San Antonio's bar and restaurant news has some extra intrigue at the beginning of December with four new concepts coming to Brooks. Elsewhere, two of Alamo City's top artists have opened a new coffee shop, and an adorable mini-concha truck is sweetening up the South Side. Read on for more essential San Antonio dining news.

Openings
A quartet of new restaurants is making its way to San Antonio's La Picosa Town Center at Brooks City Place, but so far, the details are being kept under wraps. Tacos Chulos, La Carniceria, Amores de Julia, and Mariscos el Riqui recently filed Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) project details on the same day, all with projected openings in mid-2026. Curiously, three of the restaurant names share names with popular California-based concepts. Mariscos el Riqui has a namesake in a casual San Diego brunch spot, and La Carniceria could be a new outlet of an upscale butcher already operating two outposts in Alamo City. In what seems unlikely to be a coincidence, Amores de Julia appears to be a San Antonio expansion of a modern Mexican bistro helmed by Sinaloan chef Misael Guerrero. Neither the concepts nor management group Brooks Retail Partners returned repeated requests for comment. CultureMap will keep pestering to get the scoop.

Local art power couple Olivia and Cruz Ortiz have opened a new coffee shop and community hub called Casa Pink. Anchored by an icing-pink cafe called Studio Coffee, the compound at 144 Zapata St. acts as a sprawling salon with space for community vendors, artists' studios, and a small lounge area where guests can play records or sketch

A new mini concha truck will roll up to the South Side's Sit & Sip With Me coffeehouse across from Mission San José. La Concheria will debut December 6 at 3255 Mission Rd, selling adorable pan dulce in flavors like vanilla, chocolate, churro, and Biscoff, all of which can be stuffed with spreads like Nutella or dulce de leche, or made into an ice cream sandwich. The concept has not revealed its regular operating hours, but will be serving from 8 am-2 pm on opening day.

According to TDLR paperwork, local chain Tia's Taco Hut is adding another restaurant to its empire. The new outpost of Lisa and Benny Costello's fast-casual spot should settle by spring 2026 at 7038 N Loop 1604 E #100, if construction goes according to plan.

Embers Wood Fire Restaurant is asking for community support in weathering a sudden business downturn.Embers Wood Fire Restaurant/ Facebook

Other news and notes
Embers Wood Fire Restaurant is the latest San Antonio eatery to ask the community for help in surviving uncertain economic times. In a post on the San Antonio Restaurants Facebook Group, Embers says it has suffered a steep drop in business at its 9818 I-10 W location after access from Wurzbach Road was cut off by an adjacent hotel. "If you haven't visited in a while, or have been meaning to stop by, now is the time," wrote a representative.

Newly formed nonprofit Ciao & Zen is hosting a benefit for the family of late chef and mentor Joshua Calderon. The event at 1 pm on December 7 will feature bites from Alamo City's culinary community, live music, a silent auction, and more. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for children.