Editor’s note: In this special edition of our weekly food news roundup, we highlight five exciting restaurant openings — and reopenings — in the Austin food scene.

Dovetail Pizza
This all-star collaboration from the teams behind Rosen’s Bagels, Salt & Time, Swedish Hill, and Lenoir — officially opened on November 30 at 1816 S. First St. The pizza project is all about delivering quality ingredients and getting out of their way. That means classic pizzas like cheese, pepperoni, and meat (with pepperoni, sausage, mortadella, and copa), as well as more adventurous ones with corn and hot peppers. Visitors are invited to create their own pizzas, and can select a gluten-free crust, or veer away from pizza entirely for some comfort-food pasta dishes. Dovetail is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 pm to midnight.

Homie Fries
The owners of grilled cheese project Burro Cheese Kitchen have committed to another perfect comfort food. Homie Fries, which some Austinites may recognize from a soft-launch at Austin City Limits Festival, will start serving up piles of browned potatoes smothered in cheese and other toppings on December 2 at its grand opening party from 4-7 pm. Anyone who brings “a homie” gets a buy-one-get-one deal, while everyone enjoys drinks by Ranch Rider and live music by Hunter Walkup. RSVP for free on Eventbrite. Homie Fries is located at 75 Rainey St. and is open four days a week: Thursday and Friday from 6 pm to 2:30 am, and weekends from noon to 2:30 am.

Daydreamer Coffee
If you’re not daydreaming in the coffee shop, it’s time to look at priorities. Honoring this worthy pastime, Daydreamer Coffee has opened a second Austin location on the corner of West 24th Street and Seton Avenue, with appropriately dreamy decor. The blue tiles, pink bar, and wicker seating brings beach resort vibes to the landlocked capital city. Visitors can look forward to a simple, but inclusive menu and bites from TacoDeli and Quacks, two local foodie spots with cult followings. It’s still just a daytime affair, open weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm, and weekends from 9 am to 3 pm.

Dog Haus Biergarten
Spending a weekend in the dog house is sounding pretty good right now. Dog Haus Biergarten, the California-based restaurant known for its gourmet hot dogs, is reopening its only brick-and-mortar Austin location in Four Points Centre at 7710 N FM 620, Suite 750. (There is also a ghost kitchen in town.) Daily specials from December 1-4 will kick off the new era with new owners, new daily specials, and a new happy hour menu featuring $5 pints, half-price wings, and family bundles among other deals. To celebrate, 15 percent of sales on December 1 and 2 will go to Keep Austin Fed, which works on alleviating food insecurity. Dog Haus is open every day from 11 am to 9 pm.

Via 313 Round Rock
Many Austinites cite Via 313 as their all-around favorite pizza spot, an unusual achievement for a deep-dish pizza restaurant. After a decade of converting new fans, Via 313 is expanding to an 11th location, in Round Rock (2111 N Interstate Highway, Suite 35), and it’s looking for a massive new team: 50-70 staff for front- and back-of-house positions. The restaurant’s locations are split between Austin, San Antonio, and Salt Lake City, and the Round Rock location is set to open on December 8. It will be open every day at 9 am, closing at 9 pm on Sundays, 10 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Other Austin dining news and notes

Suerte’s sister restaurant, Este, the newly opened Mexican restaurant dedicated to seafood and charcoal cooking, has launched a new happy hour for half off bottles of wine, oysters, and clams, plus 35 percent off seafood platters and towers. These deals take place from 5-6 pm every day. Reservations are available at esteatx.com.

Kitty Cohen's, the East Austin patio bar that practically carries the Jewish Austin cocktail experience, is inviting neighbors over to "Get Lit" for Hannukah. Throughout the month of December, the space will be decorated for the holiday while serving themed cocktails and bites with help from New Waterloo chef Amanda Rockman. Look out for menu items like “L’Chaim!” (Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey, Amaro Averna, and chai syrup) and shortbread cookies.

Every year, Ballet Austin invites another round of notable Austinites onstage during The Nutcracker as Mother Ginger, the matronly figure in a gigantic, rolling dress that children run out of in some of the most well-known choreography in all of ballet. This year, one such guest star is Mason Ayer, CEO of Kerbey Lane Cafe. The restaurant will celebrate the casting with the "Mother Ginger Swirl" pancake, made with gingerbread and cinnamon. This pancake of the month will be available through December.