food Issue The
MY A
CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS
Social Hour p. 12 Kristin’s Column p. 18 Tribeza Talk p. 20 Karen’s Pick p. 68 Dining Guide p. 70 Arts & Entertainment Calendars p. 74 FEATURES
The Library is Open p. 24 Genuine Jo p. 30 Eating on the East Side p. 36 Meals on Wheels p. 45 GUIDE
Sips for Spring Guide p. 53 COVER Photo by Brian Fitzsimmons at Toshokan
6
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
THIS PAGE Bougie’s Lemon Lavender Photo by Holly Cowart
I
F THERE’S ONE THING AUSTIN’S FOOD SCENE ISN’T LACKING, IT’S CRE-
ativity. Ever heard of an omakase sushi speakeasy? Me neither. Recently, I had one of the most unique, and super intimate, dining experiences — behind a bookshelf. I wasn’t sure if I was entering a secret passageway or about to arrive in Narnia. Chef Saine Wong and C.K. Chin have created an adventure that truly is a feast for the senses. “What’s fun is that people trust me with their meal, so you create that bond from the very beginning,” Wong explains. “Then, you take them on a journey, and we talk about travels, music and all other types of experiences.” Toshokan, which literally means “library” in Japanese, invites guests to dine at a six-seat chef counter and feast on 14 bites of sushi, while having conversations that revolve around a map displayed on the wall. Pins point to origins of this night’s ingredients and Wong’s travels — which inspired the Toshokan concept. “I learned a new appreciation for life, food and ingredients,” Wong says. “And that’s what’s great about this concept — everything is so small that you have to think about every single flavor that goes into a dish and have appreciation for every ingredient. It’s like all my experiences, and everything has led to literally this place.”
8
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
From Hawaiian kampachi and Hokkaido scallops, to Korean braised short rib, this chef’s menu is precisely on point, and worth every bite. Let me put it this way: I haven’t eaten red meat in over two decades. Tonight, that all changed. Next up, Jo Chan, executive chef at Eberly, shares how she navigated being a contestant on Season 19 of “Top Chef.” “Especially coming out of the pandemic, ‘Top Chef’ felt like this very hopeful thing,” says Jo. “It took me back to the roots of why I wanted to have this career to begin with. Stepping into the ‘Top Chef’ kitchen and hearing Padma say, ‘We’re about to do our first Quick Fire,’ it becomes very real very fast. And yet incredibly surreal, to be standing there in front of those judges I used to watch on TV.” We’re definitely excited to see what’s next for Jo! Rounding out our food issue, we’re highlighting hot spots to eat on the east side, 18 can’t-miss food trucks, local restaurants that are embracing plant-based meats, mocha munchies, Mother’s Day treats and the best local margaritas — to seal the deal. Enjoy. Carrie Crowe Executive Editor
P H OTO B Y B R I A N F I T Z S I M M O N S AT TO S H O K A N
EDITOR’S LETTER
AUSTIN CUR ATED M AY 2 02 2
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Carrie Crowe
ART DIRECTION
October Custom Publishing DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER
Holly Cowart
DIGITAL EDITOR
Meher Qazilbash
DIGITAL COPY EDITOR
Avery Tanner
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
David Clough
PUBLISHER
Mark Fisher
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Krissy LittleStar Hearn
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Julia Grisemer
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Dylan Sack
PRINCIPALS
George Elliman – CEO Chuck Sack Vance Sack Michael Torres
COLUMNISTS
Kristin Armstrong Karen O. Spezia WRITERS
Kristin Dunn Darcie Duttweiler Tolly Moseley Bryan Parker Meher Qazilbash Britni Rachal Avery Tanner COPY EDITOR
Ashley Brown
EDITORIAL INTERN
Rubyanne Rutledge
PHOTOGR APHERS
Holly Cowart Brian Fitzsimmons Jonathan Garza Layla Mays Bryan Parker Brittany Dawn Short CONTRIBUTING ARTIST
Adrià Voltà
706A West 34th Street Austin, Texas 78705 ph (512) 474 4711 | fax (512) 474 4715 tribeza.com Founded in March 2001, TRIBEZA is Austin’s leading locally-owned arts and culture magazine. Printed by CSI Printing and Mailing Copyright @ 2022 by TRIBEZA. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of the publisher, is prohibited. TRIBEZA is a proud member of the Austin Chamber of Commerce. S U B SC R I B E TO TR I B EZ A VISIT TRIB EZ A .COM FOR DE TAIL S
10
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
YEARS N O. 2 4 3
Social
HOUR 1
2
3
Creative Action’s Magic Makers Bash took place on Mar. 5, raising more than $475,000 in support of its after school and community-based arts programs. Guests enjoyed an enchanting evening with immersive entertainment and celebrated honorary chairs Carly and Clayton Christopher, who are long-time champions of Creative Action’s mission.
TOAST TO TEXAS FILM On Mar. 10, Austin Film Society hosted a special edition of the Texas Film Awards called A Toast to Texas Film, honoring and inducting Evan Smith into the Texas Film Hall of Fame. Friends arrived at Troublemaker Studios for an inspiring evening celebrating local movie legends and benefitting AFS programs. Speakers included Elizabeth Avellán, Louis Black, Mehcad Brooks, Richard Linklater, Glen Powell and Robert Rodriguez.
5
4 9
11
10
7 11
8
KREATR LAUNCH PARTY During SXSW 2022, Kreatr, a first-of-its-kind, creator-centric physical NFT marketplace for art and photography, was “born famous.” Around 3600 guests moved through Kreatr’s SKY Gallery and launch party at SKYBOX, featuring artists with their work and performances by DJ Miles and Yaadcore. Deepak Chopra also supported the launch by delivering a “Meditation from the Metaverse.” CREATIVE ACTION BASH 1. Erin Mindell-Cannon & Aemon Cannon 2. April Patterson, Carly Christopher & Lawton Cummings 3. Stephanie Long, Karen LaShelle & Sarah Richardson 4. Deborah Esquenazi, Anne Smalling, Rich Smalling & Karen LaShelle 5. Clayton Christopher & Harold Hardaway 6. TiWanna Kenny TOAST TO TEXAS FILM 7. Glen Powell 8. Tamara Saviano & Becky Beaver 9. Morrisa Maltz & Janell Shirtcliff 10. Lydia Carmina Sosa, Iliana Sosa & Emma Miller 11. Sam Wainwright Douglas & Sarah Ann Mockbee 12. PJ Raval and Curran Nault KREATR LAUNCH PARTY 13. Chris Morales 14. Yaadcore 15. Eric Mitchell & Louis Stranberg 16. Jeremiah Ramirez & Daniel Russo 17. John Vincent & Friend 18. John Fallon & Kreatr Artist
12
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
12 14
15
13 16
17
15
6
18
C R E AT I V E AC T I O N P H OTO S B Y T LC P H OTO G R A P H Y. T E X A S P H OTO S B Y DAV I D B R E N DA N H A L L A N D G A R Y M I L L E R . K R E AT R P H OTO S B Y J E R E M I A H R A M I R E Z .
CREATIVE ACTION MAGIC MAKERS BASH
Social
2
HOUR FIERCE WHISKERS DISTILLERY CHEF SERIES
1
Fierce Whiskers welcomed chef Patrick Feges of Houston’s Feges BBQ on Mar. 21 for the 2nd installment of their Chef Series. Visitors experienced a five course tasting dinner that focused on live-fire cooking techniques, including whole hog terrine. Each dish was paired with cocktails made from Fierce Whiskers’ not-yet-for-sale spirits, while all proceeds went to the featured chef and team.
The 13th Annual Angelina Eberly Luncheon was held on Mar. 25 at The Austin Club, the original home of the 1878 Millett Opera House. The event was produced by the Austin History Center Association, the nonprofit friends group for the Austin History Center of Austin Public Library. Guests were treated to a live theater performance highlighting the story of sculptor Elisabet Ney.
4
5
6 7
9
11
8
10
12
ROADHAUS MOBILE COCKTAILS PREVIEW NIGHT On Mar. 28, the team behind Austin’s esteemed Roosevelt Room hosted a media preview night to launch their latest project, RoadHaus Mobile Cocktails. Attendees were given an exclusive look at the refurbished French-made 1967 Citroën HY Van while tasting the extensive craft cocktail menu. RoadHaus is now available for events this summer. FIERCE WHISKERS 1. Patrick Feges 2. Cocktails 3. Jeremiah Macias & Chris Gentry 4. David Farrell & Jason Schulke 5. Katrina Tolentino & Aimy Steadman 6. Reagan Williamson & Taylor Thibodeaux ANGELINA LUNCHEON 7. Sylvia Orozco, Ed Jordan & Gloria Mata Pennington 8. Rita Kreisle & Jenniann McKnight 9. Meta Butler Hunt & Frances Pearce 10. Saundra Kirk & Sandy Dochen 11. Kent Collins & Rev. Paolo Puccini 12. John De La Garza, Dorothy De La Garza & Frances Thompson ROADHAUS PREVIEW 13. Curtis Janto 14. Gabrielle Pharms & Melanie Smith 15. Kristen Votto 16. Codi Bott, Skyler McAllister & Abbey Pennington 17. Eddie Medrano-Cruz
14
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
13
14 16
17
15
F I E R C E W H I S K E R S P H OTO S B Y J O N AT H A N G A R Z A . A N G E L I N A E B E R LY P H OTO S B Y R O B E R T G O D W I N . R OA D H A U S P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F R O O S E V E LT R O O M
ANGELINA EBERLY LUNCHEON
3
Social
HOUR On Apr. 1, The Kindness Campaign put on a special bash at The Pershing to honor organization sponsors ahead of A Day in the Art of Kindness. Friends were treated to music performances, a lively auction and a kind-hearted community. Each year, the family-friendly fest celebrates emotional health with thoughtful programming, raising money to provide life-saving resources for all ages.
1 3
4
W&TW BOLD BASH
Austin Child Guidance Center created a family festival on Apr. 2 for its 9th Annual Austin Originals benefit concert. The exciting day included amusement rides, carnival games, food and more, culminating in a performance by legendary artist Diana Ross. Proceeds went towards ACGC’s efforts to increase access to mental health care and treatment for Central Texas children and families. THE KINDNESS CAMPAIGN 1. Jamie Anad & Tosha Patel 2. Caroline Smith & Lauren Smith Ford 3. Andra Liemandt & Katie Jaffe 4. Jaclynn Brennan & Paola Origel 5. Ali & Nahid Khataw BOLD BASH 6. Jay Cowles & Katelena Hernandez Cowles 7. Emily Attwell 8. Peter Zavadil & Penelope Arth 9. Emily Apollo, Jodi Lazar, Tiki Good & Aubrey Rosenthal AUSTIN ORIGINALS 10. Lauren & Gabe Hasser, Eric & Jessica Boston 11. Trevor Scott & Loreal Sarkesian 12. Diana Ross 13. Brittany Sanders & Sharon Blecker 14. Sarah Farley, Mary Knight & William Jackson
16
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
6
10 12 14
5 9
7
Art lovers were invited to don their most avant-garde attire for Women & Their Work’s annual BOLD BASH, held on Apr. 2. Inspired by courageous artists and striking design from the 1960’s, the party featured an immersive lightbased photo booth, dance performances, spontaneous poetry from Typewriter Rodeo, psychedelic projections, divine bites from El Locavore and more.
AUSTIN CHILD GUIDANCE CENTER: AUSTIN ORIGINALS
2
8
11 13
14
T H E K I N D N E S S C A M PA I G N P H OTO S B Y B E N P O R T E R . W&T W P H OTO S B Y E S S E N T I A L S C R E AT I V E . A U S T I N C H I L D P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F A U S T I N C H I L D G U I DA N C E C E N T E R .
THE KINDNESS CAMPAIGN SPONSOR CELEBRATION
KRISTIN'S COLUMN
grandparent love By Kristin Armstrong Illustration by Adrià Voltà Portrait by Laura Doss
M
Y PARENTS ARE THE KIND OF PARENTS AND GRANDPARents you would choose if you could handpick your lot in life before you ever arrived on the planet. Who knows, maybe I did just that. However it happened, I totally scored, and so did my kids. My parents moved to Austin right after my twin girls were born, intentionally crafting a life where they would be involved with their three grandchildren on a regular and consistent basis. They knew every sport, friend, schedule, food preference, interest, clothing and shoe size all the years of their lives. I could leave the kids with them when I left town without leaving them any instructions, because they already knew everything. Today they have a relationship with each of my children that does not need to be brokered or influenced by me. They are chosen and included because they spent all these years choosing and including. Never was there a finer example of sowing and reaping. The life they have created is a garden and a legacy of love. My parents are big on tradition. They are the matriarch and patriarch of holidays and birthdays, and part of how they love is in the incredible food they prepare. The other part is the way it feels to share in the feast. If you are loved by someone they love, they love you automatically, and therefore you belong. My mom, who sets a gorgeous table days before a celebration, can always add an extra table leaf and place settings to welcome last minute guest requests. There is always enough food, enough room and more than enough love to go around. My daughter recently said something that stopped me in my tracks. I have been mulling this over ever since. She said, “Mom, I know you love me beyond and I love you too. But I have to say that there is something totally different about the way Nani and Papa love me. It’s literally the best feeling in the whole world.” I considered the fundamental differences between parent love and grandparent love. Grandparent love is the culmination of years of
18
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
experience, knowing what behavior is worth correcting and when to just laugh. Grandparent love is all about acceptance, because your grandkids are basically perfect just the way they are. They don’t have to win the game, get a good report card, or get into a certain college because just watching their life unfold is amazing enough. Grandparents remember the days when fun was simple, connection was always in person, and being a regular kid was just fine. Grandparents have already done all the fretting and realize that most of it was probably unnecessary. They are wise enough to enjoy the moment, right here and now. My kids are 22, 20 and 20. I am done with the foundational seasons of parenting, and am more like a consultant, here when they need me but mostly enjoying whatever time I get in their fine company. I asked myself, why do I have to wait for grandchildren to start practicing loving with grandparent love? The answer is, I don’t. I can start now. The decisions they make going forward are the ones that create their own destiny, not mine. Even though we are intertwined, we are separate. I can be a supportive witness, a celebrator, a helper, a sounding board or a comfort as needed. This is an epiphany for the woman who used to drive up to their elementary school to hang puffy coats on the little racks outside their classrooms when there was a crazy temperature drop and they went to school in shorts and short sleeves. If I didn’t do that, I would freeze all day thinking of them on the windy playground. It was a primal thing for me — if ever they were cold, I was frozen. If they were sad, I was bereft. If they were happy, I was elated. This is not what they need now (or maybe ever needed). They need me to be strong, happy, warm and living my best life so I can be a lighthouse when their lives have stormy seas — holding steady and shining the way back home. I don’t need to do or fix — just be. I don’t need to make teachable moments; I need to be with them in the moment. They are brilliant, beautiful, loving people, and they have everything they need to figure life out as they go. I can better communicate that to them by believing in them, in the art and alchemy of letting go and showing up. I am changing the way I love, my children and everyone else – including myself. I am choosing to love people with grandparent love. I am hoping it will feel more satisfying than any love offered by me so far. I hope it feels more accepting, more unconditional, more curious, more playful, more present, more available, more generous, more trusting and more pure. Grandparent love is stronger and softer, all at once. And hopefully by now, so am I.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
19
T R I B E Z A TA L K
MOTHER LOAD 12 foodie finds to treat Mom this Mother’s Day By Darcie Duttweiler
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F I N T E R O
Intero Chocolate Truffles Intero co-owner/chocolatier/pastry chef Krystal Craig is well-renowned for her simply divine chocolate truffles, and luckily you can pick up a lovely specialty box of them for the woman who raised you. Pre-order your box with flavors salted caramel, Italian cream cake, strawberry oat crisp and Earl Grey tea. Vegan flavors are also available. ($11-$35) interorestaurant.com
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F W I N E F O R T H E P E O P L E
Let’s face it, moms show their love of their kids through food. Whether it’s the constant questioning of “did you get enough to eat?” or hosting Sunday family dinners, their love language is definitely told through our stomachs. This Mother’s Day, treat your mom to something deliciously decadent that she doesn’t have to prepare herself.
