what’s so special about the school,” Lind says.

When guests arrive at the Heart and Sole event, they’ll receive the redcarpet treatment. Before lunch, guests will work up an appetite by bidding on purses, jewelry, shoes and other accessories from the biggest and best designer labels in the silent auction. During lunch, there will be giveaways at each table for additional special items.

After lunch, RISE School preschoolers will present a special fashion show sponsored by Austin Fashion Week, modeling clothes from local boutiques alongside their dads and local celebrities. Before guests leave, they’ll want to stop by the giving tree, where they can give the gift of classroom supplies and other needed items to RISE School teachers.

Those unable to attend the event this year can still support the RISE School of Austin by donating directly at riseschoolaustin.org. Volunteer positions for administrative staff, special-events staff and classroom assistants are also available.

“If you’re having a bad day, just drop into one of the classrooms and your day will be transformed,” Lind says.

Sponsorship opportunities and tickets for Heart and Sole are available at riseheartandsole.org.

Heart and Sole

Dec. 16 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Hilton Austin 500 E. Fourth St.

For information on other AW sponsored events, visit austinwomamagazine.com.

Expanding our family to help care for yours.

NICOLE HIGGINBOTHAM, F.N.P.

Your family’s health is a top priority for you, and for us too.

That’s why Luis Egelsee, M.D., and Terri Jones, F.N.P., are pleased to welcome another family nurse practitioner, Nicole Higginbotham, to Family First Healthcare. She provides a wide range of quality healthcare services for all ages including preventive care as well as treatment for illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions. Family First Healthcare is now accepting new patients.

We accept most insurance, including Medicare. Ask us about services your plan may cover at no cost to you.

To request an appointment, call 512-528-0432. Se habla español.

651 N. U.S. Hwy. 183, Suite 110 (in the HEB Plus Shopping Center) Leander, TX • 512-528-0432 FamilyFirstLeander.com Accepting most insurance plans, including Medicare.

Members of the Medical Staff at Cedar Park Regional Medical Center.

26 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Photo courtesy of Heart and Sole.

on the scene /

We can help you get the most out of your health insurance.

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SOURCE: The best cars, trucks, SUVs, and more for 2015: Editors’ Choice Awards - caranddriver.com - October 2014. *EPA-estimated highway MPG on select engine/transmission combinations. Actual results will vary. 1Based on the EPA’s annual Fuel Economy Trends report released in October 2014. Mazda vehicles averaged the highest fuel economy and lowest greenhouse gas emissions in the 2013 model year. 2When equipped with available Smart City Brake Support. Built after October 2013. Smart City Brake Support operates under certain low-speed conditions. It is not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. Factors including movement and shape of the object in front of the vehicle, weather and road conditions can all impact automatic stopping. 32014 model-year vehicle’s projected cost to own for the initial five-year ownership period is based on the average Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own data which considers depreciation and costs such as fuel and insurance. For more information, visit www.kbb.com.

on the scene /

horoscopes

Happy Birthday, Sagittarius!

Nov. 22–Dec. 21 Your month: Here’s a simple idea for you that will make December flow more smoothly. It’s a post by Leo Babauta from his blog, Zen Habits: “Picture all the expectations you have for yourself, your life, your spouse, your kids, your co-workers, your job, the world. Take them from inside you, and toss them in the ocean. A river or lake will also do. What happens to them? They float. They’re carried around by waves. The current takes them out, and they drift away. Let them be washed away by the cleansing waters, and let them go. Now live your life without them.”

➺

It’s a generous and happy-go-lucky month, enjoyable, comfortable and a little lazy and self-indulgent, although out-of-the-ordinary projects and events are attractive too. It’s also a great time for communicating, not just for spouting forth your own views (though there’s certainly lots of that!), but truly listening to other people. And that’s the key to December: Listen with love and don’t lose your temper.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 20): It’s the holidays and parties are all around you, so it’s tempting to do your Capricorn thing and just sneak in and out. But you have the energy this month to stay up late and get up with the chickens, so there is a way to put that energy to good use.

We suggest you could have much more fun if you bring the parties to your own home. Create some mutually profitable entertainment by including your friends, business contacts and co-workers on your guest list.

Invite potential clients and potential employees and get a corporation to sponsor it. Bingo!

Instant shared resources.

Aquarius (Jan. 21–Feb. 19): Groups, friends, social connections, public, media—a lot’s happening this month. You’ve been going it alone for most of this year, feeling others aren’t ready for your exotic ideas, but suddenly, you’re surrounded by myriad connections, and they drag you in. There’s a lot to do, but you can use your army to dig in and get things done. You’re part of a group again, and it feels good. The closer you get to the end of the year, the closer you are to achieving your objectives. Next year, you get to put your own concepts out in front, no matter how weird.

Pisces (Feb. 20–March 20): What a month for you guys!

Power, advancement, recognition—it’s all here, and if you aren’t ready for it, get ready.

28 Austin Woman D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4

Stop trying so hard. Relax.

Enjoy this. Your work, and yes, maybe even your life’s work, will begin to be manifested now. After the holidays, you’ll have friends and supporters aplenty to help you achieve whatever you want, so don’t be shy; just reach for the sky. But try to keep a lid on emotional outbursts that come seemingly out of the blue. And don’t worry about feeling a vague sense of loss of direction at times. A clear direction comes next year.

Aries (March 21–April 20): What a fun month! Your legendary quick wit and fiery good looks attract whatever you want. Old friends and relatives who live far away and good friends who live close have lots of reasons to celebrate, and they want you to be the guest of honor. You could also score a surprise windfall, but, of course, there’s a down side to this wonderfulness. Relationships are a little rocky and cash may be at the heart of it. Maybe it’s all the world traveling you’ve been doing, so pay attention to your job. 2015 will make 2014 look like a vacation.

Taurus (April 21–May 21): Your larger-than-life schemes pay off this month, partly because of your talent for putting people at ease and the fact that your natural enthusiasm is contagious, and partly because you attract the right kind of business at the right time. Joint

projects, especially business partnerships with your significant others, are lucky for you financially.

Artsy-fartsy business projects are lucky too, though it’s the holiday season and no one else seems to want to work. In fact, any time you use resources, your own or other people’s, you put money in your wallet. You might even inherit some too. It’s that kind of month.

Gemini (May 22–June 20): Snap your fingers and you may discover that things have been magically re-arranging themselves for your benefit. This month, negotiation is the key.

Partnerships and friendships are lucky right now, and the best way to keep your partnerships healthy is to limit yourself just a little. Be satisfied with what you’ve accomplished so far. You’ve taken chances and gone where angels feared to tread, so don’t worry about not getting your way completely. You’ll soon discover that compromise brings you what you most want anyway, and teaches you a useful lesson at the same time. Like magic.

Cancer (June 21–July 22): This month, you’ll have abundant opportunities to accomplish great deeds and truly make a name for yourself, and at the same time, score some extra cash.

You’re artistic and creative, and kids love you. There’s just one teeny problem: You may have a little trouble getting along with co-workers. Not bosses and not clients either because they love you. But the people you work with? They make you insane.

Try not to act annoyed or upset; you’ll just complicate things.

Don’t argue or fight; it’ll only make you look bad. Step around the landmines, talk softly and put down your big stick.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 23): There are many lucky ways for you to travel this month. Travel physically: Put your body on a plane, train or ship, and experience foreign cultures and exotic locales. Travel mentally: Put your mind in a classroom, library or university, and experience exotic ideas and higher learning.

Or travel spiritually: Put your soul in a church, synagogue or ashram, and experience exotic belief systems and a higher calling. The kind of travel that

isn’t lucky for you is day-to-day, place-to-place travel with you at the wheel of a car. Hire yourself a driver. Please.

Virgo (Aug. 24–Sept. 22): You have the home-field advantage this month, so please don’t give it up willingly. Try not to do that Virgo thing and worry that you aren’t at work, or that you’re spending too much time and money on your family. Any resources you share with them, any time and money you spend at home or on your home community come back to you like a win at the World Series. Your co-workers aren’t content with this, however, and try to push to get you to work. Resist. If you give up your home-field advantage, you can’t expect the big win.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Congratulations, Libra, you get the best month! We have just one small piece of advice: Avoid the mundane. Festivities, traditions, events and social media plop you front and center of everything, so take the responsibility of social leader seriously.

It’s a great time to reconnect with old friends, host parties and give extravagant gifts, but it’s also the perfect month to see and be seen doing good works. You turn any project into an adventure with energy and enthusiasm, so why not inspire your hoards of fans to give to the less fortunate? You could start a trend.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): It’s the holidays, when everywhere you look, thoughts are turned to...work? Yup. You guys rake in the cash and the kudos while everyone else has on their party hats. Don’t feel guilty about using your professional and public personas, and your ever-expanding need for public recognition as vehicles to find or express your own personal meaning of life. You’re simply preparing for the next six months, which will be explosively career-driven. And don’t worry if your self-esteem seems to be directly tied to your ability to handle your finances correctly. It’s a temporary condition.

By Deborah Mastelotto deborah@pinkaustin.com

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Must List /

Sta f f Pick s

Must-Have Gifts AW’s staff and contributors share favorite gifts to give and get.

Maggie OPERATIONS MANAGER “I want to give Austin-based Flash Tattoos!

These jewelry-inspired removable tattoos were seen on Beyoncé and all over Zilker Park during ACL. The metallic tattoos make a great statement piece for a fun night out, concert or your typical day-to-day activities! The tattoos last for about five days and will make great stocking stuffers.” flashtat.com

“I love receiving nice makeup and I’ve had my eye on the Nars Virtual Domination cheek palette.” $65, sephora.com

editorial intern “I just think these Fujifilm Instax MINI 25 Instant Film Cameras are the coolest and cutest thing ever.

And who doesn’t like instant photos?” $82, fujifilmusa.com

Chantal

Amy Cover HAIRSTYLIST

Silvana

COPY EDITOR “I like to give premium season tickets, aka VIP Smack Packs, to the Texas Rollergirls’ roller derby season. These monthly double-headers are heartthumpingly exciting, and nowhere else can you experience this hard-hitting, athletic sport from the pioneers of modern flat-track roller derby.”

VIP Smack Packs: $125, adults; $60, kids 12 and younger, texasrollergirls.org

Kelly Account executive

$38, frockonvintage.com

Niki CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Melinda

“I’d love to give all my girlfriends Omorovicza’s Blue Diamond Concentrate because it’s magical and they’ll thank me for all the money they won’t have to spend on Botox!”

PUBLISHER “I am loving the hide trend right now for fabrics, rugs and pillows. This Christmas, I’d love to get this beautiful cowhide pillow from Custom Rustics to add to my home décor.” $99.99, austincustomrustics.com

30 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

$410, omorovicza.com

Texas Rollergirls photo by Jennifer M. Ramos.

“These vintage sequined shorts are at the top of my Christmas wish list. They’re the perfect statement piece to wear to parties, especially during the holidays.”

Must List /

Terra Toys

W H AT ’ s i n st or e

Conquering the world, one toy at a time.

By Silvana Di Ravenna Photo by Sarah Linder In 1978, Charles Edwards and Romalda Allsup, two graduates of the University of Texas at Austin with a passion for welldesigned, hand-carved toys, founded a small toy business in their college garage apartment. They named it Terra Toys (terra meaning “earth” in Latin), as their creations were made strictly with wood.

Little did they know that their business would become the ultimate Austin toy destination for both kids and adults.

Since its humble beginnings, Terra Toys has grown into a massive 12,000-squarefoot toy wonderland that currently carries products from more than 980 vendors located throughout the world, including classics like Madame Alexander collectible dolls and a vast selection of wooden nesting dolls (matryoshkas).

The store’s success has been such that soon it will be expanding for a third time, officially becoming the largest privately owned toy store in the world. You read that right—the world. The expanded space will include a fair-trade espresso bar, high-end candy, delicious treats and the first children’s art gallery in Austin, making it the ideal place to shop, relax and feel like a kid all over again.

Terra Toys 2438 W. Anderson Lane 512.445.4498

Romalda’s Toy Picks

2 to 4 years

5 years and older

8 years and older

18 months to 2 years

Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks, $35–$110

NXT Generation C-1 Spider Glove, $21

LoopdeLoom Weaving Loom Kit, $30

All Tegu products are naturally safe and made with sustainably sourced Honduran hardwoods.

There are no lead or plastic blocks, and they combine the fundamentals of creative playing and constructing learning.

This is a hand-triggered foam-missile launcher that is extremely simple and easy to use. Just squeeze the bladder in the palm of your hand to shoot foam projectiles. There’s also a Velcro option that will stick to clothes. It’s a great alternative to computer games.

This ingenious loom makes beautiful products and teaches kids the basics of weaving. It’s a fine-motor-skills and tactile toy. Kids will have fun weaving anything from small simple purses and cellphone cases to large, complex items like rugs and more.

Janod Multi Animo Truck, $30 These beautiful wooden toys are designed in France and can be incorporated with other Janod play sets. They help inspire creative and imaginative play, making them the perfect toy for ages 18 months and older.

32 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

S p ec ia l P ro m oti o n

Holiday Gift Guide

Give the Gift of Luxury this Year!

Woodhouse Day Spa The Woodhouse Day Spa Gift Card is the perfect gift for anyone!

Purchase a Gift Card and Receive a Complimentary Gift: $150 – Tin of Cinnamon Spice Tea $200 – Neck Wrap $300 – Woodhouse Signature Robe $500 – Neck Wrap & Woodhouse Signature Robe Holiday Spa Packages Available: Relaxing in a Woodhouse Wonderland Celebrate the Season The Gift of Spa Merry & Bright Austin.WoodhouseSpas.com, 512.306.1100

Craft Cocktails BlushBox

Austin Cocktails

Keep the love alive all year long and get (or give) the gift of romance with BlushBox, a subscription service that offers a monthly or quarterly box of sexy, sensual surprises that include lingerie, bedroom beauty, adult accessories, couples games, romance and more.

