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

Japanese fusion spot Yellowfish Sushirolled out a new location at 7222 Blanco Rd on November 1. The locally owned concept previously branched out with a second location at The Rim before shuttering that outpost in August. The new addition to the family serves a similar menu to the Wurzbach Road original, melding Tex-Mex flair with traditional Japanese preparations.

Chicken chain The Cookhouse is nesting in its first San Antonio-area location. The Fort Worth-based enterprise is known for Nashville-style hot chicken and mammoth ribs served with various Southern sides. According to an Instagram post, the Selma shop took over the former site of The Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub on October 24.

Alamo Heights favorite Laika Cheesecakes and Espresso is heading for New Braunfels, according to a new filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. The new shop is projected to wrap up construction at 1430 Unicorn Ave. #106 by early 2023, but the opening date has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, a second San Antonio location at The Rim is still listed as "coming soon," although construction was slated to be completed in January.

Other news and notes

Local food writer Julia Rosenfeld gifted locals a new cookbook just in time for the holidays. Arriving in bookstores on November 22, San Antonio Cooks features more than 80 recipes from local culinary luminaries like Kristina Zhao at Sichuan House, David and José Cáceres at La Panadería, John Russ of Clementine, and Bruce Auden of Biga on the Banks. The beautifully illustrated book retails for $32.95.

Four times was the charm for Alamo City's Susana Mijares. After competing in three previous Food Network shows, the chocolatier's Ghostly Gals team won this year's edition of Halloween Wars. The show pits three-people squads of cake decorators, pumpkin carvers, and candy makers in battles to make the best spooky sculptures. The Gals won the $50,000 grand prize with a skeletal couture gown.

In other food TV news, an episode of Netflix's Taco Chronicles will spotlight San Antonio. This will be the series' second time exploring local taco culture. Season two focused on the classics, diving into the puffy taco through mainstays Teka Molino and Ray's Drive Inn. This season will focus on relative newcomers El Pastor Es Mi Señor, Naco Mexican Eatery, Con Huevos, and 2M Smokehouse. The episode drops on November 23.