Here's some of what's happening in Austin's culinary scene, as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings. Yes, citizen, it’s your “Food News Buffet” for the third week of January, as this new year continues galloping along, much like all of us, toward its inevitable demise.

Here comes the beginning of a year whose months are moon cycles based on the lunar calendar. That means it’s time for joining the celebrations of the East Asian cultural sphere that honor the new moon that falls (or, you might say, rises) between Jan. 21-Feb. 20.

Sometimes you can tell a lot by the little things. Like how Van Halen had that “no brown M&Ms” rider in their contract, to be sure concert promoters had read the entire damned document and all the band’s complicated pyrotechnic needs would also be taken care of, right?

On Monday, the Good Food Foundation announced the 513 finalists for its national Good Food Awards. Among those 513 finalists are seven Austin-area food and drink purveyors, standing out from among nearly 2,000 submissions in 18 categories.

Here’s some of what's happening in Austin's culinary scene – as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.

Of course it’s tricky getting a reservation for chef Yoshi Okai’s 12-seat omakase experience at Otoko in the South Congress Hotel.

OK, we’ve had the opportunity to experience lodging and dining at a number of local hotels in the past year, and, yeah, we’ve already mentioned a few of them and their attractive amenities in one section or another of your Austin Chronicle. But now –

Many have whispered about the little pizzeria located inside a South Austin gas station, one that makes wood-fired pizzas so delicious whole pies were often consumed inside cars, too good to make the trip home.

Welcome to a whole new year, and here’s some of what's happening in Austin's culinary scene – as wrangled from numerous PR releases, words on the digital street, and even the occasional (verified) IRL eavesdroppings.