Austin Cocktails is a line of bottled, craft cocktails made with five-times distilled vodka and the world's finest, natural ingredients—Think tea from Kenya and coconut water from Indonesia. Because they are sweetened with just organic agave and no sugars or sweeteners, the cocktails only have 100 calories! Available at Twin Liquors, Spec's and select Independents.

Use code ATXWoman10 at checkout for 10% off your holiday purchase.

BlushBox.com, info@blushbox.com

austincocktails.com

Gift the power of Massage Massage Harmony Massage Harmony is an affordable, massage spa perfect for those needing to escape the daily demands of the holiday season. We are locally owned and operated with three locations. Visit us online for our Holiday Specials. "Where Austin Goes To Relax" Gift Cards Online | Book Online massageharmony.com

Trend Worthy Triangle Rings Blue Lux

Handcrafted Holiday Chocolates These stylish, fashion-forward rings are made from vintage found objects by the local company Ornamental Things.

Find them at Blue Lux, where fashion is socially conscientious and eco-friendly products.

blueluxfashion.com

Delysia Chocolatier Named one of the Top Ten Best Chocolatiers and Confectioners in America, Delysia's chocolates are handcrafted using the finest quality sustainable chocolate and freshest ingredients. Holiday inspired truffle collections, hot chocolate & marshmallows, personalized corporate gifts, and customized gift baskets. delysia.com, 512.413.4701

must list /

Day at t h e S pa

What a Girl Wants North, South, East or West, there is a spa gift for every woman on your list.

By Deborah Hamilton-Lynne

There once was an ad in which a harried housewife sunk into a tub filled with bubbles, sighing, “Calgon, take me away.” Fast forward several years, and the stress and harried nature of life has quadrupled. If I had to choose one gift that would be greatly appreciated, always used and never returned, it would be a day at the spa. Austin Woman set out to find the most relaxing and innovative treatments for the women on your list, no matter where they live in the Austin area.

North: Spa Reveil spareveil.com

Far West: Lake Austin Spa lakeaustin.com

Located at The Domain, this spa sanctuary is the perfect respite to go along with a day of holiday returns or shopping, or just to escape during the hustle and bustle of the season. I highly recommend the Pumpkin Butterscotch Decadence treatment, which begins with a butterscotch Vichy shower treatment, followed by a pumpkin puree mask. It also includes a scalp massage and the most comfortable Swedish massage I’ve had in recent memory. This is a gift that gives more than once, as a portion of the proceeds benefits the Breast Cancer Resource Center.

Also recommended: Pumpkin Carrot Facial and Pumpkin Soufflé Mani/Pedi.

Consistently named among the best destination spas in the world by Travel and Leisure, as well as Fodor’s and Condé Nast Traveler, Lake Austin Spa, nestled on the banks of Lake Austin, is a world unto itself. The ultimate spa gift would be an overnight stay, and a gift of a treatment at the day spa is always welcome. Highly recommended: Perfect Pomegranate Signature treatment. This treatment calls upon the anti-aging properties of the pomegranate. After a pomegranate salt glow scrub and shower, you’ll indulge in a full-body massage with pomegranate body butter, shea and aloe. It leaves you feeling soft and tingly all over.

Also recommended: Fall Under the Spell Special. Book a two-night ultimate package and get the third night free. This includes a $400 spa allowance. Arrive on Sunday and get the third and fourth nights free, as well as the $400 spa allowance.

Also check out special Christmas and New Year’s Eve menus and celebrations, as well as December culinary events, including those featuring Chef Bruce Weinstein and Chef Mark Scarbrough, authors of The Vegetarian Dinner Party.

Central: Hiatus

hiatusspa.com

The variety of gifts available at this spa retreat, located on West Fifth Street, makes it difficult to choose. Highly recommended is the December Monthly Retreat, entitled the Magi, a treatment that celebrates the season by including the comforting aromas of ginger, cinnamon and clove. It begins with an exfoliating mask, followed by a tension-melting massage and the essential oils of frankincense and myrrh.

When your treatment is finished, you are invited to relax with a specialty drink: a warm cup of mulled wine flavored with cranberry and holiday spices and accented with gold leaf.

Also recommended: For the woman who has everything, why not give her the 12 Spa Days of Christmas package, which includes a Hiatus massage, mani-pedi retreat, Hiatus facial, revitalizing body wrap, body glow, acupuncture, The Best Facial Ever, hot-stone retreat, eco-gel manicure, spa pedicure with Pedi Sonic treatment, reflexology and their signature handcrafted Monthly Retreat, all good for one year.

Located between Austin and Bastrop, Spa Django is a short drive for an all-day or overnight escape. In addition to your treatment, you can enjoy spa amenities such as the sauna, steam room, whirlpool and relaxation pools. Highly recommended: Pecan Pie Mani/Pedi. To soothe dehydrated skin, the nutty mani/pedi combination kicks off with a whole milk hand-and-foot soak scented with notes of creme brulee. The pedicure portion features a bourbon-infused, pecan-scented sugar scrub for exfoliation’s sake. Next comes a velvety caramel body milk massage. It’s heaven!

Also recommended: Buttered Rum Holiday Body Ritual and the Couples Retreat, Relax and Spa overnight packages.

West: Woodhouse Day Spa woodhousespasaustin.calls.net On the Capital of Texas Highway in Westlake, you will find a relaxing oasis overlooking the Hill Country. Highly recommended: Celebrate the Season. The holiday package includes a 50-minute Swedish massage, an anti-aging facial, and signature manicure and organic sugar-scrub pedicure. It’s one-stop shopping for a day at the spa!

Also recommended: The Gift of Spa, which includes a volcanic stone massage, brightening facial and pedicure.

36 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Photo courtesy of Lake Austin Spa.

East: Spa Django at Hyatt Lost Pines lostpines.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE RHOAD CREW

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STYLE /

B EAU TY

Haute Holiday Hair Glamorous styles for every holiday occasion.

By Yahaira Hernandez, photos by Krista Delarosa It’s that time of year again when top beauty and fashion leaders debut their highly anticipated holiday looks. Our holiday hair collection from the stylists at Jose Luis Salon includes three types of looks: classic glamour, old Hollywood glamour and high-fashion glamour.

According to master stylist and salon owner Jose Buitron, the looks he created for the Classic Glamour Collection work best on long to medium hair, and the key is to use a hairspray that will tame flyaways and create a shiny look. Sleek and soft curls are key to achieving these hairstyles. Elegant, comfortable and beautiful, they are a perfect combination for any holiday party.

Old Hollywood glamour includes a modern twist to hairstyles inspired from Hollywood’s Golden Age; the contemporary take on classic 1920s hairstyles. Each silhouette was designed to be bold, shiny and sleek. According to creative director and hairstylist Theresa Przybyla, Oribe Super Shine Light spray is a must to achieve one of these light reflecting looks.

The hairstyles appear both soft and strong, and also add a hint of sophistication to the simplest holiday party dress.

38 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

High-fashion glamour hairstyles designed by hairstylist Franchiska Bryant take on trends that are sleek and refined but with volume, height and clean lines. To make this style last all night, Bryant recommends keeping a glossing wax in your handbag to touch up flyaway hair and to maintain the edgy, shiny look. These stylish hairstyles are the perfect complement to any look, from classy dresses to edgy accessories.

For more information, visit joseluissalon.com.

style /

A S K A S H L EY

Get the Look for Less Get your money’s worth out of your fashion budget every time.

Photos by Rudy Arocha.

Styled, modeled and written by Ashley Hargrove.

Hair by Tiffany Vogelpohl. Makeup by Alex Morgan.

Alexander McQueen cottontrimmed dress, $2,325 Prada lace-up leather bootie, $950 John Hardy Batu bamboo octagon ring, $495 David Yurman crystal and hematite earrings, $1,100 Gucci Broadway beaded clutch, $1,500 SPANX contour high-waist tights, $48 Dress available at net-a-porter.com.

Boots and ring available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.

Earrings, clutch and tights available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

Who doesn’t love a bargain? To me, designer fashion is more of an inspiration.

Not all of us can afford to splurge on amazing clothing, shoes or jewelry. With a few helpful tips, you will be on your way to saving big bucks on stylish looks that are a quarter of the price of your favorite designers’ work. Of course, there are times that my passion for fashion takes over and I do have a splurge moment, but I focus on those items that are worth the investment.

Take these two looks, for example.

They are practically identical at a glance, except one of these looks totals less than $600, while the other is priced at more than $6,000!

These days, it’s easy to look your very best without spending a fortune. You just have to be a smart shopper and know exactly where and when to shop for great deals. There are quite a few differences when you examine the craftsmanship on these two dresses, but you have to think, “Will I get my money’s worth out of this?” I always tell my clients to invest in items that are timeless and will last years, and to purchase items that will have a great resale value. Clothes and shoes are terrible investments, but pieces such as leather jackets, classic designer handbags and jewelry are things I would definitely splurge on. Focus on items that never go on sale and have price increases every year, like Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Cartier. There are always great finds at Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nordstrom Rack and online retailers similar to GILT. Wait for these stores to have promotions or incentives to shop so you get an even better deal.

40 Austin Woman de c e m be r 2 014

$6,418

Cynthia Steffe Alabama collared shirt dress, $198 Steve Madden Jillinna leather pointy-toe bootie, $129 St. John Collection square glass and crystal ring, $50 Givenchy crystal drop earrings, $38.25 BCBG MaxAzria Lulu square stone clutch, $138 BP black tights, $10 Dress available at bloomingdales.com.

$563

Boots, ring, earrings and tights available at Nordstrom, 2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.691.3500.

Clutch available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

austinwomanmagazine.com 41

style /

1. B alenciaga Giant 12 Nickel City bag, $1,895, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com

1 2 day s o f fa s h io n

Who Needs a Partridge in a Pear Tree?

2. Alexander

McQueen tulip-print fold-over clutch, $1,195, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com

Give your true love something she will really appreciate: 12 days of fashion.

3. G old sequined clutch, $52, available at The Lash Lounge, 10601 Ranch Road 2222, 512.346.5274, thelashlounge.com

Compiled by Silvana Di Ravenna, Audrey Sandberg and Olivia Smith. Photos by Rudy Arocha.

4. Roberta di Camerino velvet and leather purse, $450, available at Archive Vintage, 1708 S. Congress Ave., 214.546.0284, archivevintage.com

3

2

5. Love 41 Kivu bag, $289, available at love41.com 6. C onsuela petite Signature saddle bag, $325, available at Consuela, 910 Congress Ave., 512.894.3600, consuelastyle.com

4

1

hanel vintage red satin 7. C evening bag, $1,200, available at Archive Vintage, 1708 S. Congress Ave., 214.546.0284, archivevintage.com

by Marc Jacobs 8. MARC Too Hot to Handle striped crossbody bag, $268, available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com

11

5 6

7

9. B onnie Martin Designs painted purple embossed bag, $125, available at bonniemartin.com 10. Kelly Wynne Halo crossbody bag in black and gold scale, $355, available at kellywynne.com

8 9

10

12

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me

12 Must-Have Purses 42   Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

11. Zink mini gypsy crossbody bag in electric blue crocodile, $1,195, available at ZINK at Jefferson Square, 1601 W. 38th St., 512.502.5836, zinkcollection.com nnemarie vegan leather 12. A and vintage up-cycled fabrics crossbody bag, $44, available at Blue Lux, 4477 S. Lamar Blvd., 512.284.9969, blueluxfashion.com

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7. Dolce & Gabbana Fiori Swarovski crystal clip earrings, $1,235, net-a-porter.com

1. J.Crew pearl drop earrings, $55, jcrew.com 7

2. Kate Spade songbird drop earrings, $68, katespade.com

8. B2 Cupid’s arrow earrings, $16, shopb2.com

6

3. Gold tube earrings, $38, ravenandlily.com

5

4. Lulu Frost panoptes stud earrings, $160, lulufrost.com

9. Rifle+Radford The Harkin double drop druzy earrings, $175, rifleandradford.com

11

9 8

10

10. Baublebar diamond spine drops earrings, $34, baublebar.com

11

Earrings

5. Forever 21 wing studs, $2.90, forever21.com

11. Jennifer Meyer diamond mini star stud earrings, $825, barneys.com

Shining

6. Tiffany & Co. Victoria earrings, $3,000, tiffany.com

3 2 4

1

10

POPS of

9

red

5

6 8 7

10

1. Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy lipstick, $34, nordstrom.com

3. Charlotte Olympia kiss purse suede shoulder bag $490, net-a-porter.com

5. The Shoe Book by Nancy MacDonnel, $35.48, barnesandnoble.com

2. Tory Burch Robinson hardshell case for iPhone 5, $60, toryburch.com

4. Henri Bendel “Cheers!” bottle coaster, $28, henribendel.com

6. Pomegranate spruce candle, $21.95, papersource.com

7. Santa Stops Here bottle gift tag, $4, nordstrom.com 8. Dolce & Gabbana Pour Femme Intense fragrance, $93, sephora.com

9. Essie Jump in my Jumpsuit nail polish, $8.49, target.com 10. Leather handgun bag, $65, chickabomb.com

austinwomanmagazine.com 45

At Jefferson Square 1601 West 38th Street, Austin, TX 78731 www.zinkcollection.com 512.502.5836

1 2 day s o f fa s h io n 2 3

1. Tory Burch pearl braided beanie, $135, toryburch.com 2. Express embellished beanie, $39.90, express.com

1

3. Topshop felt floppy hat, $52, us.topshop.com

4

9

4. Nordstrom reversible beanie, $16, shop.nordstrom.com 5. Kate Spade cloche, $148, katespade.com

5

hats to

DIE FOR

9

6. H&M braided headwarmer, $6.95, hm.com

6

8

7. Cable knit snood, $188, henribendel.com

7

8. Saks Fifth Avenue Collection fox fur and suede hat, $500, saksfifthavenue.com 9. H&M cat knit hat, $9.95, hm.com

8

3

scarves to

4

warm me 2

1 7

5

6

8

1. H&M patterned satin scarf, $5.95, hm.com

3. Polo rustic Southwestern scarf, $300, ralphlauren.com

5. Zara scarf with fringes, $49.90, zara.com

7. Michael Kors shredded fox fur scarf, $1,295, michaelkors.com

2. Coach Apollo scarf, $295, coach.com

4. Pom pom fringe scarf, $6.99, ebay.com

6. J.Crew cashmere scarf, $98, jcrew.com

8. Dry77 fishnet infinity scarf, $9.99, amazon.com

austinwomanmagazine.com 47

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1. H&M biker jacket, $59.95, hm.com

5. H&M wool cape, $149, hm.com

2. Tory Burch Maxeen sweater coat, $495, toryburch.com

6. Tory Burch Heather coat $795, toryburch.com

3. H&M duffel jacket, $59.95, hm.com

7. Velvet Pamela aviator jacket, $268, stbernardsports.com

4. The North Face ThermoBall PrimaLoft vest, $149, nordstrom.com

6

1. Kiehl’s Since 1851 Musk eau de toilette spray, $42.50

WINTER

2. Maison Francis Kurkdjian Aqua Vitae eau de toilette, $185

SCENTS

3. Tom Ford Fragrance Oud Wood eau de parfum, $215 4. Jo Malone London vanilla & anise cologne, $120

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5. Chanel Coco Noir eau de parfum, $130 1

6. Laura Mercier Eau Gourmande creme brulee fragrance, $50

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All available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com

austinwomanmagazine.com 49

OUTFIT THE

season

Fine leather shoes and handbags available at SAS stores and select retailers nationwide.

