This week’s edition of San Antonio dining news is supersized with openings, with new restaurants bringing soup dumplings, French pastries, and fusion egg rolls to Alamo City. Elsewhere, a fast-casual Chinese chain has closed one of its locations, and local chefs are cooking up one-off events at coffee shops and car dealerships.
Vroom, vroom. We’re revving up the juiciest bites of San Antonio restaurant news this week.
Openings and closings
Form of Peking duck! Shape of soup dumpling! Wonder twin restaurants Dumpling World and Bamboo House have activated new San Antonio restaurant Duck & Dumpling, serving, well, duck and dumplings. The venture at 3003 Thousand Oaks Dr. Both brands are new to the area. Dumpling World has locations in Sugar Land, Houston, and Austin, while Bamboo House throws it down in Dallas, Houston, and Austin.
A new bakery and coffee shop is bringing je ne sais quoi to Alamo Ranch. The aptly named La Cafe, at 11840 Alamo Ranch Pkwy. #40, will celebrate its grand opening on May 16 from 8 am-10 pm. The concept pairs Parisian vibes with bistro fare like sandwiches and crepes and waffles. And for some extra oh la la, the patisserie case is stocked with treats like Turkish delight, eclairs, baklava, and delicate mille-feuille.
St. Mary’s Strip wine bar Little Death is saying hello to a new culinary resident. Starting at 6 pm on May 17, Eggrollin will introduce a menu that goes far beyond cabbage and pork. The introductory lineup includes fusion egg rolls like a gyro meat-stuffed Greek Freak, the cheeseburger-inspired Cardi Beef, and Lobsta Rhymes with lobster and a spicy aioli.
Quick-service Chinese restaurant Pei Wei has quietly shuttered its 1267 Huebner Rd. location, according to signage on the restaurant door. The chain still has five locations scattered across the city.
Otto's Ice House is hosting a Memorial Day crawfish boil.Photo courtesy of Otto's Ice House
Other news and notes
Gigi’s Deli is offering no more soup for you during its latest pop-up. The Seinfeld-inspired Pop-Up About Nothing at Stranded Coffee on May 24 promises “no plots, no stories, just sandwiches.” The episode kicks off at 10:30 am.
Award-winning pastry chef Jenn Riesman is curating a dinner series at Max & Louie’s starting with a prix-fixe on May 29. The menu includes everything focaccia with dill butter and beet jam, cauliflower tabbouli, pork shoulder pastrami, and sticky apple corn cake. Tickets are $95 and available by emailing jennriesman@gmail.com.
Alamo City newcomerOtto’s Ice House is hosting a Memorial Day crawfish boil on May 24 starting at 1 pm. The new Pearl restaurant will sell 2.5 pound trays of boiled mudbugs with all the fixings for $23, with sausage and boudin available for an extra $4.75. Live music from Colton James will keep the spot bopping until 5 pm.
Meanwhile, Gusto Group is raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Antonio during its A Worldly Affair: A Night of Tasting & Giving event on May 28. The evening at the Stone Oak location of Toro Kitchen + Bar will include curated craft cocktails, mezcal tarot readings, whiskey and cigar pairings, live paella cooking, and a flamenco performance. Tickets are $200 and available here.
A car dealership may seem like an odd place to sample chef-prepared bites and craft cocktails, but luxury brand Genesis is breaking the rules on May 31. From 1-4pm, the Genesis of NW San Antonio showroom will have a showcase featuring hors d'oeuvres from Nicola Blaque of Jerk Shack and Freight Fried Chicken, drinks from Amor Eterno and other fun activations like hand massages, keychain engraving, and shoe shines. RSVP to the free event here.
Otto's Ice House is hosting a Memorial Day crawfish boil.Photo courtesy of Otto's Ice House
