Jonas White - The Austinot

Thai-Licious Recreates Central Thailand Food in Austin

June 25, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Mr. Toi in front of his Thai-Licious food truck

You know that ice breaker question, “What would be your last meal on earth?” My answer is always a Thai curry dish (and a brownie sundae). Everywhere I’ve lived–Boston, D.C, L.A., and NYC–I’ve had a go-to Thai restaurant to get my curry fix.

When I moved to Austin, I settled on the east side and went in search of a local Thai curry. While there are great Thai food trucks a few blocks away (Dee Dee, Thai Kun, East Side King), I wasn’t finding that central Thailand curry I’d become so accustomed to. [Read more…]

Cyclist’s Guide to Austin’s Hike and Bike Trail Around Lady Bird Lake

June 18, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Credit: Christopher V. Sherman/Over Austin

People always say to me, “Hey Jonas, you’re always riding your bike around Lady Bird Lake. You must be an expert.” Flattering? Sure. But the truth is, anyone can do it. I’m just a normal guy. A normal guy who, after not owning a bicycle since childhood, rekindled an old love and hasn’t looked back.

What follows is my answer to the question of how to have the best cycling experience on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, a 10-mile trail of dirt paths, bridges, and boardwalk that wraps around Lady Bird Lake. Locals know it as [Read more…]

Chicken Lollypop Food Truck Serves Fresh Indian/Chinese Fusion

May 21, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Chicken Lollypops, the namesake menu item at this east Austin food truck

I had heard about the food at Immie Shaikh’s Chicken Lollypop. Friends and strangers alike would tell me about this little Indian/Chinese fusion eatery in the back of an Austin grocery store on Braker Lane, and how I just had to try it. I wish I’d taken their advice sooner.

Chicken Lollypop began operating out of an understated food trailer in my east side neighborhood in early 2018, after moving from Braker Lane. Now I’m the one telling my friends, strangers, and Austinot readers: do yourself a favor and try this place as soon as you can. [Read more…]

Lily Wolff Advocates for Artists While Directing Weird Theater in Austin

May 7, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Lily Wolff, Austin theater director

Theater director Lily Wolff’s career has rarely followed the traditional path. From her cosmopolitan upbringing, to her interest in Devised Theater, to her freelancing business plan, Wolff is carving out her own course in a city that appreciates unique trajectories.

Austin theater-goers are reaping the benefits of Wolff’s prolific talent. As she prepares for the opening of the second of three directed plays in 2018, I sat down with Wolff to learn more about her life, the Austin theater scene, and why the arts could benefit from our support. [Read more…]

Lunar Pizza Trailer on South First Street Is Thin on Crust, Not on Flavor

April 20, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Margherita pizza at Lunar Pizza in South Austin

Austin residents aren’t pizza-deprived. We’ve got New York-style at the iconic Home Slice Pizza, Chicago-style at Conans Pizza, and even Detroit-style at the mouth-watering Via 313.

With Lunar Pizza opened on South 1st Street, we can add New Jersey thin crust pizza to the list. Or more specifically, as I learned from founder Zach Adams, “Jersey Shore boardwalk pizza.”

[Read more…]

Artessano Food Trailer Serves Authentic Colombian Food in East Austin

April 4, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Artessano’s Colombian bowl with chicken

The list of must-try eateries in east Austin is overwhelming. Don’t expect reading about Artessano to make things easier for you. Artessano’s food trailer, located on East Sixth Street, has been delighting customers with authentic Colombian food for years. I met with owner, Carlos Quitian, and his nephew, Andres Amaya, to hear how they bring Colombian culture to Austin.

[Read more…]

Stretch Creates Accessible Approach to Yoga, Headphones Included

March 23, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Stretch soundscape yoga in downtown Austin

For years, I knew yoga could improve the quality of my life. Yet, for an activity built on love and inclusivity, jumping into this unfamiliar practice felt challenging. I didn’t relate to the bohemian feel of some local studios, and the terminology used in class was intimidating and hard to follow. I felt like an outsider. Because of this, I avoided all things yoga.

And then I found Stretch. This Austin yoga studio was different. It was accessible and approachable by design, owner and instructor Kaysha Patel told me.

This is how a guy who’d never “namaste-d” or “downward dogged” before began his modest yoga practice…and can now (almost) touch his toes.

[Read more…]

Dee Dee Food Trailer Presents Austin With Authentic Thai Street Food

March 1, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Dee Dee owners, Lakana and Justin Trubiana

A PSA to regular customers, and anyone craving authentic northern Thai street food: Dee Dee has moved. Still on the east side, the food trailer, whose name translates to “good good” in Thai, now holds court at the corner of East Sixth Street and Pedernales Street.

Dee Dee is a regular part of my “I love food on the east side dinner rotation,” so I recently stopped by to speak with owners Justin and Lakana Trubiana about the new location, their story, and of course, the food. [Read more…]

Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori Izakaya Offers Traditional Japanese Food

February 9, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Sawagani River crab at Fukumoto Sushi Austin

Sawagani River crab is one of the most popular menu items at Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori Izakaya

When you think about Austin’s dining options, my guess is traditional Japanese isn’t the first that comes to mind. I get it. This is the city of barbecue and tacos. But if you’re looking for an authentic, adventurous, casual-yet-traditional, and entirely memorable dining experience, I have the place for you: east Austin’s Fukumoto Sushi & Yakitori Izakaya.

[Read more…]

Vintage Heart Cafe Features Large Outdoor Patio, Food Truck Fare

January 16, 2018 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Enjoy a cup of joe, hot or cold, indoors or out, at Vintage Heart Cafe

Vintage Heart Cafe has become many things to me. It’s where I can count on a delicious caffeine boost or find my productive side. On my less focused days, it’s a comfortable place to continue my quest to traverse the Internet’s outer limits. Recently, Vintage House Cafe has become something more to me and the Austin community at-large. It now includes a beautiful outdoor space, food options, and adult beverages.

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