20 YEARS
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F I N E J E W E L L E RY B Y O L E LY N G G A A R D
2727 Exposition Blvd #110, Austin, TX 78703
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CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 40
Mike Shefman & Sherry Greenberg’s love for the Austin restaurant community is the inspiration behind a new mental health initiative.
DEPARTMENTS
Social Hour p.#14 Kristin’s Column p.#16 Tribeza Talk p.#18 Nourish p.#22 Arts Calendars p.#24 Karen’s Pick p.#48 Dining Guide p.#52 A Look Behind p.#56 FEATURES
Protecting Our Peace p.#28 Still Standing p.#34
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Clothing brand Shavanthe finds community connection at Black Makers Market, one of five local markets in this month’s Tribeza Talk.
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ON THE COVER Virginia Cumberbatch and Meagan Harding call the Austin community to action, p. 28. PHOTOGRAPH BY RILEY REED
M I K E & S H E R RY P H OTO G R A P H : J E S S I C A AT T I E
Serving Those Who Serve p.#40
W H AT ’ S F R E S H O N
TRIBEZA.COM TRIBEZA SHOP
Our shop is stocked with stellar products by local and national brands we love like Kendra Scott. Browse and buy at tribeza.com/shop
HEALING PLANTS
Explore the connection between grief, healing and plants with an Austin woman curating thoughtful gifts for those facing tragedy. tribeza.com/mygrief-plants
POSTCARD FROM SEDONA
Alex Reichek hikes to new heights in Sedona. Read about her always active adventures. tribeza.com/sedona
Follow us @Tribeza on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 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
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EDITOR’S LETTER
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They ask: “How will we create rest in the midst of our ongoing resistance, and what will your investment in the wholeness, well-being and resilience of our community look like this year?” Cumberbatch and Harding rightly remind us that our answer to the above must be with actions as much as words: Community, like wellness, involves intentionality. Meanwhile, our feature on the Mike & Sherry Project, which provides mental health services to people in the restaurant industry, illustrates that even small actions can have a ripple effect: “Healing as a whole or at all starts somewhere, starts small, but can grow to reach so many if we care to do so with love” (p. 40). As we continue to heal from an unsettling season of pandemic stress, political unrest and racial reckoning, may this issue remind you that Wellness and Community go hand in hand—and that we need one another as we strive toward both.
Hannah J. Phillips Executive Editor
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P H OTO G R A P H B Y J E S S I C A AT T I E
’VE WRITTEN PREVIOUSLY ON THE PECULIAR CONUNDRUM
of crafting an editor’s letter while major events are still unfolding. I started a draft of this one on January 6 as a violent insurrection erupted at our nation’s Capitol; we will send to print just a few hours after watching the inauguration of the 46th president of the United States, joined by the first female, first African American and first person of South Asian descent to hold the office of vice president. And while their work of rebuilding has just begun, what a difference two weeks can make. During the turbulent interim between the draft of this note and the finished magazine, I reflected on our combined themes of Community and Wellness. In the past, we’ve designated these topics to separate months— both equally valuable, but largely unrelated. In this present moment, however, the two are undeniably linked: They not only can go together, they must. Both ideals require a holistic mindset: After all, what good is physical well-being if we disregard mental health (“Serving Those Who Serve,” p. 40)? And what is the value of individual wellness if members of our community are suffering (“Protecting Our Peace,” p. 28)? In the latter, Rosa Rebellion founders Virginia Cumberbatch and Meagan Harding pen an appeal to Austin that we cannot ignore if we are to live up to our full potential—as people and as a city.
AUTHENTICALLY
Austin
The Austin market is as popular as ever and with less than one month worth of inventory, more competitive than ever. Helping you find the perfect listing in the private or public market and making a winning offer is my specialty. It is a wonderful time to sell your unique home and leverage my network and expertise. Let’s connect and make your real estate goals a reality!
Featured Property: Clarksville | 78703 | 701-highland.com
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SUSAN BARRINGER
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Global Real Estate Advisor 512.426.9456 susan.barringer@sothebysrealty.com
TRIBEZ A AUSTIN CUR ATED
F E B RUA R Y 2 02 1
20 YEARS
N O. 2 2 9
CEO + PUBLISHER
George Elliman
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Hannah J. Phillips
ART DIRECTOR
Alexander Wolf
DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Aaron Parsley
DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER
Holly Cowart
DIRECTOR OF SALES
Krissy Hearn
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Paul Krushin
PRINCIPALS
George Elliman Chuck Sack Vance Sack Michael Torres
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Vanessa Blankenship COLUMNISTS
Kristin Armstrong Karen O. Spezia WRITERS
Holly Cowart Virginia A. Cumberbatch Meagan H. Harding Amber Perley Hannah J. Phillips COPY EDITOR
Stacy Hollister
PHOTOGR APHERS
Jessica Attie Holly Cowart Amber Perley Riley Reed
CONTRIBUTING ARTIST
Shaylin Wallace
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 @ 2021 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
Amplify Austin Day March 4–5, 2021 A live, virtual day of giving. Support hundreds of local nonprofits that make Central Texas the place we love to call home at AmplifyATX.org
Our Nourish event returns—with virtual programming, p 22.
P H OTO G R A P H B Y D O U G L A S F R I E D M A N
INSIDER
MIND, BODY AND SOUL
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HELPING HAND HOME GREEN TEA
The annual Helping Hand Home Green Tea was held December 7 at Hearth & Soul in Tarrytown. Members raised $7,000 from in-person and virtual attendance to support the organization. Helping Hand Home is the oldest continuously operating residential child care agency in Travis County and provides a safe haven for children healing from neglect, abandonment and physical, emotional or sexual abuse.
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CARNE LENTA OPENING
The team behind Taco Flats and La Holly have officially opened their new butcher shop, bar and restaurant concept in Smithville. Carne Lenta (meaning “slow meat” in Spanish) specializes in Mexican-style slow-roasting in 1,000-gallon propane pits. Friends enjoyed an exclusive celebration on December 19, with a performance by Austin-based musician Guy Forsyth on the outdoor stage.
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GUARANTEED TO WRINKLE SALON
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HELPING HAND HOME GREEN TEA: 1. Laura Craddick & Suzanne Erickson 2. Meredith Bagan & Kerianne Oliver 3. Amy Biegel & Dana DeLorenzo 4. Cyndy Smith, Laurel Hooper, Kerri Ann Chambless & Lucy Weber 5. Suzanne Nash & Leslie Davenport CARNE LENTA OPENING: 6. Caleb Chail 7. Michael Vasko & Tony Olvera 8. Guy Forsyth Band 9. Patrick O’Donnell & Simon Madera GUARANTEED TO WRINKLE SALON: 10. Rachel Lomas & Trisha Sutton 11. Alex Reichek & Jaclyn Parrish 12. Claire Zinnecker & Ashley Field
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C A R N E L E N TA : P H OTO G R A P H S CO U R T E S Y O F C A R N E L E N TA G U A R A N T E E D TO W R I N K L E S A LO N : P H OTO G R A P H S B Y S A N D R A DA H DA H
Guaranteed to Wrinkle hosted its Wrinkle Salon for members to end the year engaging in conversation around Austin’s local farms. Chef Rachel Lomas and Trisha Sutton, founder of Urban American Farmer, curated the menu with food from Simple Promise Farm, Belle Vie Farm and Barton Springs Mill. GTW will host salons monthly, providing one-of-a-kind dinners for members to connect safely.
