Ng BMT’s Vietnamese Banh Mi Are Back, and More A.M. Intel

— Ng BMT, one of Austin’s favorite Vietnamese spots that shuttered late last year, is back. This time, it is partnering with Thai restaurant ChangThai in North Austin by offering a short banh mi menu, with plans to expand its offerings later. Ng was originally going to relocate, but that fell through.

— ELM beverage director Craig Collins offered some insight into impending downtown food hall Fareground's drink program, where visitors won't "have an issue getting a cocktail or beer at 11 a.m.,” as he told Imbibe.

— The Austin chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, the philanthropic-minded organization of women in the food and hospitality industry, welcomed new members this year, including Kome’s Kayo Asazu, Dai Due’s Abby Love, and South Congress Hotel’s Amanda Rockman.

— Barbecue trailer LeRoy and Lewis is issuing a multi-day spicy food challenge with free beer and ice cream to cool those tongues from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30. People who finish the hot dish of the day will get a $50 gift card and a hat from Specials include beef cheek sandwiches made with habanero kimchi, pepper-crusted brisket served with three different peppers, and burnt ends with honey and ghost chiles.

— All-hours spot 24 Diner is introducing a new weekday happy hour, where items like boozy milkshakes, chicken and waffle sliders, wine, and cocktails are $5 from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

— Bubble tea et al. chain Teapioca Lounge is opening its third Austin-area location up in the Arboretum in August. There's a fourth one pegged for Pflugerville, too.