P H OTO B Y L I S A M U Ñ OZ
2021 Dandy Rosé Yes way, rosé! Cheers to Mom with this year’s gorgeously pink and bone-dry Dandy Rosé varietal made from traditional Southern French varieties from local winemaker Rae Wilson. If she prefers bubbles, you’re in luck as Dandy also makes a sparkling version that dances across the palate. ($24) wineforthepeople.com
20
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
Lux Casero Gift Box Order a beautiful meat and cheese box directly to your door from local maker Casero, whose owner Jackie Letelier either lovingly crafts each charcuterie item herself or sources it from small batch artisans mostly from Texas. This beautiful gift box is stuffed with three cheeses, cured meat, homemade jam, honeycomb chunk honey and handmade chocolate. ($125) caseroaustin.com
T R I B E Z A TA L K
P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F R OYA L CO F F E E
Barbecue Wife Smoked Margarita Mix Forget sugary cocktail mix — get Mom the good stuff. This smoked margarita mix contains real lime juice and smoked Texas honey without any high fructose corn syrup or MSG, so she can imbibe without any added junk. ($14) barbecuewife.com
P H OTO B Y C A S E Y W O O D S
P H OTO B Y W YAT T M C S PA D D E N
Barrett’s Women In Coffee Beans Girl power! Not only do these coffee beans come in the cutest bag with one very tough-looking duck, but this special blend comes from coffees produced by women in Peru, Colombia and Mexico, giving it another fun reason to gift to Mom. ($18) barrettscoffee.com
Confituras Lemon Curd If you have a European mum or mum-in-law, she’ll swoon over this velvety, bright-yellow lemon curd from Confituras, which is made from neighborhood local Meyer lemons, local eggs and organic butter. Trust us, she’ll be smothering everything in it. ($14) confituras-little-kitchen.square.site tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
21
T R I B E Z A TA L K
Kimbala Chai Intro 10-Pack Get Mom a taste of India. Created from a frustration of the lack of traditional and authentic chai drinks in the States, the owner of Kimbala sources chai grown in the Nilgiris Mountains in the state of Karnataka, India, as well as premium Indian spices. This starter pack includes five different flavors, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, to let her choose her favorite. ($65) ikimbala.com
22
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F M AG G I E ’ S M I C R O S
P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F R E S TA R T C B D
Maggie’s Micro’s Vanilla Extract If your mom is still quite the baker — or you want to nudge her into making your childhood favorite cookie again — the small batch vanillas from Maggie’s Micros will certainly give her the hint. Fake vanilla flavoring is a thing of the past with this buttery micro-batch Madagascar vanilla extract made from Certified Organic, Sustainable, Fair-Trade whole vanilla beans imported directly from Madagascar. ($25) maggiesmicros.com
P H OTO S CO U R T E S Y O F W O N D E R K I N D
RESTART CBD Peanut Butter CBD Nuggs Chill out, Mom. Whether your mom is a CBD pro or just CBD curious, these CBD “nuggs” from local sister startup RESTART CBD are a delicious option. Made with creamy natural peanut butter, the gold-covered bites contain 25 mg full spectrum hemp extract, as well as zero artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. ($20) restartcbd.com
P H OTO B Y S E A N H E N R Y
T R I B E Z A TA L K
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F T E X A S O L I V E R A N C H
P H OTO B Y DAV I D B A R F O OT
Hi-Fi Mycology Mushroom Tinctures No, we’re not talking psychedelics. Local mushroom farm Hi-Fi Mycology offers a wide selection of bespoke mushroom tinctures made from gourmet mushrooms that enhance immunity and mental clarity through the ingredient’s natural medicinal qualities. From improving memory to helping with sleep, they’ve got a tincture for that. ($26) hifimyco.com
Texas Olive Ranch Limited Reserve Gift Set Let Mom get fancy on olive oils she’d never buy for herself. Texas Olive Ranch produces its gourmet oil from more than 40,000 olive trees grown in South Texas, and while its usual kitchen staple is fresh and buttery, the limited reserve collection is always a fun treat. In this pack, flavors range from mild and grassy to robust and earthy. ($69.99) texasoliveranch.com
Salumeria Gift Box Set For the meat-loving mom, curate her very own salami gift box made especially for her. Choose from a small to large box with two to four whole pieces of salami ranging in different seasonings — from original fennel to Carolina reaper pepper — to allow her to indulge in her cured meats curiosity. ($34-65) thesalumeria.com tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
23
THE LIBRARY IS
24
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
YOU’LL FIND AUSTIN’S NEWEST SUSHI SPEAKEASY HIDDEN BEHIND A BOOKSHELF IN NATIVE By Darcie Duttweiler / Photos by Brian Fitzsimmons
Bluefin Tuna Tartare in Potato Basket
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
25
MEANS “LIBRARY” IN JAPANESE, AND THE SUPER INTIMATE (THINK SIX SEATS AT A CHEF’S COUNTER FOR ONLY TWO DINING TIMES A NIGHT) OMAKASE TRULY TAKES THAT MEANING LITERALLY. NEVER MIND THE FACT THAT TOSHOKAN IS TUCKED BEHIND A BOOKSHELF IN NATIVE, BUT CO-OWNERS C.K. CHIN AND SAINE WONG HAVE LOVINGLY CREATED WHAT WONG REFERS TO AS “AN EDUCATIONAL ROOM WHERE PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS.” Slipping behind the bookshelf — almost as if you’re about to arrive in Narnia — diners are treated to a feast for the senses. Because “omakase” literally means “I’ll leave it up to you,” Toshokan offers a chef’s tasting menu, and the dark and cozy space has one seating area surrounding the chef’s countertop. This is where Executive Chef Wong draws in his guests to dazzle them with 14 bites and entice them into conversations that happen to start — and typically end — with food. “What’s fun is that people trust me with their meal, so you already create that bond from the very beginning,” Wong explains. “And, then, you take them on a journey, and we talk about travels, music and all other types of experiences.”
26
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
When dinner is about to begin, Wong points to a map on the wall with pins scattered throughout the different countries. Some of the pins point to where the ingredients from the night’s dishes have been sourced from, while other pins mark where Wong has traveled, and his menu speaks to specific roads he’s gone down. Right before the pandemic shut down everything, Wong had been traveling the world for about 18 months after quitting his executive chef role in a West Hollywood American restaurant. After setting up a home base in Hong Kong where his dad resides, Wong would pick a section of the world and spend around 30 to 45 days exploring that region. He visited Thailand and Italy. He dined with tribes in third world
TOP: Hokkaido Scallops with Peruvian Salsa Verde TOP RIGHT: Braised Korean Short Rib on Crispy Potato Pavé BOTTOM RIGHT: A5 Miyazaki Wagyu with Grated Salt Cured Duck Yolk
countries and sailed in the Philippines fishing for his dinner. “I learned a new appreciation for life, food and ingredients,” Wong says. “And that’s what’s great about this concept — everything is so small that you have to think about every single flavor that goes into a dish and have appreciation for every ingredient. It’s like all my experiences, and everything has led to literally this place.” Wong met Chin, who’s been in the Austin restaurant and hospitality scene for decades with stints at Kenichi, Imperia, Swift’s Attic and Wu Chow, while he was a chef at Sushi|Bar during the sushi speakeasy’s original pop-up tenure. The two quickly bonded over music, food and their Chinese American heritages and became fast friends. So after Wong left Sushi|Bar, Chin reached out regarding a space available at Native, where he’s also a partner. During the pandemic, the at-the-time hostel “pivoted so much [it] was constantly pirouetting,” according to Chin, and eventually removed the hostel beds and converted the rooms into spaces for rent. Currently Toshakan is in the far back of the hallway, next to a tattoo parlor and floral shop. Although the small location would dictate the intimate nature of seating times, Chin and Wong admit it was always their intention to create a concept that catered to a very specific number of people. “There’s been a study that if you have over six people, your conversations split into two or three different conversations. I want to have great conversations, and I want people to interact with each other,” Wong explains. “When there’s more people, it becomes more of a performance than an interaction.” Wong and Chin say they’ve even seen
a whole seating leave dinner and head to the Native Bar afterwards as a group to finish their conversations over a nightcap. And, it’s why the duo is looking forward to their upcoming themed nights, such as Sushi with Strangers, where the omakase will only sell single tickets so that guests can come interact with like-minded people and discuss the food and their experiences without the preconceived notion of impressing a date. Almost like a book club, one might say. Also in the works: Sushi with Swifties, which combines Wong’s other interest in Taylor Swift. While both Wong and Chin admit that because they only seat 12 diners a night it does become quite difficult to score reservations to Toshokan, they say they aim to keep the experiences fun and comfortable and encourage everyone to come be themselves in the laid back environment. Sure, guests are dining on incredibly high-end ingredients, like Hawaiian kampachi, potato pave topped with a Korean braised short rib, Hokkaido scallops with a Peruvian salsa verde, and aguachile made with botan ebi, along with fancy Japanese whiskies and sakes, but they want guests to feel like they’re dining with a group of friends while having a memorable experience. “Yes, we have a limited amount of seats, but you have to experience it in this intimate way because it’s a mainline straight to Chef himself, and that’s something that is very rare,” Chin says. “We know we don’t have that opportunity a lot of times, so we want that to be front and center. It’s a love letter to the travels we’ve had, and, at its heart, it’s what we love to do — serve people, show them our experiences, and have them leave happy, satisfied and excited for what’s next.” toshokanatx.com tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
27
Dining with Fresh, Local Delicacies CRE ATIVE & CUSTOM CHARCUTERIE By Britni Rachal Photo by Layla Mays
EASY TIGER
ITEMS: AUSTIN BAGUETTE, AUSTIN CIABATTA, AUSTIN QUINOA SOURDOUGH, AUSTIN SOURDOUGH, AUSTIN WALNUT CRANBERRY SOURDOUGH
Hearty, rustic, whole grain breads from Easy Tiger are the perfect complement for cheeses, meats and entertaining. The “Austin” named breads are locally made using fine artisan flour. Easily accessible for pickup, Easy Tiger has locations in north, south and east Austin—along with breads also distributed and sold via H-E-B. easytigerusa.com
THE SALUMERIA ITEM: ADAGIO CURE
Another subscription service, The Salumeria is locally owned and operated in Austin, raising prized heritage pork and then curing it for up to three years. A signature product, the adagio cure Cure Box allows customers to receive a sample of salami products each month. Handed down generation to generation, the salami recipe is a family tradition. thesalumeria.com
28
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
ANTONELLI’S
ITEM: JUNE’S JOY CHEESE
A cheese from Pure Luck Dairy in Dripping Springs, June’s Joy, is a fresh, pasteurized cheese named after the cheesemaker’s son. A delightful goat’s milk or ‘chevre’ spread, this cheese is on the sweeter side and mixed with Round Rock wildflower honey, smoked peppercorns and fresh thyme. The combination results in both a sweet and spicy flavor and is said to make some people’s taste buds “dance.” June’s Joy is also made in limited quantities, so sometimes it’s harder to find. antonellischeese.com
SPREAD & CO ITEMS: MUSTARD AND SEASONAL JAM
Zesty, tangy mustard spread is uniquely and freshly made at Spread & Co. Owned by Rosemary and Austin Ewald, the couple first started making jams and pickles at home before opening their first restaurant in 2019. All spreads are made fresh with a total of four or five seasonal jams throughout the year. spreadandco.com
REBEL CHEESE
ITEMS: BLUEBERRY VANILLA CHEVRE, SUNDRIED TOMATO HERB FROMAGE, CAVE-AGED TRUFFLE BRIE, FIRM PEPPER JACK
Artisan, small-batch, plant-based cheese adds variety to your charcuterie board. Rebel cheese offers a monthly club where you can have seasonal flavors delivered to your door. Made with plant-based items like cashews, almonds and coconut, these vegan cheeses are rich in texture without losing a creamy taste. A healthier option, these cheeses are high in protein and zero in cholesterol. rebelcheese.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
29
Genuine Jo 30
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
From Top Chef to Eberly, pasta to queso, Austi n’s Jo Cha n is ma k i ng her ma rk on a nationa l stage By Tolly Moseley Photos by Brian Fitzsimmons
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
31
The year she decided
she wanted to become a chef, Jo Chan was — in fact — watching “Top Chef.” “The last challenge we had with Chef Hung, he was our guest judge,” Jo explains to me, back home in Austin after competing on and filming “Top Chef ” Season 19. “It was the season he won that I watched, so it was really cool to see him and be a part of the challenge. A true full-circle moment, and so many times, I felt like I was Spaghetti Alla Chitarra doing this for the baby version of me.” Jo is 30 years old, throttling full steam ahead on a culinary career marked by New York training and a California childhood. But don’t get it twisted: she’s no overnight success story. In 2012, she moved to New York City and promptly stationed herself at Nobu Fifty Seven, before eventually landing at Barbuto in the West Village, working under Jonathan Waxman. Next, she traveled through Scandinavia with James Beard winner Marcus Samuelsson, acting as traveling Executive Chef. But after 10 years in the industry, Jo admits she got jaded — and after a global pandemic, which threatened to wipe out the likes of restaurants everywhere (including the one in Austin that boasts her as executive chef, Eberly), who could blame her? With Top Chef, though, a new energy emerged. Something more optimistic. Something familiar. “Especially coming out of the pandemic, ‘Top Chef ’ felt like this very hopeful thing,” she said. “It took me back to the roots of why I wanted to have this career to begin with. Stepping into the ‘Top Chef ’ kitchen and hearing Padma say, ‘We’re about to do our first Quick Fire,’ it becomes very real very fast. And yet incredibly surreal, to be standing there in front of those judges I used to watch on TV.” Fortunately for Jo, she won that first Quick Fire challenge — and everyone came out of the woodwork to cheer her on. “It’s like you hear from your high school English teacher, your best friend from middle school that you told one time you wanted to be a chef … there’s been this incredible outpouring.” I ask Jo about the other competitors on “Top Chef ” this season, remarking that maybe it’s just me, but there seems to be a real camaraderie there. Less cutthroat, more communal; less showboaty, more earnest. “As people, we’ve all gone through an intense battle,” says Jo. “So on-set, that was a lot of the conversation in our downtime: how all of us have shifted, what their restaurants went through, who lost positions, how we can best take care of our people,” says Jo. “As much as it’s a competition, and we’re all very fierce competitors, we kept saying to each other, ‘Wow, after two years of not really being able to gather,
32
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
“... at t he end of t he day, t h is com mu n ity wa s good to me before, a nd I k now t hey’l l be good to me a f ter.”
