By Edmond Ortiz
The latest round of San Antonio-area culinary news includes the return of a famed Southtown eatery, a new Asian seafood spot on the far West Side, a new burger joint in Comfort, the closure of a popular North Side Chinese restaurant, and the roll out of a downtown library-themed lounge.
Also, a number of multi-course Thanksgiving week meals are in the works around town.
Now open
Storm Crab Seafood and Bar
Storm Crab hosted a Nov. 9 grand opening at the Shaenfield Ranch Center retail venue on the far West Side.
Storm Crab offers a variety of fried or boiled seafood, including a range of seafood boil combo meals. The restaurant also offers fried rice, soups, salads, appetizers such as oysters, fried alligator and chicken wings, and a children’s menu.
Lunch specials include fried basket items, such as shrimp or catfish, accompanied by Cajun fries, as well as fried rice meals and po’boy sandwiches.
Storm Crab also has desserts, regular beverages, a full bar, and a dance floor. Discounts are available for senior citizens and military members. A happy hour is offered 2-5 p.m. weekdays with a $29.99 all-you-can-eat seafood boil.
7915 W. Loop 1604 N. Open 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 11:30 a.m.-midnight Fri. and Sat. (210-476-5023)
King William Wine Co, Bar and Moon Bistro
A new wine bar was slated Nov. 14 at the Blue Star Arts Complex. King William Wine Co. will have a full dinner menu. featuring slow-cooked, chef-crafted European comfort food , Old World wines and rare finds, a a full bar with classic cocktails, and retail items for wine fans.
King William Wine Co. will also offer private wine lockers and exclusive memberships, events and tastings.
1420 S. Alamo St., Suite C102. Open 5:30-10 p.m. Thu., 5:30 p.m.-midnight Fri., and 5:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. (210-600-9033)
The Toasted Yolk
The Texas-based brunch chain will offer pre-opening brunch parties the weekend of Nov. 14 ahead of a Nov. 17 grand opening for its first San Antonio location, on the far West Side.
The Toasted Yolk offers various breakfast items including Nashville hot chicken and waffles, a range of sandwiches, omelets and scrambles, as well as Benedict Arnolds – simply dubbed Arnolds here – and shareables such as fried banana peppers and churro-style donuts.
Different types of salads and sandwiches dominate the lunch menu. Beverages include coffees, green tea energizers, mimosas, cocktails, wine and beer.
The pre-opening parties will include a complimentary entrée, and will benefit local charities Communities In Schools of San Antonio and Soldiers’ Angels. Reservations for either party can be made at this link.
911 N. Hunt Lane, Suite 108. Open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. daily. (210-888-2222)
Feast
Chef Andrew Goodman’s once-buzzy Southtown restaurant has returned – at least for the holiday season. Nearly six years since its closure, Feast has taken over its sister restaurant, Battalion, through Dec. 31.
Diners began enjoying Feast’s offerings, such as ground lamb kebabs, green Harissa mussels, pork belly lettuce wraps, lobster toast, chermoula spiced chicken and royalty-inspired craft cocktails, on Nov. 5.
Goodman founded Feast alongside chef Stefan Bowers during the 2010s; they also founded Battalion, which has been housed in a former fire station. Goodman said in a news release that many fans of Feast have for years kept asking him if it would ever come back.
“Instead of re-opening Feast, I have decided to have a Feast take-over at Battalion. A menu take-over allows an established restaurant to experiment with new menus and concepts,” he said in a statement.
606 S. Alamo St. Open 5-10 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 5-11 p.m. Fri. and Sat., and 5-9 p.m. Sun. (210-816-0088)
The Library Cocktail Lounge
The recently launched upscale bar offers the look of a library with a speakeasy atmosphere under the historic Maverick Hotel.
The Library features a variety of beers, seltzers, signature and traditional cocktails, wine, champagne, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks, such as chips, cookies and candy.
The Library has daily happy hour specials until 7 p.m., and a book-filled space that is available to rent for small private gatherings. Additionally, The Library is a short walk from The Riot Riverwalk, a comedy club.
606 N. Presa St., Suite LL 102. Open 4-11 p.m. Mon.-Wed., 4 p.m.-midnight Thu., 3 p.m.-midnight Fri. and Sat., and 4-10 p.m. Sun. (210-255-1115)
Max’s Sister
Chef Andrew Weissman formally opened the doors to his newest restaurant, which now resides at Alon Town Centre, in the former north central location of The Hayden.