3 LOCATIONS IN AUSTIN! Visit SASshoes.com for location details.

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1 2 day s o f fa s h io n

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2

5

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SHOES TO

DANCE IN 3

4

1. Zara jeweled leather highheeled sandals, $99.90, zara.com

2. Tory Burch Vanessa flats, $295, toryburch.com

3. Charlotte Olympia Auspicious Debbie, $995, charlotteolympia.com

4. Matisse Bailey flats, $19, 6pm.com

5. Laurence Dacade Pete studded suede ankle boots, $905, net-a-porter.com

4

Winter

1 2

4

Gloves 3

1. H&M leather gloves, $24.95, hm.com 2. Tory Burch leather gloves, $175, toryburch.com 3. UGG Australia shearling flip mittens $160, nordstrom.com 4. H&M wool gloves, $12.95, hm.com

austinwomanmagazine.com 51

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1 2 day s o f fa s h io n

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NIGHTIES 1

3

1. H&M lace bodysuit, $24.95, hm.com 2. Stella McCartney Clara whispering stretch-silk chemise, $250, net-a-porter.com 3. Victoria’s Secret Designer Collection embellished lace halter teddy, $328, victoriassecret.com

2

PARTY

1. French Connection Marie filigree embroidered cutout dress, $268, neimanmarcus.com 2. Dolce & Gabbana crystal and sequin-embellished dress, $3,375, mytheresa.com 2

DRESSES

and a Necklace

Made Just for

Me

1

1

Pear-shaped blue lapis necklace in halo setting with round brilliant-cut diamonds by Rebeka Hakimi, $1,485, diamonds-direct.com

According to USA Today, if you bought all of the 364 items repeated in the 12 Days of Christmas in 2013, it would have set you back $114,651.

Seven swans a-swimming would cost $7,000; a partridge in a pear tree, $195; nine ladies dancing, $7,553; and 10 lords a-leaping, $5,423.

The least expensive item? Eight maids a-milking come in at a mere $58 ($7.25 each), thanks to the federal minimum wage. austinwomanmagazine.com 53

H o l i day D e c o r at i n g

What’s Your Christmas Style?

Tell your decorating story while keeping it timeless.

By Monique Penner, photos by Dustin Meyer

First, take an overall look at your home and decide on the space where you would like to put your Christmas tree, or if there is room, think about using multiple trees in different rooms, such as in your dining space or entry. Trees and fresh greenery fill the room with warmth and the smell of winter, and give a natural feel to a timeless tradition (even if they are fake!), so by placing them in several areas of your home, it will help to automatically transform the space and fill it with life.

Remember that trees come in different sizes, so vary the heights and widths of your trees to fit your room. You can even add a few tiny trees wrapped in burlap in places where you would least expect them, like your kitchen or bathroom counter. If you are going with real trees, do not throw away the extra limbs or the stumps that are usually cut off the bottom of your trees. Instead,

54 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

When it comes to the holidays and the hustle and bustle of getting everything prepared, sometimes the task of decorating your home can become a bit daunting. Try taking a different approach to decorating this year by letting things feel more organic, timeless and a lot more simple.

use that fresh greenery throughout your home on tables, mantels and staircases, or make an extra wreath. With the stump pieces, you can use them to decorate your table setting, or display them on your mantel mixed in with the greenery. I have collected the cut stumps from our trees for more than eight years now, and I write the date and info about the home we are living in on them, and every year when I place them around the home to decorate, they bring back great memories of all the different cities and homes we’ve lived in.

Now, it’s a task that might seem daunting, decorating all those trees. Remember, keeping it simple and having a plan or theme in mind really helps when you are deciding how to decorate your trees.

Something to keep in mind is your color scheme: Are you going traditional, simple and elegant, glitzy and metallic or even a little whimsical? You

can use materials that are not ornaments, such as berries, burlap, wooden or glass balls that create different textures and sizes, and simple, clear lights. For one of our trees, we deconstructed a grapevine wreath that we had and used that to wrap around the tree to give it more texture and warmth, as opposed to using ribbon. To keep things even simpler, you can purchase grapevine from any floral shop or craft store so there is no deconstructing needed.

Another simple and timeless look for a tree is going a little glitzy with silver and gold metallic.

For one of our additional trees that we placed in the dining room, we thought we would turn up the glam and add a little sparkle to the candlelight and ambiance for dinner. We flocked the tree with some spray glitter to add instant sparkle, regardless of whether the lights are on. Then we added

Flowers provided by Jennifer Frost from Art House Austin.

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H o l i day D e c o r at i n g three types of ornaments to keep with the simplicity, using glass icicles and metallic gold and silver mercury-glass ornaments in various sizes.

What’s important to remember when you’re trying to get that designer-looking tree is that when it comes to adding ornaments, varying the size and shape of the ornaments adds the different textures to the tree while keeping the look cohesive, elegant and timeless.

Other areas of the home where you can add instant holiday detail and charm are staircases, mantels and with table settings. When dressing your staircase for Christmas, many people think about wrapping it all in garland. Here, we kept with a timeless and simple display of two different wreaths hung with burlap. You can also add more variety to this by having different wreaths, or keep it simple and cohesive by using all the same wreaths.

For mantels, be as creative or as simple and classic as you like. For some mantels, adding a huge fresh wreath with a lot of greenery or fresh red berries and a beautiful, warm fire can add enough interest. However, you can also add a few more personal touches to really tell a story while you decorate for Christmas. On our mantel, we added fresh greenery, along with some candles, silver glassware and a warm grapevine tree that has a bit of glitter added to it. To create a personal touch, we used twine to tie mini chalkboard tags to the candles, and we wrote on them family names and words that have particular meaning for our families. To finish off the feel of the mantelpiece, we added our hand-knit stockings and our beautiful mixed greens and berry wreath.

Your table display adds the finishing touch for the holidays. The table is the one place where guests will not miss the fun details because they will all be sitting at the table together. Every year, I do different things to my table to reflect the Christmas design story told throughout the house, as well as the type of foods I will serve. Here, we kept with the same natural and organic items. A burlap runner was used for the center of the table, along with three grapevine wreaths that have a little sparkle, and natural elements like mini pinecones and sparkle berries instead of red berries. Three large candles were added to the middle of the wreaths, but you can also add fresh flowers, mini trees or large ornaments. Some of the finishing touches are the tree stumps and different colored snowflakes that are on the plate settings, as well as the magnolia leaves and red berries that hold the silverware instead of napkins.

For some final touches throughout the house, add a few holiday throw pillows, warm blankets, mistletoe and a tray with hot chocolate and cookies, and you are all set to celebrate the Christmas holiday in style.

Happy holidays!

For more from Monique Penner of Posh Interiors, visit poshinteriorsaustin.com.

austinwomanmagazine.com 57

gourmet /

com fort fo od

Culinary Delight Central Market celebrates its 20th anniversary with its first cookbook.

H-E-B opened the first Central Market store in Austin in 1994, and the unique food emporium quickly gained popularity as a destination for everyone from novice food aficionados to expert culinary veterans.

Braised Lamb Shanks Central Market

Ingredients: 6 lamb shanks, Frenched, 1 to 1 1/2 pounds each

1 tablespoon black

Salt and pepper

3 anchovy fillets

1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons oil

1 garlic head, peeled and halved

2 ribs celery, coarsely chopped

peppercorns

1 carrot, coarsely chopped

2 cups dry red wine

1 large yellow onion, coarsely chopped

1/3 cup white vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 cup tomato paste

2 cups beef broth or stock

5 sprigs fresh thyme

2 cups chicken broth or stock

1 bay leaf

58 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Directions: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Season the lamb shanks liberally with salt and pepper. Brown the shanks on both sides in 1/2 cup oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. This may need to be done in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding in the pan.

Place browned shanks in a roasting pan.

Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the celery, carrots and onions, and cook for eight to 10 minutes or until tender. Add tomato paste and cook for one to two minutes. Stir in the thyme, bay leaf, peppercorns, anchovies and garlic, and cook for two to three minutes. Stir in the wine, vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium. Add the beef and chicken broths and bring to a simmer.

Pour the wet mixture over the lamb shanks. Bake covered for one hour.

Remove the cover and bake, turning the shanks every 30 minutes, for an additional two to three hours or until the lamb is fork-tender and the meat is easily pulled from the bone.

Place the shanks on a serving platter. Strain the liquid and skim off the fat. Stir in hot water to make the sauce thinner if desired. Serve the sauce with the lamb shanks.

Photos and recipes courtesy of Central Market.

As part of its 20th anniversary festivities, Central Market has released a 180-page cookbook featuring 121 recipes from celebrity chefs, the most dedicated Central Market shoppers and Central Market store partners, with a unique story to accompany each recipe.

“Each Central Market store reflects the character of the neighborhood in which it is located,” says Stephen Butt, senior vice president of Central Market. “Now we have a cookbook to celebrate and reflect the tastes of each community we have served over the past 20 years.”

Austin Woman selected the following Central Market recipes to create a fourcourse meal that is perfect for chilly winter evenings and holiday family gatherings.

Pom-Pom Citrus Salad

Directions:

Shared by Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, Houston

For the dressing: In a blender or food processor, blend juice with basil, mustard and salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil. Season with salt and pepper as necessary. This dressing is meant to be thin and will lightly coat the salad.

For the salad: Wash and chop the greens, place in a salad bowl and set aside. Peel and open the pomegranate.

Remove the seeds and put them in a separate bowl. Add a handful of the pomegranate seeds and half of the orange sections to the bowl of greens.

Pour the dressing over the greens and mix it in with your hands. Sprinkle the rest of the pomegranate seeds, the orange sections, radishes and pecans on top of the salad.

Ingredients: For the Dressing:

2 oranges or tangelos, juiced Bunch of basil 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard Salt and pepper to taste 3 tablespoons olive oil For the Salad:

4 large handfuls of spring mix (green leaf lettuce, romaine or red leaf lettuce) 1 large pomegranate 2 oranges or tangelos, sectioned 2 radishes, thinly sliced 1/2 cup pecans, toasted

For Central Market’s

Holiday Haricots Verts, Onions and Prosciutto recipe, go to austinwomanmagazine.com.

Chocolate Ginger Crinkles Central Market

Ingredients: 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 large eggs, beaten 3/4 cup candied ginger, finely chopped 1/2 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips 1 cup confectioners’ sugar Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate over low-medium heat, stirring until smooth and being careful not to let it burn. Let it cool for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, cocoa, baking

powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk the eggs into the cooled butter mixture, then stir into the dry ingredients until incorporated. Finally, stir in the ginger and chocolate chips.

Place the confectioners’ sugar in a wide bowl.

Using a small ice-cream scoop or your hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls, then coat with the confectioners’ sugar.

Place the cookies about two inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake, rotating the pans after about 10 minutes, until the cookies puff and crack, 14 to 17 minutes total.

Let them cool for a minute before transferring to racks to cool completely.

austinwomanmagazine.com 59

gourmet /

din ing

Favorite Neighborhood Foodie Destination The best-kept secrets, new favorites and neighborhood staples to be found on Burnet Road.

With a plethora of delicious food and drink options in this fine city, it’s, at times, overwhelming to decide on a place to grab a bite to eat. For our Food and Drink issue, we wanted to focus on one area of town that does food and does it well. With hidden gems and tried-and-true picks, we turned to Burnet Road between 45th Street and Ranch Road 2222 for our neighborhood spotlight for great restaurants, bars, coffee shops and bakeries.

Fork and Taco How do you take a dark, uninspired and uninviting space and turn it into one of the most innovative restaurants to open in ATX in 2014? In a taco town full of demanding connoisseurs, how do you stand out from the crowd with the bold name Fork and Taco? the ingredients:

Take one creative chef (Casey Fannin, formerly of Uchi). “The menu pulls some from my Uchi experience pairing fruits with meats and creating overall lighter dishes. But with the tortilla as our medium, we sat around our kitchen and really just put anything on the menu that we loved...including both the classic green chili pork and brisket tacos.”

Combine with two ambitious and creative owners (Jeff and Susan McCoy). “When Susan and I moved to Austin, we were treated to one of the most memorable yet spontaneous dinners of our life by our new neighbors. With Fork and Taco, we’re hoping to recreate that genuinely hospitable moment. We

60 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

always go back to, ‘What did Rick [our neighbor] do?

How would we entertain people in our own house?’

We wanted to be fun and easy and still feel thoughtfully done.”

Add an incredibly simple and sophisticated vision for the interior (Merrilee McGehee). “I wanted Fork and Taco’s interior to speak to the food’s concept, which is why we went with a clean, contemporary, but most of all, fun space. We want people to feel like they are dining in a good friend’s kitchen when they come in.”

