Not Austin transporting me through the diaspora without a plane ticket

recap of Chef Erik Trotman's pop-up dinner; a grand opening of a Bed-Stuy based Black lesbian bookstore/wine bar; and Black people doing great shit as per usual

Hey cousins, Tye here

If you’re based in the NY Tri-state area, I hope you stepped outside and had some fun for me since I spent my Labor Day weekend in Austin — not in a sea of melanin set against the backdrop of soca music and bacchanal. The closest I got to my ‘typical’ Labor Day festivities, was the dinner I attended to kick of the weekend.

Last week I had the pleasure of dining at Codependent, where Chef Erik Trotman, executive chef at Canje, ran a pop-up that felt less like a menu and more like a passport through flavor. Each dish and drink had a story, weaving West African roots with Southern comfort and global techniques, creating a dining experience that was thoughtful, layered, and unforgettable.

We began with the Chilled Senegalese-Spiced Oysters. The brine of the oyster met the tangy, smoky, and creamy notes in a way that was bright but never overpowering. The foam-like texture was a pleasant surprise and proved to be a refreshing and elegant start.

Next came the Jollof Arancini. Yes, jollof. The crispy, golden bites ball cracked open to reveal the familiar warmth of jollof rice, reimagined. Paired with a fermented scotch bonnet aioli and tomato greens, it had just enough heat to keep each bite exciting without losing its comforting soul.

The standout of the night for me was the Coffee-Rubbed Brisket. The smoky, tender beef practically melted at the touch of a fork, seasoned with roasted okra seed “coffee” spice that added a nutty depth. The chipotle pique criollo brought heat and brightness, while the house giardiniera relish cut through with a perfect tang. It was layered, bold, and deeply satisfying. Everything I want in a main dish.

For dessert, the Sweet Plantain Pound Cake arrived as both familiar and surprising. It actually made me miss Creme and Cocoa creamery. The sponge cake and ice cream combo was tropical and indulgent without being heavy making for a sweet finish that still had me thinking about it hours later.

The cocktail menu was just as inventive as the food. While each drink was beautifully balanced, my favorite by far was the Café Caribbean. It was complex yet smooth, built on Flor De Caña 12 fat-washed with brown butter. It was dessert in a glass, but sophisticated. The kind of drink you linger with, savoring every layer.

Chef Trotman’s menu at Codependent was more than just dinner. It was a conversation between cultures, spices, and memories. Even though Austin doesn’t have an abundance of Black-owned brick and mortar food options, I’m glad to see that chefs like Erik Trotman are committed to this kind of culinary storytelling happening in real time, and I can’t wait to see what he does next!

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Support a Black-owned opening

If you’re in NYC, please make plans to show support to Gladys Books & Wine during their Grand Opening. You can find more information about their grand opening and respective RSVP links (the bklyn tea hours require a RSVP) at their link in bio!

I can’t wait to stop by while I’m in town later this month!!

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Seen While Scrolling

I’ve been spending A LOT of time on substack. It’s easily become my favorite social media app. I saw this NJ-based community resource and figured I’d share in case you have people in NJ and can circulate this information. I would love to see this porta-shower concept across the country!

While I was on youtube, these popped up in my recommended video section on YouTube. I guess my algorithm is finally working.

Well that’s all for me, cousins. See you next month.