Lammes, which has returned online after closing earlier this year, has made its Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines from the same recipe since 1892. (Courtesy Lammes Candies/Dixie Dixon Photography)
A 141-year-old Austin candy maker is back in business, leading this month's dining news across the metro. Lammes Candies is taking holiday preorders under new ownership.
Elsewhere, Venezuelan favorite Arepitas reopens in a new Round Rock location, a vintage car showroom starts pouring coffee on South Lamar and a Comedor chef's walk-up kitchen opens inside a downtown bar. Smithville's Hope Floats is also set to return under its original owners.
Plus, in this month's feature, sushi lovers can grab a front-row seat to see handrolls made in Northwest Austin.
This downtown Smithville shop returned under its original owners following its Aug. 30 closure. Kalin “KK” Eskew, who took over Hope Floats in 2025, cited family and health needs. Original owners Regina and Ryan Blackmore plan to reopen the business as Hope Floats Ice Cream & Sweet Shop next door to its former location. Regina Blackmore said the new space is undergoing renovations and will offer ice cream, baked goods and coffee.
After closing for nearly a year, Venezuelan restaurant Arepitas reopened in a new location in Round Rock. The restaurant reopened in August. Arepitas first opened in 2021 and closed in November 2025. Arepitas offers Venezuelan cuisine such as empanadas, tostones and arepas, as well as a variety of tacos, sandwiches and burgers.
This coffee shop that doubles as a vintage car showroom opened on South Lamar Boulevard, according to an Instagram post from the business. The coffee bar is run by Second Wind Coffee Co., the first permanent concept from PourTwentyFour mobile bar service. The shop shares its space with Roadrunner Relics, an antique store on the same property.
This walk-up kitchen from chef Philip Speer of Comedor and Via 313 co-founder Brandon Hunt opened inside Lavaca Street Bar, according to an Instagram post from the business. The concept took over the former Turf N' Surf space and bills itself as "business casual bar fare." The menu features blue corn hush puppies, nachos, the Nobody's Cheeseburger, a fish sandwich and larger plates such as sticky baby back ribs.
A historic Austin candy maker founded in 1885 has resumed operations. Fort Worth-based Delightful Development Co. acquired the brand in partnership with the Lamme family and opened preorders on Sept. 29 for a limited run of classic treats, including Longhorns, Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines and Sherbet Mints. Nationwide shipping begins Nov. 1. There are currently no physical storefronts, but customers can expect Texas retailers and a full relaunch in spring 2027.
Yuki Handroll Bar offers an intimate, omakase-style Japanese dining experience, with handrolls made in front of guests at the bar.
The backstory
Owner Hyo Lim has about 15 years of restaurant experience across Houston, Dallas and Austin. He opened the first Yuki Handroll Bar with Chef Jun in Westlake in June 2023 and added a second location in Four Points the following year. The Four Points spot has extra hot dishes and classic sushi rolls for a more family-oriented crowd, Lim said.
Owner Hyo Lim and Chef Jun have a combined 20 years of experience in Japanese and Korean cuisine, according to the Yuki Handroll Bar website. (Katlynn Fox/Community Impact)
Lim describes Yuki as Austin's first handroll bar. It has no tables, only bar seating, so diners can watch their meal being prepared.
“Customers can take a look when we make it and they can enjoy our motion, movement [and] knife skills,” Lim said.
On the menu
Handrolls feature bluefin tuna, salmon and yellowtail, with fish shipped in three or more times a week from Japan, Korea, Mexico and Spain. The menu also includes nigiri, sashimi, sushi rolls and appetizers such as edamame and seaweed salad.
Yuki Handroll Bar serves handroll sets where patrons can order a selection of 3-6 rolls. (Courtesy Yuki Handroll Bar)
Lim said the restaurant is geared toward experienced sushi fans. He recommends that newcomers start with a cooked handroll, such as shrimp, crab or scallop. His own favorite nigiri is the yellowtail or the salmon belly.