KRISTIN’S COLUMN
Begin Again, Again
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N BOTH MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL WORLDS,
I’m seeing a theme emerge. We are having to redefine, reinvent and reintegrate our sense of community and connection. COVID did a number on us—the previous default ways we were able to engage or disengage with others were totally upended and cracked wide-open. Before, we could hide in our schedules, filling our calendars to fill the void. Some couples who tolerated each other with the distance provided by offices, traffic commutes, work travel, kid schedules or dinners buffered by other couples finally started to realize there is nothing to talk about when it’s just them. Parents who had only enough patience to get through the evening hours of homework and dinner were now full-time parents, teachers and tutors, with many simultaneously trying to work from home. Some families felt stuck, fighting for space, autonomy and internet access—somehow crammed together yet lonelier than ever. Perhaps in some ways it was easier to be ships passing than to be docked in the same port? Friendships clothed in lunches, events and happy hours suddenly stood exposed, unadorned. Relationships based on the commonality of doing couldn’t sustain the pace or intimacy of just being. Spiritual lives formerly box-checked on Sunday felt insufficient, as empty as the pews. Crazy-busy people, forced to slow down, had to look at the very things inside themselves they were attempting to outrun. Old wounds, things unresolved, unhealed, unsaid and unloved—anything previously banished to the basement of our being—suddenly began to creep up the stairs. Everything we used to numb with more began to feel like less. Old coping methods that used to rule the kingdom became naked emperors. I can’t travel to get away from myself. I can’t go to the office to get away from him or her. I can’t drink enough to quiet this anxiety. I can’t smile enough to mask this depression. I can’t eat enough to stop feeling empty. I can’t
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By Kristin Armstrong Artwork by Shaylin Wallace
starve myself enough to feel worthy. I can’t ignore myself the way I used to. I don’t like who I’ve become in this relationship, this job or this skin I’m in. I have to stop faking it, because I’m not making it. I can’t do it like this anymore. Anything we tried to blame on the shadows of something else was illuminated by what is. My office is filled with clients who want to, simply must, start again. My favorite place to meet someone is right there, in the sweet (and sour) spot where evolution is summoned by the simple fact that even if something new is scary, it’s finally (triumphantly) less scary than the idea of staying the same. My beloved clients, as well as my most treasured family members, colleagues and friends, all hover on or around this transformational edge: seeking, growing, releasing and becoming—again and again. The ones who aren’t interested, can’t or won’t have all fallen away. Many people are realizing this very same phenomenon. Freedom happens in layers: a painful celebration, a lose-win, a broken hallelujah. As we deepen and evolve, our connections and our community have to deepen and evolve with us. Once you have experienced swimming in the ocean, the kiddie pool has far less pull. Relationships that aren’t reciprocal, conversations that travel the same worn circle, hearts that are cold or unavailable, people who don’t attune to create a sense of safety, places where you are not welcome just as you are—all of these old patterns require a vaccine as much as COVID does. They, too, make us sick, weak, divided and lonely. Many things are now being redefined, reestablished, renegotiated—our country, health, careers, families, education, freedom, friendships and our capacity to show up and love big and deep and true. We have an opportunity to truly make an offering of ourselves. One with impact, with legacy. We also have a very real opportunity to learn to receive. If you have been holding out on yourself, it may be time, at last, to begin again, again.
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T R I B E Z A TA L K Now in its 12th year, Austin Flea regularly partners with local businesses like Radio Coffee & Beer.
A Sense of PLACE
By Holly Cowart
KRISTIN JACOBSON F O U N D E R , AU S T I N F L E A
Community to me is all about supporting local— whether that’s local artists and makers, local venues and establishments, or locally sourced foods and sundries. Our tagline for the Austin Flea is “Handmade. Vintage. Local.” We have such an array of talent in this city, and we are honored to be able to work with these artists and entrepreneurs every show. Additionally, we created an online store in May to give folks an opportunity to shop some of our amazing vendors online, and all of our events are held at locally owned and operated establishments, continuing the cycle of support. austinflea.net
UPCOMING DATES: FEB. 13 - CAPTAIN QUACKENBUSH’S COFFEEHOUSE FEB. 14 - THE ABGB FEB. 21 - RADIO COFFEE & BEER
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A U S T I N F L E A : P H OTO G R A P H B Y C A S E Y W O O D S P H OTO G R A P H Y
Broadly experienced but deeply personal to all, community can be a hard thing to define. To better understand what makes up the fabric of Austin’s community, we asked the leaders of beloved local markets to explain the term in their own words. From food to fashion, these individuals are establishing spaces that celebrate representation, create connections and provide economic opportunities for collective thriving. So what does community mean to you?
ERICKA BARNES
Ericka Barnes established Dope Creatives Market (below) in 2018 before creating Black Makers Market (left) the following year, which exclusively features Black vendors, businesses and food trucks.
FOU N DE R , D OPE CR E AT I V E S M A R K ET & BL ACK M A K E R S M A R K ET
Community is creating a safe space for all members of the creative community to gather, collaborate and celebrate who we are. My motivation for forming the Dope Creatives Market and Black Makers Market was to establish an affordable, family-friendly and intentionally diverse platform for artists and smallbusiness owners to connect with the communities they live in. dopecreativesmarket.com | blackmakersmarket.com UPCOMING DATES: TO BE ANNOUNCED
R YA N L E R M A
C O - F O U N D E R , L A I S S E Z FA I R
It’s a mutual understanding that as individuals we are in this together and the importance of supporting one another when possible to reach our individual and communal goals. Laissez Fair provides a space and platform for sellers to meet others in the vintage community and the opportunity to present themselves to a broader audience than they may have reached otherwise. facebook.com/laissezfairtx UPCOMING DATES: MAY 16 - PASSPORT VINTAGE
Laissez Fair is a triannual vintage market founded by Ryan Lerma, April Pritchard and Maria Oliveira. tribeza.com
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T R I B E Z A TA L K Frida Friday ATX highlights WoC through virtual markets and in-person events.
TK TUNCHEZ
F O U N D E R , F R I DA F R I DA Y A T X
To me, community is about building a fellowship with people who are committed to learning and growing with each other. It’s about being “in it” with each other as we evolve to our highest selves. Our work is specifically about creating intentionally intersectional spaces that celebrate our diversity and highlight our culture as progressive BIPOC, Latinx and Queers. I recognized ongoing gaps in resources that uplift WoC and economically disenfranchised communities and chose to make a cultural space that helps to address those needs by creating a new economic resource for our community. fridafridayatx.org UPCOMING DATES: FEB. 20 & 21 - REVIVAL COFFEE
AMY GALLO
FA R M V I A B I L I T Y M A N A G E R , S F C FA R M E R S ’ M A R K E T
Fresh produce from Fredericksburg’s Hat & Heart Farm from a past SFC market in downtown Austin.
Our community is made up of farmers, market shoppers, community gardeners, folks who want to cook for their families and anyone interested in supporting local food in Central Texas. Through our unique programming, we are creating win-win-win scenarios for anyone trying to access fresh food. For individuals who use nutrition assistance benefits, like SNAP and WIC, we match funds through our Double Up Food Bucks program so families can purchase more food at our markets. We also provide technical assistance and matchmaking services for farmers who want to scale up or reinvest in their farms. Sustainable Food Center cultivates a just and regenerative food system so people and the environment can thrive. sustainablefoodcenter.org/farmers-market UPCOMING DATES: EVERY SATURDAY - REPUBLIC SQUARE AND TONEY BURGER CENTER
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING
Refine Aesthetics: Th ë J ø ü rñ ëÿ It Tøøk tø G ët H ërë By Courtney Gill PAC, Owner; Refine Aesthetics
February is American Heart Health Month and this past year it really took on a whole new meaning for me. At the age of 34, 2 weeks after my daughter was born in October of 2019, I experienced a rare heart attack called SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection). The root cause is unknown, however, a combination of hormones, stress on the body through pregnancy and likely a few bad genetics caused the 4cm arterial dissection in my heart. This in turn formed a blood clot that narrowed my artery by 90%. Reflecting on this turn of events, I am lucky to be alive and wow, what a roller coaster it has been since. I have always considered myself a healthy and athletic person as my wellbeing has been a top priority. When I entered the University of Texas at Austin, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare and decided that a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies was the best route for me. Following my dreams of pursuing my career, I did not expect to become a congestive heart failure patient right after giving birth, nor did I expect to battle postpartum/post heart attack depression in the midst of a world pandemic. And I, of course, did not expect my husband to raise our 2 children on his own. This past year for the most part has been about trying to catch my breath and realize what I want for myself... What does my family life look like? What does my career look like in 5-10 years? What are the personal goals I have now that I have come so close to losing my life? I have tried to answer these questions while the uncertainty of the world is at play. In July of 2020, I decided to quit my job as a PA in Dermatology—a position I’d held the past 8.5 years—and take a 6-week road trip with my husband and two children to really envision my goals. At the end of it, I decided to lean in because why the hell not! When you are no longer the person you were, why not face fears of doubt and uncertainty.
I made the decision to create my own vision with my own vibe, my own people, and from there I formed Refine Aesthetics —a boutique medspa in downtown Austin offering services to help people feel better about themselves. The name Refine comes from the desire we all have to make subtle improvements in ourselves and I, fortunately, have the privilege to help people execute these desires. Cosmetic Dermatology is so fulfilling for me as I literally get to see the change, see the smiles on the patients’ faces, and build relationships that have helped me stay sane in all this craziness. I hope that we all continue to strive within this new normal—that more research is conducted to help us understand SCAD and therefore gain more knowledge of cardiac health. I also hope that I continue to have the drive to pursue my dreams of being a business owner and help build a space I am forever proud of. Refineaesthetics.com | @RefineAestheticsATX 713 W 14th Street, Austin TX 78701
TRIBEZA EVENTS
The Sunken Gardens at the Commodore Perry Estate.