Rigatoni Pomodoro
P H OTO B Y A L L A C H I TA R R A
this is the most talent I’ve gotten to sit with in a very long time.’” This season takes place in Houston, and as any “Top Chef ” aficionado knows, the show has a soft spot for Texas cuisine (remember 10 years ago at the Salt Lick, with those poor competitors cooking BBQ into the night?). I ask Jo the differences between Houston and Austin’s dining scene, and her answer points toward the city that raised her: Los Angeles. “I grew up in L.A., and Houston reminds me so much of it. There are these pockets of neighborhoods dedicated to specific cuisine, whereas in Austin, we like to blend everything,” says Jo, gesturing at the immigrant communities that characterize the two, Houston and L.A. “Those
communities have managed to gather and create cultural spaces in the city, and listen, my parents were immigrants. Every single Sunday, we never went shopping at your regular grocery store. We always drove into town to the Chinese and Filipino centers and did all of our grocery shopping there. That’s where they felt comfortable and safe.” Speaking of comfort, Jo has a vision for her next project here in Austin, one that carb fans will welcome — and these days, aren’t we all carb fans? “I mean you watched how everyone made bread during the pandemic,” Jo chuckles. But for her, bread won’t be the centerpiece: pasta will. “There’s just this quick service version of pasta that I really want to explore,” Jo tells me. “In my career, no matter how far I go from it, I always end up coming right back to pasta. It’s that thing that keeps luring me back in,” Jo tells me, explaining how they experimented with a pasta dish as a special at Eberly, and now there’s an entire menu section devoted to it. To pique the interest of your tastebuds: one of those dishes, at the time of printing, is a mushroom mafaldine: the pasta of tight waves and ridges, this one covered in forest mushrooms, parmesan and a dry white wine sauce. Hungry? Me too. Amidst it all, Jo is participating in Indie Chefs, a 24-chef culinary event benefiting Good Work Austin, and, oh yeah — planning a wedding. Life’s busy. And no doubt will continue to be as “Top Chef ” wraps, and viewers all over the country hang on Jo’s delicious creations. “What’s amazing is, this community embraced me before ‘Top Chef,’” says Jo. “So it just feels like coming home, a celebration that I got to represent Austin. But at the end of the day, this community was good to me before, and I know they’ll be good to me after.” bravotv.com/top-chef eberlyaustin.com tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
33
Iced to Perfection DONUT DELICACIES ON THE RISE By Britni Rachal Photos by Holly Cowart
LOLA’S
BOUGIE’S
LITTLE LUCY’S
Strawberry Cereal Milk Award-winning Lola’s has an assortment of unique donut creations, including the Strawberry Cereal Milk donut. Decked in sprinkles of all assortments, this pink Brioche donut is not only pretty, but it’s uniquely dipped in strawberry-infused cereal milk for a creative taste. Located on the east side, off Manor Rd., Lola’s is open Friday-Sunday. With more than a dozen regular flavors offered, another donut worth mentioning is the Coffee Toffee, a Brioche donut that’s sprinkled with espresso glaze and topped with locally
Lemon Lavender Located in Southwest Austin, Bougie’s is a unique, upscale donut shop with a full-service coffee and espresso bar. Elevating the traditional donut experience, Bougie’s boasts several unique flavors including the Lemon Lavender, a fresh cake donut finished with house-made lemon icing, lemon zest and lavender buds. This is a fresh and spring-like flavor that’s featured year-round. Other donuts worth mentioning are the maple bacon cake donut and the chocolate bacon donut, each topped with smoked, thick cut apple-
The Schnauzer Boasting 24 coated sugar flavors and six dipping sauces, Little Lucy’s donut food truck has become an Austin staple over the last few years. Located in a food truck in the Domain, patrons can order a bag of mini donuts paired with their sugar dusting of choice along with Nutella, chocolate, caramel, raspberry, white chocolate or honey dipping sauce. Incredibly unique, the sugar coatings also bear the name of dog breeds — everything from the Maltese to the Saint Bernard. A top seller, the Schnauzer features pistachio, lavender and vanil-
made Toni’s coffee. lolasdonutsatx.com
wood bacon. bougiesdonuts.com
la. Served hot and fresh, these mini donuts are made-to-order. littlelucys.com
THE SALTY DONUT
MASTER DONUTS
Churro + Dulce De Leche Star One of Austin’s newest donut shops, The Salty Donut focuses on chef-made, small-batch craft donuts. The shop’s Brioche donuts are made with a special recipe that requires 24 hours of prep time. Some of the most unique pastries rotate seasonally, but others are on the menu daily, including Churro + Dulce De Leche Star. Covered in cinnamon sugar, filled with whipped dulce de leche, this star-shaped donut started as a seasonal item, but was so popular, The Salty Donut now offers it year-round. saltydonut.com/austin
Custom Creations What makes Master Donuts so special is the way donut creations are decorated. Bright and colorful, these custom sugary treats can be ordered in “letter form” — to send a message to a loved one on a special day. Located on Riverside and perfect for any occasion, the donuts can also be made to look like animals or other fun and festive objects. Use your imagination, and a dedicated pastry chef will help bring your donut dreams to life. Also, if you’d rather pop in and try a random flavor, the shop is also known for its daily creations including a classic chocolate with purple icing and topped with fruity pebbles. masterdonutsatx.com
34
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
ANGEL DONUTS Green Tea Iced Mochi In Northwest Austin, Angel Donuts is a shop designed to reflect current trends in Austin, while also paying tribute to the city’s past. A treat from East Asia, the mochi donut is a popular choice. Made with all vegan ingredients and fried in plant-based shortening, the mochi donut is considered a “hybrid sweet treat.” Made of a special blend of rice flour, the donuts are slightly chewy and mochi-like on the inside. Angel Donut’s mochi donuts are currently available in strawberry iced, green tea iced, lemon iced and taro iced. angeldonuts.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
35
Eating
t s a E
Side These six restaurants showcase an array of inspirations and flavors but are united by their penchant for offering something fresh and unexpected By Bryan C. Parker
36
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
Canje canjeatx.com
The newest restaurant from the Emmer & Rye Hospitality group, Canje, provides a modern take on Caribbean food. Driven by the creative vision of Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje draws on the cuisine of his native Guyana, which is an astoundingly diverse country that includes Indian, Amerindian, African and Chinese cultures. “We are on the South American continent, but because we are the only English speaking country, we adapted all of the Caribbean culture,” Bristol-Joseph says. In August of 2020, just before Canje opened, he took the entire Emmer & Rye team to Guyana to experience the country and cuisine first hand. As head chef Harvard Aninye and his team prepare new menu items, Bristol-Joseph hosts homecooked meals that become brainstorming sessions for sharpening the dish to perfection. Canje even provides educational sessions for its staff to provide an in-depth understanding of the cuisines, cultures and histories the menu represents. Undoubtedly, Canje’s signature ingredient
is cassareep, a Guyanese reduction made from cassava root and added spices, which is poured over wild boar for the pepper pot, a menu standout. The ceviche, prepared with sour orange, strikes fantastic notes both sweet and bright, as it turns away from the dish’s traditional tartness; it also includes roasted peanuts that provide an intriguing crunchy texture. A Jamaican classic, the jerk chicken is perfectly cooked and very spicy — a great option for the bold eater. Served with a green sauce made from puréed chives and cilantro and spiced with coriander, the grilled rock shrimp is also a winner. With its diverse menu and complex flavor profiles, Canje is one of Austin’s most exciting restaurants. Most importantly, its emphasis on Caribbean and South American cuisines fills a culinary void that Austin has been slow to recognize.
C A N J E P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F C A N J E
on the
Kinda Tropical kindatropical.com
K I N DA T R O P I C A L P H OTO B Y B RYA N C . PA R K E R
In March of 2019, Kinda Tropical reimag-
ined itself entirely — transforming from a grab ‘n’ go corner store and bar into a relaxed patio restaurant with a full menu. Most recently, the restaurant brought on chef James Durham of Bad Larry Burger Club, who brings his talents to Kinda Tropical in the form of a completely reinvented burger with two local, grass-fed patties, white American cheese and pickles on a sesame bun. The seasoned yucca fries are a perfect complement. A partnership between Shannon LeBoeuf and Amy Mullins of Yellow Jacket Social Club, Jason McNeely and Brian Tweedy from Hotel Vegas, and former Olamaie sous chef John DiCicco, Kinda Tropical has a team that has a long track record of success on Austin’s East Side. “It’s a place where you can come and hang out,” says DiCicco. “It’s whatever you need it to be.” You can grab a snack or meal, eat a quick bite or stay all night and drink cocktails. Among Kinda Tropical’s bar offerings are the colorful frozen beet margarita or the “Paint It Black” margarita, with a chili salt rim and an activated charcoal infusion that gives the drink its name. Think of Kinda Tropical as an oasis, hidden away deep on the east side — a bastion that retains everything that makes Austin special.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
37
Sour Duck sourduckmarket.com
space with casual picnic table seating, Sour Duck Market provides refined takes on American classics like chili, cheeseburgers and fried chicken sandwiches without breaking the bank. A sister restaurant to Odd Duck and Barley Swine, Sour Duck is helmed by Executive Chef Zechariah Perez. A dog and kid friendly space with a play area and water bowls, you’ll also find an assortment of pastries (made from flour sourced locally from Barton Springs Mill) for you to pick up while running your morning errands. Alternatively, come for a late night drink from the bar’s outstanding menu — the What’s Up Duck with cilantro mezcal and carrot juice or a Turmeric Mule, a take on the Byclassic Bryan C. Parker vodka and ginger cocktail. Plus, *Note: youAll can photos never exceptgo Sour wrong Duck arewith by Bryan the C. Parker Paloma on tap.
38
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
S O U R D U C K P H OTO B Y R I C H A R D C A S T E E L
With a unique layout, and a great outdoor
K I N DA T R O P I C A L P H OTO B Y B R YA N C . PA R K E R
Apt
115
apartmentonefifteen.com
This ground-floor nook on East 7th St. with cozy seating and eclectic decor completely lives up to its nonchalant name. Stacks of books, knick knacks and greenery occupy the shelves, and a vinyl record spins on a turntable, the only source of music in the establishment, which feels like stepping into a studio apartment on New York City’s Lower East Side. Opened by Joe Pannenbacker in 2018 as a wine bar specializing in low intervention wines, Apt 115 got a pandemic makeover, when Pannenbacker needed food options to pair with drink service. Eschewing the simple route of just charcuterie and cheese, Pannenbacker went all in and partnered with chef Charles Zhou, who was previously sous chef at Washington D.C.’s Minibar,
which has a two-star rating from Michelin. The menu’s diverse yet refined amalgam of inspirations include Korean, Spanish and Italian food, and everything is hyper-local, sourced from a farm or ranch within a 200-mile radius. The rabbit, for example, comes from just a mile away. Moist and tender, the rabbit ssam comes with butter lettuce leaves, pickled cucumber, radish kimchi and a house-made gochujang sauce. The snapper crudo, raw fish topped with a sauce made from aji chile and passion fruit, is another of the menu’s gems. The pork belly stew is phenomenal, but the cornbread and honey butter with white miso steals its spotlight. If you’re undecided on your order, don’t worry, you honestly can’t go wrong here.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
39
Love Supreme By Bryan C. Parker
lovesupremepizzabar.com
*Note: All photos except Sour Duck are by Bryan C. Parker
40
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
and Love Supreme provides that for the East Side’s Cherrywood and Manor areas. Owned by brothers Ryan and Wade McElroy and helmed by chef Russell Victorioso, the pizzeria’s spacious covered patio and enormous picnic tables feel perfect for leisurely meals with large groups of friends. Victorioso’s take on pizza features two distinct styles. The first is a round pie with a thinner crust — imagine a Neapolitan with a slightly crispier crust. Meat lovers should try the signature Love Supreme pizza with pepperoni and sausage, plus savory olives, kale and a shock of watermelon radish. For a classic
pie, try the Margherita, with its fresh basil and delicious fresh mozzarella. The second style may look like deep dish, but don’t be fooled — rather than thick and doughy, these square-cut pies use a fluffy, airy focaccia base and feature delectable charred edges and either red or white sauce over toppings. The Mushroom pizza, with Pecorino and oregano, and topped with aioli is a hidden gem. Don’t overlook the appetizers, especially the corn ribs, which are roasted and covered in Parmesan cheese, Calabrian chili ranch and a spice blend of ground chilis, cumin and garlic.
LOV E S U P R E M E P H OTO B Y B R YA N C . PA R K E R
Every neighborhood needs a great pizzeria,
Nixta Taqueria nixtataqueria.com
LOV E S U P R E M E P H OTO B Y B R AYA N C . PA R K E R
Located at the corner of East 12th Street and Cedar, Nixta Taqueria is an unassuming spot that reveals an inviting, secluded backyard seating area where patrons can lounge in the shade under a tent or catch some sun at a picnic table on the spacious lawn. Colorful murals adorn the walls behind the bar where you place your order. Nixta prides itself on its delicious handmade ingredients — thick blue corn tortillas, duck fat refried beans, crispy tortilla chips and piquant avocado crema. Chef Edgar Rico’s fare is as vibrant and exciting as Nixta’s murals. The deep magenta of the beet tartare tostada topped with microgreens is both visually stunning and utterly delectable. The roasted cauliflower taco with Spanish romesco, pine nuts and queso fresco boasts a wonderfully unexpected flavors. But Nixta delivers with the mainstays as well, including a breakfast taco with crispy fingerling potatoes and slabs of avocado covered in melted Tillamook cheddar and house salsa. You can’t miss with the migas taco, which features the staple scrambled eggs and totopos along with those duck fat refried beans, chorizo and avocado crema. Sip a pink pineapple mimosa or grab a cold beer to pair with the tacos.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
41
P H OTO B Y S H E L B Y S O R R E L
Sealed with a Kiss E AST AUSTIN ICE CRE AM SHOP BÉSAME BRINGS SWEET TRE ATS AND A LOT OF LOVE TO THE ME ANWHILE BREWING COMPLE X
P H OTO B Y K E L LY P H I L L I P S
By Bryan C. Parker
I
N 2014, SHEENA AND BEN GEORGE MOVED THEIR family to Nicaragua to pursue a life of missionary work. But while there, they stumbled into another calling — handmade ice cream. It may seem like a surprising jump, but to Sheena, these acts of service go hand in hand. “At our core we are hospitality people,” she says. “We love taking good care of people and bringing joy any way we can.” During their time in Nicaragua, the couple opened a small chain of ice cream shops called Kiss Me. Sheena says, “It’s a reminder of the sweetness on your lips of a first kiss experience with someone you are falling in love with.” In the jungles of Nicaragua, the family was falling in love with ice cream, as their number of stores grew to five. The couple would take groups to tour the factory that supplied their shops, and it became clear that nothing could compare to the smoothness of a fresh batch of fresh-spun ice cream straight out of the machine.
42
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
The couple conceived a dream to return to the U.S. and open a shop where they would produce the ice cream on site and serve directly to customers — thus, Bésame was born, named with a nod to the couple’s first store, as the word translates to “kiss me” in Spanish. The shop opened on July 8, 2021, and quickly became a favorite of patrons visiting the Meanwhile Brewing premises in East Austin. With fresh brews from the taproom, barbeque from Distant Relatives, ice cream dessert from Bésame and a playground for the kids, Meanwhile has everything you could need for hours of entertainment. The secrets to Bésame’s outstanding ice cream are simple: hard work and handmade ingredients.
