In collaboration with Sweetbitter. Thank you for supporting the brands that support A Taste of Koko!
Photography by Ready Set Jet Set
Have you guys ever wanted to move to NYC and try to make it in the big city? I totally did when I graduated from college but I was too scared to. Based on the national, best-selling book of the same name, “Sweetbitter” is a forthcoming 6-episode, half-hour drama series from STARZ. Sweetbitter is about 20-something-year-old Tess that moves to NYC and lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant. She’s then immersed in the world of love, lust, drugs, alcohol, dive bars, and fine dining.
I attended the Starz Sensory House during SXSW to experience Sweetbitter through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
Table of Contents
SIGHT
First, we got mini manicures by the Austin-based Nails Y’all that feature five nail designs from Vida.
SMELL
We sampled a custom collection of scents designed by local perfume bar owner Krista Lacey of Roux Saint James that was inspired by four of the main characters in “Sweetbitter.” My favorite was the Jake scent with notes of cedar, cypriol, sandalwood, cypress, and rosewood.
TASTE
Obsessed with Sugarfina so I treated myself to the selection of alcohol-inspired sweets like champagne gummy bears, rosé roses, martini almond olives, and sugar lip gummies.
Six craft cocktails designed by Austin-based bartender Tracy Rowland and rosé from local Texas rosé maker, Dandy Rosé, were served at the bar. We dined on Spanish-style tapas – mini tostadas, Korean hangar steak kabobs, and bite-sized creme brûlées at the event.
SOUND
The DJ spun tracks on the back patio while we watched the preview of Sweetbitter – I can’t wait for the show to come out on May 6th!
TOUCH
The Starz Sensory House also printed t-shirts and totes for guests to take home. If you’re wondering why my shirt says “Fuck Brunch,” it’s because anyone that works in the hospitality industry like Tess in Sweetbitter doesn’t get to enjoy brunch on the weekends because they have to work brunch service.
Sweetbitter will be available on STARZ on May 6 and you can watch it on the STARZ app.
