1. Blenders & Bowls, an acai cafe that got its start as a food truck, opened its fifth brick-and-mortar location Feb. 13 at 4200 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 110, Austin, in the space previously occupied by Jugo. The cafe was founded in 2010 by local owners Kara Jordan and Erin Thompson. 512-551-3449. www.blendersandbowls.com
2. Velvet Taco opened its second Austin location on Feb. 24 at 522 Congress Ave., Ste. 100. The Dallas-based taco chain has 14 locations in four states, including an existing spot at the Domain. 512-298-5223. www.velvettaco.com
3. Punch Bowl Social opened Dec. 14 at 522 Congress Ave., Austin, in the space previously occupied by Brooks Brothers. The Denver-based restaurant and entertainment chain with pingpong, darts, an arcade and karaoke also has an Austin location at the Domain. 512-549-8937. www.punchbowlsocial.com
4. Taquero Mucho, a taqueria from the team behind Gabriela’s Downtown, opened Jan. 28 at 508 West Ave., Austin, in the space previously occupied by Frank and Angie’s. 512-520-5646. www.facebook.com/taqueromuchoaustin
5. 33 Tigers, a permanent location of the local dinner club series by the same name, opened Feb. 14 at 421 E. Sixth St., Ste. C, Austin. The venue hosts weekly multicourse BYOB dinner parties, specializing in Indian-Texas cuisine. www.33tigers.club
6. Restaurant and beer garden Bouldin Acres opened Jan. 23 at 2027 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin. The new spot also offers games, live music, pickleball and other events in a family- and pet-friendly setting. Matt Carter, who is also involved in East Austin barbecue restaurant EastSide Tavern, is a co-owner. www.bouldinacres.com
7. Whataburger opened a new location at 1616 E. Oltorf St., Austin, on Jan. 21. The restaurant design will feature outdoor patio seating, a dining area to seat 100, digital menus, and recycling and compost bins. This is the burger chain’s 19th restaurant in Austin. www.whataburger.com
8. Simon’s Burger Stand opened Jan. 31 at 4507 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin. The drive-thru restaurant serves meat, chicken and pork burgers as well as breakfast tacos. www.instagram.com/ simonsburgerstand
9. LoLo, a natural wine bar and bottle shop, opened Feb. 7 at 1504 E. Sixth St., Austin. The location exclusively serves natural wines, which are broadly grape juice fermented without additives, and it is owned by Christian Moses, Adam Wills, Charles Ferraro and Matt Bowman. Moses and Ferraro co-founded and co-own Hotel Vegas and Volstead. www.lolo.wine
10. Local gelateria Dolce Neve opened a location at 1109 E. Fifth St., Ste. 170, Austin, on Jan. 21 in the Saltillo development. Siblings Marco and Francesca Silvestrini, along with Francesca’s fiance, Leopoldo Ferrarese, opened their first location on South First Street in 2014, followed by a second location in Houston. 512-551-3921. www.dolcenevegelato.com
11. Reunion 19, a Mexican restaurant offering a Los Angeles twist on tacos, opened Feb. 14 at 1700 E. Second St., Austin, in the space previously occupied by Gotham. It is owned by chefs Christopher Haydostian and Esdras Ochoa, mixologist Daniel Eun and Charlie Tsai. 512-455-8226. www.reunion19atx.com
