Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of Austin’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings

One of Austin’s favorite coffee shops, Jo’s, is expanding south for the first time rather than north, beyond its iconic South Congress location. The cafe already has additional locations downtown, on campus, on Red River Street, and at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but this new location will service the corner of Menchaca Road and Stassney Lane (5532 Menchaca Road). The brand announced the expansion on social media, but has not offered any further information about the building or menu. The South Congress location is also hosting its 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off on February 5 at Hotel San José, with both professional and amateur chefs, live music, a raffle, and more. Tickets ($25) available day-of.

Other news and notes

Warm cookies are a mindset as much as a perfect snack, and Tiff’s Treats is celebrating its 24th birthday with a discreet way to keep that feeling close to the chest. An exclusive collection withKendra Scott — who recently passed her own 20-year milestone — represents the blue-ribboned box in necklace form. With only 1,000 pieces, the limited edition collection features a bow-shaped charm embellished with blue crystals and is available through Tiff’s online delivery. Customers can also sign up for the “Birthday Guest List” for daily prize drawings and a virtual gift bag.

Peoples Rx, a more than 40-year-old pharmacy chain that sells gourmet treats, is celebrating National Gluten-free Day on January 13 with gluten-free chocolate croissants by Austin's Dream Bakery. This is a permanent addition to the menu, which includes other gluten-free snacks like cold-pressed juices, chia seed pudding, and several salads. Dream Bakery closed its doors in August, but is still selling treats through resellers, farmers markets, and pop-ups.

Austinites tired of their go-to meats can find something more niche at Perry’s Restaurants, with off-menu features until spring. The turtle gumbo at Perry's Steakhouse is the obvious choice for something a little more adventurous, mixing Louisiana turtle and Perry’s homemade Polish sausage in a gluten-free stew. Diners at Perry's can also order Lobster Thermidor, while guests at Carve American Grille enjoy salmon cakes and a hearty chicken soup.

In the midst of Austin's temperate winter, things are going to get a little Nordic. Sister restauants Kalimotxo and Hestia are hosting chefs Atli Mar Ynngvason of Katla and Halaigh Whelan McManus of Bar Amour, both from Oslo, for a dinner series on January 15 and 16. The former dinner at Kalimotxo will be more casual, with à la carte dishes fusing Basque and Norwegian styles. The latter at Hestia will welcome 45 guests for a tasting menu ($225 per person before wine pairings) featuring ingredients sourced from Texas and Norway. Reserve on OpenTable.

New year, new cupcakes, new way to be a great guest at a Lunar New Year celebration. Sprinkles, a national cupcake chain with vending machines at The Domain (plus a full bake shop) and Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, is offering a limited-edition cupcake to celebrate from January 16-29. In partnership with Gold House, an advocacy organization for Asian and Pacific Islanders, the "Gold Bunny Almond Red Velvet Cupcake" delivers all those flavors in a red box with envelopes to give traditional cash gifts. Find a location at sprinkles.com.