Happy Friday ATX! Edition 8 🤠

Alright, hear me out.

A world exists out there where you can combine who you are, what you want to do, what you’re good at, and what people will pay you for.

You may have heard of this concept before. There’s a Japanese concept called ikigai. It’s such a foreign concept to us in the West that I had to fight autocorrect 3 times to let me even use the word.

Ikigai may just be one of the pillars of a fulfilling life.

For years I’ve been separating work and life as these two separate entities.

I’ve been trying to find a balance. The normal 8-9 hours doing something we hate every day. Leaving 3-4 hours left to do the things that we love before it's time to wind down.

That doesn't seem like the best way to spend this life we have.

Why did I do this for so long?

Why was I blind to the fact that nearly every single person who is considered great, is doing something that they actually want to do?

What is the thing that you actually want to be doing with your life?

What is getting in the way of you doing that thing?

Sit with those questions. Get real with yourself. We have one shot that’s guaranteed on this planet and that’s the life you’re living right now.

Don’t waste most of it doing things you hate.

Let’s dive on into what’s happening in Austin, but first a meme…

If you enjoy newsletters, here are a couple of the ones that I have been enjoying lately…

Smartr Daily - a fantastic newsletter for curious minds that delivers thought-provoking insights daily.

Self Development Snack - a weekly easily digestible self-development newsletter to help you hone your discipline and reach your highest self.

Best thing we ate this week…  This is one of my top 5 restaurants in Austin. I went there specifically to share it with you all because I feel like it’s sort of slept on.

The moment you step inside you can tell there was a lot of thought put into curating the vibe. The walls have intricate murals wrapping all the way around, and decorative lamps hang over the space.

If you’ve been in Austin for a bit you may have heard of and hopefully even eaten at the famed Austin restaurant East Side King. 

Thai Kun is the Thai counterpart to East Side Kings Japanese flair.

They do have some traditional dishes like Pad Thai and Pad See Ew but where Thai Kun stands out is with their Thai street food-inspired offerings like the Crispy Chicken Skins and the TK Fried Chicken. (Both Pictured Below)

They also have dishes that I haven’t seen anywhere else like the Crispy Coco Rice. Served in a clay pot it consists of coconut cream, serrano, cilantro, pickled cucumber, red onion & pickled cabbage with silken tofu, and for $6 more you can add crab… which of course we do every single time.

It’s unreal. An explosion of flavors in your mouth.

They’re exceptional at the explosion of flavors in your-mouth thing.

Almost everything on the menu seems to do it.

They don’t stop at food, they have a strong cocktail program. Their Pink Island Sands Rita is a cocktail I look forward to ordering every chance I get.

It’s a margarita with pineapple and blackberry-infused Tequila and Thai chili-infused lime juice. It has a crazy bright fruity flavor but has significant heat from the Thai chili to give it a kick.

It makes for a cocktail that is quite a sensory experience. 🌶️

Next time you find yourself up in the Domain give this place a try, I promise you won’t regret it.

New Business that we want to try… I’m a huge fan of Armadillo Den down in South Austin. Great vibe, stiff drinks, live music, and tons of great food options.

So when I found out they were opening up a new spot called Dainty Dillo on East Cesar Chavez I was stoked.

When I learned that it’s taking over the old Tillery Kitchen I got even more excited because that is one of the coolest locations, with a sprawling outdoor area that overlooks the Colorado River.

With the inherited on-site kitchen, the team will be expanding its dining options with help from the brains behind the food truck at their far south location, Jonathan Haralson.

They will of course offer a wide range of cocktails, draft mocktails, beers, and other bevvies as well.

The new spot has multiple fire pits out back like the OG spot, but with beautiful river views.

It officially opened yesterday. (Thursday, Feb 29th 2024)

Hopefully we get a chance to check it out this weekend!

Want your business featured here? Let’s talk! [email protected] 

Listing of the week

1909 E 18th St 2, Austin, TX, 78702

Price: $650,000

Neighborhood: Chestnut

Square Feet: 1100

This week’s listing is coming in at a whopping $1 million less than last week’s, and I like this one equally as much if not a little more.

Introducing the "Bird House" in east Austin—crafted by architect Francisco Arredondo. Inside, discover a cozy vibe with a bedroom/office, sleek kitchen, and private courtyard downstairs. Upstairs, enjoy vaulted ceilings and custom porthole windows in the owner's suite. From the chic exterior to the vibrant tiled bath, every detail comes together to make a place that’s unique and sticks out amongst the other listings in the area. The location is fantastic, just minutes from downtown and within walking distance to many of East Austin's top dining spots.

Check out all of the details here.

3 interesting reads from this week in Austin…

• Where to Watch the Solar Eclipse in Central Texas With Food, Beers, and Wines

• I’ve been saying this would happen for a while. Supply has been outpacing demand.

• Who's coming? What's free? We have all the answers to your SXSW questions.

Where’s the party?

Friday 3/1

• AIEA Golf Scramble & Launch Party 4:00 PM

  @ Butler Pitch & Putt
  Details

• Blake Shelton 7:00 PM

  @ Moody Center 

  Details 

• Celebrity Guest Comedy Show 7:00 PM

  @ Black Rabbit Comedy ATX

  Details

• Magic City Hippies - Winter Tour 7:00 PM
  @ Stubbs

  Details

• Dope Nights Comedy (Speakeasy Edition) 8:00 PM

  @ Busy Signal

  Details

Saturday 3/2

• East Side Pop-Up Market 10:00 am

  @ Radio East

  Details

• House Music Brunch 11:00 AM
  @ Yamas Greek Kitchen & Bar

  Details

• Trap Yoga: Baddie Edition 5:30 PM

  (w/ Passion Tree hard seltzer)

  @ My Vinyasa Practice (Highland Studio)

  Details

• Kill Box 2: A Begley & Friends Show 7:00 PM

  @ Black Rabbit Comedy Club

  Details

• UFO Talk: Special Guest Rear Admiral Gallaudet 7:30 PM

  @ 115 E 5th St., Austin, TX 78701

  Details 

Sunday 3/3

• Austin Flea - Handmade, Vintage, Local Market 10:00 AM

  @ Radio East

  Details

• GROUNDED Yoga at Fareground 10:00 AM

  @ Fareground

  Details

• Corner Bar 12 Year Anniversary 3:00 PM

  @ Corner Bar

  Details

• HAPPY GILMORE MOVIE PARTY 6:00 PM

  @ Alamo Drafthouse Cinema- Mueller

  Details

• The Creek and The Cave Open Mic 8:00 PM

  (Saw Kam Patterson and Hans Kim here last week for free 🤯)

  @ The Creek and The Cave

  Details

If you’re still reading this, your presence is our motivation🖤 

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I will leave you with this reminder as we set off on our weekend…

Laugh as much as you can! 🤠🪩