Max’s Sister started taking reservations Nov. 3, with menu offerings such as chicken fried steak with potatoes mousseline, Max’s beef tallow patty melt with Swiss cheese and caramelized onions, wild mushroom agnolotti, Moshe’s pot of mussels with tarragon chardonnay sauce, and chocolate caramel mousse tart.
Diners are asked to email aweissmanrestgroup@gmail.com with a textable phone number in order to reserve seating.
10003 NW Military Hwy., Suite 2115. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon.-Thu., 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.
Cape Bottle Room
Austin-based Cape Bottle Room, which is uniquely dedicated to South African wines, opened its second location at Pearl on Nov. 7.
Visitors may enjoy tastings, wine flights, and shareable South African-inspired plates.
1803 Broadway St., Suite108.
IHOP Grill and Bar Restaurant
Windcrest is the newest local setting for the IHOP/Applebee’s hybrid concept that offers classic meals from each famed restaurant chain under one roof, albeit in distinctive different dining areas.
While IHOP’s area features its traditional breakfast or breakfast-all-day offerings, the Applebee’s area provides its casual dining favorites and alcoholic beverages. The eatery offers free WiFi, and to-go and delivery service.
7880 I-35 N., Windcrest. Open 6 a.m.-midnight daily. (210-263-9068)
Knew Knew Friends Disco and Cocktail Club
A Nov. 8 grand opening was held for one of downtown’s newest bars, which is a throwback to the disco-era. Knew Knew features craft cocktails, and classic bar grub, such as pizza, wings and Wagyu hot dogs.
270 Losoya St. Open 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Wed.-Sun.
South Barbecue
Popular pitmaster Andrew Samia recently resurrected South Barbecue in a former Monte Vista neighborhood service station. Formerly of Dignowity Meats, Samia had run South Barbecue – branded South BBQ – on Mission Road on the South Side since 2018. He closed that location last winter.
In the new Midtown location, South Barbecue serves up barbecue plates, sandwiches using Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls and Bread, barbecue tacos, pulled pork nachos, as well as a soon-to-be-released signature cheeseburger.
Samia and his team use post oak to smoke brisket, pulled pork, turkey breast, pork ribs and sausage. Homestyle sides include creamed elote, borracho beans, mustard potato salad, and vinegar slaw.
2100 N. Main Ave. (210-757-3855)
Besitos Café
A Nov. 1 grand opening was held for Besitos Café, a family-owned South Side spot that offers breakfast and lunch items such as breakfast tortas, chilaquiles verde, tres leches French toast or pancakes, pizza quesadillas, Mexican hot dogs, and chalupa compuesta.
Created by Devin Marie Morin and Eduardo Morin, the restaurant also has a range of tacos, desserts, and coffee drinks.
1123 Nogalitos St., Suite 1. Open 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. (210-254-9215)
CommonWealth Coffeehouse and Bistro
The local coffee chain opened its fifth location, this time in Stone Oak, on Nov. 12. CommonWealth offers a range of French-inspired, fresh-baked pastries, breakfast and lunch meals, and coffee and tea drinks.
The Stone Oak location is operating at the former Trilogy Burger Bistro space in the Alta Vista retail center.
20079 Stone Oak Pkwy., Suite 3100. Open 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
Both Hands Burger Bar
Located in downtown Comfort, Both Hands began a soft opening period in early November. The new burger joint specializes in 100% Texas wagyu beer on large pretzel buns.
Signature burgers include the Benchmark, with pickled onions, lettuce, tomato, and the Reaper, with Carolina Reaper jam, creamy bacon, shishito peppers, and cream cheese. Both Hands also has a full bar with wine and draft beer.
According to the owners via social media, as Both Hands is still in a soft opening, hours of operation do vary. Currently, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16.
713 High St., Comfort.
Burger Factory
The no-frills burger spot recently opened in early November in the Shearer Hills/Ridgeview neighborhood. The menu features classic regular burgers, cheeseburgers, and double cheese and triple cheese burgers. All burgers come only with grilled onions, mustard, and a side of pickles.
