By Edmond Ortiz
The Fiesta edition of Light Bites is highlighted by the long-awaited opening of Chef Jason Dady’s Mexico Ceaty concept on the Riverwalk, the unveiling of a Selena-inspired bar in downtown, and the launch of a new fried chicken and waffle spot on the Far West Side.
Additionally, a Castle Hills restaurant adds a new partner in its efforts to promote ethical ingredient sourcing, and another Southtown bar’s days are numbered.
OPENING UP
Mexico Ceaty
Jason Dady Restaurant Group’s highly anticipated, 25,000-square-foot downtown dining and entertainment destination formally opens April 20 inside The Shops at Rivercenter.
The mall’s former food court has been turned into a multilevel, chef-driven gathering place, representing one of the more significant investments at the downtown mall in more than 20 years, according to a news release.
Dady described Mexico Ceaty is less a food hall, and more of a “living culinary city” whose look and vibe are inspired by the local chef’s past travels across Mexico, and by the cultural and culinary connections between San Antonio and Mexico.
“The River Walk is one of the most iconic spots in the country, and to have the opportunity to open such a unique concept here is really exciting,” Dady said in a statement.
“Mexico Ceaty has been living in my head for over a decade, shaped by years of traveling through Mexico, eating at markets and plazas, learning from the people and the food. Taking what I’ve learned and blending it with the character of the city I call home is what this is really about. We built this place for people to spend time together, to try something new, and stay longer than they planned.”
According to Dady and his team, Mexico Ceaty recreates a scene typically found in a vibrant community destination. Guests listen to music while they first encounter The Plaza, which features a mercado (market) with artisan goods, and interactive puestos where they can watch tortillas being made by hand, and fruit cups, ceviches, beer trays, paletas, street tacos. aguas frescas and other appetizers and small treats being prepared.
The four signature dining concepts at Mexico Ceaty are:
*Tres Arcos, a full-service restaurant that blends Mexico’s diverse flavors with San Antonio’s creative flourishes. Entrees include wagyu fajitas, enchiladas, slow-braised meats, chiles rellenos and puffy tacos. The bar features an agave program with margaritas and smoky cocktails.
*Dos Cantinas, a 300-seat bar that includes an array of Riverwalk and garden views. According to the release, Dos Cantinas’ cocktail program emphasizes freshness, with juices squeezed in-house daily, and an absence of pre-made mixes. Customers can also choose from a selection of Mexican and domestic wines, draft beers, micheladas, nonalcoholic beverages, as well as shareable plates, such as shrimp en brochette, and a guisado sampler.
*Dulce and Aroma, a panadería café focused on serving warm pan dulce, churros, pastries and breakfast tacos, all baked daily using traditional recipes and established techniques. The coffee program features café de olla, Mexican hot chocolate, a nitro espresso martini and carajillo on tap. Dulce and Aroma is led by Chef Stephannie Beyers, a Mexico City native, a San Antonio UNESCO chef ambassador and a pastry-trained chef. She founded Eat Chingon, a popular North Side taqueria that closed earlier this year.
*El Último, an agave tasting room that Dady calls hidden and intimate. The menu contains a curated collection of artisanal mezcals and aged tequilas, poured in guided boards or grouped flights. Patrons may enjoy craft cocktails, bar snacks such as chile lime chicharrones and quicos, or nonalcoholic options..
Reservations are available for Tres Arcos via OpenTable and for Dos Cantinas via OpenTable.
Mexico Ceaty offers private dining opportunities and event spaces. Visitors may enter Mexico Ceaty from the Riverwalk lagoon segment or on the side near Fat Tuesday or Holey Moley.
849 E. Commerce St. Open 6 a.m.-1:30 p.m. daily with hours varying by concept. (210-607-6000)
NOW OPEN
La Flor Escondida
Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio is launching this new speakeasy that is inspired by the life, music and legacy of late Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla.
Representatives for the local Hard Rock Cafe said the menu reflects some foods that Selena favored in life, including puffy tacos and pizza.
The names of craft cocktails at La Flor Escondida pay tribute to Selena, including La Flor Picosa, which fills a flower-garnished glass, and La Reina Eterna.
Patrons can also view memorabilia from Selena’s life and career, and footage of her performance at Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio’s grand opening in 1995.
Reservations can be made at the main Hard Rock Cafe San Antonio website. The bar soft-opened April 16, when Selena would have turned 55.
111 W. Crockett St.
Mr. C’s Fried Chicken and Waffles
The local chicken and waffle chain recently opened a third location, this time on the Far West Side. In addition to chicken and waffles, Mr. C’s serves up traditional Southern favorites and other homestyle comfort dishes, such as fried catfish, meatloaf, cornbread, wings, burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast plates.
12922 Potranco Road, Suite 112. Open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m.,-9 p.m. Sat., and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun.
NOW CLOSED
Subway closed its Castle Hills location at 2267 NW Military Hwy. earlier this month after 20 years of service. Mayor JR Trevino said there is currently no replacement restaurant yet identified for the space. He added that the Winston Hills shopping center location offers a prime opportunity for a second-generation food service provider.
CLOSING SOON
Southtown bar Lowcountry will permanently close at the end of May after nine years of service, according to a social media announcement made April 15 by co-owner Drew Morros.
Morros said the owner of the former house that accommodates Lowcountry plans to put the structure on the market.
Located at 318 Martinez St., Lowcountry joins a slate of Southtown culinary and entertainment venues to be shuttered in recent weeks, including The Filling Station Tap Room, the bar Near Dark, and event venue Brick at Blue Star.
The Koffee Kup Co., a Jefferson neighborhood fixture for more than eight years, will permanently close April 19. The cafe’s owners made the announcement via social media on April 13. The cafe is located at 1025 Donaldson Ave.
OTHER CULINARY NEWS
Beats and Brunch
Speaking of Jason Dady, his North Side eatery Roca & Martillo invites guests to Beats and Brunch. Guests can enjoy music, brunch-inspired cocktails and signature brunch dishes, such as caprese deviled eggs with cherry tomato jam and pistachio pesto, tiramisu pancakes with espresso-vanilla syrup, and the breakfast brioche sammy with sausage, egg, bacon, American cheese and harissa aioli. Reservations are available. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., April 19. The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way
Clementine, Austin coffee roaster partner on ethical sourcing program
Castle Hills restaurant Clementine is expanding its network of ethically sourced producers through a new partnership with Austin’s Wild Gift Coffee, a small-batch coffee roasting company.
According to a news release, Clementine and its partners are committed to working with small-scale farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and makers who concentrate on quality, sustainability, and responsible sourcing.
Clementine now serves Wild Gift Coffee’s Rude Boy blend, which restaurant owners John and Elise Russ said they chose for its versatility and depth of flavor. The same coffee is also used in the eatery’s house-made coffee ice cream and in some of its dishes.
The Russes said they opted to partner with Wild Gift after sous chef Uriel Cantù discovered the roaster at local coffee truck Theory Coffee, and later introduced the Russes.
Wild Gift pays growers above the traditional fair trade minimums, and emphasizes long-term collaborations that enable farmers to reinvest in their land, communities, and their craft, the release stated.
“For us, ethical sourcing means working with producers who care about their people, their product, and the impact they have on the environment,” the Russes said in a statement. “It’s about building relationships with partners who take responsibility for every step of their process. That mindset has always guided what we do at Clementine.”
