ATX-CTA: Impact 7/9/2026

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Juliet Italian Kitchen brings casual dining to Austinites across the city

Juliet Italian Kitchen is serving up comfort cuisine with options for everyone. The company has helped shape the Austin dining scene for over a decade, expanding its reach from Barton Springs Road to The Arboretum in Northwest Austin.

The background: Husband-and-wife duo Donna and Dan Wilkins are long-time entrepreneurs. The couple are both engineers and previously owned separate tech-based businesses. When the time came for a new business venture, Dan Wilkins discovered a vacant building on Barton Springs Road that would later become the first Juliet Italian Kitchen, launching in July 2015.

Learn more: Donna and Dan Wilkins expanded the brand in 2020 to open another restaurant at The Arboretum, bringing familiar favorites closer to customers.

On the menu: The menu starts with a list of antipasti, including meatballs, caprese bruschetta and black truffle arancini. Juliet Italian Kitchen also has a selection of soups and salads, including a classic Caesar or caprese. Alongside starters are a range of hand-tossed pizzas, house-made pastas and entrees.

1500 Barton Springs Road, Austin; 10000 Research Blvd., Austin

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coming soon

Neko Yubu expands from Dallas to Austin with upcoming West Campus location

Neko Yubu, a Dallas-born Korean spot, is headed to Austin in August with a new West Campus location, according to Jenny Kim, the restaurant’s marketing director. Owners Dean Kim and Connor Park are planning for a soft opening Aug. 1-7 and a grand opening on Aug. 8.

On the menu: The restaurant serves up a selection of Korean and Japanese-inspired yubu, which are fried tofu skins stuffed with rice and different add-ins. Yubu can be made with egg salad, butter crab, grilled spicy pork, fresh salmon and fresh tuna. Sides include miso soup and tteokbokki, made with chewy rice cakes and fish cakes.

Learn more: Neko Yubu’s second location will include a sit-down section for patrons to enjoy their meals in-house, according to a social media post.

The context: Neko Yubu initially opened in Dallas in April 2025, according to Jenny Kim. The restaurant’s team decided to expand to Austin after requests from the community.

1910 Guadalupe St., Austin

Your Weekend To-Do List

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

Disney's The Little Mermaid

Friday Night Flix: Dive-In Movie: “Jaws”

July 10-25, 7:30 p.m.
San Marcos

July 10, dusk
Cedar Park

More info

Round Rock Wine Fest

Buda’s Summer Musical

July 11, noon-6 p.m.
Round Rock

July 11-26, 8-10 p.m.
Buda

More info

To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas

Don Huffines appointed as Texas comptroller

Former state Sen. Don Huffines was appointed as the Texas comptroller of public accounts, Gov. Greg Abbott announced July 2.

Huffines, a Dallas-area native with a bachelor's degree in business administration in finance from The University of Texas at Austin, will take over as the state's finance and budgeting officer from acting Comptroller Kelly Hancock. Huffines will officially begin his service Aug. 1.

Huffines defeated Hancock, who became acting comptroller one year ago, in the March Republican primary. He'll now face former state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt in the November general election for a four-year term.

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Elle Bent
Editor

Krista Box
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Good Morning, Central Austin!

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