In the push-pull of Austin spring, the days are unpredictable, but a good smashburger is always a good idea. Whether you're hitting the grill or looking for a cold boba tea, there's plenty to do and taste in the coming week.

Openings and closings

We could all use a little fluff in our lives, and Sweet Memes is now serving some in Round Rock. Known for its fluffy soufflé pancakes and stacked crepe cakes, this Asian bakery in Austin and Houston also serves a wide variety of sweet drinks, from fruity teas to elaborate coffee and boba concoctions. (It combines the latter two in the Vietnamese coffee with sea salt foam and coffee jelly.) The new spot is at 115 Sundance Pkwy. Ste. 390, and is open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. Online ordering hasn't caught up yet, so fans in Round Rock will have to go in person for now.

As promised, Casa Bianca has opened in the ex-Eastside Tavern space (1510 E. Cesar Chavez St.) on April 12. It's specifically devoted to Italian-American cuisine, and thanks to the past experience of executive chef Joseph Zoccoli, at Uchi, there's even some Japanese influence mixed in. Reservations for the main dining room are now open via Resy; The lower garden and rooftop bar are walk-in only. Operating hours to start are Wednesdays through Sundays from 4-10 pm.

ICYMI: CultureMap Austin finally wrapped up its 2024 Tastemaker Awards on April 11, with a sprawling party and tasting event for industry players and fans alike to mingle. See the winners, including Chef and Restaurant of the Year, here. New to the scene are two sister concepts in very different styles, sandwich shop Manny's and swanky cocktail lounge Powder Room. By the same team that recently brought Austinites retro dinerToasty Badger, these openings finish up their first round of promised offerings.

Other news and notes

Even when there's no eclipse, there's plenty to see in the Texas sky. If that celestial event lit a fire for Austinites, they're invited to follow that new interest at Otopia Rooftop Lounge for Global Astronomy Month. Adding to this scientific fantasy are two specialty solar cocktails: The Eclipse (Empress Indigo Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, bitters, and Luxardo Cherry) and the Black Sun (Captain Morgan Rum, Cointreau, cola, and a dehydrated orange slice). UT Austin’s Astronomy Department will receive 15 percent of sales from these drinks through the rest of the month.

Lazarus Brewing is a great place to enjoy a book and a brew in tandem, but it's even better to read with new beer-loving friends. This month, on April 23, the Lazarus book club is discussing award-winning novel The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen. Folks who sign up will get a discount from First Light Books. If that sounds like a lot of commitment in five days or less, aspiring book club members can register for the mailing list and wait for the next round.

Bar Toti, Este's more casual sister restaurant feet away, is celebrating its first anniversary on April 21 with a party from 5-10 pm. There will be live music including Spanish guitar, an outdoor bar, wine porróns (pitchers with a narrow spout), and a limited menu of specials. In its first year, Bar Toti's become best known for La Smashburguesa, a decadent burger by Chef Fermín Núñez wtih griddled ham, American cheese, chipotle mayo, and escabeche relish on a sesame bun. There is no more space for reservations, but walk-ins will still be accepted.

Anyone can appreciate a sundae, and vegans deserve to get in on the fun. Gati Ice Cream, made with coconut cream, will have two new flavors for a month starting April 25, thanks to a collaboration with Austin-based recipe creatorOlivia Adriance. Strawberry Shortcake will blend vanilla bean ice cream with strawberry jam and gluten-free and vegan biscuits; Salted Caramel Cookie Crumble threads salted caramel ribbons through salted caramel ice cream, with gluten-free chocolate cookies. Both come with their own toppings in a sundae form.

Feminist hospitality nonprofitLes Dames d'Escoffier Austin is bringing its popular outdoor cooking event You Grill Girl back to Franklin Barbecue on April 25. Women and non-binary chefs are getting together to show a different side of the industry than what's traditionally promoted; Even though non-male chefs have been excelling in Austin, most articles place the number of women chefs around a fifth to a quarter of the profession. Participating chefs include Abby Love, Sarah McIntosh, Laura Sawicki, Amanda Turner, and more, plus Franklin Barbecue's own Sarah Petmecky, Amie Brown, Theo Nesland. General admission tickets ($90) are still available via Eventbrite. VIP is sold out. Children 12 and under enter for free.