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different angles on music, literature, & dining
MUSIC
I love music for the same reasons I love cheese: a great beat or great bite can instantly make me happy and transport me to a different time and place. Because I’ve always been a great eater but not so talented with music (at least outside of the shower), I turned to my musician friends in high school to share their passion about bands, such as Apples in Stereo, Ben Harper, Guster, Rockwell Church and the Old 97’s. Now that I live in Austin, I rely on our robust music scene. Currently, KUT is my personal DJ. The eclectic programs and music expose me to new bands almost on a daily basis, including Matt the Electrician and Monsters of Folk. ACL is another place to hear exceptional music that I might have not otherwise come across. Kendall and I make no schedules; we show up, wander from stage to stage, and stop when the rhythm makes us feel good. Whether in the sun (or rain) with over 50,000 of our closest friends, it’s hard not to enjoy Muse, Flogging Molly and the South Austin Jug Band. John Antonelli and his wife Kendall own Antonelli’s Cheese Shop in Hyde Park.
 LITERATURE
In the Color of Water, author James McBride brings the reader into a world that most would never have an opportunity to peek inside. The perspective is that of a young boy who has a Jewish mother and an African American father. One could say that the antagonist is the juxtaposition of the two worlds, and the boy’s consequent struggle to decipher which one to identify with. One thing that appealed to me about the author’s style is that McBride jumps back and forth between the voice of his mother and that of his own. The mother’s voice goes as far as showing the reader snippets of her life in the Jewish Ghetto, and later portrays her transformation from Judaism to Christianity. The unlikely combination of religious beliefs, mixed with the color of the character’s skin creates plenty of opportunities for conflict. That is what I like best, the conflict and the mother’s push for survival, raising 12 children in a world that was anything but accepting of their disposition. Americana artist Andy Barham is currently working on his debut album.
DINING
Amidst all of the fabulous restaurants in Austin, one new establishment has stolen my heart—and stomach—in the last year. Olivia on South Lamar stands out at to me as one of the great new additions to the Austin dining scene. From the shrimp and grits at brunch, to a delicious pork belly I had on a recent Friday night, everything I have eaten there is sublime. What sets this spot apart is its commitment to sourcing local ingredients and the almost-daily menu changes. Not only is the cuisine top notch, but the architecture and the setting are peaceful and unique. Every time I walk to the door I notice the gabion style walls on the outdoor patio filled with river rocks, reminding me of the Dominus Winery in California. You may not find any Dominus wines on the list, but rest assured you’ll find a great selection for prices that will have you requesting the list again midway through dinner. Go with friends on a night when you are feeling adventurous, and don’t expect meat loaf. A few dishes I recall from a recent menu include lamb fries (think calf fries), lamb tongue, and, of course, the lamb chop. Andrew Ware and his wife Chandler own Duncan & Boyd Jewelers.
Missbehave Boutique
The new crop of boutiques in the 2nd Street District has all fall fashion needs covered. Austin’s working women looking to be bad with some of their hard earned green are getting their shopping fix at Missbehave Boutique. With looks from the likes of Moschino, See by Chloé, and Rebecca Taylor, storeowner Andrea Valko is bringing big name designers to downtown Austin. The shop stocks the best of each brand, carrying everything from business to cocktail attire. Missbehave Boutique’s contemporary European interior was designed by DRS Architects and Planners. The glossy concrete floor gives the store a sleek, clean feel, while pink detailing throughout adds femininity to the primarily muted grey space. Signs posted on the walls encourage shoppers to misbehave. One reads, “I’m not bad. I just shop that way,” while another urges, “Life is short. Buy the shoes.” Valko, born in Slovakia but recently relocating from the East Coast, is putting her fashion savvy to use styling Austin’s twenty- to forty-somethings. With a background in business, Valko says she was inspired to open Missbehave when she “moved to Austin and saw a niche.” The store carries looks from up-and-coming designers, like printed tanks from Lauren Moshi and coveted crochet handbags from Brazilian designer Irá Salles. The shoe section at Missbehave, with styles from Stuart Weitzman, Via Spiga, and Alexandre Birman, to name a few, is stocked with fantastic fall finds—think plenty of platforms.
Gallery D
Open only months, Gallery D, the much-lauded boutique by fashion maven Emily Keast, is already a downtown destination, delivering the diverse designs Austinites demand. Keast, a former buyer for the trend-defining Henri Bendel boutique in New York, learned the business as an undergrad at UT and honed her eye as an assistant at Vogue. Now she’s employing her expert vision to seek out emerging designers from around the globe. “My personal style is all about mixing it up…[putting] something vintage with something modern, something casual with something a bit more dressed up,” Keast explains. This idea of blending styles to create a unique look is apparent throughout the store, in both the décor and in the designs that Keast selects, like the feminine but edgy draped dresses from Foley and Corinna and the vintage-inspired shoes from Les Prairies de Paris. Enlisting the help of top Austin designer, Jamie Chioco of Chioco Design, Keast created an inviting interior for her store through the juxtaposition of complementary contrasts. Keast’s sister, Julia, a photographer who plays art curator to the store chooses art that reflects and compliments the bold clothing hanging on the racks. With fierce fabrics, animal prints and leathers, hanging beside cozy cashmeres and flirty frocks, Gallery D is a downright delight. Both stores participate in monthly block parties, offering champagne, small bites, and deep discounts. Check websites for details. C. Harrold
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