COMING ATTRACTIONS

Fredericksburg reels in chic new Gulf seafood restaurant

Gulf Ranch will open summer 2027.

Rendering courtesy of Gulf Ranch.

The owners of a popular Fredericksburg chop house are wading into new waters. Sarah and Jesse Barter, the couple behind Hill & Vine, will open a new seafood spot, Gulf Ranch, at 101 W San Antonio St. in summer 2027.

Gulf Ranch will serve daily supper and a weekend brunch, focusing on Gulf seafood and Texas beef. Although the menu is still being finalized, guests can expect Tex-Mex and Cajun influences combined with international flavors like harissa and chimichurri.

Many of the sample seafood dishes skew towards classics like Rockefeller-style oysters, a crawfish and shrimp bisque, crab and lobster enchiladas, and an intriguing Texas cioppino, a take on the famous Italian-American fish stew.

Heftier dishes include Texas Akaushi sliders, Angus ribeyes, and steak and eggs for brunch. While Gulf Ranch did not share any details on the cocktail program, the press kit did tease bottle kits for crowds.

As with Hill & Vine, the Barters have combined Hill Country materials — rugged wood, leather, and limestone — with contemporary art and a few glittery touches like brass chandeliers. One rendering shows stenciled borders above wine racks and the washroom entrance, nodding to the area’s Germanic heritage.

Gulf Ranch has yet to announce its exact opening date, but according to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation project details, it will be a meticulous build. Construction on the full 5,387 square foot building is expected to last for almost a year.

Once open, Gulf Ranch will be the couple’s third concept on the downtown block. In addition to Hill & Vine, the Barters also own Sunday Supply, a coffee shop and casual cafe.

fredericksburg hill country seafood steaks openings

OPENING ALERT

Trendy Italian wrap chain rolls into Northwest San Antonio

Piada Italian Street Food/ Facebook

Piada will open its second San Antonio-area location on August 25.

After making its area debut in February, fast-casual chain Piada Italian Street Food is wrapping up its first location inside San Antonio city limits. The buzzy brand will open its newest restaurant in the Huebner Oaks Center at 11745 I-10 W. on August 25.

Columbus, Ohio entrepreneur Chris Doody founded Piada in 2010. The menu was inspired by the flat bread piadinas he frequently encountered while traveling in Rimini, a seaside community in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

Doody’s take, the piada, starts with a handmade dough baked on a stone grill. The filled wraps look somewhat similar to a grilled Chipotle burrito, but are generally filled with lighter ingredients like arugula, avocado, sweet corn, and cucumber salad. But if guests want a beefier wrap, they can add proteins such as hot fried chicken, grass-fed meatballs, or Italian sausage.

Other entrées include seasonal chopped salads, grain bowls, and indulgent pastas topped with alfredo and pancetta or marinara and burrata. Sides range from street corn and calamari and peppers to lobster bisque and a Hot Pocket-style pastry.

If the Schertz Station location is any indication, the interior will be clean and modern. Although ordering is done at the counter, Piada locations have comfortable dining rooms that invite lingering.

Doors will swing open at 10:30 am. Reps from John Marshall High School, the location’s educational partner, will be in attendance. The chain has not yet released its regular opening hours.

fast casual italian wraps northwest side huebner oaks openings