“We make it fresh every day, and we don’t take shortcuts,” Sheena says. “If there’s a curd or jam in our ice cream, we make that ourselves.” Since the ice cream is made fresh every day, it doesn’t allow time for ice crystals to form, ensuring that the ice cream is always perfectly smooth. To Sheena, the perfect ice cream is dense, with a high fat content that adds an almost chewy, voluminous texture. At Bésame, you’ll find complex flavors that balance sweet and savory notes by using mix-ins to create a fully composed dessert rather than just a single scoop of flavor.
WE PUT I N TH E EXTR A WO RK TO AD D SAUCES, CAR AM ELS, CH U N KS AN D B ITS
P H OTO B Y B R YA N C . PA R K E R
“We put in the extra work to add sauces, caramels, chunks and bits,” Sheena says. Though the base is always creamy, flavors also contain a bright burst of flavor, like lemon curd, or a savory crunch, like pretzel. A self-taught pastry chef, Sheena loves experimenting with flavor and coming up with ideas — she finds the process just as rewarding as the final creation. “I spend a lot of time in R&D: research and dreaming,” she quips. “I look for inspiration everywhere, from childhood favorites, to classic desserts, to the newest pastry trends, to inspiring ingredients.” For example, for one
batch, she recently tried coriander as a complement to blueberry to accentuate its flavor. She also found that chamomile tea had a similar effect in a batch of strawberry bubblegum ice cream, making the strawberry even more pronounced and fresh. Bésame also welcomes collaborations with other passionate food lovers. Working on their first-ever collaboration with The Hungry Dollar (aka Hauck), a content creator and food blogger, yielded one of Sheena’s all-time favorite flavors — Smoked Peach. Starting with a sweet cream base, Bésame added an incredible jam made from peaches smoked by Hauck. They leaned fully into southern comfort food by including gooey peach cobbler chunks. Sheena says she immediately fell in love with the flavor’s texture and the way it hit every taste bud with a balance of sweet and savory. “It’s a surprisingly elevated summer peach and barbeque combination,” she says. The shop has done nine different collaborations since opening and has more planned for the future. Bésame’s deep passion for ice cream translates to good things for their patrons. You can bet on Sheena and Ben always striving to create something fresh and exciting to share with fellow ice cream lovers. After all, that’s what real romance is all about — keeping things exciting with a fun new idea or an unexpected kiss. instagram.com/besameatx
tribeza.com
| SEPTEMBER 2021
43
By Darcie Duttweiler Photos by Brittany Dawn Short / Illustrations by Adrià Voltà
It’s thought that the first modern food truck in the U.S. was the Wienermobile in 1936, but it wasn’t until the Great Recession in the early 2010s that mobile kitchens became widely popular due to their lower overhead cost in comparison to owning a brick-and-mortar restaurant. Now the capital city is home to approximately 1,200 food trucks that span a wide variety of cuisines. Here we’ve rounded up the 18 food trucks — from the classics to the new hotspots — not to miss.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
45
46
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
SXSE Food Co.
Yeni’s Fusion
Beirut
Blending Southern American and Southeast Asian flavors, this North food truck is currently housed at 4th Tap Brewing co-op. While beef, chicken and pork are prevalent on the menu, the vegan crispy fried rice is also a standout. Pro tip: Make it out for Chef Bob Somsith’s modern interpretation of Laotian cuisine during a multi-course chef ’s tasting menu.
Enjoy flavors of the Middle East with this Austin take on traditional Lebanese food located in the heart of the Domain. Enjoy cooked-to-order falafel, beef and chicken shawarma, or lamb kebabs while basking in the sunshine on the lawn. Wash it all down with house-made rose lemonade.
Must Order: Crispy Caramel Chicken Wings
After her father’s passing in 2020, Yeni Rosdiyani decided to move back to Austin and open her own food truck after testing the water with an Instagram pop-up first. Eventually, she opened Yeni’s Fusion parked at Aristocrat Lounge with recipes she’s been developing for years. Aptly named, the eatery serves traditional and Indonesian fusion dishes, like bubur ayam (chicken porridge), bakso (meatball) soup and rendang (beef curry).
10615 Metric Blvd. sxsefoodco.com
Must Order: Bubur Ayam 6507 Burnet Rd. instagram.com/yenis_fusion
3225 Amy Donovan Plaza beirutatx.com
Spicy Boys
One of the OG food trucks in Austin, Hey Cupcake! was founded by Wes Hurt in 2007. Today you can find the humongous desserts — seriously, they’re the size of your face — housed at Mueller Trailer Eats.
We’re partial to the north Spicy Boys locale parked at Fairweather Cider Co, which is also close to Q2 Stadium. While the name is definitely not a misnomer — the food truck serves some of the tastiest spicy chicken in town — the curries, including yellow, panang, and green served with the flakiest, buttery-est roti are the food truck’s hidden gems.
Must Order: Tuxedo Cupcake
Must Order: Panang Curry and Roti
4209 Airport Blvd. heycupcake.com
10609 Metric Blvd. #108 spicyboyschicken.com
T-Loc’s Sonoran Style Hot Dogs The specialty hot dog truck draws inspiration from Mexican-style street hot dogs popular in Arizona, and they even ship their buns in from Tucson weekly. The Sonoran hot dog is typically wrapped in bacon and grilled, served on a bolillo-style hot dog bun, and topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes and a slew of other condiments. In addition to franks, this truck also serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more.
Must Order: Shish Tawook Wrap
Hey Cupcake!
Must Order: Yaqui Hot Dog 5000 Burnet Rd. tlocs.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
47
48
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
Patrizi’s
Sammataro
Fil N’ Viet
It may be hard to believe that old-school Italian fare and house-made scratch pasta are being crafted in a food truck, but head to the Vortex theater to see for yourself. The Patrizi name has been associated with delicious pasta since Patrizi’s Restaurant opened in Beaumont in 1948. Nowadays, the legacy continues with fresh ingredients and classic dishes, like cacio e pepe.
New York-style thin crust is the name of the game at Sammataro on East 12th Street. The secret is obviously the dough, which Chef Issac Flores puts through a 48- to 72-hour cold fermentation and then bakes in a woodfired oven, giving each pizza a puffed and torched edge that’s perfectly chewy. Each pie is lovingly topped with the right balance of fresh toppings and melty cheese.
Must Order: Carbonara Alexandra
Must Order: Pepperoni
2307 Manor Rd. patrizis.com
1108 E. 12th St. sammataro.love
You’ll find this Filipino-slash-Vietnamese truck nestled into the new Camp East compound next to wine bar Cork & Screw. Pick up a bottle of wine and place your order before holing up on the spacious backyard patio with dishes like kinilaw, banh mi and chicken wings. Fil N’ Viet is the product of husband Kevin Truong, a former fine dining chef, and wife Rosie Mina-Truong, who started cooking her mom’s recipes when she became homesick after moving from the Philippines.
Must Order: Crispy Sisig 2903 E. 12th St. filnviet.com
East Side King
Cuantos Tacos
A visit to the East Side used to not be complete without a stop into the Liberty Bar for some pork belly buns out of the East Side King trailer. Although there are a plethora of options now, it’s undeniable that ESK is still as scrumptious as ever and still oh-so worth the pitstop.
Must Order: Brussels Sprouts Salad
Located in the Arbor Food Park as Sammataro, Cuantos Tacos offers some of the best Mexico City-style street tacos in Austin. Cuantos owner Luis “Beto” Robledo hails from Matamoros, Mexico, and serves traditional fillings of suadro, achete, buche, carnitas, longaniza and mushrooms in nixtamalized corn tortillas. Always look out for specials, which sell out quickly.
1618 E. Sixth St. eastsideking.com
Must Order: Cachete 1108 E. 12th St. cuantostacosaustin.com
Vegan Nom In a city of BBQ and taco trucks, it takes a lot to stand out — especially if you’re completely meat-free. Vegan Nom holds its own and then some with yummy breakfast tacos full of tofu scrambles, tempeh bacon and its signature queso, as well as nachos, burritos, and more.
Must Order: Super Fresco 2324 E. Cesar Chavez St. thevegannom.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
49
50
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
Distant Relatives
Dee Dee
Texas Sushiko
Named as one of Texas Monthly’s best barbecue joints, pitmaster Damien Brockway is serving up much more than just barbecue. He’s lovingly crafting modern African American cuisine complete with his interpretations of black-eye peas, pork spareribs, pulled pork and more. Grab a brew at Meanwhile Brewing Company, where the truck is parked, and enjoy the wafting smells of deliciousness.
“Dee Dee” means “good good,” and boy, is the food here good good. Head to Radio Coffee & Beer for this Northeastern Thai truck helmed by Chef Lakana Sopajan-Trubiana, who was raised in Thailand’s northeastern countryside by a family of farmers. Today, she’s dishing up flavorful Isaan-style dishes ranging from the comforting to the palate-melting. Pro tip: Pre-order your meal before 3 p.m. to avoid waiting in a long line.
Located right outside Texas Saké Company, this food truck serves Instagram-worthy open-face sushi hand rolls nestled into rustic wooden blocks. The brainchild of Chef Michael Carranza, the man behind inhome omakase service Tare, the truck offers an accessible form of omakase sushi that, thankfully, does not require a reservation months in advance.
Must Order: Chicken Leg Quarter 3901 Promontory Point Dr. distatantrelativesatx.com
Bombay Dhaba Go south of the river for Indian fine dining with Chef Prabhakar Reddy, who lovingly packs traditional subcontinent fare — think saag paneer, chicken tikka masala and vindaloo — with tons of flavors and aromatics. Head for lunch for a killer combo plate deal.
Must Order: Bluefin Tuna Handroll Must Order: Laab Moo 4204 Menchaca Rd. deedeeatx.com
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ
444 E St Elmo Rd. A1 texassushiko.com
LeRoy and Lewis
This far-far-far South Tex-Mex-Barbecue hybrid is well revered for its scrumptious smoked meat (including brisket, carnitas and pollo) tacos and sammies. Make it out early for their breakfast tacos, which sell out quickly.
Branding the slogan “new school barbecue,” pitmaster Evan LeRoy marries both traditional and widely inventive smoked ’cue by highlighting unusual cuts of meat from Texas ranches, like beef cheeks, as well as locally sourced, seasonal side dishes, like kale Caesar coleslaw and house-made kimchi.
Must Order: Real Deal Holyfield
Must Order: L and L Burger
11500 Menchaca Rd. valentinastexmexbbq.com
121 Pickle Rd. leroyandlewisbbq.com
Must Order: Spinach Chicken 1207 S. First St. bombaydhabaaustin.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
51
sips for SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SPRING
Whether you fancy a margarita, a crisp chardonay or a healthy juice cleanse, celebrate Spring with these local drinks. Cheers!
Peoples RX Ready to hit “pause” on countless spring happy hours? Reset and detox with the Peoples Rx 3-day Juice Cleanse. Created in-house by a naturopathic doctor, this cleanse is plant-based and designed to improve your digestion and detoxification, and jump-start your energy. The cleanse includes raw, organic, cold-pressed juices, savory veggie broth, an informative guide and a post-cleanse shopping list to help you get the most out of your cleanse. It’s a natural and delicious way to heal your gut and may even knock off a few pounds. Order today from Peoples Rx, Austin’s Wellness Headquarters. peoplesrx.com @peoples_rx
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
53
El Alma El Alma Cafe has been a Barton Springs staple for over a decade. The rooftop patio with a newly renovated upstairs bar is the perfect place for people watching. Relax after a day at Auditorium Shores with a fresh squeezed lime margarita and some of the best ceviche in Austin. Try the duck enmoladas at dinner or the huevos franceses during the buzzing Saturday and Sunday brunch! elalmacafe.com @elalma_atx
SOMI Natural Energy Drink
Eldorado Cafe The House Margarita at Eldorado Cafe. Fresh-Squeezed Lime Juice. 4 ingredients. Guaranteed to ease your troubles. Simply put, these margaritas are a tasty deliverance to a care-free town. Add on a plate of papas rellenas, shiny ribs or puzchkas, and you’ve got yourself a solid nugget of relaxation. Come see us! eldoradocafeatx.com @eldoradocafeatx
54
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
Meet SOMI®, or as local Austin co-founders Arianna and Angel Salinas like to call it, the World’s Healthiest Energy Drink. Packed with ceremonial grade matcha, organic ingredients, L-Theanine, natural antioxidants, zero sugar, and no artificial colors or sweeteners, SOMI® is energy the way Mother Nature intended. drinksomi.com @drinksomi
Adega Vinho Rooted in the beautiful Texas Hill Country town of Stonewall is Adega Vinho, a Vineyard and Winery that prides itself in producing 100% Texas grown wines with a “tip of the hat” to Portugal. Proudly Texan, many of the grapes planted on the estate are Portuguese varieties. Green, sustainable farming with a delicate hand using natural, old world methods for growing premium wine grapes is the focus in the vineyard. Brothers Andy and Michael Bilger’s approach to winemaking is a hands-off, minimal intervention style that permits the grapes to speak for themselves rather than force a predetermined style of wine. This hands-off approach allows for the natural creation of a wine program dedicated to the most pure style of winemaking possible. The tasting room is playfully eclectic, blending vibes of both mid-century modern and industrial design, featuring modern art from local artists. Cheers & Drink More Texas Wine! adegavinho.com @adega_vinho
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
55
Prep in Your Step NEW COMMERCIAL KITCHEN CONCEPT PREP AT X IS A WELCOME SPACE FOR FOOD PROFESSIONALS By Darcie Duttweiler Photos by Julia Keim
I
T’S A TRUTH UNIVERSALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT STARTING A restaurant or food business is expensive. Renting a physical space is costly, and never mind the overhead and utilities costs. New companies would rather focus on labor and supplies than having to fork over a large sum of money that’s already eating out of any meager profits they have. That’s where PREP ATX comes in. Opened since September 2021, PREP ATX is the largest commercial kitchen facility in Texas, and according to PREP’s community manager Katy Mabee, the company “helps small food businesses grow and succeed.” For a monthly fee, the new commercial kitchen facility offers small food business members access to 55,000 square feet consisting of 42 private kitchens, 16 shared kitchens and food truck parking spots, not to mention freezers, walk-ins and storage space, a gorgeous outdoor patio, indoor lobby with seating area and a demo area. The facility also takes other things off the member’s plate, like grease dumping, maintenance, utilities and even helping to advise on finding investor resources, partnerships and any other questions they may have.
56
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
WE GIVE TH EM TH E O PPO RTU N ITY TO HAVE TH E PERFECT KITCH EN S PACE SO TH EY CAN J UST FOCUS O N TH EI R B US I N ESS “We give them the opportunity to have the perfect kitchen space so they can just focus on their business,” says Mabee. “We take a lot of the responsibility off of their shoulders.” Members include pretty much anything in the small food business space, including consumer packaged goods, specialty makers, bakers, ghost kitchens, caterers, meal prep solutions, national brands and a little bit of everything in between. Originally based out of Atlanta, PREP ATX is the company’s first location out of the state of Georgia, and it currently houses more than 60 members, including some of the best food businesses in town, such as Chop Chop, Dõ CVG, Tiny Pies, Hank’s, Cantaloupe Island, Fronk’s and Easy Tiger — just to name a few.