Nourish
A RETRE AT TO REFRESH THE MIND, BODY AND SOUL By Hannah J. Phillips
RIBEZA IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE OUR SECOND ANNUAL
Nourish retreat in partnership with EnVibe Life and She She Media + Design. Hosted by the Commodore Perry Estate on Sunday, February 28, the event will focus on refreshing the mind, body and soul. With the health and safety of our community as a top priority, we are taking extreme care to develop both intimate, in-person programming as well as virtual workshops and seminars from leaders in Austin’s health and wellness community. Tickets to our virtual event are the perfect solution for guests looking to learn from our experts from the comfort of home, while the VIP+ Experience: Nourish Live event will offer a one-of-a-kind experience at the Commodore Perry. Thirty guests will gather safely on the grounds of the estate for an in-person symposium, followed by a reception in the Sunken Gardens that’ll include cocktail tastings, vendor pop-up shops, DJ tunes and more. The goal of Nourish is for you to leave the retreat feeling your best self after expanding your mind, moving your body and energizing your soul. We hope you’ll join us and our curated list of experts to discover what health and wellness look like in our community. VISIT TRIBEZA.COM/NOURISH-2021 TO BUY TICKETS AND LEARN MORE.
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Our 2019 event took place before the need for social distancing, but our 2021 in-person workshops will follow COVID-19 safety guidelines. YO G A M AT S A N D E V E N T F I T N E S S : P H OTO G R A P H S B Y C L A I R E S C H A P E R
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Custom mats from our soldout Nourish event in 2019.
In-person classes will take place in the chapel at the Commodore Perry Estate.
Virtual attendees will be able to choose from a host of at-home classes and workshops.
Guests attending in person will take home goodies from event sponsors like Desert Door.
SPONSORED BY
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C ALENDAR 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
Music TOBYMAC February 4 – 6 H-E-B Center at Cedar Park BLACK JOE LEWIS & THE HONEYBEARS February 5 Empire Control Room
Exhibitions RENEE LAI: A STUDY OF FENCES Through February 7 grayDUCK Gallery MEET ME AT THE WATER Through February 14 ICOSA Collective
WEATHERS February 10 The Parish
PRINTAUSTIN Through February 15 Various Locations
MIKE AND THE MOONPIES February 10 & 11 Antone’s Nightclub
THE CONTEMPORARY PRINT: 5X5 Through February 19 Big Medium Gallery (Virtual)
THE GREATS February 19 & 20 Austin Symphony Orchestra
POLARITY: INSTALLATION BY COLIN MCINTYRE Through February 28 Dimension Gallery
HEARTBYRNE February 20 ACL Live at the Moody Theater RICKY SKAGGS February 20 One World Theatre MOBLEY RECORD RELEASE SHOW February 25 Virtual ROBERT EARL KEEN’S MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE FAM-OLEE SECRET SANTA CHRISTMAS February 25 – 27 ACL Live at the Moody Theater KEVIN RUSSELL & FRIENDS February 27 Antone’s Nightclub WEST SIDE STORY February 27 Austin Symphony Orchestra
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ATTACHMENT BY STEVEN DALY Through March 3 Lydia Street Gallery AS THE WORLD STOOD STILL Through March 6 Davis Gallery NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US Through March 6 Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking DESIGN SHINE 2020 Through March 7 UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER BY THE PAINT PALS February 1 – 28 Old Bakery & Emporium
CHANGARREANDO WITH JOSIE DEL CASTILLO: INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER February 1 – 28 Mexic-Arte Museum (Virtual) LANDMARKS VIDEO: HOWARDENA PINDELL February 1 – 28 UT ART Building 2021 – 2022 SELECTED ARTISTS February 1 – December 31 Women & Their Work ART + MUSIC NIGHTS February 4 – 25 The Cathedral CELEBRATING PASTELS! February 6 Austin Art & Frame ANNE SIEMS: BE THE SOUL February 6 – 27 Wally Workman Gallery AFTER MICHELANGELO, PAST PICASSO: LEO STEINBERG’S LIBRARY OF PRINTS February 7 – May 9 Blanton Museum of Art DANIEL RODRIGUEZ COLLAZO February 11 – March 6 CAMIBAart Gallery ROMA MI CORAZÓN MI XXIX February 13 La Peña Gallery CREATE & HEAL: THE INTERSECTION OF ART & JUSTICE W/ SADÉ LAWSON February 17 Virtual
Art SPACES MUSEUMS ATTACHMENT BY STEVEN DALY Through March 3 Lydia Street Gallery 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/elisabetney-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
A R T S PAC E S 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
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 3005 S. Lamar Blvd. (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. 118 (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 ART SPACE 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 BALE CREEK ALLEN GALLERY 916 Springdale Rd. #103 (512) 633 0545 By appointment only balecreekallengallery.com BIG MEDIUM GALLERY 916 Springdale Rd., Bldg. 2 (512) 939 6665 Hours: Tu–Sa 12–6 bigmedium.org CAMIBAart 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 CO-LAB PROJECTS 5419 Glissman Rd. (512) 300 8217 By event and appointment only co-labprojects.org DAVIS GALLERY 837 W. 12th St. (512) 477 4929 Hours: M–F 10–6, Sa 10–4 davisgalleryaustin.com DIMENSION GALLERY SCULPTURE AND 3D ART 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. 99 (512) 479 9941 Hours: Th-Sa 10–6 dimensiongallery.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 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: F-Su 12–4 linkpinart.com
LORA REYNOLDS GALLERY 360 Nueces St., #50 (512) 215 4965 Hours: W–Sa 11–6 lorareynolds.com
PREACHER GALLERY 119 W. 8th St. (512) 489 0200 By appointment only preacher.co/gallery
LOTUS GALLERY 1009 W. 6th St., #101 (512) 474 1700 Hours: Tu–Sa 10–6 lotusasianart.com
PRIZER GALLERY 2023 E. Cesar Chavez St. (512) 575 3559 Hours: Sa 12–5 prizerartsandletters.org
LYDIA STREET GALLERY 1200 E. 11th St. #109 (512) 524 1051 Hours: Sa–Su 12–5, By appointment M–F lydiastreetgallery.com 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 1902 E. 12th St. 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
STEPHEN L. CLARK GALLERY 1101 W. 6th St. (512) 507 0828 Hours: Tu-Sa 11–4 stephenlclarkgallery.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 916 Springdale Rd. #103 (512) 912 1613 Hours: F–Sa 1–5, yarddog.com
FREDERICKSBURG ARTISANS — A TEXAS GALLERY 234 W. Main St. (830) 990 8160 artisanstexas.com CATE ZANE GALLERY 107 N. Llano St. (512) 300 0898 catezane.com FREDERICKSBURG ART GUILD 308 E. Austin St. (830) 997 4949 fredericksburgartguild.us INSIGHT GALLERY 214 W. Main St. (830) 997 9920 insightgallery.com KOCH GALLERY 222 W. Main St. (830) 992 3124 bertkoch.com LARRY JACKSON ART & ANTIQUES 201 E. San Antonio St. (830) 997 0073 larryjacksonantiques.com RS HANNA GALLERY 244 W. Main St. (830) 307 3071 URBANHERBAL ART GALLERY 407 Whitney St. (830) 456 9667 urbanherbal.com
GIVE LOCAL TO A LOCAL ART STUDIO THAT MAKES LOCAL ART INSPIRED BY LOCAL PLACES CREATED BY LOCAL HOMELESS ARTISTS TO
EMOTIONALLY AND FINANCIALLY BENEFIT THOSE LOCAL ARTISTS.
P H OTO G R A P H B Y J E S S I C A AT T I E
FEATURES
SERVING SOLUTIONS How the Mike & Sherry Project prioritizes mental health, p. 40.
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Protecting OUR
Peace Creating space for rest in the fight for racial justice BY VIRGINIA A. CUMBERBATCH & MEAGAN T. HARDING PORTRAITS BY RILEY REED
Virginia Cumberbatch and Meagan Harding are the co-founders of Rosa Rebellion, a platform for creative activism by and for women of color. For our Wellness and Community issue, they explore the need for community wellness to include racial justice, addressing the oftentimes invisible labor of people of color, who bear the taxing burden of dismantling the very systems that have worked to oppress them. They call all of Austin into the work of racial justice through intentional and sacrificial labor.
