NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE

New coffee shop specializing in Indian fare spices up downtown San Antonio

This is definitely our cup of tea.

Courtesy of Amaretti Coffee

A new coffee shop is percolating in the downtown area, and it’s brewing up some unique drink and food offerings inspired by the flavors of India.

Amaretti Coffee, located at 1800 Broadway in the Government Hill neighborhood spot that formerly housed Brown Coffee, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday, September 18 from 7 am-5 pm, and will serve up some sweet customer specials.

Founded by UTSA graduate Nirav Amarnath, Amaretti Coffee is a concept stimulated by Amarnath’s fond memories of drinking traditional chai tea that his grandmother, a native of India, made for him every morning. It was such a special custom that when Amarnath moved away for college, his mother and grandmother taught him how to make several traditional Indian teas and pastries, ensuring he could always savor a taste of home, no matter where he was.

The family ritual definitely stuck, and while undertaking his studies, Amarnath even tripped to nearby Austin to visit the city’s chai houses, the type of concept he found lacking in San Antonio. After graduating from UTSA, Amarnath took his flavorful passion to the next level, traveling to India to study various teas and coffees — and writing recipes all along the way.

Perked up by that experience, Amarnath headed back to the Lone Star State, where he attended the Texas Coffee School in Dallas to round out his caffeinated education, learning more about traditional American coffee.

That flavor-spiked journey culminates in Amarnath opening Amaretti Coffee, which aims to specialize in a premium coffee and tea experience. Menu specialties include a variety of coffees, authentic Indian masala chai tea, Indian pastries, Indian cold coffee, and more.

Amarnath hopes the coffee shop will be a go-to spot for casual sippers, as well as business professionals and students, who can make use of Amarnath’s welcoming lounge atmosphere (including an impressive cityscape mural created by local artist Armando Zimmerle) and electric outlets at every table.

To celebrate the opening of Amaretti Coffee, on September 18, the shop will treat the first 25 customers in line with a $20 gift card. Additionally, Amaretti will offer complimentary pastries with any drink purchase, while supplies last.

Following its grand opening, Amaretti Coffee will be open Monday through Friday from 7 am-8 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7 am-5 pm. Follow Amaretti Coffee on Instagram and Facebook for more info.

breakfast openings coffee

Bar Culture

Ramen chain from Tokyo opens new location in San Antonio

Photo courtesy of Jinya Ramen Bar

This chain emphasizes traditional ramen.

San Antonians may not realize they have a real Japanese ramen spot in their city, and now they'll have more as Jinya Ramen Bar opens its second location in the city.

The restaurant at 7010 W Loop 1604 N. Suite 203 will open December 17. That will make 16 Texas locations for the Tokyo-based chain, which emphasizes the spread of "real ramen culture."

The first 100 guests will get a free bowl of ramen. The count starts at 11 am.

Jinya Ramen Bar bowls Jinya has a diverse menu with lots of possible add-ins.Photo courtesy of Jinya Ramen Bar

“Guests in San Antonio love big flavors and we’re happy to supply them,” said founder and CEO Tomo Takahashi in the release. “The Culebra neighborhood has become an incredible restaurant and retail destination, and we knew this community would be a great fit for our traditional ramen dishes.”

American ramen-lovers will recognize many of the ensembles featuring tonkotsu, shiyo, and miso broths with chashu (braised pork belly) or ground pork and yellow noodles. But the menu is much wider than these standard options, also featuring a vegan bowl, some bowls with chicken chashu instead of pork, shrimp or chicken wontons instead of noodles, and yuzu-flavored broth. A popular temporary menu item has also returned: The Red Garnet with vegetable broth, pork chashu, and chili garlic sauce.

Most of the ingredients listed above are offered as mix-ins (including all the proteins), plus additions like butter, fried onion, cabbage, broccolini, and more. "Tapas," rice bowls, salads, and desserts add some more variety, alongside beer, wine, sake, and just about anything else that would be available at a full bar.

According to the release, Jinya is particular about the water it uses in its broth and has a special aging process for its noodles.

Jinya Ramen Bar Culebra interior A sneak peek at the new location.Photo courtesy of Jinya Ramen Bar

Jinya Ramen Bar in Culebra will be open daily from 11 am to 10 pm.

ramen openings japanese cuisine