In addition to the private and shared kitchen spaces perfect for prepping, a few vendors, like Brooklyn Breakfast and Kin Zen, also offer direct pick-up at PREP ATX, which means that guests can order online, pick up and dine in the contemporary lobby area or outside under twinkling string lights. Fazoli’s also has an open retail storefront, where diners can order food directly. While the lobby and outdoor patio space are indeed inviting for outside guests, Mabee looks at those areas as additional workspaces for the members, who often are on site all day long and need a relaxing space to answer emails or get other work done outside of the kitchen. They’re also available for members to host their own events or cooking classes for the public. However, the inviting space can be rented out for private events, which is an easy way to include some delicious caterers already on site. “Honestly, there’s no better way to serve hotter or fresher food,” Mabee laughs. In addition, PREP ATX will be holding its first major event on June 23 at 4 p.m. Prep For Your Wedding will allow brides to peruse delicious vendors onsite directly to plan for their big day. Mabee also has big plans for holiday events, such as a German shopping market, so stay tuned for more from PREP ATX. prepatx.com tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
57
Tacodeli Tacodeli is an Austin institution that has quickly become a Texas-wide favorite, with locations in Dallas and Houston as well. The taco mecca only started serving alcoholic beverages in 2021, but their margaritas are not to be missed — made with fresh juice and available to-go at all six locations around Austin. tacodeli.com
CKS, ON THE RO S P IC Y R U IT Y O R FROZEN, F LESS AS COUNT H Y IT C E A — TH M A R G A R IT Y R E V E R O KS O P T IO N S F R E T O P P IC A E R E H . LOVER HOUR. XT HAPPY E N R U O Y FOR
mattselrancho.com
Tanner
Curra’s Grill Head to Curra’s Grill in South Austin or Hyde Park to try their epic Frozen Avocado Margarita, in addition to more traditional options. Pair it with their Chile con Queso or Queso Flameado for the best start to your Mexican meal. currasgrill.com
58
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F C U R R A’ S G R I L L
By Aver y
A classic for a reason, Matt’s El Rancho’s Martinez Margarita is tart, fresh and a total crowdpleaser. Matt’s also offers several riffs on the classic marg, from the El Rancho Skinny, which is lightened up with agave, to the Cactus Pryor, a frozen version swirled with prickly pear puree.
P H OTO B Y H O L LY CO WA R T
a Round t i R
up
Bes t
Matt’s El Rancho
The Peached Tortilla Home to one of the best happy hours in town, The Peached Tortilla is the margarita destination if you want something a little spicy. The Margarita de Peached includes habanero and Thai basil-infused Hornitos tequila, lime and orange liqueur — and is available for only $6 during the restaurant’s Social Hour.
For the quintessential Austin experience, enjoy a refreshing margarita on El Alma’s rooftop overlooking Barton Springs Road. El Alma, which recently celebrated their 10th anniversary, offers a variety of margaritas, but you can’t go wrong with the Barton Springs’ Best, made with Don Julio Silver, Cointreau, lime juice and agave. elalmacafe.com
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F E L A L M A
El Alma
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F I N K E D F I N G E R S P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F F R E S A’ S C H I C K E N A L C A R B O N
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F M AT T ’ S E L R A N C H O
thepeachedtortilla.com
Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon Although primarily known for their wood-grilled chicken, don’t skip the margaritas at Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon. Visit the Fresa’s 9th and Lamar location for their signature drive-thru experience or enjoy the ambience of Fresa’s South First location, where they offer happy hour prices all day, every day to guests seated at the bar. fresaschicken.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
59
Enchiladas y Mas
Eldorado Cafe
Enchiladas y Mas is a casual Austin favorite on Anderson Lane, serving up small margaritas for $5.25 and large margaritas for $6.35. Although the Tex-Mex spot closed in April 2020 after 26 years of service, they returned just a few months later with new owners who are still part of the original founding family.
Tequila lovers should check out the House Margarita or the Top Shelf Margarita, made with your choice of tequila, at Eldorado Cafe. Enjoy your cocktail with fresh, heartwarming food made by Chef Joel Fried.
facebook.com/enchiladasymasaustin
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F E L D O R A D O C A F E
P H OTO B Y F L ACO S F OTO S
eldoradocafeatx.com
Güero’s Taco Bar A South Congress tradition. Guero’s serves up 20 types of signature margaritas in an iconic Austin location. Güero’s is a great stop for tequila lovers who want to choose the tequila that comes in their glass, as they offer Hornitos, Gran Centenario, Cazadores Reposado and more.
Fonda San Miguel
60
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
P H OTO B Y H O L LY CO WA R T
fondasanmiguel.com
P H OTO B Y H O L LY CO WA R T
Fonda San Miguel has served authentic Mexican food in a colorful, stylish space since its opening in 1975. Go for the vibes, but stay for the unique cocktails. Favorites include the Silver Coin, a watermelon margarita and the Pepino Pica, a cucumber-serrano margarita.
gueros.com
P H OTO B Y A M Y D E N N I S
P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F E R I C M E D S K E R
The Roosevelt Room The Roosevelt Room is an upscale cocktail bar, where guests are served by knowledgeable bar staff who can guide them through the many cocktails they offer. Their margarita is a true top shelf experience, with Arette Blanco Tequila, lime juice and agave nectar — served on the rocks, with or without salt. Reservations are strongly recommended at this downtown spot. therooseveltroomatx.com
Trudy’s Trudy’s originally opened in 1977, but recently underwent a rebranding process and significant renovations at their North Austin location. Their revamped menu features a classic house margarita, in addition to some creative options, like the Tex-Mex margarita, with TX Whiskey, and the Frozen Beer Rita, served with a Coronita. trudys.com
For Tribeza’s latest guides, visit tribeza.com/austin-city-guides tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
61
Now That’s Meat-y HOW LOCAL RESTAUR ANTS ARE EMBR ACING PL ANT-BASED ME ATS By Krissy Dunn Photos by Brittany Dawn Short
I
NNOVATION IS IN AUSTIN’S DNA — AND LUCKILY FOR VEGANS, vegetarians and omnivores alike, it’s also on our menus. Plant-based meat alternatives have been springing up nearly everywhere, from grocery stores, to national chains, to airlines and arenas. Local restaurants have been giving diners a taste of the future, too, serving up plant-based dishes that are loaded with ingenuity.
62
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
So what are plant-based meats? The ingredients differ, but one thing is consistent: they are comprised entirely of plants and devoid of animal products. The plant proteins in national brands are often from peas, soy or other legumes — and specially crafted to look, taste and even cook just like traditional meat. Other plant-based options can be found at local restaurants that experiment with transforming mushrooms, jackfruit, chickpeas and more into something brand-new. Unlike tofu and tempeh, the low-tech, yet long-standing vegan mainstays, plant-based meat alternatives are the new, very cool kid on the block. Experts say that their soaring popularity is driven by increased awareness of the social, health and environmental impacts of food choices. And as the plant-based category has grown, enticing options have taken root all over Austin. When it comes to plant-based meat alternatives made from whole foods, Austin chefs’ creative genius shines. In Tarrytown, The Beer Plant excels at crafting dishes bursting with flavor and innovation — made entirely from plants. On any given day, chef Emily Rayburn and her team are hard at work in the kitchen reimagining whole foods as delicious entrees reminiscent of their traditional meat counterparts. They’ve transformed mushrooms into vegan calamari, made crab-less crab cakes from chickpeas and hearts of palm, crafted plant-based chorizo from nuts and are experimenting with rice paper and shiitake for their next meatless bacon. Their current menu includes a show-stopping Nashville Hot & Crispy sandwich using a king oyster mushroom instead of chicken and served on a pretzel bun with remoulade, pickled celery and thinly sliced red cabbage. The result? An eye-popping flavor experience. “King oyster mushrooms take on that meat texture and shred like meat, so when you bite into it, it’s a very different experience,” explains Rayburn. “It’s rewarding seeing people come together and try something different. A lot of our clients are not vegan,” Rayburn adds. “When I’m checking on how
guests are doing at the restaurant, it’s awesome to see how many people come in and want to give it a chance for a friend or a partner. They’re like, ‘I’ll try this just for you’ and then they’re wowed by the dish.” Also changing minds and having fun with plants is Odd Duck, the chic restaurant known for offering locally sourced ingredients in a warm, welcoming space. Their attention to detail extends to their veggie plates. Chef and owner Bryce Gilmore says, “We are mindful when creating new dishes for each season to try and have fun with vegetables. It can be challenging, but when you can change the mind of a vegetable hater, nothing beats that.” They nailed it with their mushroom chorizo tostada. To make this convincing dish, the star ingredient is roasted over a wood fire until smoky and caramelized, then transformed to take on a crumbly sausage texture before merging with a special chili-spice paste. Layered with a rich, creamy pumpkin seed butter and served with radish and pickled onion on a house-made masa, this is a dish that hard-core vegans and omnivores alike can swoon over. Traditional meat dishes aren’t the only ones getting a veggie-based remix. Plant-based seafoods are making a splash nationally — and Lucky Robot Japanese Kitchen is the perfect place to try them. Celebrating a decade on South Congress this year, the vibrant restaurant is an ideal backdrop for executive chef Jay Huang and his team’s progressive Japanese-Perurvian style dishes, including two that feature plant-based tuna from Austin’s own Good Catch and a zucchini ahimi with vegan cheese from local favorite Rebel Cheese. Chef Huang committed to leading in sustainability in 2018, earning Lucky Robot recognition from the James Beard Foundation’s Smart Catch Program. Still, he wanted to do more, and Huang shares that expanding thoughtful plant-based options was a logical next step. “We expanded our vegan sushi options by featuring items from local farms and creating partnerships with meat alternatives like Good Catch in our nigiri sushi, maki rolls and entrée options,” says Huang. The menu now includes a host of exciting plant-based options, from vegan tuna rolls, to a tofu spinach dumpling with cashew cheese and red curry oil, to a tradition-rich Tokyo Banana dessert roll. On top of being delicious and sustainable, the dishes appeal to the sushi chef with 22 years of experience for another reason. Huang says, “I feel that vegan based dishes require more thoughtful technique and culinary creativity than meat options to get the same wow factor from guests. We love the challenge and hope to change the way people think about vegan sushi.” We’d say they’re doing just that. thebeerplant.com oddduckaustin.com luckyrobotatx.com tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
63
Mochi Munchies OMG SQUEE SERVES ADORBS — AND DELISH! — ASIAN-AMERICAN DESSERTS By Darcie Duttweiler Portrait photo by Brittany Dawn Short Product photos by Layla Mays
S
ARAH LIM HAD A EUREKA MOMENT WHILE walking the aisles of an Asian supermarket. Having been burned one too many times by a package’s cutesy exterior only to discover the contents inside did not taste good, she was inspired to create her own concoctions that tasted equally — if not more — delicious than they looked. “You eat with your eyes and your taste buds. So if you’re excited, you don’t want to lose the excitement when you bite into it and you’re like, ‘Oh, well, that doesn’t taste good at all,’” Lim says. Thus, OMG Squee was born. Well, sorta. It’s obviously a much longer story than that. Originally Lim was a freelance photographer, but she realized as she started to approach 40 that the lifestyle and business were really hard to maintain. Being a woman of many hobbies and interests, she remembered her love of cooking shows as a kid, and she taught herself to make macarons out of her kitchen. Realizing there weren’t that many places she could get the Asian sweet treats she grew up with, she started experimenting with flavors she loved and incorporating fun characters into her designs. Also, because she has an auto-immune disorder, Lim discovered she could make gluten-free desserts that were actually delicious, so she graduated from macarons to mochi donuts, Japanese cheesecakes and other Asian baked goods. “I was really tired of eating bad food,” she laughs. Eventually, her and partner Michael DeAnda’s kitchen was overrun with baking supplies as they launched OMG Squee in 2017 as a farmer’s market pop-up before finally landing in a permanent space on the east side in late 2019. Nowadays, the pastel pink shop has lines of people waiting to get their hands on Lim’s sweets, which usually come in rotating flavors, as well as regular standbys, like ube ice cream served in taiyaki (a fish-shaped cake), cookies and cream macarons and typically anything yuzu or black sesame. Besides the absolute deliciousness (and cuteness) of her desserts, Lim has
64
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
become somewhat of a minor celebrity herself, which she totally shrugs off, due to an episode of “Queer Eye,” where the Fab Five took her under their well-manicured wings to give her an external and internal makeover, as well as spruce up the shop. “I don’t have words to describe it,” Lim says. “It was such a whirlwind. It is still hard to believe people would be interested in my story. I’m not used to people paying attention to me.” While self-described workaholic Lim admits it was hard letting other people do the work, she says that she loved getting to spend time with the “Queer Eye” folks off camera, especially Tan France, whom she bonded with over their love of baking and their Asian heritages. She admitted on her episode that it hasn’t been easy being an Asian-American business owner, especially at the height of the pandemic, and during our chat, Lim recounted several microaggressions she’s received because of the food she serves. “Sometimes people ask us why we don’t have anything ‘normal,’” she explains. “We make things perfectly normal, but it just might be new to them.” However, Lim says that most people are very excited to try new things. I mention to Lim that my Japan-obsessed 14-year-old niece was excited to find a place where she could try ube for the first time.
IT WAS SUCH A WH I RLWI N D. IT IS STI LL HARD TO B ELI EVE PEO PLE WOU LD B E I NTERESTED I N MY STO RY. I ’ M N OT US ED TO PEO PLE PAYI NG ATTENTIO N TO M E “I love when people are appreciative they can get things that maybe they can’t necessarily get at other places!” says Lim. When asked about any future plans, she laughs a bit and admits she’s still working way too many hours and can’t possibly think of the future just yet. OMG Squee constantly rotates flavors, and the shop makes a big deal out of certain holidays, like the Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day and Halloween, but Lim has no other grand ideas other than to keep producing high-quality scrumptious sweets. “OH!” she exclaims as we’re wrapping up. “We’re getting a new website soon, and we’ll have T-shirts online. It’s probably the one question we get a lot of.” It’s true. The, of course, adorable pink OMG Squee shirts can never stay in stock, and Lim says she even found a website selling bootleg versions of them. So, while the line wrapping around the porch the Fab Five graced may never any get shorter, at least people will be able to purchase authentic shirts online. squeeclub.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
65
Growing Nutritional Awareness EDIBLE EDUCATION WITH PE AS COMMUNIT Y By Britni Rachal Photos by Brittany Dawn Short
C
URIOSITY AND QUESTIONS FROM CHILDREN, COUPLED WITH PRIDE IN FOOD that’s well-grown and prepared. These are just some of the highlights happening weekly at Peas Community, a 501(3)c organization that aims to cultivate joyful connections with the natural world. Two components — edible education and outdoor learning — make up the program a former teacher, Lauren Maples, started almost 10 years ago, due to her passion of helping people learn to grow their own food. “I think by teaching how different foods and ingredients can impact our brain health or our muscles or our bones and teeth — that’s important knowledge for everyone to have,” says Maples, who focuses on students, grades K-12, along with their families. The nutritional advocate recognizes that not all families or individuals have enough food to put on their tables. For example, an estimated one in five Austinites faces food insecurity. A full solution for the overall problem isn’t easy to find, but empowering kids through garden education and helping teachers is one way the organization works to make a difference. One of Maple’s favorite successes involves a family of three kids and a mother who demonstrate the “power of Peas Community” after four years of volunteering (and counting).