The result: Creative food with unexpected combina-

tions served in a relaxed atmosphere, making for a memorable meal for families, date night or a sit-down business lunch that will impress the out-of-towner who thinks they have been there, done that when you offer up tacos.

1 Pulled pork five spice with soy-maple crema, Asian slaw and cilantro 1 Ahi tuna with pickled ginger, avocado, sesame and soy crema 1 Portabello mushroom with zucchini, crookneck corn, bell pepper, queso fresca and tomatillo salsa

Highly recommended:

Must-try dessert:

1Adobo-braised short rib with guacamole, queso fresco and cilantro

1 Dulce de leche soft serve

– Deborah Hamilton-Lynne

Fork and Taco photos courtesy of Fork and Taco.

4801 Burnet Road, 512.838-6768, forkandtaco.com

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Monkey Nest 5353 Burnet Road, 512.505.8033, monkeynestcoffee.com

An organic bakery and Austin original, Monkey Nest serves up an array of pastry and lunch items, along with fresh cups of fair-trade coffee. Along with live music and weekly events, the environmentally and socially conscious coffee shop offers a great space for students and those looking to grab a great cup of Joe or a quick bite. From breakfast tacos, served until 11 a.m., to sandwiches and salads, Monkey Nest has something for any craving. Embracing the uniqueness of the city, this coffee shop is a warm and weird home for all Austinites. – Alison Stoos

Pinthouse Pizza 4729 Burnet Road, 512.436.9605, pinthousepizza.com

Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends or a family-friendly and cost-efficient place to dine, this restaurant offers an environment suitable for many. Pinthouse Pizza’s menu features numerous draft beers and wines, appetizers from nachos to soft pretzels and personal to family-sized pizzas. Arrive with a keen eye to find a seat among the communal picnic tables or show up at an off time to ensure a private table. Save a quarter or two for the arcade games! – Carrie Gavit

Sap’s Fine Thai Cuisine 5800 Burnet Road, 512.419.7244, sapsthai.com

Sap’s Fine Thai Cuisine offers a calming ambiance as you listen to water falling from the décor throughout the restaurant while sitting under a beautiful display of umbrellas. However, the menu kicks it up a notch with the wide array of dishes featuring levels of heat, a variety of soups and salads, and a multitude of rice and noodle dishes. All are welcome, from vegetarians to those looking for fried rice, to customers who are more adventurous with their meats, vegetables, spices and heat levels. Don’t end your meal without ordering the Thai iced tea. – Carrie Gavit

Tiny Pies

Saps photo by Brian Stewart. Tiny Pies photo courtesy of Tiny Pies.

5035 Burnet Road, 512.916.0184, tinypies.com

Nestled in a little corner on Burnet Road is a building where delicious miniatures are made. Amanda Wadsworth Bates and her mother started Tiny Pies, which features great handheld pies that travel with you. Tiny Pies has been featured on CNN Morning Express, The Katie Couric Show and in O, The Oprah Magazine. Bates tries to source as many local ingredients as she can and Tiny Pies is now part of an organization called Go Texas, which advocates for the use of locally grown food. This could be what makes their locally sourced Texas Two Step (a pecan pie topped with a brownie layer) one of the most popular items. The buttery crust flakes to perfection and really makes this treat worthwhile.

Order one of these warm. It will be one of the best treats you’ve had in a long time. – Tom Hushen

La Mancha Tex Mex Tavern

Upper Crust Bakery

2203 Hancock Drive, 512.467.4108, lamanchatexmex.com

4508 Burnet Road, 512.467.0102, uppercrustbakery.com

This “perfectly imperfect” tavern has fresh Mexican food and margaritas, as well as a great atmosphere, patio and bar. It’s neighborhood-friendly, best for family dinners, drinks after work, lunch and large groups. They feature gluten-free and braille menus, and our picks for food are the pork carnitas hash (brunch only, Saturday and Sunday), the Truck Stop Enchiladas, Chicken La Mancha Bowl (a healthy approach to Tex-Mex), and the cheesecake empanadas with Mexican chocolate and raspberry sauces. The must-try drink is the Numero Uno frozen margarita. – Natasha Ford

This place is the epitome of a perfect neighborhood bakery: inviting, spacious and full of delicious aromas emanating from yummy pastries and cakes. A favorite among Austinites who embrace a laid-back atmosphere, the bakery is an ideal stop for a family breakfast or a meeting with co-workers and friends. Besides their unforgettable sweet bites, they offer a wide selection of seasonal pies, breads and a mouth-watering lunch menu. If you stop by in the morning, you might get a taste of their famous cinnamon rolls, a crispy-on-the-outside and soft-on-the-inside flaky pastry that’s simply amazing. But be warned, they run out fast! – Silvana Di Ravenna

austinwomanmagazine.com 63

Lucy’s Fried Chicken

For a taste of classic Southern comfort food, head to Lucy’s Fried Chicken on Burnet Road. Owner James Holmes first opened popular Austin spot Olivia on South Lamar Boulevard and realized there was a niche market for fried chicken in Austin when his Picnic Chicken dish began selling out during brunch. Armed with his grandmother’s recipes, Holmes opened the original Lucy’s off South Congress Avenue in 2011, eventually bringing a second location to North Austin. Head chef at the Burnet location, Angela Lunardi, describes Holmes as a “downhome boy,” combining his love of Texas comfort food with a passion for the West Coast. The Lucy’s menu tackles the hearty (deep-fried deviled eggs, fried chicken livers, classic fried chicken) with the inventive, including an array of grilled oysters and weekly specials. Goat gumbo was served the day we went, along with Elvis Pie, a rich peanut butter and roasted banana creation. Bring your appetite and a touch of whimsy when heading to Lucy’s, and you won’t be disappointed. – Alison Stoos

Billy’s on Burnet 2105 Hancock DrIVE, 512.407.9305, billysonburnet.com

Stinson’s Bistro 4416 Burnet Road, 512.968.4970, stinsonsbistro.com

Inspired by quaint French bistros that offer excellent coffee and delicious food and drink in a warm, welcoming environment, Stinson’s provides a cozy experience and then some. With tasty and unique dishes and a variety of cocktails to choose from, this restaurant is the perfect place to lose yourself in a book, take in a football game with your friends or listen to various live-music shows. The menu is rich, varied and full of tasty dishes. We especially recommend their kale Caesar salad with croutons (an unexpected twist on the classic Caesar) and their amazing selection of coffees. – Silvana Di Ravenna

64 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

It doesn’t get much divier (That’s not a word but it should be!) than Billy’s on Burnet. This is one of Burnet’s best-kept secrets, with some of the most outstanding burgers in town.

They have a great dog-friendly patio with superb drink specials throughout the week. Don’t miss out on Monday’s domestic drafts ($1.75 all day); Texas Tuesday, when most Texas drafts go for $2.75; or Pint Day on Wednesdays, when most drafts are also $2.75. With a gigantic burger menu, you cannot go wrong with anything you order, as each burger is huge, juicy and dripping with deliciousness. Our favorites include the Cobra Burger with bacon, grilled jalapeños, cheddar and chipotle mayo; and the Uptown Burger with homemade bacon maramalade, avocado and blue cheese.

– Molly McManus

Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar 4800 Burnet Road, 512.458.1100, gustoitaliankitchen.com

If you’re looking for comforting, authentic Italian cuisine in a casual yet hip environment, you must pay a visit to Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar. Located in the Rosedale neighborhood, the restaurant exudes coolness, with a lively ambience and colorful artwork. The diverse menu is reminiscent of classic everyday Italian dishes, and ranges from house-made antipasti and pressed paninis to fresh pasta and scrumptious desserts (perfect for date night).

Their signature dish is the spaghetti carbonara, a pancetta, pecorino cheese and egg concoction that will have you asking for seconds. Delizioso! – Silvana Di Ravenna

Lucy’s photo by John Davidson. Gusto photo by Kate LeSueur. Stinson’s photo by Silvana Di Ravenna.

5408 Burnet Road, 512.514.0664, lucysfriedchicken.com

Apothecary Café and Wine Bar

Pacha Café

4800 Burnet Road, 512.371.1600, apothecaryaustin.com

This charming coffeehouse is perfect for catching up on your emails while sipping a yerba mate latte, munching on a fresh salad or conversing with friends during brunch.

With a festive and colorful ambiance, Pacha features beautiful art and special touches from the Andean region.

Utilizing organic ingredients, Pacha offers great vegan and vegetarian fare (Don’t worry, meat lovers, there’s something for you too.) and we highly recommend the quinoa salad and empanadas. However, the must-try dish is the made-to-order pancakes, specifically the pear, bacon and scallion pancake. Heaven on earth. – Molly McManus

Apothecary photo courtesy of Apothecary. Roll On photo courtesy of Roll On.

A charming date spot, Apothecary delivers seasonal menus full of fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Apothecary has a friendly and knowledgeable staff, so you can feel at ease if you end up needing some extra help pairing your wines with dishes. We recommend starting with their cheese plate, which features an assortment of cheese from Antonelli’s, house-made pickles that change monthly and whipped honey. Keeping with the seasons, the tapas-style main dishes feature scallops with fall flavors, rabbit sausage and fresh West Coast oysters at their raw bar. Also not to be missed is the weekly dessert special, which allows Apothecary to play around with crowdpleasing flavors such as those found in the pumpkin espresso bread pudding.

And if date night isn’t on your agenda, Apothecary also offers a unique brunch selection every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., ensuring there’s something for everyone. – Alison Stoos

4618 Burnet Road, 512.420.8758, pachatx.com

Blue Star Cafeteria 4800 Burnet Road, 512.454.7827, bluestarcafeteria.com

With a modern take on comfort food, Blue Star Cafeteria offers an upscale casual-dining experience. Equipped with lunch, dinner and brunch selections, Blue Star is a great spot to pop into any time of day to enjoy a quality meal.

The blue lump crab cakes and maple chicken-fried quail are genuine crowd pleasers, and generous happy hour deals of $3 draft beers and 20 percent off wine bottles make it a great retreat from rush-hour traffic. – Alison Stoos

Man Bites Dog 5222 Burnet Road, 512.614.1330, manbitesdogaustin.com

What started as a small food trailer five years ago is now a brick-and-mortar stop for those who are looking for the ultimate hot-dog experience. And we are not exaggerating. At Man Bites Dog, the classic comfort food really takes an unexpected twist, with a long list of options to choose from: savory, spicy, sweet, cheesy and even quirky hot dogs. (This is Austin, after all!) If you’re super hungry, we highly recommend the Buffalo Hottie, a beef frank, blue cheese and buffalo-wing sauce mix that will awaken your taste buds. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available. – Silvana Di Ravenna

Burnet’s

Popular Favorites

1 Amy’s

Roll On Sushi Diner 5350 Burnet Road, 512.454.7655, rollonsushidiner.com

The Pit Barbeque 4707 Burnet Road, 512.453.6464, thepitbarbeque.com

This place has a rustic, family-friendly, classically Southern vibe, and all meats are prepared in-house on a classic pit barbeque. Family-owned since 1970, this classic Texas barbecue joint is best for meat lovers, catering and low-key family dinners. The best menu items are the ribs, sausage, brisket, barbecue sauce, potato salad and peach cobbler. – Natasha Ford

When you walk into Roll On Sushi, there’s an upscale diner feel with cozy modern booths. The menu boasts fresh vegetarian options, and is family-friendly, with unique twists on sushi. There’s also a tasting menu for newbies to try traditional and specialty items, and an outstanding happy hour. Must-try items include the Saké Politan and BelLychee cocktails, as well as A Green Thai Affair as a starter, Green Belt, Jalapeño Business and the Raging Joelseph for sushi rolls, and the fried ice cream for dessert. – Natasha Ford

Ice Creams

5624 Burnet Road, 512.538.2697, amysicecreams.com 1

Hey Cupcake!

5530 Burnet Road, 512.476.2253, heycupcake.com

1

Torchy’s Tacos 5119 Burnet Road, 512.382.0823, torchystacos.com

austinwomanmagazine.com 65

Fitness

Best New Fitness Gear The latest fitness products will get you on track for a healthy 2015.

By Tom Hushen If you are like the rest of us, you are starting to figure out what your New Year’s resolutions will be. With Austin being one of the healthiest cities in America, a new approach to fitness could be the healthy start you’re looking for. Here is a selection of the best fitness products of 2014 that will help you succeed in improving your year and committing to your fitness goals.

Mio Link’s Heart Rate Wristband As wearable technology continues to gain momentum, the sector working to improve healthy lifestyles is on the rise. The new Mio Link Heart Rate Wristband monitors your heart rate with EKG accuracy. The water-resistant wristband has five user-enabled heart-rate zones to focus on during your workout, and can also connect to multiple fitness apps and sport devices with Bluetooth or ANT+. The wristband works by using LED lights and an electrooptical cell that observes the volume of blood under the skin. The wristband will then perform algorithms so that the heart’s true rhythm can be detected, even while running at performance speeds. The wristband is available at mioglobal.com for $99.

Art of Strength’s Gunnar Peterson G Lines Battle Ropes

APPS

If you are looking to work on both metabolic and strength training, then Gunnar Peterson G Line Battle Ropes are for you. The ropes are individually handmade polyethylene rope with a nylon cover, which eliminates the wear and shedding associated with most ropes. The ropes come in 35 feet, 45 feet and 55 feet, with a grip diameter of 1.5 inches. The Battle Ropes are one the newest products from Art of Strength and come with black aluminumanodized handles. The ropes retail for $199.95 and can be found at artofstrength.com.

Pearl Izumi’s Women’s EM Road H3 Running Shoe For those looking to work on their cardio this coming year, the Women’s EM Road H3 is a light and nimble shoe. The inside of the shoe has a mid-sole flare and a tuned foam density that creates a stable platform for flexible feet with a low arch. The shoes are designed with Pearl Izumi’s Dynamic Offset technology for a smooth ride that eliminates forefoot slap and reduces shock. The shoes weigh as little as 10 ounces while being cushioned enough for high-mileage running. Pearl Izumi has gone as far as to redesign the inside by using bonded technology to increase structure and durability. The shoes can be ordered directly off shop.pearlizumi.com and are currently priced at $130.

