This roundup of dining news around Fort Worth is like a buffet with many flavors: There’s a buzzy opening, a new Christmas menu, and a seasonal menu from a high-profile chef. There are winter beverages and a new opportunity to BYOB.

Here’s what’s happening in Fort Worth restaurant news:

Ishikawa Sushi And Grill is a buzzy new sushi spot in Saginaw, located at 1209 N. Saginaw Blvd. #F, in the former Taste of Asia space next to Albertsons, which opened in late November and is already earning huge raves for its great food and generous, hospitable staff. The restaurant doesn’t have much of an online presence — only a TikTok account so far — but their menu features sashimi platters and nearly two dozen sushi rolls such as California, spicy tuna, and shrimp tempura. They also have a trio of fried rice options (beef, chicken, and shrimp), plus hibachi, beef or chicken teriyaki, and udon noodles with tempura. Their lunch special featuring three sushi rolls for $16 is winning over fans in the neighborhood, as is the doting service.

Café Modern, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth’s signature restaurant, has debuted a seasonal menu under the guidance of Wolfgang Puck Catering and executive chef Jett Mora featuring comfort food with global influences. Highlights include autumn kale salad, whipped chèvre & figs, short rib eggs Benedict, Wolfgang Puck Catering’s signature chicken pot pie, and skillet cornbread.

Avoca Coffee Roasters has a new winter menu at all four DFW locations: Gingersnap Latte with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses; peppermint mocha with peppermint syrup and chocolate ganache; peppermint hot chocolate with peppermint syrup and chocolate ganache. The drinks will be available through February 20.

Bella Genta, the pizzeria and sandwich shop that opened in downtown FW in August 2024, is now BYOB: You can now bring your own wine or beer to pair with their focaccia, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and desserts — with no corkage fee, and no limits. The shop does authentic Italian with a fast-casual style, featuring their signature Pinsa Romana, which AI says is a modern Roman-style flatbread similar to pizza but with a dough made from wheat, rice, and soy flour. Their ultra-creative sandwiches on superior house-made bread have earned praise such as the veggie love with hummus, dried tomato, grilled vegetables, & chopped almonds; and the Early Autumn with gorgonzola, pears, walnuts, & honey. Focaccia pizzas include Eggplant Parmigiana with confit tomato and caponato; and Trentina with mozzarella, speck of Trentino, & Gorgonzola mousse. Intriguing desserts include a cake with layers of pistachio & ricotta; and sfogliatella — puff pastry with ricotta cheese & candied orange.

River’s Cocktail & Wine Bar, the cocktail and wine bar in the River District at 4850 White Settlement Rd. from the owners of The Local, is going all out for the holidays with decor and Christmas-themed cocktails including a peppermint martini, the Lil Debbie with vanilla vodka & rum chata, the North Pole Old Fashioned with marshmallow syrup, the White Xmas martini with Smirnoff vanilla, amaretto, & Bailey’s, the Mrs. Claus’ Holiday Spritz with Deep Eddy cranberry, prosecco, & Lille Rose, and a spiked hot chocolate, priced from $14 to $17. They also serve pizza from the acclaimed Son Of A Baker Pizzeria.

Nothing Bundt Cakes has two holiday flavors for December: Coconut Cream Snowflake, a coconut cake filled with vanilla pudding, topped with coconut, available in personal-sized Bundtlets from December 1-14; and Peppermint Chocolate Chip chocolate cake with chocolate chips and peppermint pieces, available in all sizes December 8-January 4.

Dave’s Hot Chicken, the chain from California, has launched a new core menu offering: Saucy Bites, featuring Dave’s Chicken Bites tossed in one of three sauces: Spicy Buffalo, Spicy BBQ, or Mike’s Hot Honey. They’re also debuting a Ranch dip and a spicy version called the Reaper Ranch.

Snooze, the buzzy brunch chain, has unveil a new lineup of holiday specials as follows: Sticky toffee buttermilk pancakes topped with pecan sticky toffee sauce, espresso-date mascarpone and candied orange zest; spiked peppermint hot chocolate with blanco tequila, coffee liqueur, and peppermint syrup; gingerbread latte with espresso, milk, gingerbread syrup, and a ginger snap cookie; caramel haze hot chocolate with hazelnut and caramel syrup; peppermint hot chocolate, and peppermint mocha hot with crushed peppermint.

Chili’s is bringing back a top-selling Margarita of the Month for December: the Merry Maker Marg for $6, with Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Monin Blackberry, strawberry puree, and house-made sour, served with a reusable Santa ‘stache straw.

Fish City Grill and Half Shells have rolled out a wave of new menu items upgraded oyster nachos with housemade chips, chargrilled oysters, moked troup dip, the omega bowl with salmon, Havarti-cheddar mac & cheese, Mediterranean sea bass, and Texas redfish.