66
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
“The kids are now taking care of plants and animals and they are helping to cook,” says Maples. An added element, a kitchen classroom, at one of Peas Community’s 19 campuses, allows students to prepare fresh garden dishes. “Anything they make, the kids love! They’ll try things they’ve never tried before,” says Maples. Corn muffin recipes, pickles, apple sauce and berry jellies are just some recent creations. The experience also helps to broaden palates. “They realize that they may not like a piece of kale by itself, but they may like it prepared a different way. They may like it as kale chips or another way it’s transformed,” says Maples, who is partial to the cherry tomatoes grown in the school gardens. “I am Italian-descent,” explains Maples. “I love to make a Caprese salad or other things I can eat with a nice hearty loaf of bread.” Maples’ own children, now ages 22, 18, 18 and 16, are still her inspiration for this program, as she wants to make sure their peers, along with even younger generations, have a connection with nature. “Learning to grow food is very powerful. Even when it’s done in very small ways, we can contribute greatly to a person’s health and well-being,” says Maples. “Add the extra layer of being outside. The sunshine helps our mental health and then, every ingredient that’s grown that goes into cooking — that’s also contributing to physical health.” Peas Community takes applications for new school participants each spring. The program plans to expand to 25 campuses next year. In fact, demand is likely higher than ever. Due to the outdoor nature of most activities, Peas Community kept working with schools during the height of the pandemic and was able to help provide some relief for teachers. The organization also offers yearly spring break and summer camps. peascommunity.org
AD INDEX Adega Vinho ............................................................................................ 55 adegavinho.com Compass - Chris Long .............................................................................. 13 chrislongaustin.com Compass - Strüb Residential Group ....................................................... 17 strub.com DEN Property Group ............................................................................... 11 denpg.com Douglas Elliman Real Estate ............................................................. IFC, 1 elliman.com El Alma ...................................................................................................... 54 elalmacafe.com Eldorado Cafe ............................................................................. 52, 54, 70 eldoradocafeatx.com Fonda San Miguel .................................................................................... 44 fondasanmiguel.com Gusto Italian Kitchen + Wine Bar ........................................................ 9,72 gustoitaliankitchen.com Kendra Scott LLC .................................................................................... BC kendrascott.com L Majors Jewelers ....................................................................................... 7 lmajorsaustin.com Marye’s Gourmet Pizza Pub ............................................................... 52, 71 mayresgourmetpizza.com Omni Hotels & Resorts ......................................................................... IBC omnihotels.com/bartoncreek Peoples RX ................................................................................................ 53 peoplesrx.com The Retreat at Balcones Springs.............................................................. 15 texasretreat.com Rooted Food ............................................................................................. 52 rootedfoodapp.com SOMI Natural Energy Drink ................................................................... 54 drinksomi.com Umlauf Sculpture Garden ....................................................................... 44 umlaufsculpture.org Urbanspace Real Estate + Interiors .......................................................... 4 urbanspacelifestyle.com The Vind .................................................................................................. 2, 3 thevind.com Vista Brewing ............................................................................................ 52 vistabrewingtx.com Waterloo Ice House ................................................................................. 72 waterlooicehouse.com West Chelsea Contemporary ................................................................... 5 wcc.art Wynne and Wynne Austin Law Firm ...................................................... 67 wwlawaustin.com
KAREN'S PICK
Fukumoto YAKITORI, SUSHI AND CL ASSIC JAPANESE COMFORT FOOD ON THE E AST SIDE By Karen O. Spezia Photos by Holly Cowart
68
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
I
DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM FUKUMOTO. ALTHOUGH IT’D been open for years and I’d passed its bustling East Austin corner a million times, it never really registered with me. But at a friend’s urging, I finally checked it out. And what I found was one of the most delightful Japanese restaurants in Austin. Fukumoto is a labor of love by its chef/owner and namesake, Kazu Fukumoto. A native of Fukuoka, Japan, he began his Austin culinary career at Musashino Sushi Dokoro, starting as a dishwasher, then working his way up to head sushi chef. After more than a decade at Musashino, Kazu traveled back to Japan to hone his culinary skills in Tokyo. Then in 2015, he returned to Austin to open Fu-
kumoto, a Japanese-style izakaya pub serving traditional Japanese cuisine. Fukumoto is a very personal restaurant that reflects Kazu’s passion and background. As soon as you enter, you feel welcome and comfortable. The staff greets you warmly. The vibe is laid-back and funky, and the dining room is cozy yet urban. His menu exemplifies his personal culinary journey, showcasing an extensive variety of classic Japanese comfort food, sushi, sashimi and yakitori. There’s a lot to choose from, plus an extensive list of daily specials that shouldn’t be overlooked. Fukumoto offers items you won’t find at your run-of-the-mill sushi restaurant. To kick off our meal, my dining companion lobbied hard for the fried
Sawagani crabs, tiny soft-shell crustaceans that are gobbled-up like popcorn. But I overruled her with the agedashi tofu, a simple but sophisticated dish of silky homemade cubes, lightly battered and fried, dusted with minced tuna flakes, nori seaweed and negi scallions, and served with tempura sauce. It didn’t disappoint. My dining companion, who claimed she wasn’t a tofu fan, cleaned her plate. Next we sampled the karaage, bite-size pieces of fried chicken thighs — and one of Fukumoto’s most popular dishes, boldly described on its menu as the “best damn fried chicken this side of Fukuoka!” For lighter fare, we ordered an assortment of astonishingly fresh sushi. Fukumoto offers all the usual suspects, plus much, much more. It was all delicious, but we were really dazzled by the unctuous O-toro fatty tuna, the melt-in-your-mouth Miyazaki wagyu beef and the subtle but sensational mikan dai, an orange-fed Japanese snapper with a hint of citrus flavor. Not widely found in Austin, yakitori is one of Fukumoto’s specialties. This Japanese method of grilling features bite-sized morsels skewered over Japanese charcoal. The New Zealand king salmon is the restaurant’s signature skewer, marinated for 48 hours in miso and sake paste, resulting in a moist, smoky, umami mouthful. But it’s the buta bara yakitori that knocked my socks off: miso-glazed pork belly with the perfect balance of succulent meat and creamy fat. We ended our meal with one of Fukumoto’s most popular items, uni pasta, a decadent marriage of spaghetti noodles tossed in a rich, velvety sea urchin sauce. We devoured the entire bowl of this exotic dish. Drinks are a big part of any izakaya, and Fukumoto’s bar program delivers. The sake list is outrageous with almost 50 options offered by the glass, carafe or bottle. If you’re a sake novice, the experienced servers will steer you in the right direction. There’s also wine, beer, tea and some terrific sake cocktails. The staff at Fukumoto is gracious and cheerful. Everyone had a smile on their face. Our server, Trevor, was worth the trip alone. A veteran Fukumoto employee, his genuine passion for the restaurant was apparent as he guided us through the menu with enthusiasm, insight and style. Fukumoto is Chef Kazu’s dream realized after decades of hard work and dedication. Although its delights were a surprise to me, it’s no surprise he’s created a destination that’s abundant with great food and good energy. When I pass his corner again for the millionth time, I’ll definitely stop back in. fukumotoaustin.com tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
69
24 DINER
ASTI TRATTORIA
CICLO
600 N. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 472 5400
408 E. 43rd St. | (512) 451 1218
98 San Jacinto Blvd. | (512) 685 8300
Chef Andrew Curren’s casual eatery promises delicious plates
This chic little Hyde Park trattoria offers essential Italian
Ciclo is a modern Texas kitchen featuring locally inspired
24/7 and a menu featuring nostalgic diner favorites. Order up
dishes along with a variety of wines to pair them with. Finish
flavors and ingredients with a Latin influence, brought to life
the classics, including roasted chicken, burgers, all-day
off your meal with the honey-and-goat-cheese panna cotta.
by world-renowned restaurateur, Richard Sandoval. Ciclo’s
breakfast and decadent milkshakes.
34TH STREET CAFE
name reflects its focus on menu offerings that change season-
BARLEY SWINE
ally from ceviches, crudos and grilled and smoked meats to
6555 Burnet Rd., Ste. 400 | (512) 394 8150
inventive cocktails.
1005 W. 34th St. | (512) 371 3400
James Beard Award–nominated chef Bryce Gilmore encour-
This neighborhood spot in North Campus serves up soups,
ages sharing with small plates made from locally sourced
CLARK’S OYSTER BAR
salads, pizzas and pastas — but don’t miss the chicken picca-
ingredients, served at communal tables. Try the parsley
1200 W. 6th St. | (512) 297 2413
ta. The low-key setting makes it great for weeknight dinners
croissants with bone marrow or Gilmore’s unique take on
Small and always buzzing, Clark’s extensive caviar and
and weekend indulgences.
fried chicken.
oyster menu, sharp aesthetics and excellent service make
ARLO GREY
BLUE DAHLIA BISTRO
McGuire brings East Coast-inspired vibes to this seafood
111 E Cesar Chavez St. | (512) 478 2991
3663 Bee Cave Rd. | (512) 306 1668
restaurant.
Arlo Grey is the debut restaurant from “Top Chef ” 10 winner
A cozy French bistro serving up breakfast, lunch, and
and “Fast Foodies’’ star Kristen Kish. Found inside the LINE
dinner in a casual setting. Pop in for the happy hour to share
COMEDOR
Hotel, the picturesque lakeside spot has received praise for its
a bottle of your favorite wine and a charcuterie board.
501 Colorado St. | (512) 499 0977
it a refreshing indulgence on West Sixth Street. Chef Larry
intentional design and elegant, French-and-Italian-inflected take on Texas ingredients.
Hiding in plain sight on one of downtown’s busiest street
BUFALINA & BUFALINA DUE
corners, Comedor is a restaurant full of surprises. Lauded
6555 Burnet Rd. | (512) 215 8662
chef Philip Speer delivers a menu that is equally clever and
This intimate restaurant serves up mouth-watering pizzas,
unexpected, with contemporary cuisine riffs on Mexican
consistently baked with crispy edges and soft centers. The
culinary traditions.
famous Neapolitan technique is executed by the Stefano Ferrara wood-burning ovens, which runs at more than 900
EASY TIGER
degrees. Lactose-intolerants beware, there is no shortage
3508 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 964 8229
of cheese on this menu!
6406 N I-35 Frontage Rd., Ste. 1100 | (512) 494 4151
CAFÉ NO SÉ
ELDORADO CAFE
3300 W. Anderson Ln. | (512) 420 2222 eldoradocafeatx.com Eldorado Cafe exemplifies old school Austin, resonating the beat of the early 90’s, sending out hot plates of the most decadently delicious and
delicious bakeshop upstairs and a casual beer garden down-
South Congress Hotel’s Café No Sé balances rustic décor and
stairs. Sip on some local brew and grab a hot, fresh pretzel.
a range of seasonal foods to make it the best place for week-
Complete your snack with beer, cheese and an array of dip-
end brunching. The restaurant’s spin on the classic avocado
ping sauces.
toast is a must-try.
CARVE AMERICAN GRILLE
1025 Barton Springs Rd. | (512) 609 8923 El Alma’s menu is a vibrant take on the contemporary flavors
Whether it’s a date night dinner, a casual Friday lunch, or
of Mexico, that also features local ingredients like redfish,
weekend family brunch, visit this amazingly modern-rustic
lamb, and texas quail. Chef Alma Alcocer-Thomas approach-
dining room complete with a vibrant bar and patio with hill
es the food as if you were a guest dining in her own home.
Mexican style comfort food with a deep honor
and eclectic ingredients, with every dish reinventing the
towards the historical eateries that have made
American grille experience.
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
EL ALMA
7415 Southwest Pkwy. | (512) 792 4450
country views. Everything about CARVE is inspired by fresh
70
Easy Tiger lures in both drink and food enthusiasts with a
1603 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 942 2061
sometimes healthy eating you will find in Austin.
Austin great. Come see us.
1501 E. 7th St. | (512) 839 8523
ÉPICERIE
HILLSIDE FARMACY
2307 Hancock Dr. | (512) 371 6840
1209 E. 11th St. | (512) 628 0168
A café and grocery with both Louisiana and French sen-
Hillside Farmacy is located in a beautifully restored
sibilities by Thomas Keller–trained chef Sarah McIntosh.
1950s-style pharmacy with a lovely porch on the East
Lovers of brunch are encouraged to stop in here for a bite on
Side. Oysters, cheese plates and nightly dinner specials are
Sundays.
whipped up by chef Sonya Cote.
FONDA SAN MIGUEL
HONEYMOON SPIRIT LOUNGE
2330 W. N Loop Blvd. | (512) 459 4121
624 W. 34th St. | (737) 209 0319
source. We offer a large selection of gf and vegan
At Fonda San Miguel, authentic interior Mexican food is lov-
Vintage-chic hot spot with ample outdoor seating turning out
options. Enjoy crave-worthy food, craft beer and
ingly served inside a colorful hacienda-style restaurant. The
imaginative cocktails and global mains.
boutique wines in our casual and inviting dining
art-adorned walls and indoor, plant-filled courtyard provide a pleasant escape in North Austin. Visit the Sunday brunch for
HOPFIELDS
a new menu with the most delicious interior Mexican brunch
3110 Guadalupe St. | (512) 537 0467
cuisine.
A gastropub with French inclinations, offering a beautiful patio and unique cocktails. The beer, wine and cocktail op-
FOREIGN & DOMESTIC
tions are plentiful and the perfect pairing for the restaurant’s
306 E. 53rd St. | (512) 459 1010
famed steak frites and moules frites.
Small neighborhood restaurant in the North Loop area serving unique dishes. Chefs-owners Sarah Heard and Nathan
JEFFREY’S
Lemley serve thoughtful, locally sourced food with an inter-
1204 W. Lynn St. | (512) 477 5584
national twist at reasonable prices. Go early on Tuesdays for
Named one of Bon Appétit’s “10 Best New Restaurants in
$1 oysters.
America,” this historic Clarksville favorite has maintained the execution, top-notch service, and luxurious but welcoming
GOODALL’S KITCHEN AND BAR 1900 Rio Grande St. | (512) 495 1800
atmosphere that makes it an Austin staple.
Housed in the beautiful Hotel Ella, Goodall’s provides mod-
JOANN’S FINE FOODS
ern spins on American classics. Dig into a fried-mortadella
1224 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 358 6054
egg sandwich and pair it a with cranberry-thyme cocktail.
A South Congress neighborhood spot, a new take on the American diner, and a vacation for locals and tourists alike.
GRIZZELDA’S
Open early and late at the Austin Motel, Joann’s is a welcome
105 Tillery St. | (512) 366 5908
respite for early birds and night owls, outlaws and in-laws, all
This charming East Austin spot lies somewhere between
ways always.
traditional Tex-Mex and regional Mexican recipes, each fused with a range of flavors and styles. The attention to detail in
JOSEPHINE HOUSE
each dish shines and the tortillas are made in-house daily.
1601 Waterston Ave. | (512) 477 5584 Rustic Continental fare with an emphasis on fresh, local and
HANK’S
organic ingredients. Like its sister restaurant, Jeffrey’s, Jo-
5811 Berkman Dr. | (512) 609 8077
sephine House is another one of Bon Appétit’s “10 Best New
Delicious food and drinks, an easygoing waitstaff and a
Restaurants in America.” Find a shady spot on the patio and
kid-friendly patio all work together to make Hank’s a favorite
indulge in fresh baked pastries and a coffee.
neighborhood joint. With happy hour every day from 3-6:30, the hardest task will be choosing between their frosé and frozen paloma.
MAYRE’S GOURMET PIZZA PUB 3663 Bee Cave Rd. #4G (512) 327-5222
Marye’s Gourmet Pizza, a West Lake Hills favorite for over 25 years, serves gourmet pizza, fresh salads, classic sandwiches and more all made from scratch in our kitchen using the best ingredients we can
room.
