Say what you will, but San Antonio’s restaurant and bar scene is never afraid to try new things. At the tail-end of May, Alamo City locals are abuzz about a tapas-less tapas bar in Alamo Heights and a cyber-punk cafe on the Northwest Side. Even Frost Bank Center is feeling the effects of spring fever, serving an over-the-top sandwich during Spurs home games.
Openings
A new bar and restaurant is making noise in Alamo Heights. Casa de Tapas at 8123 Broadway debuted on May 17, touting various drink specials and, naturally, Spurs watch parties. Although tapas is in the name, the focus seems to currently be on nightlife with ladies nights and a Salud Saturdays promotion with bachata, merengue, and reggaeton deejays. Free chips and queso are offered during the playoff games — and in the Facebook comments section, an employee stated the kitchen would be in full swing in time for the grand opening.
Siri, play The Prodigy. An upstart new coffee shop at 1519 W. Hildebrand is bringing Hackers-era vibes to the Northwest Side. The blacklight-lit Cyber City Cafe takes its theme seriously with drink names like Cryo-Core (a vanilla frappe) and Bit-Crusher (a hazelnut-chocolate cold brew). More importantly, it’s providing a haven for niche communities, hosting a regular Dungeons and Dragons night, and what appears to be a roving pack of furries.
A new food truck park is coming to Universal City. According to Focus on San Antonio, the suburb approved an agreement with owner Subhi Hamideh to develop a six-trailer park at 1980 Universal City Blvd in January. Now, according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filings, construction is about to begin. The quick project, now dubbed UC Food Truck Park, is set to finish out in July.
We can't confirm that stoners were involved in the creation of the Crust Crusher.Photo courtesy of Aramark
Other news and notes
Jots, inside the recently renovated Gunter Hotel, is introducing a toe-tapping jazz brunch running every Sunday from 10 am-1 pm. According to a release, the service will feature tunes from The Dirty River Jazz Band and dishes like a duck confit Benedict, grilled pineapple French toast, and quail poppers.
Nearby, the St. Anthony Hotel is also getting into the brunch game at its anchor restaurant, Esencia. Chef Leo Davila’s menu blends Chinese, Spanish, Mexican, and Texas influences in dishes like barbacoa chilaquiles, shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy with chorizo cream gravy, and masa sourdough avocado toast.
The St. Paul Square Dinner Club is back on June 18, celebrating a new adventure for chef Raul Mendoza. After temporarily closing his Italian take-out joint Alla Nonnas, Mendoza is now the executive chef at Cuba 1918. Tickets for the one-night dinner are $117.51 with fees and are available online.
Hotel Valencia on the River Walk is reviving a summer tradition. Its annual Poptails with a Purpose, benefitting the Ronald McDonald House, will serve boozy guava colada and watermelon tamarind frozen pops from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Fans cheering on the Spurs during home games might want to wear stretchy pants to the Frost Bank Center. Aramark has introduced a new limited-time menu item available at Section 114 on the Plaza for $15.59. The Crust Crusher is a deep-fried peanut butter and honey sandwich with breaded chicken filet, mole sauce, hot honey glaze, and coleslaw served with waffle fries. For Wemby, it’s probably an eighth of the daily calorie allowance. For the rest of us, it might be a good idea to skip lunch.