Taylor Precision Products’ Smart Scale One of the first things to do as you begin 2015 is to figure out what you want to improve on. The new Smart Scale from Taylor Precision Products is a Bluetooth-enabled scale that syncs with your smartphone. The Smart Scale allows users to store and view recorded information on their weight, body fat, body water and more.

The app provides data in a variety of graphs and charts, and is compatible with other popular fitness and health apps, including RunKeeper, MyFitnessPal and MapMyFitness, and will automatically sync data to your preferred app. You can find this scale at retailers such as Kohl’s, Target and Costco, or online at taylorusa.com.

>> Fitocracy

>> Sleep Cycle

>> Endomondo

Fitocracy is unlike any other app you may come across. It uses the addictive nature of video games to help you while you workout.

By uploading your workout, you are awarded points and can also participate in quests, which are usually challenges consisting of related activities to your workout, to achieve more points.

Sleep Cycle is more than just an alarm clock.

This app monitors your sleep by using your smartphone’s accelerometer to monitor movement, determining which sleep phase you are in. When it’s time for you to start your day, Sleep Cycle uses a 30-minute alarm window that wakes you during your lightest sleep phase, allowing for you to wake according to when your body is most ready.

Endomondo is a social fitness app that helps you stay accountable by tracking your workout using GPS location services.

It will record your route, distance, calorie consumption and more while providing audio feedback. Other users will be able to comment and engage in your profile.

66 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Smart Scale photo courtesy of Taylor Precision Products. Battle Ropes photo courtesy of Art of Strength. Heart Rate Wristband photo courtesy of Mio Link.

Road H3 photo courtesy of Pearl Izumi. Fitocracy photo courtesy of Fitocracy. Sleep Cycle photo courtesy of Sleep Cycle. Endomondo photo courtesy of Endomondo.

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H e a lt h

Understanding Suicide Education and communication are the keys to prevention.

By Jill Case When actor and comedian Robin Williams died by suicide in August, people were saddened and stunned. Everyone knew him as a funny, talented man, and that image did not go with the tragic news of his death.

“A lot of times, what happens is that we have this image of what mental illness looks like, and it doesn’t look like you or me, and it doesn’t look like Robin Williams,” Karen Ranus, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Austin, explains. “Even though none of us really knew him, he was very much loved by the public. We felt like we knew him, and he was this burst of joy.”

She observes that it’s hard for us to reconcile the joyful person we saw with the deep, dark feelings that come with suicide.

Ranus feels that Williams’ death helped open up a conversation about suicide, depression and mental illness.

“The numbers [for mental illness] are one in four,” she says. “With numbers like that, you know that people are struggling with mental illness in our neighborhoods, our schools, our churches and in our communities, in all kinds of places. There is no one face; it’s the face of all of us, and I think that’s what Robin Williams’ death did for our community. It provided a place where we could begin to have a conversation, and I think it gave a lot of folks courage to speak up, people who have never spoken up before about their own illnesses.”

Suicide Prevention Begins With Us One of the best things people can do is to educate themselves and others about mental illness, depression and suicide.

“We have to start changing the conversation,” Ranus says. “One of the ways to do that is by eliminating the stigma.”

She believes people need to tell others their own stories or the stories of family members’ and friends’ struggles.

“When we do the storytelling piece, that’s when the walls come tumbling down. You hear the real struggle and whatever preconceived notions or myths that have been woven into your way of thinking get worn away,” she says.

As a community, it’s important to work together

68 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

to make certain that resources are available to anyone who may be struggling. This includes support groups and classes like those offered through NAMI Austin. We also need to have sufficient clinical and medical help for mental illness, as well as crisis programs.

Maybe the most important piece of all is talking and opening up. Please reach out and tell someone—a health professional, a family member or friend—if you are depressed or having suicidal thoughts. If you know someone that you suspect is having these thoughts, talk to them and get help.

“The important thing is not to wait,” Ranus says. “If you think someone is at risk, you do not want to wait too long. You make sure that you stay by them and let them know you’re concerned and that you’re there for them.”

Suicide Risk Factors and Warning Signs Risk Factors Depression can be a risk factor, but not everyone who is depressed will have suicidal thoughts.

More than 90 percent of people who die from suicide have depression or another mental illness.

Having one or more of these factors may increase a person’s risk for suicide: • Having a mental illness (depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.)

• One or more previous attempts at suicide • Family history of suicide, mental illness or family violence • Substance-abuse issues • Chronic pain or health issues • Stressful events such as the death of a loved one, divorce or job loss • Physical or sexual abuse or bullying Warning Signs When should you worry that you or a loved one is in trouble due to suicidal thoughts, and when

should you seek help? Here are some warning signs of which you should be aware, according to the American Society for Suicide Prevention: • Repeatedly thinking or talking about death or suicide • Talking about having no reason to live or being a burden to other people • Talking about unbearable pain • Repeated talk about the hopelessness of a situation • Reckless behavior • Chronic, disruptive sleep problems • Increased substance abuse • Researching ways to harm themselves • Calling friends and family to say goodbye • Giving away valued possessions • Severe changes in mood (depression, irritability, anxiety) • L oss of interest in activities, daily life, family and friends “Sometimes, the signs are so subtle that they’re easy to miss,” Ranus says. “We kind of know when there is something not quite right with somebody we care about, and sometimes we can’t quite put our finger on it. I think the important thing is to name that concern. So often, we’re almost fearful of bringing up the topic because we fear if we start talking about it that it will put ideas in someone’s head or somehow make things worse, when the reality is that often, people who are really struggling are in a really dark place, and they can often feel as though nobody even notices. I think it’s a really powerful thing when someone does notice and says, ‘You just really don’t seem quite yourself, and I’m concerned.’ ”

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Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) Austin’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Team is a mobile team of medical and mental-health professionals who will respond to a psychiatric crisis situation 24/7. The team, which consists of registered nurses, licensed clinicians and a prescribing clinician, will come to the home, school or other site of a crisis and provide assessment and intervention as needed. They also help find resources that will help keep a person safe after the immediate crisis is resolved. For more information, visit integralcare.org/content/mobile-crisis-outreach-team-mcot.

If you are in need of help during a crisis, call 512.472.HELP (4357).

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The National Mental Health Alliance Austin’s website has many resources for those struggling with suicidal thoughts or with a loved one in crisis. If there is immediate danger: • Call 911 and ask for a crisis-intervention team or ask to speak to a person who is trained in handling mental-health problems.

• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1.800.273.TALK (8255).

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DIY Healthy Gifts to Give Break the mold this holiday season with healthy and easy DIY gifts.

By Alison Stoos

Instead of spending an arm and a leg on gifts for friends and family this holiday season, try creating your own gifts with a personal touch.

This is one of my favorite salsas, a medley of contrasts in flavor and texture, even if it’s pretty much all shades of the same color. Most supermarkets carry fresh tomatillos in their produce sections these days, but if you can’t find them at your local store, check out a natural foods store or a Mexican produce stand.

Avocado-Tomatillo Salsa From Jessica Harlan, Homemade Condiments Yields about 20 ounces Ingredients: 1 pound tomatillos, papery husks removed, rinsed and diced 2 medium avocados, diced 1 tablespoon white part of a green onion, minced 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced (optional) 1 teaspoon red habanero or red jalapeño chili pepper, minced (optional) 1 tablespoon (about 1⁄2 lime) lime juice Kosher salt to taste Directions: In a bowl, combine the tomatillo, avocado, green onion, cilantro and chili pepper if using. Gently stir with a spoon to mix well without mashing the avocado pieces. Sprinkle the lime juice and salt over the top and stir to combine. Serve immediately, as the avocado will turn brown after a few hours, although tossing it in extra lime juice will help prolong its freshness.

(Browned avocado can still be eaten; it’s just a matter of aesthetics.)

Visit austinwomanmagazine.com for other recipes from our favorite foodie writers and bloggers:

Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bites

Spicy Roasted Cashews

Gingerbread Granola

From Amanda Brady, dessertnowdinnerlater.com

From Cassy Joy Garcia, fedandfit.com

From A Beautiful Mess, abeautifulmess.com

72 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Gingerbread granola photo by Emma Chapman. Dark chocolate trail mix bites photo by Amber Brady. Spicy roasted cashews photo by Cassy Garcia.

Avocado-tomatillo salsa photo courtesy of Ulysses Press/Judi Swinks Photography.

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It’s someone who’s making more milk than her baby needs. But it’s also someone with a big heart, someone who wants to see premature infants survive.

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74

Sarah McIntosh CHEF

of Épicerie Café & Grocery

Bringing a little New Orleans to Rosedale’s favorite neighborhood restaurant.

By Kristi Willis

Photos by Jace Rivers

Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, hair by Amy Salas, Rae Cosmetics.

Styling by Nicole Daniels, dtkaustinstyling.com.

Chef Sarah McIntosh likes to play with her food. The chef-owner of Épicerie Café & Grocery loves experimenting with dishes, and trying out different ingredients and techniques to concoct something that is familiar but also a little unexpected.

McIntosh comes by her culinary curiosity naturally. Raised in Shreveport, La., by a family that loved to cook and share in big family dinners, McIntosh grew up with Cajun and French-influenced dishes on the table.

She turned her passion for food into a career, moving to Austin to study at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, then heading to California to work in the famed kitchens of Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bistro and Ad Hoc in Yountville, Calif.

McIntosh not only learned how to work in

a top-tier kitchen, but also how to maneuver deftly in the still male-dominated world of commercial kitchens.

“You have to be stronger in this industry as a woman,” McIntosh says. “You have to be willing to not get your feelings hurt by the little stuff.”

Fortunately, McIntosh was lured back to Austin, bringing her talent and experience to serve as the sous chef at Olivia.

When she was ready to open her own restaurant, she knew she wanted to infuse it with a little bit of her Louisiana heritage, including the best beignets you can find outside of famed Café du Monde.

“New Orleans and Louisiana have a lot of neighborhood restaurants, an easy kind of place that people can visit often,”

McIntosh says. “Sometimes it has a little grocery with the café, and that’s what I wanted to create here.”

Rosedale was the perfect spot for a casual café with simple but refined fare.

Neighbors can pop in and pick up cheeses and a bottle of wine for a meal at home or have a leisurely lunch or dinner on the serene patio.

McIntosh loves being her own boss and the freedom to be creative.

“I like being able to go to work and do whatever I want every day,” McIntosh says.

“We have a chalkboard special, so I go to the farmers market Wednesdays and come up with something new. That’s a fun thing to do.”

Of course, as a new business owner, McIntosh has learned a few lessons.

austinwomanmagazine.com 75

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“Being the owner is different than being the boss in someone else’s kitchen,” she says. “Managing people is a big challenge, and sometimes you have to make the best decision for the business while also doing the best for your people. Those aren’t always easy choices to make.”

After two years, a number of McIntosh’s team members have become almost like family, and McIntosh strives to be the best leader she can out of respect for them and their hard work. She believes in leading by example, always pushing herself to be her best and expecting the same from her team.

“I make sure that I am being the leader all the time and [I am] working as hard as I want my team to work,” McIntosh says. “I have to set the expectation of where I want everyone to be and be willing to live up to it myself.”

McIntosh is continuously awed by the dedication of her team. One of her sous chefs was recently in a car accident that resulted in back problems, but she stills shows up every day and does her part

76 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

in the kitchen.

“She cares about the process and pays attention to detail,” McIntosh says. “Having that type of drive is something I really respect. She really wants to do well, and she’s willing to work hard to make that happen.”

McIntosh looks for team members who have a willingness and passion for learning.

“Once you stop being willing to learn or start to think you know everything, you are in trouble,” McIntosh says. “Learning new things keeps you motivated.”

That mentality is one of the reasons McIntosh evolves the Épicerie menu with the seasons, adding rich and hearty dishes like oxtail and grits in the fall or crisp, light offerings like an asparagus salad in the spring.

“I forget how much I love certain dishes until it’s time to bring them back on the menu,” she says.

“I get excited all over again to have a BLT in the summer with big farm tomatoes.”

McIntosh works with area farmers to find the best produce for the menu and gets regular deliveries from Johnson’s Backyard Garden to ensure the kitchen never runs out of seasonal inspiration.

With the Rosedale location of Épicerie Café hitting its stride, McIntosh is eyeing spots for a second restaurant, a place similar in style but in a new neighborhood. She expects the new place to have its own challenges, but to be easier to get off the ground in some respects because the team knows what to expect.

“I think it is always harder with the first one because you are figuring things out,” McIntosh says.

“You just kind of start and then build. Just like any business, you have to start somewhere and build onto that to get where you want to be.”

In addition to the new spot, McIntosh is also planning to host more special events, like Épicerie Café’s recent Cajun-inspired Thanksgiving dinner. She uses the events as a way to spark her team’s interest, keep everyone fresh and test out their creativity.

G'raj Majal photo by Mike Sandoval. Ramen Tatsu-Ya photo by Lobosucio Creative. Épicerie exterior and interior photos by Ryan Farnau.

Macaroon, grocery and cheese photos by Kelly Rucker.

sarah McIntosh’s Favorite Ethnic Restaurants:

G’raj Majal: Casual Western Indian fare that started as a food trailer and has moved into a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Rainey Street.

Open for dinner Monday through Sunday. Open for lunch Saturday and Sunday.

73 Rainey St., 512.480.2255, grajmahalaustin.com

Épicerie cafe & grocery 2307 Hancock Drive, 512.371.6840, epicerieaustin.com

Kome: Sushi and homestyle Japanese dishes. Open for lunch and dinner every day.

4917 Airport Blvd., 512.712.5700, kome-austin.com Titaya’s Thai Cuisine: Classic Thai dishes. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.

5501 N. Lamar Blvd., 512.458.1792, titayasthaicuisine.com

Ramen Tatsu-Ya: Japanese ramen. Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. 8557 Research Blvd., ramen-tatsuya.com Din Ho Chinese BBQ: Traditional Chinese barbecue, Peking duck and special family-style menus. Open for lunch and dinner every day.