JUNE’S ALL DAY 1722 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 416 1722 This wine-focused restaurant is complemented by serious cocktails and a menu of approachable bistro favorites. Inspired by Paris cafes, Spanish tapas bodegas and urban wine bars, June’s encourages sipping, noshing and lingering.
JUNIPER 2400 E Cesar Chavez St. #304 | (512) 220 9421 Uchi Alumni Chef Nicholas Yanes fuses central Texas influences and local farm produce with Italian fare. Start with puffy potatoes and the Chef ’s Brand New Cadillac Negroni.
JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE 4710 E. 5th St. | (512) 385 2900 Justine’s is a quaint French brasserie deep in East Austin. Don’t let the short drive deter you — the experience of eating traditional French plates among exquisite works of art and decorative string lights makes for one idyllic evening with a significant other.
KEMURI TATSU-YA 2713 E. 2nd St. | (512) 803 2224 Kemuri Tatsu-Ya is a Japanese-Texan mash-up that injects seriously good food with a sense of humor. The East Austin joint features Asian-inspired smoked meats and seafood, along with yakitori, ramen, and izakaya classics meant for sharing. Drinks are also an integral part of the meal, so come thirsty.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
71
LA BARBECUE
LE VACHER
22401 E Cesar Chavez St. | (512) 605 9696
136 Drifting Wind Run, Suite 101, Dripping Springs, TX
Though it may not be as famous as that other Austin barbe-
(512) 337 6977
cue joint, La Barbecue is arguably just as delicious. This trail-
Head chef Jacob Euler imparts a sense of culinary heritage
er, which is owned by the legendary Mueller family, serves up
with a creative twist, focusing on cuisine inspired by French
classic barbecue with free beer and live music.
technique and artfully prepared local ingredients. The scenic Dripping Springs landscape, a familial tie-that-binds, creates
LAS PALOMAS
the perfect backdrop for an evening of fantastic food and
3201 Bee Cave Rd. #122 | (512) 327 9889
revelry.
One of the hidden jewels in Westlake, this unique restaurant and bar offers authentic interior Mexican cuisine in a sophis-
LENOIR
ticated yet relaxed setting. Enjoy family recipes made with
1807 S. 1st St. | (512) 215 9778
fresh ingredients. Don’t miss the margaritas.
A gorgeous spot to enjoy a luxurious French-inspired prix fixe meal. Almost every ingredient served at Lenoir comes locally sourced from Central Texas, making the unique, seasonal specialties even more enjoyable. Sit in the wine garden for happy hour and enjoy bottles from the top wine-producing regions in the world.
LIN ASIAN BAR + DIM SUM 1203 W. 6th St. | (512) 474 5107 Located in a vintage West Sixth Street bungalow, Chef Ling and her team create sophisticated Chinese dishes that draw
WATERLOO ICE HOUSE Escarpment Boulevard: 9600 Escarpment Blvd. | (512) 301 1007 Burnet Road: 8600 Burnet Rd. | (512) 458 6544 360 & 2222: 6203 N Capital of Texas Hwy. | (512) 418 9700 Southpark Meadows: 9600 S IH 35 Frontage Rd | (512) 292 7900 waterlooicehouse.com
Waterloo Ice House is an Austin original restaurant, serving up scratch-made breakfast,
enthusiastic crowds day and night. Make sure to stop by
lunch, and dinner options as well as Insta-worthy
during weekend brunch to taste the full mouthwatering dim
drinks for friends, families, and couples alike since
sum menu.
1976. Come see how we keep Austin’s good vibes
LICHA’S CANTINA 1306 E. 6th St. | (512) 480 5960
alive at one of our four locations. Waterloo Ice House; where neighbors become friends!
Located in the heart of East 6th, Licha’s is a quick trip to the interior of Mexico. With masa made fresh in house and a large range of tequilas and mezcal, Licha’s Cantina is a cel-
GUSTO ITALIAN KITCHEN + WINE BAR 4800 Burnet Rd. | (512) 458 1100 gustoitaliankitchen.com
Nestled in the Rosedale neighborhood of northcentral Austin, Gusto captures the warm, comforting, every-day flavors of Italian cuisine.
MATTIE’S 811 W. Live Oak St. | (512) 444 1888
ebration of authentic Mexican cuisine. The music, food and
Mattie’s is a glorious urban paradise offering upscale Ameri-
ambiance will get you ready for a night out on the town.
can classics. While the cocktails are top-notch and the cuisine
LORO 2115 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 916 4858 Created by James Beard Award winners Tyson Cole and Aaron Franklin, this Asian smokehouse is a welcome addition to
is nothing short of outstanding, Mattie’s ambiance and atmosphere are unmatched.
ODD DUCK 1201 S Lamar Blvd. | (512) 433 6521
South Lamar. The expansive indoor-outdoor space, designed
Famed food trailer turned brick-and-mortar, Odd Duck is the
by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, is welcoming and
formed pizzas, salads, panini, fresh pasta, entrees
first venture from acclaimed chef Bryce Gilmore. Expect sea-
open, and unsurprisingly the food does not disappoint. Don’t
featuring Texas farm-raised meats and scratch
sonal fare and drinks with a strong Texas influence sourced
miss out on the sweet corn fritters, smoked beef brisket, thai
locally whenever possible.
desserts. Craft cocktails, beer on tap and boutique
green curry or those potent boozy slushies.
Dishes range from housemade antipasti to hand-
wines. Open for lunch, happy hour and dinner.
72
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
PARKSIDE
ROSEWOOD GULF COAST CHOP HOUSE
TINY BOXWOODS
301 E. 6th St. | (512) 474 9898
1209 Rosewood Ave. | (512) 838 6205
1503 W. 35th St. | (512) 220 0698
Patrons flock to this downtown hideaway for its wide selec-
Housed in a historic East Side cottage, this spot is quickly
This Houston-based brand now serves its simple and deli-
tion of oysters and other modern-American specialties. The
becoming a staple. Chef Jesse DeLeon pays outstanding
cious food in Austin’s Bryker Woods neighborhood. Favor-
6th Street locale is filled with industrial details and plenty
homage to his South Texas roots with seasonal offerings
ites include house-ground burgers, salmon Provencal
of natural light, so it’s no wonder that reservations are often
from Gulf Coast fishermen and Hill Country farmers and
salad and their chocolate chip cookies.
necessary to get a table in the inviting space.
ranchers.
QI AUSTIN
SUERTE
835 W 6th St. #114 | (512) 474 2777
1800 E. 6th St. | (512) 953 0092
11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 100 | (512) 992-0685
Created by visionary chef Ling Qi Wu, also the owner of
Helmed by executive chef Fermín Núñez, Suerte was
Inspired by Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, True
the esteemed Lin Asian Bar, Qi Austin dazzles with its
inspired by extensive travels through Central Mexico. Arti-
Food Kitchen combines decadent favorites with health-con-
top-notch Chinese cuisine and vibrant artwork. Located in
sanal masa is the highlight, made from local heirloom corn
scious eating. The restaurant, located in downtown’s
Shoal Creek Walk, Qi Austin is a restaurant that pleases the
and used in distinctive dishes rarely found on Austin menus.
Seaholm district, offers a full range of vegetarian, vegan and
eye as well as the stomach.
Order the delectable Suadero Tacos, perfect for sharing with
gluten-free options.
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN 222 West Ave. | (512) 777 2430
friends.
THE PEACHED TORTILLA
UCHIKO
5520 Burnet Rd. #100 | (512) 330 4439
THAI FRESH
This cheerful spot is sure to clear your weekly blues with
909 W. Mary St. | (512) 494 6436
The sensational sister creation of Uchi and former home of
friendly staff, fun food and a playful atmosphere. Affordably
A restaurant, cooking school and market all in one place.
Top Chef Paul Qui and renowned chefs Page Presley and
priced, you’ll find culinary influences from around the world
When you’re done dining on traditional Thai favorites, stop
Nicholas Yanes, Uchiko is an Austin icon that everyone
with a healthy dose of Asian and Southern options.
by the adjoining coffee bar for freshly brewed joe, home-
should visit at least once. Try the bacon tataki.
4200 N. Lamar Blvd. Ste. 140 | (512) 916 4808
made ice cream and an array of baked goods.
PICNIK
VIXEN’S WEDDING
4801 Burnet Rd. | (737) 226 0644
THE WELL
1700 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 293-6118
440 W. 2nd St. | (737) 742 1129
Vixen’s Wedding is a charming space creating something
A perfect place to find wholesome food for any type of
The Well blends top-tier nutrition, local and sustainable
truly unique. Helmed by culinary super-couple Todd Du-
dietary restriction in a bright and airy setting. This place
farming, and authentic flavors for a breakthrough culinary
plechan and Jessica Maher, the restaurant specializes in
truly lives out the “good and good for you” concept with pa-
experience that redefines healthy food in Downtown Austin.
Goan cuisine, a cultural mash-up of bright and complex
leo-friendly options and thoughtfully sourced ingredients.
POOL BURGER
1813 E. 6th St. Ste. A | (737) 242 7555
flavors.
TILLIE’S 3509 Creek Rd. Dripping Springs, TX | (512) 894 2633
2315 Lake Austin Blvd. | (512) 334 9747
Through its breathtaking architecture and innovative menu,
Tiki meets Texas in this neighborhood burger bar. Located
Tillie’s lives the American Nouveau concept. The restau-
behind Deep Eddy Cabaret, crunchy crinkle-cut fries and
rant’s building, a repurposed town hall from the Ninh Binh
juicy burgers are served from the window of a 1968 Air-
region of Vietnam, is the physical embodiment of a dining
stream Land Yacht.
experience that takes inspiration from history and cultures. Tillie’s culinary journey is inspired by traditional American
RED ASH ITALIA
cuisine, but with an international flair.
303 Colorado St. #200 | (512) 379 2906 Red Ash Italia strikes the perfect balance between high-quality food and enticing ambiance. This Italian steakhouse is led by an all-star team, including executive chef John Carver. Sit back, relax and enjoy an exceptional evening.
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
73
C ALENDARS B E S U R E T O C H E C K W E B S I T E S F O R U P D AT E D I N F O R M AT I O N A N D S A F E T Y P R O T O C O L S
Entertainment OBLIVION ACCESS FESTIVAL May 12 – 15 Multiple Locations
MUSIC
DEL CASTILLO TRIO May 7 Hill Country Galleria
HI HOW ARE YOU DAY 2022 May 4 ACL Live at the Moody Theater
PATTI SMITH May 7 ACL Live at the Moody Theater
HAIM May 4 Moody Amphitheater
BAKAR May 7 Scoot Inn
THE LAST BANDOLEROS, LISA MORALES & NUEVO May 5 The 04 Center
THE BRITISH INVASION May 8 ACL Live at the Moody Theater
THE NEW YORK BEE GEES May 6 Paramount Theatre
MOTHER’S DAY R&B JAM May 8 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
THE AVETT BROTHERS May 6 & 7 Whitewater Amphitheater
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND May 11 Moody Center
IHEARTCOUNTRY FESTIVAL May 7 Moody Center
ANGÉLIQUE KIDJO May 12 Bass Concert Hall
74
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
T-PAIN May 17 Emo’s Austin EAGLES May 19 & 20 Moody Center
LUKAS NELSON & POTR May 24 & 25 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater JACK WHITE May 25 Moody Center
OLIVIA RODRIGO May 13 Moody Amphitheater
REX ORANGE COUNTY May 20 Germania Insurance Amphitheater
OLD 97’S May 13 Far Out Lounge & Stage
PHOEBE BRIDGERS May 20 Moody Amphitheater
DJ JAZZY JEFF May 26 Mohawk
ANDY MORIN May 13 Mohawk
ALY & AJ May 20 Emo’s Austin
GRUPO FANTASMA May 27 Paramount Theatre
SYD May 13 Scoot Inn
SMOKEY ROBINSON May 20 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park
LP May 13 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
ASO: AMERICAN LANDSCAPES May 20 & 21 Long Center
KATHLEEN EDWARDS & JOHN PAUL WHITE May 27 Paramount Theatre
RAY LAMONTAGNE May 14 Moody Amphitheater
BRIGHT EYES May 21 ACL Live at the Moody Theater
LIL TECCA May 15 Emo’s Austin RUSS May 15 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park WALLOWS May 15 & 16 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater STILL WOOZY May 17 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater CARLA MORRISON May 17 ACL Live at the Moody Theater
RAVEENA May 21 Parish BLEACHERS May 21 & 22 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater DARYL HALL May 22 ACL Live at the Moody Theater ARIJIT SINGH May 22 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park BLACK VIOLIN May 22 Long Center
BIG K.R.I.T. May 26 Emo’s Austin
WILLIE NELSON & FAMILY May 27 – 29 Whitewater Amphitheater SHANNON & THE CLAMS May 28 Mohawk MXMTOON May 28 Scoot Inn STS9 May 28 Long Center ANIMAL COLLECTIVE May 31 Emo’s Austin ANDY GRAMMER May 31 Paramount Theatre NEKO CASE June 1 Paramount Theatre
W I L L I E N E L S O N P H OTO B Y J A M E S J O I N E R
ROYAL BLOOD May 12 Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
ROAST BATTLE May 6 Vulcan Gas Company RICH VOS May 6 & 7 The Creek and the Cave NATALIE CUOMO May 7 Vulcan Gas Company BLAKE WEBBER May 13 & 14 Vulcan Gas Company BALLET AUSTIN: SWAN LAKE May 6 – 8 Long Center
DANIEL TOSH May 19 ACL Live at the Moody Theater
BENDELACREME May 8 Emo’s Austin
HANNAH GADSBY May 20 & 21 Paramount Theatre
BLIPPI THE MUSICAL May 12 Long Center
JOE DEROSA May 20 & 21 The Creek and the Cave