Burger Factory also offers crispy chicken sandwiches, classic hot dogs, and Coney dogs. Sides include fries, chili cheese fries, mozzarella sticks, onion rings, chicken tenders, jalapeno poppers, and fried okra. There are also three flavors of milkshakes.
6900 San Pedro Ave. (210-236-9704)
Darkside Afterdark
Darkside Brick Oven Pizza Co. in Boerne opened Darkside Afterdark on Nov. 13. It is a new bar that sits on the same property as the pizzeria, just a few yards away from the restaurant building.
While the main restaurant bears a retro vibe with decorations and displays paying homage to “Star Wars,” “Jaws” and other renowned movies, Darkside Afterdark pays tribute to the “Predator” films. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and the bar offers acoustic musical acts.
25 Truss Drive, Boerne
Now closed
Dashi Chinese Kitchen and Bar
Kristina Zhao and Brandon La Lanne, owners of Dashi and Sichuan House, announced on Nov. 7 via social media that their popular north central San Antonio eatery had shuttered at 2895 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
The owners did not offer a reason for Dashi’s closure, but they took the opportunity to thank their employees, partners, customers and other supporters.
Zhao and La Lanne did also urge fans to continue supporting their flagship restaurant, Sichuan House, whose 10th anniversary they recently celebrated.
According to Zhao and La Lanne, employees at Dashi were offered opportunities at Sichuan House and elsewhere.
“While the physical location of Dashi is closing, the spirit of collaboration and creativity continues on. We are making the strategic decision to focus our resources on the concepts that will define our next decade,” the owners stated.
Zhao and La Lanne also stated they are “energized” by their new space, Southtown Garden and Event Space at 1127 S. St. Mary’s St.
Formerly Ivy Hall, next door to the now-closed Good Kind restaurant, the Southtown Garden and Event Space will be a center for community gatherings, private celebrations, and activities for the owners’ nonprofit, the Ciao and Zen Collective.
“It is here that Dashi’s spirit of global connection and collaboration truly evolves, as we build cultural bridges through the culinary arts,” Zhao and La Lanne stated.
Closing soon
Peggy’s on the Green
The current location of chef Mark Bohanan’s popular Southern-inspired restaurant at The Kendall Inn will permanently close Nov. 30 after nearly 10 years of service.
According to a Nov. 6 social media post by company representatives, the Jauregui Holdings LLC and Innjoy Hospitality, the entities that purchased The Kendall Inn in summer 2024, plan to bring their food and beverage operations in-house.
However, restaurant representatives indicated that Peggy’s might relocate or Bohanan may offer a new culinary concept elsewhere in the Hill Country.
“We will continue to explore ways to share the same warm hospitality and elevated cuisine our Boerne and Hill Country neighbors have come to love,” Peggy’s representatives stated.
Special events
‘Autumn feast’ fundraiser set at Bakery Lorraine
Bakery Lorraine at Pearl will host a five-course family-style dinner crafted by Chef J’xong Harris and Chef Jenn Reisman to benefit the San Antonio Food Bank.
“Festin d’Automne” (Autumn Feast) will start at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. The menu will include:
*Butternut squash and sage arancini with roasted pepper aioli
*Roasted carrot and ginger soup with maple crème fraîche
*Applewood baked trout with creamy mashed potatoes
*Braised short rib with root vegetables and parsnip purée
*Apple tarte tatin with aged gouda and blackberry cassis jam
Diners are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or new toys for donation. Tickets are $90 per person or $125 with a wine pairing.
Ambler hosts Thanksgiving supper
Ambler at Hotel Contessa will offer a three-course, prix fixe Thanksgiving Day meal.
The dinner will be available from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and include seasonal starters, spice-rubbed turkey, Texas Akaushi prime rib, glazed ham, salmon and traditional sides, and a selection of pies or apple strudel.
The cost is $85 is per person; reservations can be made through this link.
Isidore, Leche de Tigre team up on Anthology dinner
Isidore‘s Anthology Dinner Series returns Nov. 20, featuring James Beard Award nominee Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre in an event where the meals will be inspired by Texas’s coastal landscapes.
According to a press release, the Anthology Dinner Series presents collaborative dinners that celebrate the connection between land and sea. Guests will enjoy a menu that blends seasonal, Gulf-inspired flavors and Oliva’s Peruvian coastal roots.
The dinner will be offered 5-10 p.m. at 221 Newell Ave. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
