01.19.2024

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45º | Windy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:27 a.m. | Sunset 5:55 p.m.

🥬 Building community through good food

Lifting local restaurateurs with the sisters-in-law behind Playground ATX

Katie Kim and Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky standing side by side in a natural setting.

Katie Kim and Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky founded Tykhe Group and Playground ATX to help small businesses get a leg up in the Austin food scene. | Photo by Jane Yun, provided by Playground ATX

Ask anybody and they’ll tell you: we have great food in Austin.

Even if you don’t count the James Beard Award-winning spots or the digs featured on television, residents know they can get a mouthwatering morsel at hundreds of high-quality places that pepper our city.

And yet, restaurants close — often. Last year alone, more than 90 food trucks, restaurants, and bars shuttered in ATX, including local favorites like Abel’s On the Lake, Nau’s Enfield, and Thunderbird Coffee.

Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky and Katie Kim want to do something about that.

The sisters-in-law and business partners launched their newest endeavor, a culinary incubator called Playground ATX, late last year. We spoke with them about their curious journey to the colorful Airport Boulevard restaurant, and how they aim to build community through what they love best: good food.

Food on metal trays with colorful beverages in the background. — Playground ATX’s first “headliner,” East Meets Wings, offers flavors from a variety of Asian cuisines.
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Photo by Jane Yun, provided by Playground ATX

“I remembered how it made you feel”

Although they share a mission, the two sisters come to the project from very different backgrounds. As Katie will tell you, she wasn’t a cook. In fact, for a time she didn’t even own cooking utensils — or salt.

In contrast, Chicago-raised Sue began checking cookbooks out of the library at age eight. Although she never wanted to work in restaurants — she thought maybe she’d be a doctor, or play piano at Juilliard — after getting a job as a hostess at 19, she was hooked.

“I just loved all the theater of it,” she said. “I remembered how it made you feel and what great food is.”

In the early 2000s, Sue opened James Beard-nominated Spring in Chicago, her first restaurant of many. Katie took a different path, diving into the world of emerging tech and data analytics. In their respective careers, both women noticed one thing: how difficult it was for people with good ideas and talent to succeed.

Building a Playground

Events

Friday, Jan. 19

Lucinda Williams and Her Band | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. | ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $42-$582 | Williams will share “The Story of a Life in Songs” at this Friday night show.
No Comply 17th Anniversary Party | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. | Empire Control Room & Garage, 606 E. 7th St., Austin | Free | End your weekend with some live music from Pinky Rings, Waul of the Weald, and others.

Saturday, Jan. 20

Vino Vinyasa | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Four Seasons Hotel Austin, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin | $30 | Get in some yoga before sipping wine on the lawn overlooking the lake — remember to bring your mat.
“The Bachelor” Premiere Party | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 5-9 p.m. | Irene’s, 506 West Ave., Austin | Free-$200 | Kick off the newest season of “The Bachelor” with other fans at this event featuring treats, roses upon entry, a themed bingo, and $5 rosé.

Sunday, Jan. 21

3M Half Marathon | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 7:30 a.m. | Stonelake Boulevard to Downtown Austin | $99-$298 | Start the course near the intersection of MoPac and Capital of Texas Hwy., and race to the finish line at the Texas State Capitol, taking in music from local bands along the way.

Monday, Jan. 22

Katherine Paterson | Monday, Jan. 22 | 7 p.m. | Mohawk Austin, 912 Red River St., Austin | $10 | Grace Womack and Lizzie Budin will also perform at this show by the McKinney-based folk singer and songwriter.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

Steer clear of parts of the UT campus and Downtown Austin this Sunday, Jan. 21 as the city shuts down parts of San Jacinto Blvd, E. 15th St. and other roads for the 3M Half Marathon. Other roads will be only partially closed for racers — see the full map. (KXAN)

Weather

Step aside, El Niño — we might be back into a La Niña weather pattern by summertime. The weather phenomenon, which is influenced by water temperature in the Pacific Ocean, often brings drier and warmer weather to Texas. (KXAN)

Development

A $1.5 million, 7,000-sqft entertainment venue is headed to Buda, with an open date slated for early 2025. The Corner on Main is expected to contain mini golf and a virtual golf simulator bay. (Austin Business Journal)

Now Open

California Chinese chain Sijie Special Noodle opened its first Texas location in far northwest Austin earlier this month. The restaurant offers noodles, dumplings, bao, and other entrees. (Eater Austin)

Environment

Populations of invasive zebra mussels appear to be declining in Central Texas. However, experts predict the resilient species may bounce back quickly as weather conditions change, reminding boaters to properly clean and drain their boats. (KXAN)

Shop

Kendra Scott’s newest partnership is out, and it speaks to the heart of Texas. The Wrangler x Yellow Rose line features the brand’s signature statement jewelry, plus Western-inspired apparel.

Finance

Erasing interest on purchases and balance transfers into 2025 can really make a difference. Throw in no annual fee, and there’s no wonder why thousands are lining up for these cards.*

Announced

Bye for now, Blues on the Green

Blues on the Green canceled for 2024

A crowd of people around a stage at Zilker Park.

Austinites have been gathering at Zilker Park for Blues on the Green for more than 30 years. | Photo by ATXtoday

Blues on the Green, the more than three-decade-old free summer music series, has been canceled for 2024.

In a social media post, Austin City Limits Radio said the event is growing increasingly more difficult to pay for, but hinted at the series returning in the future with additional support.

“Know that we know Blues on the Green is an important community institution,” the post read. “Know that we believe this is a hold-on, not goodbye.”

Until the beloved local event returns to Zilker Park, there are plenty of ways to take in free shows in the Live Music Capital of the World.

Although details for this year’s fests haven’t yet been announced, stay tuned for updates on these other annual free music events:

The Buy

The Buy 1.19.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

“The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal.” Written by happiness and relationship coach Dr. Sophia Godkin, this journal inspires gratitude with prompts to answer every day — and it only takes five minutes.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
London

From the editor

I’ve gone back to eat at Playground ATX twice since City Editor Figi and I first tried out East Meets Wings in December. I just can’t stay away from the crispy brussels sprouts and ayam goreng boneless bites.

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