AUSTIN AFTER DARK FILM FESTIVAL May 22 AFS Cinema
SYSTEMA, AXIOMA, DILEMMA May 12 – 21 The VORTEX
ERIC D’ALESSANDRO May 21 Vulcan Gas Company
PORCO ROSSO (DUBBED) BRUNCH May 29 Alamo Drafthouse Village
COLMAN DOMINGO’S DOT May 13 – 28 Ground Floor Theatre
Hill CountryFILM Galleria THE STAR OF DESTINY Through May 29 Bullock Texas State History Museum CINEMA UNDER THE STARS May 13 Hotel Granduca Austin
H OT L U C K P H OTO B Y C A R LY D I A Z
THEATER SOMEBODY LOVES YOU, MR. HATCH Through May 22 ZACH Theatre SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL May 3 – 8 Bass Concert Hall A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM May 4 – 29 ZIlker HIllside Theater
ATXGFL: A DRAG IS BORN May 14 The Creek and the Cave BACK TO BROADWAY May 18 – 22 ZACH Theatre
COMEDY YO BANANA BOY: A PALINDRAMEDY May 1 – 29 GameOn! ATX
ARI SHAFFIR May 24 – 29 The Creek and the Cave HIT LIST STAND-UP COMEDY May 28 Vulcan Gas Company
OTHER
BLUE GENIE ART BAZAAR MAY MARKET May 1 – 30 Blue Genie Art Bazaar
TWIST ‘N SNAP CRAWFISH BOIL May 14 Fair Market
AUSTIN RECORD CONVENTION May 6 – 8 Palmer Events Center
AN EVENING W/ RADIOLAB’S JAD ABUMRAD May 14 Long Center
SPRING PECAN FEST May 7 & 8 Sixth Street Historic District MENTAL HEALTH: MIND MATTERS May 7 – July 31 Bullock Texas State History Museum
WILD WORLD FESTIVAL May 14 Jester King Brewery MIMOSA FEST 2022 May 15 Fair Market
AN EVENING W/ NEIL GAIMAN May 8 Long Center
CITY-WIDE VINTAGE SALE May 21 & 22 Palmer Events Center
OBLIVION ACCESS VENDOR VILLAGE May 12 – 15 Native Hostel
CARRIE RODRIGUEZ’S LABORATORIO May 22 Stateside at the Paramount
WINE RACK SOUNDTRACK FT. KALU JAMES May 12 Pershing
HOT LUCK FESTIVAL May 26 – 29 Multiple Locations
TEXAS WHISKEY FESTIVAL May 13 Star Hill Ranch CELEBRASIA 2022 May 14 Asian American Resource Center
CAPTEX TRI May 30 Downtown Austin MAUDIE’S MOONLIGHT MARGARITA RUN June 2 Sand Beach Park
YOGA & SOUND Through June 6 Moody Amphitheater THE BLACK HAIR EXPERIENCE Through June 12 9600 S. IH-35 Suite I-500
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
75
C ALENDARS B E S U R E T O C H E C K W E B S I T E S F O R U P D AT E D I N F O R M AT I O N A N D S A F E T Y P R O T O C O L S
Art SPACES
Arts
MUSEUMS
Lucas Roy’s “Urban Invaders” from Burner: A Group Exhibition of International Street Artists
POINTS OF CONVERGENCE Through May 14 ICOSA Collective REVEAL AND RESTORE: DIFFICULT HISTORY THROUGH ART Through May 15 Neill-Cochran House Museum NOT ONLY WILL I STARE Through May 21 Christian-Green Gallery LORENA MORALES: IM/PERFECT HOME Through May 21 Camiba Gallery JAN HEATON: CALM Through May 28 Davis Gallery APERTURA: MONOPRINTS BY PEPE CORONADO Through May 28 Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking ALEXANDRA ROBINSON: DELIMITATIONS, OR WORDS TO LIVE BY Through June 2 Women & Their Work KAREN NAVARARO: THE CONSTRUCTED SELF Through June 4 Big Medium
76
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
MATT STEINKE May 1 – 31 Northern-Southern BURNER: A GROUP EXHIBITION OF INTERNATIONAL STREET ARTISTS May 7 – June 10 Ao5 Gallery DOOM AND BLOOM May 7 – 28 Co-Lab Projects SONGS IN THE SKYSPACE May 8 & 15 William C. Powers Student Activity Center PATRICK PUCKETT: SOLO SHOW May 7– 29 Wally Workman Gallery NIGHT SWIM PROJECT POSTER SHOW May 12 – 15 Native Hostel PAINTED HOOVES May 13 – 28 Visual Arts Center 2ND ANNUAL SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL June 4 Hill Country Galleria Central Plaza
BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART 200 E. MLK Jr. Blvd. (512) 471 5482 Hours: Tu–F 10–5, Sa 11–5, Su 1–5 blantonmuseum.org THE BULLOCK TEXAS STATE HISTORY MUSEUM 1800 Congress Ave. (512) 936 8746 Hours: M–Sa 9–5, Su 12–5 thestoryoftexas.com THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN–JONES CENTER 700 Congress Ave. (512) 453 5312 Hours: W 12–11, Th–Sa 12–9, Su 12–5 thecontemporaryaustin.org THE CONTEMPORARY AUSTIN–LAGUNA GLORIA 3809 W. 35th St. (512) 458 8191 Driscoll Villa hours: Tu–W 12–4, Th–Su 10–4 Grounds hours: M–Sa 9–5, Su 10–5 thecontemporaryaustin.org ELISABET NEY MUSEUM 304 E. 44th St. (512) 974 1625 Hours: W–Su 12–5 austintexas.gov/department/ elisabet-ney-museum FRENCH LEGATION MUSEUM 802 San Marcos St. (512) 463 7948 Hours: Tu–Su 1–5 frenchlegationmuseum.org
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER MUSEUM 1165 Angelina St. (512) 974 4926 Hours: M–W 10–6, Th 10–9, F 10–6, Sa 10–4 ci.austin.tx.us/carver HARRY RANSOM CENTER 300 W. 21st St. (512) 471 8944 Hours: Tu–W 10–5, Th 10–7, F 10–5, Sa–Su 12–5 hrc.utexas.edu LBJ LIBRARY AND MUSEUM 2313 Red River St. (512) 721 0200 Hours: M–Su 9–5 lbjlibrary.org MEXIC–ARTE MUSEUM 419 Congress Ave. (512) 480 9373 Hours: M–Th 10–6, F–Sat 10–5, Su 12–5 mexic–artemuseum.org O. HENRY MUSEUM 409 E. 5th St. (512) 974 1398 Hours: W–Su 12–5 THINKERY AUSTIN 1830 Simond Ave. (512) 469 6200 Hours: Tu–F 10–5, Sa–Su 10–6 thinkeryaustin.org UMLAUF SCULPTURE GARDEN & MUSEUM 605 Azie Morton Rd. (512) 445 5582 Hours: Tu–F 10–4, Sa–Su 12–4 umlaufsculpture.org
GALLERIES ADAMS GALLERIES OF AUSTIN 1310 RR 620 S. Ste. C4 (512) 243 7429 Hours: M–F 10–6, Su 10-2 adamsgalleriesaustin.com AO5 GALLERY 10000 Research Blvd. Ste. 118 (512) 481 1111 Hours: M–Sa 10–6 ao5gallery.com ART FOR THE PEOPLE 1711 S. 1st St. (512) 761 4708 Hours: Tu–Th 11–6, F-Su 11–7 artforthepeoplegallery.com ARTUS CO. 10000 Research Blvd. Ste. 141 (512) 761 6484 Hours: M–Su 12–6 artusco.com ARTWORKS GALLERY 1214 W. 6th St. (512) 472 1550 Hours: M–F 10–5, Sa 10–4 artworksaustin.com ATELIER 1205 1205 E. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 434 9046 Hours: Tu-F 11-4 atelier1205.com AUSTIN ART GARAGE 2200 S. Lamar Blvd. Ste. J (512) 351 5934 Hours: Tu–Su 11–6 austinartgarage.com AUSTIN ARTSPACE 7739 Northcross Dr. Ste. Q (512) 763 0646 Hours: F-Sa 11–5 austinartspace.com
AUSTIN GALLERIES 5804 Lookout Mountain Dr. (512) 495 9363 By appointment only austingalleries.com
DAVIS GALLERY 837 W. 12th St. (512) 477 4929 Hours: M–F 10–6, Sa 10–4 davisgalleryaustin.com
BIG MEDIUM GALLERY 916 Springdale Rd. Bldg. 2 (512) 939 6665 Hours: Tu–Sa 12–6 bigmedium.org
DIMENSION GALLERY SCULPTURE AND 3D ART 979 Springdale Rd. Ste. 99 (512) 479 9941 Hours: Th-Sa 10–6 dimensiongallery.org
CAMIBA GALLERY 6448 Hwy 290 East, Ste. A102 (512) 937 5921 Hours: F-Sa 12–6 camibaart.com CENTRAL LIBRARY GALLERY 710 W. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 974 7400 Hours: M-Th 10-9, F-Sa 10-6, Su 12-6 library.austintexas.gov/ central/gallery CHRISTIAN-GREEN GALLERY 201 E. 21st St. (512) 471 0254 Hours: T & Th, 1-3 galleriesatut.org CLOUD TREE STUDIOS & GALLERY 3411 E. 5th St. (512) 797 8852 By appointment only cloudtreestudiosandgallery.com CO-LAB PROJECTS 5419 Glissman Rd. (512) 300 8217 By event and appointment only co-labprojects.org CONTRACOMMON 12912 Hill Country Blvd. #F-140 Hours: M–F By appointment only Sa–Su 12-6 contracommon.org
DOUGHERTY ARTS CENTER 1110 Barton Springs Rd. (512) 974 4000 Hours: M-Th 10–10, F 10–6, Sa 10–4 austintexas.gov/department/ dougherty-arts-center FLATBED CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY PRINTMAKING 3701 Drossett Dr. (512) 477 9328 Hours: W–F 10–5, Sa 12–5 flatbedpress.com FLUENT COLLABORATIVE 502 W. 33rd St. (512) 453 3199 By appointment only fluentcollab.org GRAYDUCK GALLERY 2213 E. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 826 5334 Hours: Th–Sa 11–6, Su 12–5 grayduckgallery.com ICOSA COLLECTIVE 916 Springdale Rd. #102 (512) 920 2062 Hours: F–Sa 12–6 icosacollective.com IVESTER CONTEMPORARY 916 Springdale Rd. Bldg 2, Ste. 107 (737) 209 0379 Hours: Tu–F 10-6, Sa 10-4 ivestercontemporary.com
JULIA C. BUTRIDGE GALLERY 1110 Barton Springs Rd. (512) 974 4000 Hours: M-Th 10–10, F 10–6, Sa 10–4 austintexas.gov/jcbgallery LA PEÑA 227 Congress Ave. #300 (512) 477 6007 Hours: M–F 8–5, Sa 8–3 lapena–austin.org LINK & PIN 2235 E. 6th St. Ste. 102 (512) 900 8952 Hours: Th–Sa 1–5 linkpinart.com LORA REYNOLDS GALLERY 360 Nueces St. #50 (512) 215 4965 Hours: W–Sa 11–6 lorareynolds.com LOTUS GALLERY 1009 W. 6th St. #101 (512) 474 1700 Hours: Tu–Sa 10–6 lotusasianart.com LYDIA STREET GALLERY 1200 E. 11th St. #109 (512) 524 1051 Hours: Sa–Su 12–5, By appointment M–F lydiastreetgallery.com MARTHA’S CONTEMPORARY 4115 Guadalupe St. (512) 695 1437 Hours: W-Su 12-7 facebook.com/marthascontemporary MASS GALLERY 705 Gunter St. (512) 535 4946 Hours: F 5–8, Sa–Su 12–5 massgallery.org
MODERN ROCKS GALLERY 916 Springdale Rd. #103 (512) 524 1488 Hours: Tu–Sa 11–6 modernrocksgallery.com MONDO GALLERY 4115 Guadalupe St. (512) 296 2447 Hours: Tu–Sa 12–6 mondoshop.com NEBULA GALLERY 217 W. 2nd St. (512) 239 9317 Hours: Tu–W 1–6, Th–F 1–7, Sa 12–7, Sun 12–6 thenebulagallery.com NORTHERN-SOUTHERN 411 Brazos St. #105 Hours: Sa 3–6:30 northern-southern.com OLD BAKERY & EMPORIUM 1006 Congress Ave. (512) 974 1300 Hours: Tu–Sa 9–4 austintexas.gov/obemporium PREACHER GALLERY 205 E. Riverside Dr. Ste 110 (512) 489 0200 By appointment only preacher.co/gallery PRIZER GALLERY 2023 E. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 575 3559 Hours: Sa 12–5 prizerartsandletters.org ROADHOUSE RELICS 1720 S. 1st St. (512) 442 6366 roadhouserelics.com SOCO MODERN ART GALLERY 2900 S. Congress Ave. #100 (512) 409 9943 Hours: M By appointment only Tu–Su 11-7 socomodern.com
STEPHEN L. CLARK GALLERY 1101 W. 6th St. (512) 507 0828 Hours: Tu-Sa 11–4 stephenlclarkgallery.com TIEMANN ART GALLERY 1706 N. Mays St., Round Rock (512) 551 9774 Hours: M–Sa 10-5 tagroundrock.com VISUAL ARTS CENTER 2300 Trinity St. (512) 471 3713 Hours: Tu–F 10–5, Sa 12–5 utvac.org WALLY WORKMAN GALLERY 1202 W. 6th St. (512) 472 7428 Hours: Tu–Sa 10–5, Su 12–4 wallyworkman.com WEST CHELSEA CONTEMPORARY 1009 W. 6th St. (512) 478 4440 Hours: M–Su 12–6, By appointment 10–12 wcc.art WOMEN & THEIR WORK 1311 E. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 477 1064 Hours: M–F 10–6, Sa 12–6 womenandtheirwork.org WONDERSPACES AUSTIN 1205 Sheldon Cove, Ste. 2-A Hours: W–Th 3–10, F 4–11, Sa 10–11, Su 10–8 austin.wonderspaces.com YARD DOG ART 916 Springdale Rd. #103 (512) 912 1613 Hours: F–Sa 1–5, yarddog.com
tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
77
W H AT ’ S N E W O N
TRIBEZA.COM EYES ON THE PRIZE
GROW YOUR COLLECTION
On the hunt for new vinyls, CDs or other precious music items? Check out our list of the best record shops in town. tribeza.com/austin-city-guides/shop/best-record-stores-austin
Follow us @Tribeza on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. WILDFLOWER WATCHING
With warmer temperatures and the flowers in bloom, now is the perfect time to take a day-trip and enjoy blankets of eye-catching bluebonnet fields across Texas. tribeza.com/texas-wildflowers-top-destinations
78
MAY 2022 | tribeza.com
Stories from this issue are available at tribeza.com, in addition to fresh content daily. Keep up by subscribing to our Tribeza Talk newsletter. tribeza.com/sign-up-newsletter
W I L D F LO W E R P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F T R AV E L T E X A S . R E CO R D S H O P P H OTO CO U R T E S Y O F WAT E R LO O R E CO R D S .
Learn about Tammie Rubin, the spectacular visual artist here in Austin who was recently awarded with Tito’s Prize of $15K. tribeza.com/big-mediumtitos-prize-winner-tammierubin
SUBSCRIBE NOW! ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION ONLY $36
tribeza.com/subscribe
Austin’s leading locally-owned and printed arts and culture magazine tribeza.com
| MAY 2022
79
ART PICK
Common Waters: A Demonstration Project for the Butler Trail and Lady Bird Lake PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNIT Y INSTALL ATION AND ENJOY A CELEBR ATORY OPENING BASH ON MAY 14 By Meher Qazilbash Photos by Emma Rogers
A
N ART INSTALLATION TITLED COMMON WATERS WILL decorate Lady Bird Lake this month. Designed by local artists, Rejina Thomas, Ruben Esquivel and Taylor Davis, the floating wetland project honors nature, creativity, community and col-
laboration. Common Waters is part of The Trail Foundation’s Arts + Culture plan, an effort to enrich the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. After receiving 37 submissions, these three artists were chosen to spearhead the development of the installation. For weeks these creators have worked to design, test and perfect their models of the floating work of art. Their efforts have been supported by The Trail Foundation, environmental artist Stacy Levy and
80
SEPTEMBER 2021 | tribeza.com
Austin-based curators Public City. On May 14, a three-part celebration and official public unveiling of Common Waters will take place, celebrating the process just as much as the final product. Attendees are invited to participate in installing the project on the water and then spend the day watching the creation make its way down Lady Bird Lake while enjoying other activities in the area. After reaching its final destination, the artwork will be placed right off the shores of Lakeshore Park, where live music, refreshments and mingling. Join in on this eventful day showcasing the talent, teamwork and environmental appreciation of Austin’s citizens. thetrailfoundation.org/portfolio/arts-culture-on-the-trail
D
SEPTEMBER 2021 | tribeza.com