By Edmond Ortiz
A new concept for an iconic East Side lounge, the launch of an upscale Pearl bar, and the opening of new Tex-Mex and burger eateries highlight the latest culinary news in the San Antonio area.
Additionally. a Castle Hills restaurant has begun hosting private cooking classes, and holiday-themed pop-up bars are opening north of downtown.
Now open
Tucker’s Italian
What was originally a popular bar that opened on the near East Side in the late 1940s has undergone multiple formats and owners over the decades. The latest incarnation is Tucker’s Italian, which had a grand opening Nov. 15.
Michael Sohocki and Jason Garcia, chefs at buzzy Southtown pizzeria Il Forno, are leading the current revival of Tucker’s, which is now an Italian deli that features house-made charcuterie, fresh-baked breads, sandwiches, pasta and grocery items.
1338 E. Houston St. Open noon-8:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat.
Jue Let
Pearl’s newest bar was expected to fully open Nov. 22 at the former Blue Box bar site. Jue Let is the brainchild of chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, who also heads the acclaimed Pearl restaurant Best Quality Daughter.
The bar is named after the Chinese business partner of James Beard’s mother; Jue Let had a notable influence on Beard early in his upbringing. According to Dobbertin, interior spaces across the bar are meant to be inviting and intimate.
Cocktails and bar snacks reflect a blend of American classics and Asian ingredients. House cocktails include the Mint Jue Let, which features Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon, and Mizu Green Tea Shochu. The drink menu also provides martinis, shots, wines, and craft beers, including a handful from local breweries.
The snacks run the gamut from French onion dip and fancy shrimp cocktail to Grandma’s Chex Mix, which contains extra toasted Chex Mix, rice crackers, garlic corn nugs, and house Tom Yum powder. There’s even caviar service centered around sustainably farmed Oscietra caviar.
Additionally, Jue Let offers two VIP private lounges, available via reservation, where guests may even sing karaoke.
2107 Emma Koehler, Pearl. Open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily. (210-201-2672)
The Sicilian Butcher
The Italian casual restaurant chain formally opened its first San Antonio location Nov. 21 near the Interstate 10/Loop 1604 intersection, not far from La Cantera and The Rim. Chef Joey Maggiore created The Sicilian Butcher as a way to pay tribute to his father, famed chef and restaurant owner Tomaso Maggiore.
The butchery-inspired concept is known for its 5-foot charcuterie boards, hand-rolled meatballs, and house-made pastas. The restaurant also has a variety of pizzas, sandwiches, desserts, signature cocktails, and Italian wines and beers.
5546 N. Loop 1604 W., Suite 120. Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu., and 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. (726-226-3519)
Cocina Ocotlan
The owners of this new food truck were scheduled to have a grand opening on Nov. 22 and 23 at their current home, Open Air Markets, on the far north central side of town. Cocina Ocotlan offers traditional Mexican food, with a focus on birria, tacos and tamales.
25383 Bulverde Road
Long John Silver’s
The fast-food chain reopened its Windcrest-area restaurant on Nov. 6 in a bigger, modern building that replaced the long-established storefront along Walzem Road.
5430 Walzem Road, San Antonio. Open 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. (210-591-0652)
KPOT Korean BBQ and Hot Pot
The popular Korean barbecue chain held a Nov. 13 grand opening for its Live Oak location where visitors can custom-order their meal. There are all-you-can-eat specials available daily. KPOT also offers happy hour 2;30-6:30 p.m. weekdays. The bar offers a range of beers, wines and signature drinks, as well as yogurt cocktails,
7741 N. Loop 1604 E., Live Oak. Open 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Thu., 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sun. (210-688-8119)
Chick-fil-A-South San Antonio
U.S. Air Force veteran Floyd Carpenter is the owner/operator of a new Chick-fil-A storefront that opened Nov. 25 on the South Side. To mark the occasion, the company donated $25,000 to the San Antonio Food Bank. The new local restaurant also offered a free entree to anyone who wore cow spots there on opening day.
150 SW Military Drive. Open 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
TenTen Udon and Tempura
TenTen softly opened in mid-November in the former Nana Ramen spot on the Northwest Side. The new eatery’s menu is centered around Sanuki-style udon, and on tempura, which is available on a self-serve basis. A grand opening is set for Dec. 6.
6526 Babcock Road, Suite 105. Temporarily open noon-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.
Ava’s Diner
Alex Pruneda, former owner of Oscar’s Taco House, recently opened this new restaurant. Ava’s offers traditional American and Tex-Mex breakfast and lunch meals. Offerings include tacos, enchiladas, fideo, burgers, breakfast plates, caldo, chalupas and chicken fried steak. Guests may dine in or order to go.
643 Frio City Road. Open 7 a.m.-4 p.m. six days a week. (210-233-9131)
Zojah Burger
Zojah Burger opened Nov. 10 in the Medical Center area, offering smash burgers, fries fried in beef tallow, and milkshakes. The menu also includes chicken sandwiches, chicken bites and grilled cheese sandwiches.
9390 Huebner Road, Suite 109. Open 10:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. (210-233-1671)
Chick-fii-A–Universal City
The fast-food chain opened its fifth Northeast Side suburban location on Oct. 16. Franchise owner Troy Luster and his crew at the Universal City Chick-fil-A, situated close to Loop 1604, have accommodated activities and collaborations with several community organizations. The storefront is currently accepting donations for Universal City Police’s Blue Santa Program, and nominations for gift recipients are open through Dec. 2.
700 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City. Open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (210-767-9333)
Elsewhere in the news
Orphan Bar pops up at Pumpers World
The Orphan Bar, a pop-up bar, recently got rolling Nov. 18 at Pumpers World. The bar, which accompanied the old Pumpers World food truck at Paper Tiger, has a menu inspired by “Annie,” the 1982 movie version of “Little Orphan Annie.” Cocktails include Santa’s Helper, with Tito’s Vodka and rumplemintz, and Annie’s Secret Stash, with gin, strawberry liqueur and absinthe. The Orphan Bar will remain open through the holiday season.
Clementine to host private cooking classes
Acclaimed Castle Hills restaurant Clementine has opened its kitchen to the community with the launch of private cooking classes and demonstrations.
According to a press release, Clementine’s new dining package is designed for diners who want a more intimate experience. Chef John Russ and his team will offer hands-on cooking classes where guests prepare the eatery’s signature dishes, and demonstrations that give visitors a peek at the team’s techniques and secrets.
Anyone interested in Clementine’s private cooking classes and demonstrations can take part when booking a buyout lunch or dinner service, or through the restaurant’s @Home program.
Elsewhere bar takes on a festive look
Elsewhere Garden Bar and Kitchen has again become a holiday wonderland with a classic Christmas pop-up program.
“Miracle on Jones,” happening now through the holiday season, is offering hot cocoa, festive cocktails and Christmas lights and decorations alongside pieces of holiday nostalgia throughout the riverside property.
Elsewhere is located at 103 E. Jones Ave.
