News of the Black Iron Brothertons, of Michael Carranza and Danielle Martinez’s Tare, of Abby Jane and her Bakeshop, of Little Ola and King Cakes, of Tiffany Chen and Those New Cookies

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.

Tare brings the sushi-forward culinary flair of Michael Carranza and Danielle Martinez to North Austin (Photo by Courtesy of Couple in the Kitchen)

Yes, citizen, it’s your Austin Chronicle’s “Food News Buffet” for the third week of January 2024.

John Brotherton, pitmaster and owner of Pflugerville’s highly acclaimed Black Iron Barbecue (15608 Spring Hill Ln.), has died after suffering a “medical event” on January 4 – as reported by his son, Braeden Brotherton, on the popular joint’s Facebook page. Black Iron, though, will carry on the patriarch’s legacy: “This past Christmas, my dad made Bill Dumas, Bobby Holley, and Julia Daycock all part owners of the restaurant. Under their leadership we will continue serving and supporting our community and further beyond. He would never want us to stop just because he’s gone. The next few weeks may be a bit turbulent for the business as we try to regain our footing after losing such an integral part of not just my, but our entire staff’s family, but we will persevere. We have to. We will continue operations as normal; however, please be patient and kind to our staff as this is a very trying time for them as well.”

In much brighter news, Tare (12414 Alderbrook) – the first omakase in North Austin, we’re told – is open and taking reservations every Thursday through Sunday. Created by chef Michael Carranza and pastry chef Danielle Martinez, whose culinary backgrounds include Uchi, Musashino, and Minamoto. After seeing continued success of their private dinners and their gourmet food truck, Texas Sushiko, Carranza and Martinez have launched the upscale brick-and-mortar 12-seater to bring their excellent cuisine north of Research. “Throughout the 15-course omakase, guests will experience a blend of nigiri alongside a variety of hot and cold dishes.” And, talk about handcrafted, the venue’s handsome plates were also made by the chefs …

Abby Jane Bakeshop out in Dripping Springs – at 16604 Fitzhugh, to be precise – is celebrating its third birthday (Sat.-Sun., Jan. 20-21) with one of owner Abby Jane’s favorite foods: hot dogs. Expect a special menu of beef hot dogs with housemate buns, plus a mini-bundt-cake menu featuring sourdough carrot cake, chocolate vanilla marble cake, and cardamom cornmeal cake with strawberries, figs, and lemon-labneh whip. OMG, that last one, right? Can we get a couple of those delivered to the Chronicle offices sometime, Abby Jane? *bats eyelashes* Just, ah, mind any TxDOT demolitions in the vicinity …

Mardi Gras? This early? Yes, because Little Ola’s Biscuits (14735 Bratton) is already bringing a taste of New Orleans to Austin with their King Cakes – a yeasted brioche and lemon zest cake, filled with brown-sugar cream cheese and topped with a trio of glazes and white nonpareils sprinkles. The popular North Austin biscuit shop will have the cakes in store at limited quantities and for advanced ordering. Note: Each one is priced at $18 and will be available through Feb. 13. Orders can be placed … right here, baby!

WUXTRY! The warm-cookie-delivery wizards of Tiff’s Treats are celebrating a birthday of their own this month – 25 years, y’all! – and debuting two new treats: Birthday Confetti Cookies and a Chocolate Birthday Cake Bar. No laurels being rested on, the locally founded empire of confectionary yum continues to expand their offerings and their number of outlets across the nation …

Now eat as well as you can, tip like it’s going out of style, and, ah, don’t be afraid of any ch-ch-changes heading this way, okay?