REMEMBER | PETER FONDA
The beloved American icon, Peter Fonda, died last week and left us with a canon of film that brought newness, mystique, and courage to the screen. He was one of those performers who had the gift of being able to make you automatically feel close to his character while at the same time keeping you at just enough of a distance that you wanted to know him more. Critics said that he held this, "compelling screen presence right to the end,” and we couldn’t agree more. From Easy Rider to Ulee’s Gold and everything in between, we’ll never forget the capability and the capacity of emotion he brought to us all. You can check out some of these splendid old pics of Fonda’s life here.
EXPERIENCE | PUNK ROYALE | STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Some of our team recently dined at the Punk Royale and after their experience we knew we had to share this joint with you. Upon entering there’s a lockbox to leave your cell phone in - no phones or photos are permitted. Let’s start with the crumbling walls and a smoke machine. Is it a punk rock show or a disco? Whatever it is, the misty ambiance is an immediate flashback to the 90’s. Words used to describe the experience of the menu range from weird to wonderful, bizarre to ambitious, and playful and surreal. The dining begins with caviar scooped straight onto your hand followed by an ice cold shot of vodka followed by decadent globally-inspired small plates. Foie gras, caviar, oysters and lobster barely scratch the surface. The tempo between the dishes is so fast it’s bonkers, and the only tensile on the table is a spoon to scoop up whatever you can’t eat with your hands. Seared asparagus, cheese puffs, olives and French omelets ends up on the table in what seems to be a never ending stream of dishes. Too much to list, it all keeps coming and is seemingly endless, but just in case you have a second to spare, there are Lego’s on the table to play with. The report is that it is all superbly fine and palate pleasing, and there isn’t a menu, so you have no idea what’s going to end up on the table or how many dishes you’ll be served. One of the toughest restaurants in Stockholm to book (sometimes 3 months out), Punk Royale recently opened an adjacent cafe, which offers a shorter, more affordable menu alongside even battier decorations reminiscent of a Tim Burton movie. You’ll either love it or hate it, and we hear that’s the whole point. P.S. There’s also a location in Copenhagen.
SUPPORT | AUSTIN RESTAURANT WEEK
Austin has an incredible food scene and it makes us proud to have these establishments here that take their time, money and labor to help others in need, giving you the opportunity to be part of it all! Now through September 2, you can eat at any of these many amazing restaurants for a good cause. Help them, “Turn your table for two into dinner for fifty.” It’s easy and fun! Prix fixe meal options can include lunch or brunch for $20 and dinner for $35 or $50. Cocktail and beer options may also be available. Each meal or drink purchased helps the Central Texas Food Bank’s programs that serve nearly 50,000 people each week. The Food Bank can turn every $1 donated into 4 meals for those in need in Central Texas. Austin Restaurant Week brings foodies and chefs together so that when you dine out you’re helping fight hunger in Central Texas. How cool is that? Hope to see you out makin’ it happen!
WATCH | ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND
We loved Robin Williams. You probably did too. It still feels strange to say that in past tense. Rarely is there a time we don’t stop on one of his movies when flipping through the options - Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society, Good Morning Vietnam, and so many more. We knew about his time in SF, attending Julliard, and his Mork & Mindy fame. His struggles with drug and alcohol abuse and its effects on his health. But this new documentary took us even deeper than we expected. What makes it different is that it’s told largely through Williams’ words. Like reading a journal, it’s intimate but also deeply sad, and of course with him, hilarious at moments. From his crazy times in L.A. in the 70’s all the way to his death in 2014, you realize what a new, original and exciting angle he brought to entertainment, comedy, and culture as a whole. This film let’s you learn more about his creativity and his process through unheard and unseen footage. Interviews with people who loved him and were close to him including Billy Crystal, David Letterman, Steve Martin, and even his son, Zak Williams. His death revealed he had been suffering from the disease Lewy Body Dementia, and left fans around the world heartbroken. He could make any and all of us laugh until it hurt, and in watching this documentary we realize even more that when he wasn’t bringing us all joy, he was hurting too.
WEAR | SERENGETI EYEWEAR
If you ever knew of Serengeti Eyewear, you might remember the sunglasses your dad or grandpa wore way back when, driving, hunting or fishing. (Pilots wore them too.) When they started back in the early 80’s their main focus was eye protection, and they used “new technology” such as photochromic lenses, polarized lenses and spectral control, among others. Sounds kinda nerdy, right? Well, they’re still focusing on those stats and still have quite the curve on it, but they’ve also relaunched with some serious style and are in the fashion game now. We’re backin’ it - especially the Giacomo and Carlo styles. Check out their new website and look on Instagram or go try them on at one of their stockists. If you’re anything like us when it comes to style, you don’t necessarily like to wear what everyone else is wearing, but there’s nothing like this. Try Serengeti, they’re doin’ it pretty dang right.
LISTEN | TIM FERRIS WITH JAMIE FOXX
Whether or not you’re a fan of Tim Ferris doesn’t really matter on this one because Jamie Foxx steals the show (or mic), as he’s often known to do. From his youth and all the words of wisdom and guidance his grandmother gave him, to his beginnings in music (he plays and sings some here), his success in comedy and his rocketing acting career, he’s such a good story teller that it’s enough of a reason alone to give this a listen. He gives examples of how many times he bombed and failed on stage and how many times he won in other arenas. Like the time used $400 to match a $1,000,000 party thrown by Puff Daddy. Or how he met and worked with Kanye, Jay Z, and Pharrell before anyone even knew their names. He also shares what he learned while being one of the mainstays of In Living Color, and life lessons from some of the best: Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Shawn Wayans, Jim Carrey, Quentin Tarentino and more. He even talks about some of his personal parenting styles. You’ll laugh out loud, possibly get a bit angry, maybe sad, and definitely encouraged. The exciting real life happenings, past and present, run the full gamut of emotions.