Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

One of the original tenants of the Pearl’s Bottling Department is calling it a day. After a five-year run, Fletcher’s Hamburgers, chef Sergio Remolina’s upscale take on fast food, will shutter on March 21. It’s not all doom and gloom for the concept, however. In a March 1 post announcing the closure, Remolina teased that the “next step requires a big change and a location of the size of our effort and dedication.”

Continuing the lousy burger news, Trilogy Burger Bistro owner John Gladders is hanging up the spatula after two years of pressing patties. In a March 4 social media post, the restaurateur declined to cite a reason for the closure. But he did assure loyal customers that they would have “another week or two” to pay their respects. Sibling restaurant Trilogy Pizza Bistro, a Stone Oak mainstay for 18 years, will remain open as usual.

Locals now have a new spot to try one of San Antonio’s most vexingly rare foods — soup dumplings. Via a March 3 Instagram post, popular influencer s.a.foodie spilled the beans on the debut of Tiger Chinese Cuisine at 12730 W. I-10 Frontage Rd. The restaurant, an offshoot of Houston-based mini-chain Tiger Noodle House, specializes in traditional Chinese fare. Tea leaf smoked duck, sticky rice cakes, and Chengdu-style whole grilled fish are among the temptations.

Another sushi spot is attempting to make a splash in San Antonio’s burgeoning scene. Sushi Hayaquietly opened at 226 W. Bitters Road, suite 120 on March 9. Its all-you-can-eat menu boasts crowd-pleasing dishes like maki, udon, teriyaki, and specialty rolls.

Other news and notes

After weeks of tormenting San Antonians with photos of luscious Belgian waffles, downtown’s Playland Pizza finally introduced brunch service on March 12. In addition to the crispy cakes, the menu includes a gooey breakfast sandwich; a continental breakfast with eggs, bacon, and ham; bagels and lox; and avocado toast. Libations run the gamut from the requisite mimosas to the cheekily named Kate Moss — a boozy espresso cocktail sure to make go-sees much more fun.

Saint City Supper Club is bringing back its Battle of the Boil to benefit the Saint City Culinary Foundation and its mental health program, Heard. Last year, Guerilla Gourmet chef James Canter bested Empty Stomach Group restaurateur Chad Carey and culinary gadabout Hugh Daschbach. This year, eight chefs will have a mudbug battle in a larger event at The Espee on April 21. Tickets, priced at $45 a pop, are available here.

Taste of the Republic, the foodie kickoff to Fiesta, is also on the move. This year, chef Brian West’s showcase of homegrown talent is moving to Southtown’s The Good Kind on March 31. With a “Six Food Republics of Texas” theme, the event will highlight regional Lone Star fare from Ceasar Zepeda of Sangria on the Burg, Joe Melig and Esaul Ramos of 2M Smokehouse, Kristina Zhao of Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar, and Jesse “Kirk” Kuykendall of Milpa and Ocho at Hotel Havana, among others. Tickets are $110 and are available online.