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A
S B L AC K WO M E N
committed to racial and social justice, it has become increasingly evident that such reconciliation requires not just the disruption of systems and shifting of policies, but accountability and action by our full community. This includes self-proclaimed liberal white America, especially those who allow their privilege and denial to shield them from the history and current reality of racial injustice. The flashing of headlines across our screens is not 24-hour-news-cycle fodder; instead, it captures the pain and trauma our community has endured since the founding of our country and our city. From voting disenfranchisement and the caging of immigrants to the gentrification of East Austin neighborhoods and the policing of Black and Brown bodies in white spaces, these marks of inequity bear real consequences on the minds and bodies of people of color and the collective psyche of our beloved Austin. The resulting racial trauma isn’t just an indictment on failed political processes or systemic inequities, but our failure to care for our full community well-being. In 2018, we launched Rosa Rebellion, envisioning a space to amplify the voices of women of color and elevate their work of disruption. We hoped to support women of color disrupting unjust systems and designing equitable futures, but we’ve also had to endure the realities of doing this work and the stress and anxieties that can come with it. So we decided to imagine
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Cumberbatch and Harding have both received numerous awards and recognition for their work in dismantling systemic racism, including the 2018 Austin 40 Under 40 Award for Civics, Government and Public Affairs (Cumberbatch) and the 2018 Outstanding New Director of the Year for the Texas Young Lawyers Association (Harding).
“REBEL + REST” as our first project, born from our individual lived experiences of navigating the cultural exhaustion of Austin. Working within systems that were not built for us and, as evidenced by the past several centuries, did not easily bend for us, we continually confront the dual task of enduring both the trauma of inequities and the charge of dismantling and disrupting those same policies, practices and organizational paradigms—oftentimes at the expense of our mental wellness. Every day we suffer small and large indignities through microaggressions, overt racist acts, discriminatory practices at work and constant attacks on our humanity. Worse, we are often expected to suffer these slights not just stoically but joyously; told to mask our frustration, we are restricted from sharing the full range of human emotions. These infuriating shared experiences are not only frustrating but exhausting: an exhaustion that manifests from headaches to insomnia and takes a visceral toll on our bodies. We often cite the premature death of Erica Garner, who after years of advocating for police reform following the murder of her father at the hands of police died of a heart attack at age 27. Her death is an example of the impact of racial oppression on the body, but the truth is there are many Erica Garners in Central Texas. They are in your place of work and your neighborhood, enduring both ever yday microaggressions and the weight of seeing bodies that look like theirs brutalized and viralized on the news, while simultaneously navigating the agony of community apathy and inaction. Black people and people of color are the bearers of systemic oppression and too often the disruptors of it also. Our REBEL + REST retreats are a place to talk about the particularized impact of racialized trauma. According tribeza.com
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*The 1928 Austin City Council resolution is the oldest on the city’s website discussing a comprehensive plan. The resolution most infamously institutionalized racial segregation, recommending a strategy to move “the negro population” east of East Avenue, where I-35 is today. Its consequences are still felt today, disproportionately impacting education, health access, housing and resources east of I-35, largely populated by Black and Latinx people.
As we reflect on 2020, let us remember that as we battled a pandemic (killing Black and Brown people at a much higher rate than white people), amid an economic crisis and educational uncertainty, the pain and trauma of being unsafe in a Black and Brown body remained. Our collective wellness rests on our shared commitment to disrupt this reality. During one of our prep calls for Rosa Rebellion’s new podcast, GenActivist (launching this month), Dr. Sylvia Rousseau (whom we affectionately call G-mom and who serves as our co-host) posed this question: Where do you see yourself on the map of human geography?
“A C I T Y P L A N F O R A U S T I N , T E X A S , ” I M AG E CO U R T E S Y O F C I T Y O F A U S T I N .
to Danielle Locklear and Davia Roberts, two amazing counselors who have led our sessions, racialized trauma sends our bodies into fightor-f light mode; they increase fatigue, cause us to feel utterly depleted and can even show up in our genes. As friends and co-founders, we are committed to holding each other accountable for rest, weaving that value into the fabric of Rosa Rebellion. In the busyness of life and constant fight for equity, rest can get lost in the noise and is often devalued. In the aftermath of 2020, which illuminated a racial reckoning, we once again struggled at Rosa Rebellion to understand how to maintain our work of resistance and liberation while also protecting our own peace and caring for the minds and spirits of the melanated women we’ve invited into community. Through our virtual retreats, we committed to living out our callings from a place of wholeness, not deficit. We refuse to believe that our fight for equity must cost us our health and our joy. Indeed, one of the most remarkable attributes of people of color in this beloved community—and in this country—is our ability to create and sustain joy even in the midst of daunting and evolving obstacles. We also know, however, that deep soul rejuvenation requires intentional cultivation. Beyond the need for individual rest, the work of racial justice can’t be done in isolation: America’s true racial reckoning demands the visible investment and collective work of those who have benefited from such social inequity, moving beyond passive allyship into active co-agitation. In Austin, this includes a commitment to unburden and co-labor with people of color, acknowledging and repairing the damage of the *1928 plan. The passive practice of displaying yard signs denoting the pains of racism cannot replace an active posture of exposing and disrupting racial inequity in our neighborhoods, boardrooms and Capitol. This work demands a willingness to endure discomfort and relational casualties and use your privilege to bring equity.
This work demands a willingness to endure discomfort and relational casualties and use your privilege to bring equity. Before the pandemic, Cumberbatch and Harding led a Rosa Rebellion workshop in partnership with lululemon. Inviting attendees to resist, recharge and restore, the collaborative event recognized that the work of resistance, justice and equity is “worth the extra sweat.”
Launching this month, Rosa Rebellion’s podcast, GenActivist, will create space for intergenerational dialogue about creative activism through conversations with co-host Dr. Syliva Rousseau, affectionately known as “G-mom.”
A bold, perhaps overwhelming question, but one befitting the moment in which we find ourselves here in Austin and across the country. Our individual rest, collective wellness and communal healing relies on each of you answering this question and doing the work. And so we ask Austin today: How will we proceed to not just live up to our intentions of a liberal city, but embody an ethos of intentional impact and agitation? If the consequence of complacency is the exhaustion and depletion of the people of color who give so much to this city, what would it look like if we all pursued daily practices that transform the future of being Black and Brown in Austin? How will you unburden others in the labor of racial justice? How will we create rest in the midst of our ongoing resistance, and what will your investment in the wholeness, well-being and resilience of our community look like ths year? How will you protect our peace? tribeza.com
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Dorothy Singleton McPhaul smiles outside Johnnie’s Antiques.
JOHNNIE’S ANTIQUES REMAINS A HIDDEN TREASURE IN THE MIDST OF EAST AUSTIN DEVELOPMENT
WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY AMBER PERLEY
T
HE BUILDING ON THE CORNER OF EA ST 6TH AND
San Marcos streets has always been a bit of a mystery. Now tucked in the shadows of two new developments, the wooden structure looks like something out of an old Western with its front-facing façade. In a city where such buildings are increasingly torn down, Johnnie’s Antiques seems almost forgotten by time. Around 9 a.m. on a Sunday in November, however, the building became the epicenter of a chaotic scene. City trucks, yellow tape, sand and sediment filled the street. The fender of an electric-blue Mustang lay mangled on the curb. A collapsed sidewalk, split down the middle, sank deep into
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the earth. Hours earlier, two vehicles had collided, catapulting into an old fire hydrant. Instead of creating a skyward geyser, the hydrant exploded sideways, shooting into the foundation of the shop, bursting underground pipes and cutting off water for the rest of the neighborhood. City employees taped a “DANGER: DO NOT ENTER” sign across the building while trying to reach its owner, Dorothy Singleton McPhaul. Her phone was off—after all, it was Sunday, and she was at church. When she arrived at the scene, she was as cool as a cucumber, assessing the damage and discussing repairs with the city. She wore a coral red tunic paired with snakeskin pants and mesh Adidas racers. Silver bangles and diamond rings adorned her wrists and delicate hands, while large gold hoops and
A mural on the San Marcos Street side of the building captures all four generations of the family business. tribeza.com
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“I only collect the rarest the most sought-after. BELOW AND RIGHT:
Photos of McPhaul from her Austin childhood.
McPhaul’s Auntie Theresa and her husband Tannie in front of their shop.
cat-eye reading glasses framed her face. Her hair perfectly curled and mask on, she stood with a Misty Blue cigarette pressed between her cherry-polished nails—smiling, friendly as could be. A 5-foot-3 force of nature and sharp as a tack, McPhaul, a fourth-generation collector, is known as the Queen of Antiques. Born in the old Brackenridge Hospital in 1933, she attended the original L.C. Anderson High School in East Austin, where she was a member of the Capezio Dance Club and led the Yellow Jackets Drill Team for four years. She went on to earn her degree in education from the historically Black university Prairie View A&M before teaching for almost 40 years. In 1994, she retired to care for her mother and run the family business, an antiques store started by her grandfather Simon Sidle. A professional horse trader, Sidle traveled frequently to people’s properties. He loved antiques and often traded on his travels. In 1918, he opened
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his first store, on the corner of 12th and Red River, in what is now known as the Red River Cultural District. Sidle’s daughter, Theresa Mays—McPhaul’s Auntie Theresa—opened her own shop on Red River in 1924. Known as the Queen of the Red River Shops, Mays appeared in Robyn Turner’s book Austin Originals, where she attributes her success to her father’s passion for entrepreneurship. “He knew what his clients loved,” says McPhaul. “Simon was a negotiator. He always got what he wanted. Everybody loved him and his merchandise. He was a trailblazer.” Up until about 1970, Red River bustled with antiques shops before the city purchased properties to clear land as part of the Brackenridge Urban Renewal Project. A park is now located where his shop once stood. The precious collections were passed down through the generations, grandfather to Auntie and then to McPhaul’s mother, Ilesa Sidle Singleton. “Growing up, every little chance I got, I was dealing with antiques,” McPhaul recalls. “I was always with my grandfather, auntie or mother at
antiques...the hardest to find, I love beauty and rarity.”