8557 Research Blvd., 512.832.8788, dinhochinesebbq.com

Neighbors can pop in and pick up cheeses and a bottle of wine for a meal at home.

austinwomanmagazine.com 77

10 to 15 minutes. As you are whisking, you are knocking off the starch of the grits, which makes them creamy.

Let sit until they are done (nice and creamy, about 30 minutes), then salt to taste.

Let sit. Right before you are ready to serve, stir in cheese and butter and let melt.

French Onion Soup Yields four to six servings

Ingredients: 1 1/4 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon garlic, minced 4 onions, Frenched and caramelized 1 cup flour 1/3 cup brandy 1/4 teaspoon thyme 1/2 of a bay leaf 1/8 teaspoon black peppercorn 4 quarts veal stock Brioche (enough slices for each serving) Comté (enough slices for each serving)

Once soup is done, scoop into individual bowls (to withstand the heat of the oven). Top each bowl with a slice of brioche and then a slice of comté. Put under the broiler until cheese is golden brown.

Oxtail & Grits Yields six servings

Ingredients: Garnish: Celery leaves (just the inner yellow leaves)

Directions: Place butter in a large pot.

Roast garlic and butter until nice and toasty. Add in onions (which have already been caramelized). Add flour.

Cook for five to 10 minutes.

Pickled Turnips Brine: 1/8 cup salt 1 teaspoon dill seed 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorn 1 teaspoon pickling spice 2 1/2 cups water 3 bunches Japanese baby turnips, cut in half

Deglaze the pot with brandy, making sure all of the flour is mixed in. Bunch thyme, bay leaf and black peppercorn in a cheesecloth or sachet and add to the pot. Pour in veal stock.

Simmer on low for two hours.

Directions Mix pickling liquid ingredients together in a pot and bring to a boil. Set aside and let cool, and pour over turnips in a shallow bowl, and refrigerate.

Pickle turnips for at least 24

78 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

hours in pickling liquid. The longer they sit, the better.

Oven Baked Tomatoes: 12 Roma tomatoes Salt to taste Pepper to taste 6 sprigs thyme, leaves removed Halve Roma tomatoes and place them on a sheet pan.

Add salt and pepper to taste over tomatoes, and sprinkle thyme leaves over the tomatoes. Place in the oven at 170 degrees for six hours, or until the tomatoes have reduced in size by half.

Grits: 4 cups milk 4 cups water 1 1/5 cups Anson Mills Grits (or whatever you have on hand) Salt to taste Pepper to taste 1/2 cup butter 1 cup cheddar On a double boiler, add milk and water to inside pot until it starts to visibly steam, and then whisk in grits slowly.

Keep whisking for the next

In a large roasting pan, put canola oil in (enough to cover the bottom of the pan at least one inch), and allow it to get really hot. Season the oxtail with salt and pepper to taste on both sides. Once the pan is good and hot, sear oxtail on both sides, and then pull it out and reserve for later.

Next, sear all vegetables in the remaining oil until caramelized. After, pour off all but two tablespoons of oil, and add red wine to veggies and let come to boil. Then add the can of tomatoes. Once that comes to a boil, add the meat back to the pan and cover with water and add in bay leaf. Cover with foil and let it sit at 250 degrees in the oven for about two hours, until meat is falling off of the bone.

Once cooled, pull meat off the bone. Then remove bay leaf and thyme from braising liquid, and then blend all of the remaining veggies and liquid until smooth.

Serve grits in a shallow bowl with meat and a little bit of sauce. Garnish with turnips, celery leaves and roasted tomatoes.

Recipes courtesy of Sarah McIntosh, Épicerie Café & Grocery.

Oxtail: Canola oil 3 1/2 pounds of two-inchcut oxtails (from your local butcher) 2/3 cup onion, small dice 2/3 cup carrot, small dice 2/3 cup celery, small dice 1 bunch thyme 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed 2 cups red wine 1 teaspoon ground pepper 1 tablespoon salt 1 can diced tomatoes 1 bay leaf

Sarah McIntosh’s Favorite Farms and Markets:

Interior photo by Kelly Rucker.

Springdale Farm photo by Sandra Ramos Photography.

Springdale Farm Market days are Wednesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

755 Springdale Road, 512.386.8899, springdalefarmaustin.com

Barton Creek Farmers Market Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

2901 S. Capital of Texas Hwy., 512.280.1976, bartoncreekfarmersmarket.org

Johnson’s Backyard Garden Their farm stands are located at more than a dozen local farmers markets, and they offer home delivery. 512.386.5273, jbgorganic.com

Two Happy Children Farm Their farm stands are at Barton Creek, Lone Star and Wolf Ranch farmers markets. twohappychildrenfarm.com

“Being able to do the events is really fun and gratifying,” McIntosh says. “It’s a good place to teach people and it’s good for morale.”

When McIntosh isn’t working, she cherishes time with her husband, Jackson, and daughter, Finley, at their Cherrywood home.

In holding with family tradition, she is raising 9-month-old Finley to appreciate great food from the start, making her daughter special pureed dishes packed with flavor.

“I roast eggplants to where they are almost charred, then peel it and put it in a baggie with stems of rosemary to give it the flavor of the herb without actually adding the leaves,” McIntosh says. “When I puree the eggplant, it smells so

good, like rosemary sourdough bread, and she loves it.”

Like her mother, Finley is a big fan of produce from local farms and loves Springdale Farm butternut squash pureed with banana.

“It tastes like banana nut bread batter,” McIntosh says. “She devours it and if I don’t watch her, she’ll eat it until her stomach hurts.”

When McIntosh needs a night off, she enjoys exploring cuisines she’s not as familiar with, like Japanese, Thai, Indian or Chinese.

“I love sushi and really like all ethnic foods,” she says. “I know a little bit about most cuisines, but it’s just a little bit. When I don’t know how to cook something as well, there is an element of it feeling exotic to eat it.”

She also frequents restaurants where she can pop in without it being a big production, not unlike Épicerie.

“I was so happy when Dai Due opened near our house,” McIntosh says. “I love that I can eat at the bar.

Recently, I had sausage and grits with collard greens, and it was so good. Then I came home and took a nap. It was the perfect day off.”

Between her young family, bustling restaurant and a second location in the works, McIntosh cherishes every day off she gets.

“The last two years have been an adventure, learning to be an owner, wife and mother and how to string it all together,” McIntosh says. “But it’s all fun and it’s what I love.”

austinwomanmagazine.com 79

Best of Austin 2014 Austin Woman's food and drink exclusive.

BY MOLLY MCMANUS With a wide array of great restaurant and bar choices in Austin worthy of any night out on the town, we were curious to know: Where do Austin’s industry insiders go when they’re not working? To get to the heart and soul of the food and beverage scene, we sought help from chefs, servers, bartenders, business owners, wine experts and writers to compile an authoritative guide to 14 of Austin’s best offerings in 2014.

Best Ambiance Justine’s 4710 E. Fifth St. 512.385.2900, justines1937.com

“Ah, Justine’s on a summer evening with a French 75 in hand and a pork chop on its way.” – Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue

80

80 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Olamaie

Best New Restaurant

Best Craft Cocktails

Olamaie 1610 San Antonio St. 512.474.2796, olamaieaustin.com

Half Step 75 1/2 Rainey St. 512.391.1877, halfstepbar.com

“Modern Southern food at its finest.” – Jane Ko, A Taste of Koko

Other Favorites Dai Due 2406 Manor Road 512.524.0688, daidue.com

Justine’s Brasserie photo by Caleb Kerr. Half Step photo by Claire McCormack. Odd Duck photo by Jody Horton. laV photo by Buff Strickland. Olamaie photo courtesy of Olamaie.

“Dai Due’s charcuterie and meat selection just raised the bar for Austin carnivores.” – Julianna Fry, East Side Show Room “It’s just an awesome menu and experience, top to bottom. Really an inspiration.”

– Ben Siegel, Banger’s St. Philip 4715 S. Lamar Blvd.

512.358.7445, stpaustin.com

Most Creative Menu Odd Duck 1201 S. Lamar Blvd.

512.433.6521, oddduckaustin.com

“It helps that this bar is only about a half step from Banger’s. Their rendition of an Old Fashioned is the Kentucky Colonel and it’s my favorite ‘fancy drink’ in town.” – Ben Siegel, Banger’s

Other Favorites

Midnight Cowboy 313 E. Sixth St. 512.843.2715, midnightcowboymodeling.com Weather Up 1808 E. Cesar Chavez St. 512.524.0464, weatherupnyc.com laV

laV 1501 E. Seventh St. 512.391.1888, lavaustin.com “Their wine list has a breadth and depth of fine-wine selections that hasn’t been seen in Austin until now, and they have the knowledgeable staff to help make guests feel comfortable with any selection.”

– Lindsey Ford, Moonshine

“Interesting menu that evolves based on what is available seasonally. New experience every time.”

– Lindsey Ford, Moonshine

Other Favorites Barley Swine 2024 S. Lamar Blvd.

512.394.8150, barleyswine.com

Other Favorites

“It’s Texas meets Asian meets Italian meets everywhere.

They draw from all over and it shows.” – Susana Querejazu, Odd Duck Qui 1600 E. Sixth St. 512.436.9626, quiaustin.com “Cheddar ice cream sandwich. Need I say more?” – Jane Ko, A Taste of Koko

Our panel of industry experts weighed in on their favorite places to eat and drink.

“Half Step focuses all of their energy on making the best craft cocktail possible, with service that will help guide your decision making.”

– Ketan Patel and Joleen Jernigan, Taste ATX

Best Wine List

Odd Duck

The Players

Half Step

Winebelly 519 W. Oltorf St. 512.487.1569, austinwinebelly.com The Red Room Lounge 306 E. Third St. 512.501.1536, redroomatx.com

Ben Siegel, Owner, Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden With an expansive patio, Austin’s largest selection of beers on tap and made-in-house sausages, Banger’s is owner Ben Siegel’s first business and restaurant, and has experienced major success with this oh-so-popular sausage house.

Susana Querejazu, Pastry Chef, Odd Duck Opening with farmto-table-focused Odd Duck as the pastry chef one year ago, Susana Querejazu has a flair for classic French pastries and manipulating them into composed dessert innovations.

austinwomanmagazine.com 81

Best Locally Sourced

Best Service

Odd Duck 1201 S. Lamar Blvd.

512.433.6521, oddduckaustin.com

Uchi + Uchiko Uchi 801 S. Lamar Blvd.

Uchiko 4200 N. Lamar Blvd.

512.916.4808, uchiaustin.com

“Pretty much anything you taste, touch and smell comes from local farms. Hip hip hooray for Bryce Gilmore and his culinary crew for sticking with fresh Austin farms.” – Katie Holmstrom, Qui

Other Favorites Eden East 755 Springdale Road 512.428.6500, edeneastaustin.com “You can’t really get much more locally sourced than eating on the farm itself. Eden East’s menu is unique and as fresh as can be.” – Ketan Patel and Joleen Jernigan, Taste ATX Contigo 2027 Anchor Lane 512.614.2260, contigotexas.com/austin

Best Bang for Your Buck

Barley Swine 2024 S. Lamar Blvd.

512.394.8150, barleyswine.com

“These guys have been open for more than 10 years and are still continuing to raise the bar.” – Ben Siegel, Banger’s “[Server] Stephanie Harrison has it all, and I try to request her every time I go. She’s always quick to make sure we are enjoying every last drop, and her personality, as well as knowledge, makes Uchi one of my favorite places to dine in the city.” – Katie Holmstrom, Qui

TRIO 98 San Jacinto Blvd.

512.685.8300, triorestaurantaustin.com

Uchiko

Uchiko

Best Kept-Secret

Other Favorites

Best Happy Hour

Josephine House + Drinks Lounge (tie) Josephine House 1601 Waterston Ave. 512.477.5584, josephineofaustin.com

Little Deli & Pizza 7101 Woodrow Ave. 512.467.7402, littledeliandpizza.com

P. Terry’s Multiple locations pterrys.com

Uchiko 4200 N. Lamar Blvd.

512.916.4808, uchiaustin.com

“An all-natural double patty, single cheese chicken sandwich, add bacon! Thanks P. Terry’s!”

– Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue

“Perfect pricing, atmosphere and the drink service outside makes the inevitable wait a total breeze.”

– Julianna Fry, East Side Show Room

Other Favorites

Other Favorites

Kome 4917 Airport Blvd.

512.712.5700, kome-austin.com

Parkside 310 E. Sixth St. 512.474.9898, parkside-austin.com

Polvo’s 2004 S. First St. 512.441.5446, polvosaustin.com

Dive Bar and Lounge 1703 Guadalupe St. 512.482.3483, diveaustin.com

Jane Ko, Writer, A Taste of Koko Jane Ko’s A Taste of Koko stems from her passion for all things food and drink. As a photographer and blogger, she shares recipes, restaurant reviews and travel tidbits from throughout the U.S. and beyond.

82 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Other Favorites

Dozen Street 1808 E. 12th St. 512.236.1770, dozenstreet.com

“The best sandwiches in Austin.”

“Hidden gem next door – Susana Querejazu, Odd Duck to Jeffrey’s in the Clarksville Josephine House neighborhood right by downtown. Excellent food and drinks, definitely off the radar.” – Lindsey Ford, Moonshine Drinks Lounge 2001 E. Cesar Chavez St., facebook.com/ drinkslounge

Aaron Franklin, Pit Master, Franklin Barbecue Starting as a one-man trailer, Franklin Barbecue gained popularity seemingly overnight.

Aaron Franklin’s barbecue joint, now famously known for having a three-hour wait, is arguably the best barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas the world.

Julianna Fry, Bar Manager, East Side Show Room Working in the service industry for more than 13 years, Julianna Fry has extensive bar knowledge, combined with years of experience, which helps uphold ESSR's reputation for great craft cocktails and attention to detail.

Odd Duck photo by Jody Horton. P. Terry’s photo courtesy of P. Terry’s. Uchiko photo by Erica Wilkins.

