By Edmond Ortiz
This edition of Light Bites is highlighted by La Foccacia’s owner deciding not to retire, and the owner of Luce Ristorante deciding to hang up his apron for good.
Elsewhere, the far West Side has a new hot chicken eatery and a new bar with food options. Additionally, renowned local chef is rolling out a crawfish pop-up in the La Cantera area, and Universal City’s food truck park has a new addition.
NOW OPEN
Richie’s Hot Chicken
The Nashville-style local hot chicken restaurant, which has evolved from a food truck, is opening a second location, this time in Alamo Ranch.
The grand opening for the far West Side storefront begins at 11 a.m. Feb. 21. The first 30 guests will receive goodie bags and a chance to spin a prize wheel for giveaways.
The first brick-and-mortar Richie’s eatery opened in summer 2024 at the Huebner Road/Interstate 10 intersection. Richie’s offers chicken sandwiches, sliders, tenders, burritos, chicken and waffles, wings, fries topped with mac and cheese, alongside lemonade and milkshakes.
11310 Culebra Road. Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri. and Sat.
Broken Oak Bar and Grill
This new far West Side bar opened Jan. 25, offering traditional pub grub items, such as skillet queso and chips, burgers, nachos, chicken bites and pork belly bites, along with desserts such as cookie skillet, for lunch and dinner. Broken Oak also has live music and games, such as Music Bingo.
6511 W. Loop 1604 N.
Andale Food and Snacks
Universal City and Converse officials gathered Feb. 15 to ceremonially welcome Andale to the Screamin’ Chameleon food truck park and bar. Andale offers asada street tacos, quesadillas, hot dogs, corn in a cup, fries, nachos and pickles. Andale will be open 7-10 p.m. Fri., noon-10 p.m. Sat., and 12-7 p.m. Sun.
122 W. Lindbergh Blvd., Universal City
REOPEN
La Focaccia Italian Grill
La Focaccia, the venerable Southtown Italian restaurant, was slated to permanently close Jan. 31 after more than 30 years of doing business. Initial local media reports cited owner Luigi “Domenic” Ciccarelli’s intent to retire.
But the owners of the family-operated eatery have reversed course, and La Focaccia underwent a soft reopening Feb. 11. Follow-up reports at the time reflected the restaurant accepting reservations in time for Valentine’s Day weekend.
800 S. Alamo St. (210-223-5353)
OPENING SOON
Cava
The fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant is opening a new spot at Schertz Station, a growing, mixed-use, master-planned development. The Schertz Economic Development Corp. will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Feb. 25.
18406 I-35 N., Suite 300, Schertz
CLOSING
Luce Ristorante e Enoteca
Joe Buonincontri, owner/chef of Luce, announced via his professional social media that he will be permanently closing his North Side eatery March 7, ending a 20-year run at the Huebner Oaks shopping center.
According to a Facebook post, Buonincontri said he opted not to renew his lease, which lapses at the end of April.
“Over the last 20 years, we have had the pleasure of serving our community delicious food and warm hospitality,” he said. “Thank you very much for all of the support and great memories.”
11255 Huebner Road (210-825-2305)
OTHER NEWS
Lenten specials up for grabs
Lent began Feb. 18, so individuals observing the season are looking for non-meat dining options on Lenten Fridays, or anytime during the 40-period. Here is a quick look at two select San Antonio restaurants offering a variety of unique Lenten meals:
Novo Brazil Brewing Co., the city’s newest craft beer brewpub, is offering fried calamari, traditional fish and chips, or the poke tuna fries – seasoned skinny fries covered with lime and salted sour cream topped with marinated poke tuna – for appetizers.
Entrees include the ensenada plate, featuring a 6-ounce teriyaki marinated mahi mahi served with vegetables and white rice, or el pescador sandwich, a 6-ounce teriyaki marinated mahi mahi served with green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and tartar sauce on a ciabatta roll.
Diners who have given up imbibing for Lent may also choose from Novo Brazil’s own Nova-brand kombucha, which is provided in a non-alcoholic version. Alcoholic editions are available, too.
The Newstand Coffee and Sandwiches is offering The Courant, a meatless sandwich featuring baby heirloom tomatoes, soft straticella cheese, pesto, basil, fresh arugula, and olive oil atop sesame bastone bread.
Eateries partner with Girl Scout Flavor Fest
Southtown hot spot Rosario’s ComidaMex and Bar and Castle Hills eatery Clementine are among the local restaurants partnering with Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas and the organization’s Flavor Fest, where restaurants offer their unique twist on Girl Scout cookie flavors.
Rosario’s is offering a limited-time cocktail, the S’more Than Espresso martini, inspired by the new Exploremore cookie. This espresso martini is topped with a sprinkle of cookie crumbs.
Clementine is offering its take on the Exploremore cookie – Rocky Road, a dessert featuring toasted almond ice cream layered with house-made marshmallow and creamy cremeux.
Both offerings are available now through March 1.
Jason Dady opens crawfish pop-up
Chef Jason Dady is launching CrawDady, a seasonal crawfish pop-up at The Rock at La Cantera beginning Feb. 21.
According to a press release, CrawDady will be operational Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays all spring long, offering seafood boils and an array of Southern-inspired sides at the fledgling community destination near The Shops at La Cantera.
The crawfish are cooked fresh and seasoned to order, with different flavor profiles. Options include Dry Cajun, CrawDady’s signature dry spice blend; Wet Cajun, featuring butter, Frank’s Red Hot and a secret spice mix; Viet-Cajun, a blend of ginger, lemongrass and CrawDady’s Funky Butter; and Italian Garlic Herb.
Sides include boudin balls served with grain mustard remoulade; boudin sausage links with yellow mustard and saltines, slow-simmered chicken and sausage gumbo served over bay leaf rice, and jalapeño-white cheddar hushpuppies finished with kewpie mayo and lime.
CrawDady kicks off with a free-entry, free-parking celebration Feb. 21, starting at 1 p.m., and including drinks, and live musical performances that will be followed by a Spurs vs. Kings watch party at 7 p.m.
The event will also have food from neighboring Jason Dady concepts Lil’ Bros BBQ Shack, Ice Ice Dady and Roca & Martillo. CrawDady will typically be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
2M Smokehouse, Pinthouse Pizza join forces at Hoppy Monk
The Hoppy Monk craft beer bar and restaurant will host a special kind of takeover Feb. 25 when the crew from noted local barbecue joint 2M Smokehouse BBQ occupies the Hollywood Park-area bar’s kitchen.
Plus, Pinthouse Pizza will be taking over the Hoppy Monk’s taps ahead of the Austin-based brewery opening its first San Antonio location this spring.
Guests may enter a drawing to win a pair of tickets to attend a grand opening of Pinthouse Pizza’s San Antonio taproom. The takeover will last 4-10 p.m.
Experience a red wine flight at Perry’s
Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille is offering for the rest of February a “Reserve Red Flight,” where diners may enjoy a wine tasting flight of three 2-ounce pours of the restaurant’s reserve reds in honor of Valentine’s month.
Each wine is paired with an equally curated bite: Reserve Pinot Noir (Monterey) with Famous Pork Chop “Bites”; Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma) with Petite Filet Perry Stack; and Reserve Big Red Blend (Napa) with Reserve Texas Akaushi Sliced New York Strip. Cost of the Reserve Red Flight is $25. Locally, Perry’s is situated at 15900 La Cantera Pkwy., Suite 22200.