McPhaul pulls an antique trumpet from the shelves of her shop.
the antique shows. I became an entrepreneur in antiques.” Helping her mother search for a new shop location in 1969, McPhaul visited a tailor at the corner of East 6th and San Marcos. The owner, Mrs. Sanchez, was preparing to sell the building, and McPhaul asked for first dibs. Sanchez told her she could leave a down payment of $5,000, but McPhaul only had $2000. Thanks to an additional $3,000 from her brother, she bought the shop with her mother, naming it for her mother’s husband, Johnnie. When it comes to collecting, McPhaul is very selective. Her favorite city for treasure hunting is Philadelphia, but she also targets premier estate sales and dealer-to-dealer trades. She collects Flow Blue, rare china, coins, cranberry glass, military memorabilia, metal toy soldiers, cast-iron mechanical banks, superbly cut transferware glass, old vinyl records, Native American tapestries and newspapers dating to the 1800s. “I only collect the rarest antiques,” she says, “the hardest to find, the most sought-after. I love beauty and rarity. I love the appreciation of the customers when they are buying, discussing the history.” Over the years, the shop has served many notable people. Lady Bird Johnson bought metal thimbles; Nancy Reagan collected porcelain. On one occasion, a man came in looking to buy antique fountain pens. She didn’t recognize him, so when he made a lowball offer, McPhaul wouldn’t sell. When his picture appeared in the newspaper the next day, she showed her sister, who replied: “Girl! That is Russell Crowe!”
Treasures line the walls of McPhaul’s East Austin home.
McPhaul stands in front of her family mural at Johnnie’s.
Vintage copies of Rolling Stone are just some of the many collectibles waiting to be on display once again at Johnnie’s.
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More rare trinkets from McPhaul’s personal collection.
McPhaul holds the shop’s old hanging sign.
This ability to treat everyone as an equal is one of the keys to her success, according to McPhaul: “My willingness to talk and be frank with people, to be openhearted. I treat everybody the same. I have homeless people on the street by my shop. I sit down and talk to them. They enjoy spending time with me. I love all people, everyone.” These days, Johnnie’s Antiques is rarely open. Walking inside is like entering an Egyptian tomb: Covered in a light film of dust, everything is left untouched—frozen in time since McPhaul last locked the doors. Besides damage from the fire hydrant explosion, McPhaul blames the latest construction on nearby developments for the closure. “They dug so far down, it caused the foundation to shift and damaged the interior of the building,” she says. “It created danger for customers.” A building next door once offered to lease her property, with the contract stipulation that she could never sell. She swiftly declined. In addition, multiple parties have issued code violations against her, which became the root of her ongoing financial problems. And while the recent f lood further exacerbated those problems, McPhaul makes it clear that the fate
of Johnnie’s Antiques lies in her hands. Though her kids appreciate the family business, their love for antiques doesn’t rival hers. Eventually, she will sell the building just as she bought it: on her own terms. “We used to have superb business,” says McPhaul. “We are working on the building now. When we finish making repairs, people can schedule an appointment. I am too old to be sitting down there every day.” McPhaul plans to keep the shop closed until she can fully afford repairs. In the meantime, her greatest regret about remaining shuttered is missing opportunities to encourage younger collectors. She believes that preserving historic objects is crucial to our education and future: Antiques are part of history and shouldn’t be erased or forgotten. At 87 years old, McPhaul, just like her little shop, has stood the test of time. Through construction, city development and f lood repairs, she and her family’s legacy still stand strong. Ref lecting on her own definition of success, she is most proud of her heritage. “My ability to survive and contain. I’m able to enjoy what I’m doing. I’m able to look towards a future.” tribeza.com
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SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE How the Mike & Sherry Project is making mental health accessible to the restaurant industry BY HANNAH J. PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAHS BY JESSICA ATTIE
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IF YOU FREQUENT ANY OF AUSTIN’S TOP RESTAURANTS, CHANCES ARE YOU’VE CROSSED PATHS WITH MIKE SHEFMAN
and Sherry Greenberg. Before the pandemic, the couple dined out almost every night, treating bartenders, servers and chefs like family. The longtime Austinites have a habit of adopting everyone they meet, bestowing candied nuts and homemade cookies and seeds from their garden. Greenberg once donated her wedding dress to a waitress at one of their haunts—“because I could see she was about my size and what was I going to do with it?” Honoring these deep ties to the restaurant community, a unique initiative providing affordable mental health care to service industry workers was recently named after the two eager epicures—though it was a touching surprise to the dining duo. “It’s a real gift to us,” says Greenberg. “I forgot to have kids, so we love the people in the food and beverage industry like our own children.” tribeza.com
Mike Shefman & Sherry Greenberg outside their Hyde Park home.
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Sarah McIntosh and Matt Luckie (middle and right) joined the Mike & Sherry Project after Sam HellmanMass (left) invited business owners around town to informational dinners at Suerte.
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Unofficially launched in March 2019, the Mike & Sherry Project is the brainchild of Suerte owner Sam Hellman-Mass and the product of about 10 years of friendship with the couple. They knew Bryce Gilmore while he was still hatching the concept for Odd Duck in a South Austin food trailer (“Quail at a picnic table!” Greenberg recalls with relish) and met HellmanMass when he joined Gilmore as sous chef at Barley Swine. “I remember seeing an Anthony Bourdain interview with Jaques Pépin where Pépin says the best restaurants are the ones where you know the people,” says Shefman. “Sam became like family; we love him and have watched him prosper and grow and work so hard.” Hellman-Mass says he is not alone in their extended restaurant family, so when a member of his Suerte staff was struggling, he asked Shefman if he’d be willing to reach out and share advice. Seeing the benefit of that conversation sparked the idea to foster similar connections across the industry, and he wanted the project to celebrate those relationships. “It’s humbling to be honored for something so near and dear to your heart,” says Shefman. “We have spent a lot of time talking to people, and after all, what is therapy but talking to people?” Inspired by and for community, the small idea has grown exponentially to meet a major need. While the onset of the pandemic put new pressures on restaurant workers, Hellman-Mass says the need for affordable mental health care existed long before 2020. “The restaurant business is a people business,” he shares, “and people in the industry have all the same struggles as other people in their jobs and in their lives. You can only be your best if you feel good, so we wanted to provide avenues to help.” Where other initiatives focus on specific issues like addiction and substance abuse, Hellman-Mass wanted to provide comprehensive care for everything from trauma to relationships, depression and anxiety. Noticing a lack of clinical components at existing industry meetup groups, he decided to partner with Capital Area Counseling (CAC), a 501(c)(3) offering income-based counseling on a sliding scale. The Mike & Sherry Project has established a $25 flat fee per appointment for employees of member restaurants, of which the restaurant pays $15 and the employee pays the remaining $10. If the employee is unable to afford the $10 fee, funds from the project cover the difference. And for employees of not-yet-participating restaurants, the Mike & Sherry Project covers appointment costs on a sliding scale based on income and other factors. “What Sam is doing is very unique,” says Jaime Telfeyan, LPC-S, executive director at CAC. “The project has already helped hundreds of people, even during the early days of the pandemic when so many people were furloughed.” Hellman-Mass first heard of CAC through a Suerte employee, designating it as one of the charitable causes for the restaurant’s first-anniversary
celebration in 2019. When the party raised $5,000, he started asking more people to partner with him in spreading the word. Initially, a core group formed, including Kathleen Lucente from Suerte’s PR partner at Red Fan Communications, and a few key players in the restaurant space. As conversations evolved over meetings and dinners at Suerte, Matt Luckie of FBR Management and Épicerie chef-owner Sarah McIntosh emerged as two of the most engaged participants. “I think Matt and I were just responsive and proactive; we just continued to show up,” says McIntosh, who has loved gaining new friendships around a shared desire to help people in the industry. Jaime Telfeyan, LPC-S, is the Executive Director at Capital Area Counseling.