Uchiko interior photo by Paul Bardagjy. Josephine House photo by Elizabeth Sheer.

Odd Duck

Best Date Night

Best Dessert

Chez Nous

Justine’s 4710 E. Fifth St. 512.385.2900, justines1937.com “The way to my heart is with an earthy red wine, escargot, sexy atmosphere that’s tucked away but still close. Justine’s has it all.”

– Katie Holmstrom, Qui Nonas and Fojtasek photo by Robert J. Lerma. Chez Nous photo by Rudy Arocha. Ketan and Joleen head shot photo by Manny Pandya.

Other Favorites

Dolce Neve 1713 S. First St. 512.804.5568, dolcenevegelato.com “Those Italians know what they are doing.” – Susana Querejazu, Odd Duck “Simply delicious.”

– Ben Siegel, Banger’s

Other Favorites Chez Nous 510 Neches St. 512.473.2413, cheznousaustin.com

Sugar Mama’s 1905 S. First St. (South location) 512.448.3727 2406 Manor Road, suite B (Eastside location) 512.912.6628, sugarmamasbakeshop.com laV 1501 E. Seventh St. 512.391.1888, lavaustin.com

Dolce Neve

“Chez Nous has been a datenight staple for many years. A small, intimate restaurant that found its groove a long time ago and continues to be one of our all-time favorites.” – Aaron Franklin, Franklin Barbecue “You and your date will be whisked away to a small provincial town as you enjoy great wine and amazing French cuisine.”

– Ketan Patel and Joleen Jernigan, Taste ATX

Elephant Room 315 Congress Ave. 512.473.2279, elephantroom.com

Best New Chef

Best Trailer

Grae Nonas & Michael Fojtasek Olamaie 1610 San Antonio St. 512.474.2796, olamaieaustin.com

Micklethwait 1309 Rosewood Ave. 512.791.5961, craftmeats.com

“The team at Olamaie brings the subtleties of Southern food to light with dead-on precision.” – Julianna Fry, East Side Show Room Grae Nonas & Michael Fojtasek

Micklethwait

“Easy go-to for a quick lunch, and they rocked our Thanksgiving last year because we got one of their pre-sale smoked turkeys.

Amazing!” – Lindsey Ford, Moonshine

Other Favorites

Other Favorites Paul Hargrove Pleasant Storage Room 208 W. Fourth St. 512.322.9921, pleasantrumbar.com

Erica Waksmunski Red Star Southern 1700 E. Sixth St. 512.962.3674, redstarsouthern.com

“Chef Hargrove created a rich Cuban experience on his Pleasant Storage Room menu in a fun, new and innovative way. Austin’s only menu that pairs with rum!” – Ketan Patel and Joleen Jernigan, Taste ATX

Lindsey Ford, Sommelier, Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill As Moonshine’s private-event coordinator and sommelier, Lindsey Ford is passionate about continued education within the beverage industry and has introduced a carefully curated wine list to complement the restaurant’s Southern comfort offerings.

Via 313 1111 E. Sixth St. 512.939.1927, via313.com

East Side King Trailer locations: Liberty Bar, Hole in the Wall, eskaustin.com

“I could eat pizza every day of my life, and 313 hits the spot with a perfect balance of chewy, crunchy, soft, delish.” – Susana Querejazu, Odd Duck

“All locations serve a slightly different menu, allowing you to experience something new and still get what you love.” – Katie Holmstrom, Qui

Ketan Patel and Joleen Jernigan, Food Tour Guides, Taste ATX Ketan Patel and Joleen Jernigan turned a hobby into a desirable Austin business with Taste ATX, offering completely customizable food tours throughout the city with the best restaurants, trailers and bars.

Katie Holmstrom, Server, Qui After managing and serving at Lucy’s Fried Chicken for the past couple of years, foodie Katie Holmstrom recently moved to the buzzed-about Qui, from Esquire Magazine’s Chef of the Year, Paul Qui.

austinwomanmagazine.com 83

opposite sex /

memo from jb

My Charlie Strong Decision A better me is on the horizon.

By JB Hager, photo by Rudy Arocha When Coach Charlie Strong came to town to take the helm of the Longhorn football program, I was skeptical, as were many fans. Times had changed, and I think we all knew it was time for a reboot, but no one wanted to admit it. It was sort of working, and change is pretty darn scary. The thought of scrapping that program and starting again was daunting.

To refresh your memory, Coach Strong came in with a core set of values for the team. They are: honesty, treating women with respect, no drugs, no stealing and no weapons.

Seems a little harsh for guys who can run a 40 in less than 4.5 seconds, that is, if you are a die-hard Longhorn fan. For anyone with a hint of morality, this is a no-brainer. The real stunner was that Strong stuck to these values and cut nine of the top players just as the season was beginning. Horrible timing, right? This is what had everyone so upset. Why not change things at the end of the season when there isn’t so much on the line and the cameras are off? Maybe do it when there is time to restructure and rebuild, while no one is looking. There is so much pride and ego on the line, not only for the players, but for the fans as well.

I was dubious, like many fans, mostly because of the timing of it all. That was until I made my very own Coach Strong decision. I committed publicly on the radio, along with a handful of brave listeners, to a 12-week fitness and nutrition program at Spark Fitness, going into the holidays!

What the h#&! was I thinking? That takes me from the beginning of November until roughly mid-January. Could there possibly be worse timing to try to get in shape than having to tackle football weekends, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve? For the record, I have not had any fitness regime for the last year and a half. I have spent most of my leisure during that time sampling craft brew and buying larger clothes.

84 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

Not unlike Coach Strong’s program, this one allows no margin for sloppy conduct on my part. I’m working out three days a week with the group, three days on my own and have one rest day. I have to log everything I eat or drink. Yes, everything. The calories in, calories out and the scale don’t lie. I’m terrified of what I’ve gotten myself into. I’m sure many are laughing and saying, “What horrible timing, you idiot.”

As of press time, I’m three weeks into the program and 5 pounds down. As embarrassing as it is to say this, my gut and man boobs are disappearing fast.

Yep, I mentioned my man boobs.

For the most part, I’m past the throw-up-onstrangers-and-drop-to-the-fetal-position-tosuck-my-thumb phase. Progress is happening and I’m optimistic I’m going to reach my goals, regardless of the challenges of holidays. As corny as it sounds, a better me is on the horizon.

Also as of press time, the Longhorns have won three in a row with authority, just when most have thrown their hands up, thinking the season was a wash. By the time this is published, the Longhorns will be preparing to face TCU. Having won or lost that game and heading to a bowl game, I think everyone can agree, the decision to clean house and set a new standard was a good one.

“For the record, I have not had any fitness regime for the last year and a half.”

Were you good in elementary school when the English teacher would ask, “What is the moral of the story?” I’ll spell it out for those of you who were not good students, much like me.

What I’ve learned from starting my program at the worst time of the year and from Coach Strong imploding the team at the worst time of the year is…

I’m sorry. I’m at my word limit for this column.

More to come and the moral will be printed in the January issue.

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Blog ger s

Best of the Food Blogs The best local sites for cooking advice, new recipes and restaurants to try.

atasteofkoko.com Food blogger Jane Ko launched A Taste of Koko in 2010. Although she currently lives in Austin, she grew up in South Texas, and uses this blog as a way to feature her travel experiences and the food she tastes along the way. Her blog is categorized by restaurants, travels and recipes. Within these, readers can find information about Austin, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and Taipei, Taiwan.

Whether you’re interested in brunch, discovering the best coffee a city has to offer or the newest restaurant, A Taste of Koko provides all the must-know information about each of these cities, specifically Austin.

As the holidays approach, you may be interested in the recipe section on A Taste of Koko. While some readers may choose to scroll endlessly through the available recipes, others looking for a quicker search can select from the five-minute ideas, 30-minutes meals, appetizers or dessert tabs to narrow the selection. Visit her holiday treats article under the desserts tab to see a multitude of holiday-themed food gifts, family cooking projects and party desserts. These creative desserts vary from gingerbread latte cupcakes, to stained-glass sugar-cookie trees, to peppermint bark. For more foodrelated gift ideas, check out A Taste of Koko’s Style + Living section, featuring articles on gifts for him and her.

Food photo by A Taste of Koko. Ko photo by Eric Yang, Topaz Labs.

By Carrie Gavit

Jane Ko: A Taste of Koko

86 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

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Pryles photo by Eugene Hyland. Hutchison photo by Nathan Russell Photography. Van Huffel photo by Kijana Knight.

Blog ger s

Jess Pryles: BurgerMary

Kathryn Hutchison: Austin Gastronomist

Elizabeth Van Huffel: Local Savour

burgermary.com

austingastronomist.com

localsavour.com

Food blog BurgerMary is dedicated to burgers and Bloody Marys, along with a variety of Southern-inspired foods. Blogger Jess Pryles shares an interesting foodie perspective, as she splits her time between Melbourne, Australia, and Austin. Even though she is Australian by birth, Pryles also considers herself a Texan. Her blog is broken into three categories: locations, cuisines and recipes. Within each of these, readers can find reviews, information, recipes and restaurants related to Austin, Melbourne and New Orleans. Be sure to check out the By Cuisine tab if you have a special interest in burgers, Bloody Marys, barbecue or Tex-Mex. Each of these is given individual pages featuring recipes and restaurants to check out or avoid. If you’re interested in other foodie blogs specializing in burgers or Austin and Melbourne cuisine, don’t miss Pryles’ Sites I Dig portion of her blog.

Along with her blog, Pryles hosts the annual Carnivores Ball held in Australia and Austin.

During the ball, attendees enjoy all meat has to offer through a multi-course dinner created and cooked by accomplished chefs throughout Australia and Austin. For a review of the most recent Carnivores Ball, held in Austin Oct. 23, visit burgermary.com.

After originally creating a blog in 2003 to keep connected with family and friends once she moved to Austin, Kathryn Hutchison has completely transformed Austin Gastronomist in the 11 years since its founding. Austin Gastronomist is a food blog full of culinary information and advice. Hutchison’s passions are revealed through her posts on cooking, local farms, artisan foods, culinary events and the Austin food community. She breaks down the blog into a variety of sections, including Eating in Austin, Recipes and Menus, and Outside the Kitchen. These categories make information easily accessible and straightforward for readers interested in dining out or experimenting with a new dish or a seasonal ingredient in the kitchen. If you’re one to plan ahead for meals but don’t yet have a recipe box full of options, peruse Hutchison’s multitude of weekly meal plans. And stay up to date on the latest food events in Austin at the click of a button.

Hutchison is also the president of the Austin Food Blogger Alliance. Be sure to check out the group’s first self-titled cookbook, released in 2013. And if you’re interested in naturaldisaster relief, Hutchison also leads the team of bloggers behind the Austin Bakes bake sales, which raise money for relief causes.

This Austin-based food blogger has more than 20 years of restaurant experience, from working in public relations to owning a small catering company. Elizabeth Van Huffel’s blog, Local Savour, focuses on creating family meals containing 80 to 100 percent locally grown food.

Her blog features a section titled At the Market, in which readers can click on specific months to learn which local items are purchasable throughout the year. Each month, the blog highlights one ingredient, also providing a list of dishes and recipes relevant to all the ingredients of the month. If you haven’t been to a local farmers market in the winter months, be sure to visit one in December. Look for grapefruits, specifically, along with oranges, lemons, limes, sweet potatoes and sweet peppers.

Local Savour has also released two e-books titled From Market to Plate, a summer edition and autumn edition. If you’re more of a visual, interactive learner, tune into Local Savour’s cooking channel via the website or YouTube. The videos vary from featuring entire recipes to shorter videos with tips and advice for the kitchen, such as how to roast garlic properly. To encourage farm-to-plate eating, Van Huffel includes a section on local CSA programs for readers to learn more about the process and to discover a variety of farms that participate in the program.

Learn more about food in Austin, how it relates to hospitality, health and the future by looking at Local Savour’s recommended food readings.

More Female Food Bloggers We Love Jeanine Donofrio, Love and Lemons loveandlemons.com Hilah Johnson, Hilah Cooking hilahcooking.com Lauren Walz, Gourmet Veggie Mama gourmetveggiemama.com

austinwomanmagazine.com 89

savvy womEn /

Samantha Dickinson

You Shou l d K now

Mickie Spencer

The New Norm How the women of East Side Show Room are redefining the workplace.

By Tom Hushen, photo by Hilary Pearson

Trudy Spencer

Rachel Coley

Julianna Fry

What happens when crafting cocktails spills over to changing the workplace? With almost every major role being dominated by a woman, East Side Show Room is unknowingly representing the larger conversation of gender norms in supposedly maledominated fields. These women have started from the bottom and pursued their passions in order to be the leading examples in their industry.

Trudy and Mickie Spencer, Samantha Dickinson,

Julianna Fry,

Rachel Coley,

Owners

Executive Chef

Executive Barkeep

Floor Manager

East Side Show Room is the collaborative brainchild between mother-daughter duo Trudy and Mickie Spencer. These two women bring together a unique perspective on running a bar. Mickie Spencer studied interior design in Denver, lighting design in Barcelona, Spain, as well as welding and woodwork in New York before settling down in Austin. A year after Mickie Spencer moved to Austin, Trudy Spencer moved from Fort Worth. Mickie Spencer had always wanted to open her own restaurant, and by scraping together what money they had, the two decided to just go for it.

“I think it’s always a process.

Same thing with civil rights,” Mickie Spencer says. “Something just doesn’t happen overnight, but more things are happening faster in this generation now that change is being accepted.

I think we will be seeing more women take over these roles.”

In the 10 years of working in the culinary industry, Samantha Dickinson has experienced it all.

She has worked in fast-paced environments, as well as kitchens in which she was the only female cook. She began her time in the kitchen of East Side Show Room working as a line cook almost two years ago before moving up to sous chef. Today, she is the executive chef of East Side Show Room.

“You have to forget about everything else that goes on around you because in every field or career you choose, you are always going to have opposition,” Dickinson says. “Unfortunately, in a male-dominated field, it’s a lot harder, obviously, for a woman. But as long as you keep that drive to get to do those things that you want to do, you can do anything.”

