After four years serving San Antonio’s Northeast Side diners, Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar has unexpectedly called it a day. The contemporary Chinese restaurant — known for its lively Chinese New Year celebrations and modern approach to ancient cuisine — says it is immediately closing to focus on other projects.

“With a heart full of love and profound gratitude, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to cease operations at Dashi Chinese Kitchen + Bar, effective immediately,” the restaurant wrote in a farewell message. "To our loyal guests: Thank you for embracing Dashi, filling our dining room with energy, and exploring new culinary horizons alongside us.”

Chef and founder Kristina Zhao opened Dashi on July 21, 2021, at 2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., a building that formerly housed LA Crawfish and Hawx Burger Bar. The restaurant was a sophisticated sibling to Sichuan House, serving cumin lamb chops, seared green beans, and spicy whole fish alongside a creative cocktail menu.

Zhao and husband Brandon La Lanne envisioned the space as a community hub. The calendar was filled with celebrations from guest chef dinners to lion dancers to industry competitions like the annual Daq Off.

“As you know, Dashi (大师) means Grand Master,” the statement continued. “We chose this name because a restaurant is a collaboration of the arts — what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel. We sought to do that, and we did. We are immensely proud of the experiences we shared and the community we built.”

The move comes as the restaurateurs enter a new chapter. In October, Zhao and La Lanne purchased The Good Kind and Ivy Hall complex in Southtown from Chef Tim McDiarmid. Ivy Hall Events will continue to run as a wedding and event venue, but the couple has more ambitious plans for the rest of the space.

The purchase allowed the couple to launch a new nonprofit, Ciao & Zen Collective. At the launch party, Zhao said that the organization aims to unite San Antonio creatives through programs like fellowships, a global dinner series, and educational programs for local schools, seniors, and families. Sichuan House will also remain open.

“We are energized by our new space at 1127 S. St Mary’s and the work of our nonprofit, the Ciao & Zen Collective,” the restaurant said. “It is here that Dashi’s spirit of global connection truly evolves as we build cultural bridges through the culinary arts.”