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...healing as a whole or at all starts somewhere, starts small, but can grow and reach so many if we care to do so with love.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:
Hellman-Mass, McIntosh and Luckie outside Suerte, where the group held regular meetings before the pandemic.
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“Sam’s a real connector,” adds Luckie. “He’s so passionate about his staff and his food, and it’s infectious. Those are the types of people you want to be around.” McIntosh agrees, noting how Hellman-Mass’s passion for mental health in particular is what first drew her to the project. The pair connected while stocking up one week at Boggy Creek Farm, and she recalls how well the timing coincided with her own journey of mental health. “I was just at this point in my life when I was meditating a lot and exploring my own self-awareness,” she says. “That’s part of mental health, and it felt like there were few opportunities to have some of those discussions in a safe space in our industry.” In environments where staff are often pushed to the limits, issues like addiction can rise to the surface, while underlying problems like anxiety are less obvious yet equally dangerous. At Épicerie, McIntosh is candid about her struggles with OCD in an effort to create a healthy work environment not only for herself but for her employees. Her sous chef, Chloe Kennedy, says McIntosh’s openness boosts team morale by encouraging honest communication. Access to counseling through the Mike & Sherry Project further enhances those conversations, giving everyone the same tools to engage in healthy discussion rather than expressing emotion in unhelpful ways throughout service. “I’ve never done therapy before this because of the cost,” says Kennedy. “It’s opened my mind to a whole aspect of things I didn’t realize were habits based on past traumas. Having the tools to properly
Greenberg reads a heartfelt note from an employee who received counseling from CAC thanks to the Mike & Sherry Project.
communicate—especially in the high-stress environment of the kitchen— has been essential.” Kennedy hopes the Mike & Sherry Project will continue to eradicate the mental health stigma in restaurants across Austin, normalizing the need to ask for help. Everyone behind the project shares that vision, which is part of why the pandemic’s potential roadblocks only heightened their determination when it could have slowed them down. “The pandemic really caught us at a crossroads,” says Luckie. “We had just started talking with other businesses about how to grow the model
when COVID cut us off, but Sam said, ‘Launch it. Let’s go.’ And Jaime and her team haven’t flinched.” Announced on social media in May 2020, the full list of participating restaurants expanded to 18 by the end of the year, while total appointments made possible through the project are currently estimated at over 2100 since 2019. With in-person fundraising events off the table for now, the project hopes to keep growing through social media and by word-of-mouth: Tito’s donated $10,000, and the Austin Marathon has listed the initiative as one of this year’s charitable partners. While everyone involved would eventually love to see the model expand to other cities, the current priority is just making sure more local restaurants learn about the service and that CAC has the ongoing resources to see anyone who reaches out. “COVID made people realize what an integral part restaurants and bars play in our daily lives,” says Shefman. “They’re not just places. They’re woven into the fabric of our life. We need to sustain that, and we do that by being for them what they’ve always been for everybody in the community.” Watching the impact increase so quickly has been incredible to the project’s namesakes, who are blown away not just by the numbers, but by individual letters of gratitude from those whose lives have been touched. “Thank you for your kindness,” reads one note they received anonymously from CAC. “It was such a pleasant surprise when I found out my time at CAC was covered…and to be reminded that people like you exist. It reminds me that healing as a whole or at all starts somewhere, starts small, but can grow and reach so many if we care to do so with love.” tribeza.com
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FOOD + DRINK CHICKEN-FRIED COMFORT
P H OTO G R A P H B Y H O L LY CO WA R T
Hoover’s Cooking is a soul food staple, p. 48.
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KAREN'S PICK Hoover Alexander stands in front of his “Hoover’s On the Move” food truck, otherwise known as a “Fried Chicken & Frozen Margarita Ambulance.”
Southern Comfort HOOVER ALE X ANDER SERVES SOUL FOOD AND COMMUNIT Y AT HIS NAMESAKE RESTAUR ANT By Karen O. Spezia Photographs by Holly Cowart
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L
AST YEAR, NORMAL WENT OUT THE WINDOW. OUR FAMILIAR
routines and rituals were squashed, abandoned or outright forbidden. So when the calendar finally f lipped to a new year, I didn’t usher it in like before. New Year’s resolutions? Nope. Annual detox cleanse? Pass. Dry January? Hell no. Healthier eating? Well, maybe. After emotionally eating my way through the bizarre, socially distanced holiday season, I felt like a bloated tick ready to burst. My body was craving nutrition, but my weary soul wanted comfort food. Hoover’s was the answer. Hoover’s Cooking offers the perfect compromise when you’re teetering on the health-conscious fence: There are dozens of virtuous farm-fresh veggie options, plus plenty of indulgent comfort classics. The menu is a bountiful
Hoover’s Sweet Potato Praline Cheesecake. ABOVE:
Newspaper clippings from Alexander’s 45-year career in the restaurant industry line the wall at Hoover’s.
My body was craving nutrition, but my weary soul wanted comfort food. Hoover’s was the answer.
assortment of naughty and nice, nutritious and not so much. And an ideal way to reward yourself for enduring 2020 while easing into the new year with a healthier, optimistic resolve. For over two decades, Hoover’s Cooking has been satisfying Austin’s down-home cravings like a warm hug from grandma. Except it ain’t no granny behind the stove: It’s chef-owner Hoover Alexander, a bighearted teddy bear of a man who knows his way around the kitchen. As a 45-year veteran of Austin’s dining scene, Alexander has seen a lot. His career began back in the ’70s at the legendary Night Hawk diner, an Austin pioneer in restaurant racial integration. Hoover was a young Black UT student just looking to make a little spending money as a busboy, but he moved up the ranks—to dishwasher, line cook, bartender, manager—and stuck around. After honing his skills at other noteworthy Austin restaurants, he opened his namesake spot on Manor Road in 1998. Hoover’s menu is a ref lection of Alexander’s background. A native Austinite and a fifth-generation Texan, he naturally offers lots of Lone Star classics, but other nearby regions have inf luenced him, too. There’s Louisiana CajunCreole, Gulf coast seafood and Tex-Mex. Whatever the inspiration, it’s all rustic home cooking served in generous portions. The chicken-fried chicken is a dish I order over and over. A poultry twist on the beef classic, the boneless chicken breast is battered, fried and served with silky cream gravy. It’s crunchy, savory and absolutely delicious. Other Southern comforts include traditional chicken-fried steak, meatloaf, fried chicken, glazed ham steak, fried or broiled catfish, and pork chops. Barbecue runs the gamut from Texas pork ribs to Jamaican jerk chicken, and my favorite is Hoover’s Hot Sausage, a robust link with the desired snap and a zippy black pepper finish. Hearty sandwiches include po’boys and muffulettas, plus chipotle chicken salad and a variety of burgers. For daily specials, don’t miss Wednesday’s chicken and dumplings, Friday’s catfish étouffée and Saturday’s smothered pork tribeza.com
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KAREN'S PICK
Hoover’s Hot Sausage links are a must-try, combined with one of his 20 side options.
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CLOCKWISE:
chops. For lighter fare, there are entrée salads that don’t skimp on f lavor or ingredients, like the rosemary chicken Greek salad and the garlic shrimp Caesar. And then there are the sides: a dizzying array of over 20 vegetables. They’re all tasty, but Alexander is a genius with beans, and nothing you choose will disappoint. The butter beans are creamy and bursting with flavor, green beans are studded with diced bacon and garlic, cowboy baked beans come loaded with meat and spices, and the pinto beans and blackeyed peas are exceptional. Other down-home options include mustard greens, candied yams, fried okra, mashed potatoes and—oh my lord—the macaroni and cheese. Desserts are homemade and satisfying, like seasonal-fruit cobblers, homemade pies, banana pudding and cheesecake. Hoover’s stocks a full bar and is known for its signature frozen cocktail called the Beet-ARita, a hot-pink beet-infused margarita. The restaurant remained open for dine-in service in 2020, but also opened an adjacent market called Hoover’s in a Hurry, offering grab-and-go items and takeout from the full-service menu. When the new year arrived in January, Hoover’s helped me ease into it. I greeted 2021 with a renewed commitment to wellness, but with baby steps. I’m ready to eat my vegetables again—as long as they’re served with a side of fried chicken.
The handwritten menu of homemade goodness. Graband-go items from Hoover’s new adjacent market, Hoover’s in a Hurry.
HOOVER’S 2002 MANOR ROAD (512) 479-5006 HOOVERSCOOKING.COM
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24 DINER
BLUE DAHLIA BISTRO
CLARK'S OYSTER BAR
600 N. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 472 5400
3663 Bee Cave Rd. | (512) 306 1668
1200 W. 6th St. | (512) 297 2525
Chef Andrew Curren’s casual eatery promises
A cozy French bistro serving up breakfast, lunch,
Small and always buzzing, Clark's extensive caviar
delicious plates 24/7 and a menu featuring
and dinner in a casual setting. Pop in for the
and oyster menu, sharp aesthetics and excellent
nostalgic diner favorites. Order up the classics,
happy hour to share a bottle of your favorite wine
service make it a refreshing indulgence on West Sixth
including roasted chicken, burgers, all-day
and a charcuterie board.
