The Austin food scene is set to welcome two new Italian-inspired joints, adding a dash of Northeastern Americana and a twist of Italian flair to the local dining roster; Casa Bianca, an Italian-American restaurant with an imaginative service model and Bambino, an East Austin pizzeria with a playful spirit are gearing up to tantalize taste buds in the Texas capital.

Casa Bianca, which takes over the old Eastside Tavern space at 1510 E. Cesar Chavez St., is slated for a soft opening on April 12, according to CultureMap Austin, the new venture by Joseph Zoccoli and Richard Thomas promises a diverse range of dining experiences from rooftop casual to a more intricate 10-course meal, and the offerings are just as varied with raw bar selections, handmade pasta, and vegetable-forward plates.

Fresh out of the oven and ready for East Austin is Bambino, the brainchild of L’Oca d’Oro founders Adam Orman and Fiore Tedesco, who are known for their pivot to community feeding and equitable work practices during the pandemic; now, they're bringing their magic to pizzas with a plethora of pies including the fermentation-perfected "Rosso" or the inventive "Coppa Cabana", opening its doors on Thursday, as detailed in the Austin American Statesman.

On top of Italian-American delights, Casa Bianca, with its duo at the helm, will feature Japanese and Texan nuances in a space described as “a modern Texan take on art deco design,” as per CultureMap Austin; meanwhile, Bambino weaves '80s nostalgia with a mature aesthetic and places a premium on community-building through rotating guest chef events, continuing a tradition from L’Oca d’Oro, the partners’ acclaimed first establishment.