Austin's food scene is buzzing with the opening of a new cheese tasting room by Antonelli's Cheese Shop, located at the Lamar Union complex on South Lamar Boulevard, joining a series of popular openings in the rapidly expanding South Austin district. Established as a beloved staple in Hyde Park, Antonelli's is known for offering an assortment of cheeses picked from local Texan to international selections, and while the new outpost won't stock cheeses for retail, it will operate as a collection spot for preordered cheese trays alongside hosting engaging cheese tastings and various educational food events.

Getting hands-on with no plans for in-store cheese sales the South Lamar space will cater to those seeking to elevate their dairy palate with hosted tasting classes and other curated culinary experiences, according to CultureMap. Remarkably, this comes after a cryptic marketing campaign last November, including a cheese-themed scavenger hunt that unveiled the location of the new tasting room, with the agenda to be more accessible to South Austin residents, further anchoring the Antonellis' commitment to building a community around high-quality cheese aimed at fostering food knowledge and appreciation.

In other flavorful news, CultureMap reports that Love&Cookies has opened its Austin doors on South Lamar, offering a variety of sweet treats with a side of community spirit, as a portion of proceeds aids other children impacted by Kawasaki Disease, reflecting the warm origins where family lies at the heart of its business. Amid the South Lamar buzz, the Asian-inspired Loro has expanded its reach by offering its standout barbecue fare nationwide in meal kits through Goldbelly, catering to far-flung fans of chefs Aaron Franklin and Tyson Cole's culinary craftsmanship with a promise of doorstep delivery and at-home smokehouse magic.

With a nod to culture and celebration, Thai New Year or Songkran is sparking themed offerings across Austin eateries, from the drunk noodles at Sway to the open-invite crawfish boil by Chef Jam Sanitchat at Thai Fresh, creating melodic opportunities for locals to partake in the joyous occasion. And as gastronomic adventures continue, Garbo's sister pop-up Shuck It gears up to educate Austinites on oysters, joining forces with Island Creek Oysters for a dinner series set to combine the finesse of high-end dining with a masterclass in mollusks, as stated in CultureMap's announcement of the exclusive April events with tickets secured through Eventbrite, adding to the city's rich tapestry of foodie experiences.