Street. Chef Larry McGuire brings East Coast-in-
breakfast and decadent milkshakes.
BUFALINA & BUFALINA DUE
34TH STREET CAFE
1519 E. Cesar Chavez St.,
1005 W. 34th St. | (512) 371 3400
6555 Burnet Rd. | (512) 215 8662
This neighborhood spot in North Campus serves
These intimate restaurants serve up mouthwatering
up soups, salads, pizzas and pastas — but don’t
pizzas, consistently baked with crispy edges and soft
miss the chicken piccata. The low-key setting
centers. The famous Neapolitan technique is executed by
makes it great for weeknight dinners and weekend
the Stefano Ferrara wood-burning ovens, which
indulgences.
runs at more than 900 degrees. Lactose-intolerants beware, there is no shortage of cheese on this menu!
ASTI TRATTORIA
spired vibes to this seafood restaurant.
COMEDOR 501 Colorado St. | (512) 499 0977 Hiding in plain sight on one of downtown’s busiest street corners, Comedor is a restaurant full of surprises. Lauded chef Philip Speer delivers a menu that is equally clever and unexpected, with contemporary cuisine riffs on Mexican culinary traditions.
EASY TIGER
408 E. 43rd St. | (512) 451 1218
CAFÉ NO SÉ
The chic little Hyde Park trattoria offers essential
1603 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 942 2061
Italian dishes along with a variety of wines
South Congress Hotel’s Café No Sé balances rustic
Easy Tiger lures in both drink and food enthusiasts
to pair them with. Finish off your meal with the
décor and a range of seasonal foods to make it the
with a delicious bakeshop upstairs and a casual
honey-and-goat-cheese panna cotta.
best place for weekend brunching. The restaurant’s
beer garden downstairs. Sip on some local brew and
spin on the classic avocado toast is a must-try.
grab a hot, fresh pretzel. Complete your snack
BAR CHI SUSHI 206 Colorado St. | (512) 382 5557
CICLO
3508 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 964 8229 6406 N I-35 Frontage Rd., Ste. 1100 | (512) 494 4151
with beer, cheese and an array of dipping sauces.
A great place to stop before or after a night on
98 San Jacinto Blvd. | (512) 685 8300
EL ALMA
the town, this sushi and bar hot spot stays open
Ciclo is a modern Texas kitchen featuring locally
1025 Barton Springs Rd. | (512) 609 8923
until 2 a.m. on the weekends. Bar Chi’s happy
in- spired f lavors and ingredients with a Latin
This chef-driven, authentic Mexican restaurant with
hour menu features $2 sake bombs and a variety
inf luence, all brought to life through a unique
unmatched outdoor patio dining stands out as
of sushi rolls under $10.
collaboration between Chef de Cuisine James Flowers
an Austin dining gem. The chic yet relaxed setting is
and world-re- nowned restaurateur, Richard Sandoval.
perfect for enjoying delicious specialized drinks
BARLEY SWINE
Ciclo’s name ref lects its focus on menu offerings
outside for the everyday 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. happy hour!
6555 Burnet Rd., Ste. 400 | (512) 394 8150
that change sea- sonally, from ceviches, crudos and
James Beard Award–nominated chef Bryce Gilmore
grilled and smoked meats to inventive cocktails.
encourages sharing with small plates made from locally sourced ingredients, served at communal tables. Try the parsley croissants with bone marrow or Gilmore’s unique take on fried chicken.
ELIZABETH STREET CAFÉ 1501 S. 1st St. | (512) 291 2881 We love this charming French-Vietnamese eatery with a colorful menu of pho, banh mi and sweet treats. Both the indoor seating and outdoor patio bring comfort and vibrancy to this South Austin neighborhood favorite.
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AS R E S TAU R A N TS R EO P E N, B E S U R E TO C H EC K T H E I R W E BS I T ES FO R U P DAT E D H O U R S , S A F ET Y P R OTO CO L S A N D TO-GO/DELIVERY OPTIONS.
ÉPICERIE
HOPFIELDS
2307 Hancock Dr. | (512) 371 6840
3110 Guadalupe St. | (512) 537 0467
A café and grocery with both Louisiana and
A gastropub with French inclinations, offering a
French sensibilities by Thomas Keller–trained chef
beautiful patio and unique cocktails. The beer, wine and
Sarah McIntosh. Lovers of brunch are
cocktail options are plentiful and the perfect pairing
encouraged to stop in here for a bite on Sundays.
for the restaurant’s famed steak frites and moules frites.
FONDA SAN MIGUEL
JEFFREY’S
2330 W. N Loop Blvd. | (512) 459 4121
1204 W. Lynn St. | (512) 477 5584
At Fonda San Miguel, authentic Interior Mexican
Named one of Bon Appétit’s “10 Best New Restaurants
food is lovingly served inside a colorful hacienda-style
in America,” this historic Clarksville favorite has
restaurant. The art-adorned walls and indoor, plant-
maintained the execution, top-notch service, and luxurious
filled courtyard provide a pleasant escape in North Austin. Visit the Sunday brunch for a new menu with the most delicious interior Mexican brunch cuisine.
FOREIGN & DOMESTIC 306 E. 53rd St. | (512) 459 1010 Small neighborhood restaurant in the North Loop area serving unique dishes. Chefs-owners Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley serve thoughtful, locally sourced food with an international twist at reasonable prices. Go early on Tuesdays
GUSTO ITALIAN KITCHEN + WINE BAR
but welcoming atmosphere that makes it an Austin staple.
4800 Burnet Road | (512) 458 1100 gustoitaliankitchen.com
JOSEPHINE HOUSE
Nestled in the Rosedale neighborhood of north-
Rustic Continental fare with an emphasis on fresh,
central Austin, Gusto captures the warm, comforting,
local and organic ingredients. Like its sister restaurant,
every-day flavors of Italian cuisine. Dishes range from
Jeffrey’s, Josephine House is another one of
house-made antipasti to hand-formed pizzas, salads,
Bon Appétit’s “10 Best New Restaurants in America.”
panini, fresh pasta, entrees featuring Texas farm
Find a shady spot on the patio and indulge in fresh
raised meats, and scratch desserts. Craft cocktails,
baked pastries and a coffee.
1601 Waterston Ave. | (512) 477 5584
beer on tap, and boutique wines. JUNE’S ALL DAY
for $1 oysters.
1722 S. Congress Ave. | (512) 416 1722
GOODALL’S KITCHEN AND BAR
HANK’S
1900 Rio Grande St. | (512) 495 1800
5811 Berkman Dr. | (512) 609 8077
Housed in the beautiful Hotel Ella, Goodall’s
Delicious food and drinks, an easygoing waitstaff
provides modern spins on American classics.
and a kid-friendly patio all work together to make
Dig into a fried-mortadella egg sandwich and
Hank’s a favorite neighborhood joint. With happy hour
pair it a with cranberry-thyme cocktail.
every day from 3-6:30, the hardest task will be choosing between their frosé and frozen paloma.
GRIZZELDA’S
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
105 Tillery St. | (512) 366 5908
HILLSIDE FARMACY
inf luences and local farm produce with Italian
This charming East Austin spot lies somewhere
1209 E. 11th St. | (512) 628 0168
fare. Start with puffy potatoes and the Chef ’s Brand
between traditional Tex-Mex and regional Mexican
Hillside Farmacy is located in a beautifully
New Cadillac Negroni.
recipes, each fused with a range of f lavors
restored 1950s-style pharmacy with a lovely porch on the
and styles. The attention to detail in each dish shines
East Side. Oysters, cheese plates and nightly dinner spe-
and the tortillas are made in-house daily.
cials are whipped up by chef Sonya Cote. tribeza.com
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JUSTINE’S BRASSERIE 4710 E. 5th St. | (512) 385 2900
LIN ASIAN BAR + DIM SUM
Justine’s is a quaint French brasserie deep in East
Located in a vintage West Sixth Street bungalow, Chef
Austin. Don’t let the short drive deter you — the
Ling and her team create sophisticated Chinese dishes
experience of eating traditional French plates among
that draw enthusiastic crowds day and night. Make
exquisite works of art and decorative string lights
sure to stop by during weekend brunch to taste the full
makes for one idyllic evening with a significant other.
mouthwatering dim sum menu.
