You're not tired yet, Austin, are you? South by Southwest has kept the city buzzing, but restaurants have been surprisingly easy to get into this week. If you're someone who gets a second wind toward the end (so much freedom on the horizon), here are some things to look forward to once Austin clears out.

Openings and closings

This one has been in the works since the end of 2022: On Pi Day, March 14, the popular Italian restaurant L'Oca d'Oro has opened a pizza spot called Bambino. This is the first time the team has branched out into another concept, so all bets are off for how much will carry over. It already seems to have a social conscience and a penchant for highlighting a few high-quality ingredients in creative, but streamlined ensembles. The menu includes 10 specialty pies, a diverse antipasti list, and some desserts like sugared pizza dough "nachos" and vanilla soft serve — the last of which is very hard to find in Texas compared to a classic New York pizzeria. Bambino is located at 979 Springdale Rd., Ste. 153. Operating hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 11 am to 10 pm, and Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 11 pm. An "apperitivo hour" (how Milanese!) will be held from 2-5 pm Tuesdays through Fridays.

Arriba Abajo, the Mexican restaurant replacing the formerly Mediterranean party spot Wax Myrtle's on the rooftop deck at the Thompson Austin hotel, is in a soft opening phase. It'll hold an official grand opening sometime in May. The space is as beautiful as ever after the renovation, if not even more so. The dishes start with casual ideas, but are elevated to a fanciness befitting a hotel rooftop; Some menu items include Wagyu barbacoa taquitos and lobster quesadilla "pizza." The pièce de résistance is a mezcal tasting room, but it sounds like folks will have to wait until May to see it.

Austin drive-through heroP. Terry’s is now up to 32 locations. The newest is in East Austin (2425 E. 7th St.), about halfway in between Joe's Bakery and Coffee Shop and H-E-B. Like the other locations, this one will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night eats. Hours are 7 am to midnight Mondays through Thursdays, 7 am to 3 am Fridays, 8 am to 3 am Saturdays, and 8 am to midnight Sundays. The classic menu offers burgers, veggie burgers, fries, chicken patties, cage free eggs, and scratch-made sweet bakes.

ICYMI: We skipped last week's food news to prepare for SXSW, so here's a longer run-down than usual. A new omakase restaurant in Central Austin, called Endo, is leaning into the tradition of sushi making. It promises "meticulous" dishes at the 10-seat sushi bar. It's time to meet our judge's picks for the Tastemaker Awards categories for best bars and patios; There are 18 in total. Speaking of bars, we heard news that Emmer & Rye Group is shuffling around some properties, but it's all positive news. Kalimotxo is moving to East 6th Street, and being replaced by a new concept, simply called Hestia Bar. Finally, a new restaurant called Mexta is bringing some Mexican hospitality heavyweights to a gorgeous space on 6th and Congress.

Other news and notes

Good news for those who were fretting while reading about the replacement of Wax Myrtle's. Although the restaurant is still no more, Chef Nicholas Erven has moved on to a new Austin venture. Guests can now enjoy his work at Summer House on Music Lane, the airy restaurant at funky Hotel Magdalena. As executive chef, he'll also be overseeing food at Magdalena Bar and Equipment Room, the pool and vinyl listening bars, respectively. Erven has also had key roles at Aba and Perla's.

If folks with dairy-free diets are feeling FOMO about the soft serve we mentioned, they can stop by Foxtrot on South 1st to try some coconut-based soft serve. The limited-time treat is made by Cosmic Bliss and will be served in partnership with the gourmet food market for an unspecified time that has already begun. It'll come in one flavor, but in a variety of recipes: an affogato; a chocolate sundae with espresso and halva (tahini and sugar) crumble; topped with rainbow boba and citrus hibiscus tea glaze; or as a build-your-own option.

Yellowbird, the Austin-based hot sauce that's great at branding and is often giving away samples around town, is taking over the Peached Tortilla for a brunch to close out SXSW on March 16 and 17. There are some special items on the menu, aside from the usual: a hot chicken sandwich with Yellowbird chili sauce, creamy apple saw, and Japanese sesame pickles on a Slow Dough potato bun; a hash with yellow onion, shiitake mushrooms, red bell pepper, pasture-raised egg, and Yellowbird Plum Reaper crema; and a Bloody Mary using Yellowbird's habañero mix. Reservations are recommended. Yellowbird will also be giving away some merch.