With a resume like Julianna Fry’s, it would be hard to imagine her anywhere else. She has been a part of the service industry for 13 years, the last three of which she has been at East Side Show Room. Fry began as a server before moving up to a floor manager’s position. In the meantime, she had been working at The Tigress Pub, learning how to craft cocktails. When the bar manager position opened up at East Side, she dropped everything for it.

“I love it. I love being able to work against whatever people think of a female bartender. I remember distinctly hearing this couple one time, sitting at the bar where I was working, and talking about how women don’t make good drinks,” Fry says. “It’s so fun to keep that memory in my head the more I do this and the farther I go.”

After receiving her English degree from Southwestern University in 2011, Rachel Coley began working for East Side Show Room as a hostess. It began as just an ordinary job for Coley, but after working through the ranks, it has grown into something more, as she is now one of two floor managers for East Side Show Room.

“I think it’s fresh and interesting. I think that the women in leadership roles have an interesting, different and unique take on how to run the place and what kind of food and drinks we serve,” Coley says. “It’s also an attitude thing. I’ve worked under all the previous bar managers here, all of them being men, and I feel like there is a different care to it.”

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East Side Show Room 1100 E. Sixth St. | 512.467.4280 eastsideshowroom.com

The Rise School of Austin’s BUSINESS GRA L L A NT SM 2014 WINNER SARA GLAKAS, Founder of Black Barn Financial “I formed Black Barn with one goal in mind: To help women in Austin to understand the financial markets and feel confident making their investment decisions. Wherever you are, I can help you take the next step.”

Presented by American Campus Communities December 16, 2014 |10:30am-1pm Hilton Austin Join us! Heart & Sole is a premiere fashion luncheon with a one-of-a-kind vintage and designer handbag auction, giveaways and a children’s runway show hosted by Austin Fashion Week. Proceeds from this event benefit The Rise School of Austin.

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Savvy Women /

G i f t s T h at G i v e

Give Back Five ways anyone can be a philanthropist.

By Theresa Roemer A friend recently confided in me that she feels like a failure because she does not give enough to charity—not enough money because she doesn’t have it, and not enough of herself because she doesn’t have time.

I explained to my friend that philanthropy is for everyone, even on the smallest level.

To the average person, it could appear that philanthropy is only for rich people with lots of time on their hands. Nothing could be further from the truth. As an entrepreneur, I am often asked to donate money and time to worthy causes. But I work alongside people from all walks of life who share my desire to give to others. For me, giving is not just about money, but also time, energy and effort to help those in need.

Philanthropy is for everyone. Here are five things that you can do to be a philanthropist right now: 1.) Adopt a cause. There is no lack of worthy causes that deserve your help. But first, you must find a cause that is close to your heart. It can be anything. Your personal connection is the most important aspect of giving. If you were to look at the everyday needs of those around you—even your friends and loved ones—you could find a cause.

You may have a friend who died from cancer, a neighbor who has Alzheimer’s disease or know of a child with juvenile diabetes.

2.) Donate something. Don’t focus on the dollar amount; even sending a check for $5 can be meaningful. While billionaires seem to get all the publicity, anyone involved in fundraising will tell you that the small donations keep the causes going.

I know of several colleges and universities that value the number of alumni who give almost as much as the amount that is given. In that regard, when the tallies are taken at the end of the year, someone who gives $10 is counted the same as someone who gives $10,000. And $10 given regularly during the course of a lifetime really adds up.

3.) Donate your time. You would be surprised how many organizations and causes need manpower more than or as much as money. Many organizations train volunteers to raise money by making phone calls. Others welcome help in setting up for benefit dinners or, more importantly,

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cleaning up afterward. These are the unglamorous but necessary and heartfelt donations that are every bit as important as money.

You don’t read about it in the newspapers, and that’s the point.

Your time can also be spent doing something for a neighbor, such as sitting with an elderly person who simply needs the company, or taking them grocery shopping. This is another type of donation of time you don’t hear about, but a void nonetheless that needs to be filled.

4.) Create your own cause.

Perhaps you know of someone afflicted with a rare disease that does not have widespread support or recognition. Maybe there is a person in your neighborhood—a wounded veteran returning from Afghanistan, for example—who does not qualify for needed treatments or food money. Organizing just one potluck supper or auction, and donating the proceeds to the individuals in need can be of immense service. Your own philanthropic efforts will have reverberating effects on someone’s life.

5.) Be creative. Look for unexpected ways to donate things. Did you know that you can give to just about any charitable cause by donating a used car? Hospitals, foundations, even the Salvation Army may take a beat-up old piece of junk and give a tax-deductible credit in exchange. The car doesn’t even have to be in running condition.

There are also seniors-support organizations that will use the value of the car toward ride services for seniors in your local area. Your old car could allow a senior citizen to get transportation to doctor appointments and grocery store runs.

I believe that it is my duty to give to others, and that we all share this responsibility to some extent. Philanthropy is about setting goals and reaching them on behalf of someone else for their benefit. It’s a selfless act and one that I take very seriously. Whether you do it alone or gather friends and colleagues to accompany you in the journey of giving, I promise that once you venture down the road of giving, you will live a better life for someone else’s advantage, and that alone is worth the journey.

Theresa Roemer is the CEO of Theresa Roemer LLC, and a small-business owner who specializes in business philanthropy. For more information, visit theresaroemer.com.

Gifts That Give By Natasha Ford Heifer International Donate money in honor of your loved ones with livestock for impoverished families worldwide through Heifer International. You can buy a share of livestock or the whole stock! For more information, visit heifer.org/gift.

Bridgewater Candle Company Buy a candle for all of your loved ones and for every candle, Bridgewater will donate a portion of your purchase to Rice Bowls, an organization dedicated to feeding orphans throughout the world. For more information, visit bridgewatercandle.com or lightacandlefeedachild.com.

Miracle Foundation: Give a Miracle Campaign The Miracle Foundation invites you to give the gift of a bright future. Gifts to help orphaned children throughout the world include waterpurification systems, health care, life-skills education and winter clothes, to name a few. You can give these on behalf of family and friends, or just as a way to give to those less fortunate this year. To learn more, visit miraclefoundation.org/holiday.

Ten Thousand Villages Each beautiful, unique gift at Ten Thousand Villages is made by one of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries.

Choose from jewelry, home décor, art, textiles, serveware and personal accessories for your loved ones. For gift ideas and more information, visit tenthousandvillages.com.

For more gifts that give, visit austinwomanmagazine.com.

For life’s every occasion. ® Every occasion and every day is worth celebrating this holiday season.

Whether it’s a holiday shopping excursion or a gift exchange with friends, there is always a reason for chocolate. Bring a bit of joy and merriment to your life with our delightful handcrafted artisan chocolate. Let us be part of your memorable moments this season.

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Presents

2015 Corazón Awards Keys to

Success

Friday, February 6th, 2015 | 6:30pm Brazos Hall | 204 E. 4th Street Austin, TX 78701 Join us for Con Mi MADRE’s 6th annual Corazón Awards gala event as we recognize individuals making a significant impact on our organization and in the Austin community.

Unlock more information at conmimadre.org

savvy womEn /

JOB ENV Y

Daniela Marcone’s Dream Job Why Andiamo may just be Austin’s best-kept secret for family-style Italian dining.

Daniela Marcone initially got a job at Andiamo Restaurant simply by virtue of being Italian. It was 2004, and the Naples native had moved to Austin from Italy with her then boyfriend, who took her to lunch at Andiamo one day. Marcone struck up a conversation with the restaurant’s owner.

“He didn’t know anyone actually from Italy,” Marcone recalls, “and so he offered me a job as hostess. I fell into the restaurant business by chance. I was here at the right time and the right moment.”

She worked her way up to manager, and then in 2010, potential disaster struck. Andiamo was in danger of closing its doors.

Marcone didn’t want to see that happen, so she bought the restaurant herself.

“I wanted to save everybody’s job,” she says.

While she may be an accidental restaurant owner, food and cooking are two things that Marcone knows a lot about. Growing up in Naples, she went to the markets and cooked with her mother. Gnocchi, for example, is something her mother used to make every Sunday.

“The whole family would come over for it,” she says. “The dish always reminds me of those times, and it will always be on my menu.”

She continues to visit local markets and source ingredients in Austin.

“I love to support local farms. Every time I sell a bottle of wine or a piece of meat, I know exactly where it comes from,” Marcone says.

“I eat here every day, and it’s important to me to know where the food is coming from.”

Marcone’s Andiamo serves up authentic

Italian bistro dishes inspired by her own family recipes, and everything from the bread to desserts is made in-house. The entire experience, from the décor and service, to every bite of food, is presented as it would be in Italy. Wine is also a big part of dining at Andiamo, with certified sommelier Pier Giorgio Manna on board and special monthly wine dinners the last Tuesday of every month.

“I don’t like to have any compromise foodwise,” Marcone says. The food and service are the aspects of the business that come most easily to her. “It’s easy to make people happy when you’re a people person. It was much harder to learn the business part of running a restaurant. It’s a challenge, especially for somebody who didn’t know anything about the restaurant business. But I love the challenge. It keeps me alive.”

That is easy to see; during a meal at the restaurant, it’s obvious there are many regulars. Marcone is greeted repeatedly by diners, and she, in turn, addresses most customers by name. Lady Bird Johnson was a regular, and daughter Luci Baines Johnson still frequents the restaurant. Her favorite dish, a shrimp linguine, is even named in her honor.

The staff is also clearly part of one big, tight-knit Italian family. Chef Victor Ibarra started as a busboy and worked his way up.

“We’re lucky to have him,” Marcone says.

“It’s wonderful to work with someone like him who really cares about the quality of the food.”

Above all, Marcone values her relationships with her staff and customers.

“When they come to Andiamo,” she says, “they come to a family.” andiamoitaliano.com

Daniela Marcone went to medical school in Italy, and originally came to Texas thinking she would work with horses and disabled children.

That passion has fueled a high level of community involvement with a local nonprofit organization called Spirit Reins, a trauma specialty center that provides equine therapy for children and families impacted by abuse or other trauma.

94 Austin Woman d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4

For more on family-style dining at Andiamo and recipes, visit austinwomanmagazine.com.

Combining the services of licensed mental-health professionals, equine specialists and, of course, the horses themselves, Spirit Reins helps children learn to recognize what is going on inside of them and how they have the ability to move from a place of fear to a place of being calm.

Marcone works with the group on a regular basis, and supports its

work through Andiamo. The restaurant has a special private dining room that is filled with photographs of the horses and children from Spirit Reins.

“I dedicated this room to them,” Marcone says. “Every time people come here to have a private party, I donate 50 percent of the proceeds [to Spirit Reins]. These kids are the future, and I love this organization.”

Food photo by Matt Lankes. Marcone photo by Dustin Meyer. Dining room photo by Silvana Di Ravenna.

By Shelley Seale

If you die, will your family be buried in

debt?

Help protect your family with life insurance from Modern Woodmen of America. Call today – I can help you plan for life.

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Presents Alfred Hitchcock’s early silent film

The Lodger

With original score by Joseph V. Williams II, Performed live by the Texas Guitar Quartet & Bion Tsang Friday & Saturday, January 16th & 17th, 2015 at 7pm Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar

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savvy womEn /

t h e l a st wor d

How I Have a Perfect Holiday Season Just like the movies!

In my mind’s eye, my holiday season would always be beautiful, a happy, laughing family gathered around a glittering tree, the smell of a feast scenting the house, a bounty of beautifully wrapped presents overtaking a corner of the living room, fashionably dressed people sharing witty reminiscences as they sip cocktails, with enough time to enjoy the feast and then make the pilgrimage to church so we can bond over the sweet love and spiritual joy of a baby’s birth. It is the Hallmark movie.

It never fails to bring a tear to my eye, this unrealized, unnatural and unholy vision. Oh, I spent years (decades!) trying to make it happen. If you had walked down my street, you would have sensed the stress radiating from me through the very walls. There was the year that my oldest child decided to test the powers of Santa during the Christmas Eve dinner by requesting a change in her gift list. This devolved into a major “Santa doesn’t EXIST!” meltdown just minutes before we had to leave for church. OK, I’d settle for the Hallmark commercial.

There was the time that I flew halfway across the country and spent the entire holiday wrestling with an 18-month-old sweaty toddler, who not only preferred to shout “No!” at the top of her lungs, but followed up that bon mot with her outstretched hand in our faces shouting, “Don’t wook at me!” It ended a week later, back at my home airport, bedraggled and exhausted, making my friend promise to shoot me if I ever tried to do that again. Wait, why was I in the movie Bad Santa?

I thought that what I needed to do was to work harder, so I became a minister.

And Christmas became even more manic. I was Clark Griswold, maniacally

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stapling another string of lights to my already filled rooftop. I’d say “Oy, vey!” but that would be making light of my youngest daughter’s decision to convert to Judaism. Want to know how to make the holidays even harder? Add Hanukkah and a kosher kitchen. (It’s a steep learning curve.) Oh yeah, and a divorce. That year, I chose a dove as a tree topper, but it looked more like a seagull. Every time we looked at it, we squawked. I wanted to kick that dove, just like Clark kicked that plastic Santa.

But last year, something different happened. I relaxed. Oh, we had the tree and the presents and the feast (kosher, of course. I’m just better at it now.) and the family. My fiance and his children along with mine. All of us are adults now.

We opened presents and drank and decided to play Cards Against Humanity.

On Christmas, no less. And we laughed until we cried and even skipped church.

When his boys pulled out the guitars to play, I cried. It was The Brady Bunch meets It’s a Wonderful Life. Perfection.

—Shelly Stewart Kronbergs February's Last Word topic will be “Making Connections.”

To be considered, email a 500-word submission by Jan. 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com.

Shelly Stewart Kronbergs is a former Lutheran minister, mother of three grown daughters and currently a psychotherapist at here2love.com.

Illustration by Jessica Wetterer.

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Austin Woman Magazine

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