It's not just the changing of the leaves. San Antonio's restaurant scene is experiencing some churn as it eases into autumn. A local staple has parted ways with its chefs, a long-running taqueria has called it a day, and a hospitality giant has passed on.

Openings and closings
A beloved West Side taqueria has shuttered. Rosa's Tacos To Go at 1721 Nogalitos announced the immediate closure via an October 27 Facebook post. Although the original post did not explain the reasons for the closure, a subsequent post offered some insight. A representative wrote, "For the record, this economy didn't make us close; it was just a failure of visions."

A new ice cream truck specializing in pan-Asian flavors is now roaming the streets of San Antonio. Since May, Dorp Creamery has operated as a pop-up, partnering with local notables like Brick at Blue Star and Curry Boys BBQ. Founder Mike Chue will now have a busier schedule as a mobile eatery. Flavors rotate with seasonal availability, but this month include Thai tea, black sesame, and a non-dairy lychee strawberry. A complete list of November bookings is available on Instagram.

Other news and notes

After 13 years of making Bakery Lorraine a San Antonio institution, cofounders Anne Ng and Jeremey Mandrell have amicably parted ways with the company. Owner Charlie Biedenharn will continue overseeing daily operations. Via a statement, the bakery said, "We are so grateful for the years [Ng and Mandrell] dedicated to Bakery Lorraine and wish them all the best in their next venture."

The San Antonio Coffee Festival hopes to spread holiday cheer with a Houston Street market on December 7 near the Frost Tower Promenade. The 5-9 pm event will include live music, DJs, photo ops, vendors, and plenty of seasonal sips like cider and hot chocolate. Admission is $40 in advance.

The changing season has inspired a new fall menu from Ocho's Jesse "Kirk" Kuykendall. The prolific chef describes the fare, which reflects San Antonio's melting pot of cuisines, as his "best yet." The offerings include a concha French toast with berry jam, a Cuban hash, and costilla (beef rib) lomo saltado with garlic herb polenta.

Jorge Cortez of Mi Tierra, one of the San Antonio restaurant scene's patriarchs, passed on November 11 at age 81. Cortez was the second child of Pedro and Cruz Cortez, the founders of the iconic downtown restaurant. After earning his business degree, he helped grow the La Familia Cortez hospitality group into a Tex-Mex giant. The group said, "His leadership shaped countless lives, and his influence within our organization became a source of strength, inspiration, and legacy for us all," via a social media tribute.