It had been 5 months since we'd eaten out as a family due to the pandemic, and Radar and their new patio was the logical choice. Some of the best food in Portland and by far the best service.
Bridge & Burn
Whenever I need to treat myself to something new, B&B is the first place that I go and where I sent some hints to my family for Christmas.
Ted Lasso
It's the best thing that I watched all year.
JILLIAN
Live at the Checkerboard Lounge: Muddy Waters x The Rolling Stones
My favorite vinyl for relaxing with a hot toddy at home.
Our neighbors on East 11th stock the most special ceramics. I pop over weekly just to check on Regina's new curations.
These new kids on the block make the best lattes and every bag of coffee sold donates to Austin musicians. They have an album collab with Third Root currently.
ZACH
The best thing I have watched all year. It is retro-futurism at its best, and the world-building coupled with the genre-bending story telling makes for a truly unique watch. It comes with some of the richest storytelling and most well-polished acting you will see on television
070 Shake dropped her debut album at the beginning of this year on the coattails of her appearance as vocalist on the Kid Cudi and Kanye West album, "Kids See Ghosts." The album is packed full of R&B vocals laid over bass driven hip-hop beats. This album resonates especially as 070 Shake's performance at The Parish in Austin was the last concert I went to prior to news of COVID.
Valentina's has been a staple this year and is one of my favorite local businesses to support here in Austin. Family owned and operated, Miguel Vidal's menu of Tejano-inspired meals never fails to disappoint. As my most recommended place to eat in Austin, I can confidently say everything I have ever eaten there has been spectacular, not to mention the family atmosphere and the most welcoming staff. 10 out of 10.
MALLORY
Since we are spending more time than ever in the house, this book celebrates the art of all things perfectly imperfect at home.
Singer-songwriter Adam Melchor is my favorite artist to have discovered this year. Listen to Joy Ride - a catchy song about letting things go for the better.
This is the newest hotel from Bunkhouse located on Music Lane. It is designed after a 1950s motor lodge and inspired by Austin's lake life culture, thus making it the perfect spot for an Austin staycation.
BROC
Fetch the Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple
This album was released in mid-April, right as the pandemic was really taking hold. It was a very welcomed surprise...brilliant, thoughful, and challenging, and I had it on repeat for months.
Best friends Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes and Will Arnett host a surprise guest every week, and this podcast is funny, endearing, and very educational. I look forward to every Monday for a new episode.
Funny yet tragic, light yet heavy, this was one of my favorite books this year. It made me laugh out loud and also contemplate the world around me.
AMELIA
Rather than searching for places with one or two vegan or vegetarian options, Beer Plant offers a full menu of delicious dishes that are fully vegan and amazingly curated. The Sriracha brussels sprouts, Korean broccoli and seitan Gyro are a must, but honestly you really can't go wrong when you order from them.
Before I moved from Vermont to Texas this winter, I spent a lot of time exploring the woods while I still had the chance. One of the best soundtracks for this was the Greenhouse EP from Miloe - upbeat, incredibly catchy and perfect for putting on and tuning out the world just for a little bit.
My parents introduced me to this app and it easily got me through 2020. It allowed me to be able to check out an ebook or audio book for free on my phone just by having a library card number, and I discovered titles I wouldn't have otherwise. By far one of my most used apps on my phone.