Downtown’s Hemisfair is taking things to delicious new heights with the addition of a new restaurant and bar and a new location of one of San Antonio’s favorite coffee shops. The mixed-use area, surrounded by a city park and several landmarks — from the Tower of Americas to the Alamo — is set to be one of the city’s hottest dining hubs.
Con Safos Cocina y Cantina and CommonWealth Coffeehouse and Bakery celebrate their grand openings at Yanaguana Garden on January 25 from 5:30-7 pm with a party featuring live music, samples, and family-friendly fun. The two concepts join Paleteria San Antonio at Hemisfair; a second San Antonio outpost of Dough Pizza Napoletana is coming soon.
Here's what to expect from the latest restaurants to launch at Hemisfair:
Con Safos Cocina y Cantina
The kitchen at Con Safos, which translates to “with respect,” cooks up creative takes on Tex-Mex fare, deemed "neo Chicano food” by chef JC Rodriguez (formerly of Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery).
For the time being, the menu will be executed inside the tight quarters of a food truck. That means the roster will be limited to a few imaginative dishes, including fried brown rice with your choice of chorizo or vegan soyrizo, plus sweet peppers, cotija, and fresh herbs, and the alluring Pan Dulce Burger, a seasoned beef patty, hot jam, brie, and thick-cut bacon served on toasted concha bread for a decadent, sweet-and-savory bite.
The bar, tucked inside an adjacent 1918 historic home, serves up fresh aguas frescas, agave wine-based frozen margaritas, and more than 50 beers. The list is mostly made up of Texas brands like Big Bend, St. Arnold, Deep Ellum, and Real Ale, but there are also craft brews from out-of-towners like Ballast Point and standards like Tecate, Budweiser, and Modelo.
CommonWealth Coffeehouse and Bakery
The fourth outpost of CommonWealth Coffeehouse and Bakery features plenty of familiar favorites: java drinks, French pastries, and savory breakfast and lunch fare. The space, located in the 1880 Koehler House, has the look of an airy brasserie with soft gray walls and marble tables.
Dig into Belgian waffles, a Cubano sandwich with Black Forest ham and seasoned pulled pork, a tarragon chicken salad sandwich with a pile of greens on a buttery croissant, and more at the cozy eatery. All can be washed down with a cup of coffee from Austin roasters Cuvee.
As a bonus, owners Jose Ramon Campos and Jorge Herrero will offer a full weekend brunch, served from 7 am-3 pm, at the Hemisfair location only. Load up on waffles, molletes, French toast, and delicate crepes filled with everything from ham and cheese to Nutella with fruit spread.
Con Safos retools fried rice with chorizo or soyrizo.
