The restaurant at the Japanese Tea Garden in Brackenridge Park has reopened with new owners, giving visitors another reason to spend an afternoon enjoying the sunken rock gardens, koi ponds, and meandering paths of this former quarry. For decades the cafe was run by a catering company as a grab-and-go counter, but it’s now part of the Lawton restaurant group (also behind Cappy’s), with plans to expand both the venue and the menu. Currently the offerings lean more toward quick bites—buns, spring rolls, and sandwiches—with a few more substantial offerings, plus a menu of wine, beer, and sake cocktails. Cold noodle salad with cashews and edamame was perfect, as were the crispy gyoza dumplings (the spring rolls were just okay). A boba float with pineapple whip and coconut—a nondairy delight that sweetened the deal—and was big enough to share. Our favorite though was the Firecracker Shrimp, wonton-wrapped and deep-fried with spicy cream. We’ll be back to see how the space evolves—stay tuned.