the Blog

You’re going to find my in-depth reviews about places I’ve traveled to, kitchen adventures (and maybe mishaps) , restaurants I’ve visited far and wide (looking at you, Dublin) and tons more behind the scenes of what happens at The Monique Story!

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REVIEWS

December 3, 2023

The Best Party Foods in Austin, Texas

This is how you throw a party! Get a few of your fave local food spots under one roof and everyone will be as happy as a clam 😇 Chilantro’s kpop chicken with magic sauce and spicy ranch 🍗🍗🍗 I’ve been a fan and customer of theirs for 5+ years and I am fully in […]

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December 1, 2023

Must Visit Holiday Bar in Austin, TX

The jolliest holiday bar pop-up in downtown Austin is officially open🎄 Miracle on 5th Street is back!!!! This famous Christmas bar pop up at The Eleanor is bringing in all the holiday spirit with new festive drinks, a new food menu, and of course the best decor in town! 🎄🎅🏾🎁 Prices are steep but you’re […]

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August 13, 2023

Hyatt Centric in Downtown Austin

If you’re looking for a new high rise to stay at in downtown Austin, Hyatt Centric should be at the top of your list! I was recently hosted here and had the most delightful stay. Even though it’s in the heart of downtown, my floor on the 23rd floor was incredibly quiet and peaceful! I […]

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Now this is a healthy and delicious food truck you have to add to your list!! ZIKI is a new school food truck serving up incredible food with a Greek + Mexican twist! they pride themselves on never using seed oils (like vegetable or canola) and source local ingredients like pasture raised eggs and veggies. […]

January 23, 2023

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February 24, 2020

The Gluten Free Guide to Austin

I’ve been gluten free off and on for years and have been living in Austin for 10 years soooo I know a thing or two about where to get the BEST gluten free things in town. It can sometimes feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to go to get good gluten free eats, so […]

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January 24, 2019

Hashimoto’s Protocol: Week 3

Week three is donesies!!! It’s been hard sticking to the protocol, and I’ve had a couple of slip- ups, but I’m so proud that I’ve come this far. I also ate out a LOT more than I thought I did (writing down what you eat everyday is so huge). The first two weeks of the […]

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February 27, 2017

Best Pizza in Austin – City Guide 2017

I am so excited to bring to you a guide for the Best Pizza in Austin! There are quite a few (ok, about a million) pizza spots in Austin. I’ve narrowed it down by popular vote and organized it by the area of town. Did I leave anything out? Please let me know and I’ll make sure […]

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I have a huge crush on DeSano Pizzeria. The owner, Jimmy, gave Joel and I a tour of the restaurant, from the dough room, to the cooler, to the wood burning ovens and pizza making stations. I was wowed in so many ways. Did you know he imports his mozzarella and ricotta straight from Italy […]

January 25, 2017

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January 9, 2017

Kemuri Tatsu-Ya

Delightful scents of smokey meats, fresh fish, and Japanese sake fill the air as you walk into Kemuri. The owner’s of Ramen Tatsu-Ya opened up this izakaya, a casual pub eatery, with a mission – serve solid Japanese food and pay homage to the building’s previous eatery, Live Oak BBQ. The fact that they would think […]

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September 20, 2016

Recipe #5: Dirty Shells

After being inspired by Irene’s mac and cheese, deemed “dirty shells,” I knew I had to make my own version of it. These were the most cheesy, warm, and gooey shells that you can’t help but love. It is surprisingly easy to make! I also used protein packed elbow noodles to make it macro friendly. […]

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August 17, 2016

Restaurant Review: Chi’lantro

We all love the feeling of eating a healthy, nutritious meal, but sometimes finding one that tastes decent is a struggle. What I love about Chi’lantro, and why I wanted to spotlight them on my blog, is that they totally understand the blend of health + nutrition! And that they are much more than just […]

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