ODD DUCK 1201 S Lamar Blvd | (512) 433 6521 Famed food trailer turned brick-and-mortar, Odd Duck is the first venture from acclaimed chef Bryce Gilmore. Expect seasonal fare and drinks with a strong Texas inf luence sourced locally whenever possible.
KEMURI TATSU-YA 2713 E. 2nd St. | (512) 893 5561 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.
LICHA’S CANTINA 1306 E. 6th St. | (512) 480 5960 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 celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine. The music, food and ambiance will get you ready for a night out on the town.
PARKSIDE 301 E. 6th St. | (512) 474 9898 Patrons f lock to this downtown hideaway for its wide selection of oysters and other modernAmerican specialties. The 6th Street locale is filled with industrial details and plenty of natural light, so it’s no wonder that reservations are often necessary to get a table in the inviting space.
LA BARBECUE
LORO
THE PEACHED TORTILLA 5520 Burnet Rd., #100 | (512) 330 4439 This cheerful spot is sure to clear your weekly blues with friendly staff, fun food and a playful atmosphere. Affordably priced, you’ll find culinary influences from around the world with a healthy dose of Asian and Southern options.
2027 E. Cesar Chavez St. | (512) 605 9696 Though it may not be as famous as that other Austin barbecue joint, La Barbecue is arguably just as delicious. This trailer, which is owned by the legendary Mueller family, serves up classic barbecue with free beer and live music.
LAS PALOMAS 3201 Bee Caves Rd., #122 | (512) 327 9889 One of the hidden jewels in Westlake, this unique restaurant and bar offers authentic interior Mexican cuisine in a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. Enjoy family recipes made with fresh ingredients. Don’t miss the margaritas.
LENOIR 1807 S. 1st St. | (512) 215 9778 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.
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1203 W. 6th St. | (512) 474 5107
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 South Lamar. The expansive indoor-outdoor space, designed by Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, is welcoming and open, and unsurprisingly the food does not disappoint. Don’t miss out on the sweet corn fritters, smoked beef brisket, thai green curry or those potent boozy slushies.
MATTIE’S 811 W. Live Oak St. | (512) 444 1888 Mattie’s is a glorious urban paradise offering upscale American classics. While the cocktails are top-notch and the cuisine is nothing short of outstanding, Mattie’s ambiance and atmosphere are unmatched. OLAMAIE 1610 San Antonio St. | (512) 474 2796 Food+Wine magazine’s best new chef Michael Fojtasek creates a menu that will leave any Southerner drooling with delight over the restaurant’s contemporary culinary concepts. The dessert menu offers a classic apple pie or a more trendy goat cheese-caramel ice cream. Also, do yourself a favor and order the biscuits.
PICNIK 4801 Burnet Rd. | (737) 226 0644 1700 S. Lamar Blvd. | (512) 293-6118 A perfect place to find wholesome food for any type of dietary restriction in a bright and airy setting. This place truly lives out the “good and good for you” concept with paleo-friendly options and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. POOL BURGER 2315 Lake Austin Blvd. | (512) 334 9747 Tiki meets Texas in this neighborhood burger bar. Located behind Deep Eddy Cabaret, crunchy crinkle-cut fries and juicy burgers are served from the window of a 1968 Airstream Land Yacht.
AS R E S TAU R A N TS R EO P E N, B E S U R E TO C H EC K T H E I R W E BS I T ES FO R U P DAT E D H O U R S , S A F ET Y P R OTO CO L S A N D TO-GO/DELIVERY OPTIONS.
RED ASH ITALIA 303 Colorado St. | (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.
TRUE FOOD KITCHEN 222 West Ave. | (512) 777 2430 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 100 | (512) 992-0685 Inspired by Dr. Andrew Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet, True Food Kitchen combines decadent favorites with health-conscious eating. The restaurant, located in downtown’s Seaholm district, offers a full range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
ROSEWOOD GULF COAST CHOP HOUSE 1209 Rosewood Ave. | (512) 838 6205 Housed in a historic East Side cottage, this spot is quickly becoming a staple. Chef Jesse DeLeon pays outstanding homage to his South Texas roots with seasonal offerings from Gulf Coast fishermen and Hill Country farmers and ranchers.
SUERTE
Bullock, Walton’s is a dreamy brick-walled bakery,
of Top Chef Paul Qui and renowned chefs Page Presley
deli and floral shop. Take some pastries home
and Nicholas Yanes, Uchiko is an Austin icon that
after indulging in gourmet sandwiches and fresh
everyone should visit at least once. Try the bacon tataki.
salads for lunch, or stay for the rotating dinner menu. Most importantly, make it before 2 p.m.
Located in downtown’s chic new Canopy hotel and designed by Lake Flato Architects, Verbena offers
made from local heirloom corn and used in
vegetable-forward dishes that highlight regionally
distinctive dishes rarely found on Austin menus.
sourced meat, fish and poultry. Chef
Order the delectable Suadero Tacos, perfect
Nic Yanes (Juniper, Uncle Nicky’s) is at the helm.
for sharing with friends.
2201 College Ave. | (512) 852 8791 This salad-centric restaurant off South Congress has one of the prettiest patios in town. Along with an inviting ambiance, the salads are fresh, creative, bold and most importantly delicious, with nearly two dozen
an array of baked goods.
options to choose from.
This Houston-based brand now serves its simple and delicious food in Austin’s Bryker Woods neighborhood. Favorites include house-ground burgers, salmon Provencal salad and their chocolate chip cookies.
to order the legendary biscuit sandwich served only during breakfast!
WINEBELLY 519 W. Oltorf S. | (512) 487 1569 Named one of the top-20 wine bars in America by Wine Enthusiast, Winebelly boasts an international wine list and Spanish-Mediterranean small plates. The bistro maintains a local feel with its comfortable,
VINAIGRETTE
for freshly brewed joe, homemade ice cream and
1503 W. 35th St. | (512) 220 0698
mash-up of bright and complex f lavors.
Owned by actress and Austin resident Sandra
Central Mexico. Artisanal masa is the highlight,
TINY BOXWOODS
restaurant specializes in Goan cuisine, a cultural
The sensational sister creation of Uchi and former home
was inspired by extensive travels through
Thai favorites, stop by the adjoining coffee bar
couple Todd Duplechan and Jessica Maher, the
609 W. 6th St. | (512) 542 3380
612 W. 6th St. | (512) 991 3019
one place. When you’re done dining on traditional
something truly unique. Helmed by culinary super-
4200 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 140 | (512) 916 4808
VERBENA
A restaurant, cooking school and market all in
Vixen’s Wedding is a charming space creating
WALTON’S FANCY AND STAPLE
Helmed by executive chef Fermín Núñez, Suerte
909 W. Mary St. | (512) 494 6436
1813 E. 6th St. | (737) 242 7555
UCHIKO
1800 E. 6th St. | (512) 953 0092
THAI FRESH
VIXEN’S WEDDING
laid-back interiors.
WU CHOW 500 W. 5th St., #168 | (512) 476 2469 From the curators of Swift’s Attic, Wu Chow is expanding Austin’s cuisine offerings with traditional Chinese dishes sourced from local purveyors and farmers. Don’t miss the weekend dim sum menu. YARD AT WALLER CREEK 701 E. 11th St. | (512) 478 1111 The YARD is not your typical hotel dining experience. Led by executive chef Lonny Huot, enjoy savory American cuisine with Texas f lavors like the Beer Braised Short Rib and the Chorizo & Pepper Jack Grits Cakes Benedict.
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A LOOK BEHIND
Scenes From the Night Hawk By Hannah J. Phillips
Harry Akin, founder of the iconic Night Hawk diners and a pioneer of racial integration in Austin restaurants. Founded in 1932, the Night Hawk family of restaurants eventually operated seven locations around Texas, including four in Austin. Along with photos and mementos from the Night Hawk diners, Alexander displays a quote from Akin, who later served as mayor of Austin from 1967 to 1969, on the walls at Hoover’s Cooking. When the Frisco closed in 2018, it was the last remaining Night Hawk restaurant—but Akin’s legacy of quality and community lives on.
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P H OTO G R A P H B Y H O L LY CO WA R T
H
OOVER ALEX ANDER’S FIRST RESTAUR ANT JOB WAS WITH
FIND A TRANQUILITY THAT ONLY THE DESERT CAN PROVIDE. SIP ON DESERT DOOR.
A boutique brokerage specializing in luxury residential real estate in Austin, Texas. Working in a highly professional and collaborative culture, the Gottesman Residential Real Estate agents take pride in providing unparalleled attention to their clients’ needs. We build relationships, respect confidentiality, put value in doing things the right way, offer solutions, prioritize staying on the cutting edge, and strive to bring tremendous value to each client and transaction. Each and every time.
Gottesman Residential Real Estate | gottesmanresidential.com | 512.451.2422