This week, Austin's food scene is obsessed with cocktails. Who can blame us? Not everything here is about cocktails — consider saying goodbye to a successful, longtime restaurant downtown or trying powerful chef collabs — but everything that is about cocktails also comes with some food recs or non-alcoholic options. Happy pairing!

Openings and closings

Readers may already know that Stella San Jac is in its final days. Here's the last call: Stella’s Last Bash is happening June 22 at 5 pm. There will be passed hors d'oeuvres, a Bourbon & Biscuits Bar, and live music by Nick Swift from 6-8 pm. The restaurant recommends making a reservation. Guests will also receive a voucher for the restaurant that's replacing Stella, a new seafood concept called Skipjack Oyster.

On June 30, Irish pub the Dead Rabbit is sticking to its heritage but taking to the sea with a new pop-up. Named after Irish explorer Grace O’Malley (the pub opts for "explorer" over "pirate"), Bald Grace will bring some nautical and island decor along with some special menu items: Irish Coffee Grog with Teeling Whiskey, Guinness, and buttered coffee; a sharable Scorpion Bowl; jerk chicken spice bags with escovitch and curry sauce; and chilled cantaloupe soup with honey crème fraîche and mint.

ICYMI: Since last week, we learned about a new barbecue outpost at Salty Sow, headed by the pit boss of barbecue trailer Waylon J's. Called Smoke Break, it will operate during the lunch hours when Salty Sow is closed. We also heard that New Braunfels is getting a new hotel with a Tex-Mex restaurant by celebrity chef Tim Love, who leads Austin's Lonesome Dove Bistro and is very involved in Austin's Food and Wine Festival. The restaurant will be called Paloma Suerte. Finally, Northern Italian restaurant Juniper is staying open, but will undergo renovations to add a new lounge. It'll also have a new executive chef in Sterling Ridings.

Other news and notes

One of Austin's most popular speakeasies, Midnight Cowboy, has debuted a creative new menu somewhat loosely on the Rider–Waite Tarot, which is seen by many as the default tarot deck. Guests can choose from 24 tarot-themed cocktails and three classic "Midnight Mainstays." Fans of the mysterious theme can pick according to fortune, with short divinings paired with each cocktail; or they can go with whatever sounds the best, browsing unexpected ingredients including pistachio, grapefruit shrub, and applewood smoke. (There is also a healthy selection of non-alcoholic drinks mixed in.) Finally, guests looking for dinner party inspiration or coffee table decor can take home one of the illustrated hardcover menus for $25.

The Homunculi lights the way with a frothy top layer.Photo by Brianna Caleri

Market eatery Walton’s Fancy and Staple has new pizzas, summer cocktails, and extended evening hours. The pizza menu now includes pepperoni, margherita, spinach and artichoke, sausage and ricotta, and truffle recipes, all available from 3-7 pm. There's also a seasonal happy hour underway from Thursdays through Saturdays, 3-5 pm, and the extended hours mean in addition to being open daily from 7 am to 4 pm, Walton's is now open until 7 pm Thursdays through Saturdays.

Commodore Perry Estate is celebrating its fifth anniversary throughout June with limited-edition cocktail The Southside Sapphire. The name nods to the traditional fifth anniversary material, sapphire, and the blue coupe glass it's served in reinforces the theme. It combines No.3 Gin, fresh lime juice, sugar, and mint. This cocktail is only a tiny example of how the estate celebrates special occasions, but its initiatives are often reserved only for hotel guests, so this is a low-key and somewhat rare nudge for locals to get out to one of Texas' most consistently lauded hotels and garden restaurant.

Hestia, Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group's fine dining concept in Austin, has invited Michelin-recognized friends from around Texas to show off their work in the Lonestar Guest Chef Series. So far only Austin-area chefs have been announced, but a press release says more are coming. The first three guests are Evan Leroy of Leroy & Lewis on Wednesday, June 25; Kevin Cannon of Barley Swine on Tuesday, July 22; and Amanda Turner of Olamaie on Tuesday, August 19. Guests can reserve anytime from 5:30-10 pm via OpenTable.