Chic seafood market and eatery splashes into Pearl area

Today's Catch

Photo courtesy of Carpenter Carpenter Hospitality

For many business owners, January is a time to regroup before the busy year. For Houston and Emily Carpenter, it’s a chance to go full steam ahead. With the New Year’s haze still lingering in the air, the hospitality dynamos will soon add another concept to their budding restaurant empire.

Go Fish Market will open on January 12 in an unassuming warehouse space at 125 W. Grayson St. According to Houston, the eatery will be Carpenter Carpenter Hospitality’s take on the neighborhood fish market, melding a retail counter with a full dining room and a wine bar offering more than 60 bottles.

“As you can imagine,” Houston tells CultureMap, “the menu will be seafood — from fried medai and calamari [to] a kingfish burger, a variety of fish on in-house sourdough, and of course the on-ice favorites including oysters on the half shell, snow crab legs, and caviar.”

Helming the kitchen will be Ruben Pantaleon. An alum of acclaimed restaurant chains such as Nobu and Roka Akor, Pantaleon has been running the sushi bar at sibling restaurant Up Scale for the last year. Dina Simoneaux, most recently at Allora, will be charged with the front of house as general manager.

Photo courtesy of Carpenter Carpenter Hospitality

Go Fish will open in a warehouse near the Pearl on January 12.

As usual, the group put as much stock into the ambiance as restaurant operations. Go Fish has a more casual vibe than its cousins Little Em’s Oyster Bar and the recently opened Restaurant Claudine. The original building’s warm brick offsets a cool color scheme of mint, baby blue, and crisp white.

Now that Go Fish is up to snuff, Houston shares that the group will turn its attention to Nineteen Hyaku, a sleek sushi concept coming to the new Jefferson Tower in October. But before the ribbon is cut, locals shouldn’t be surprised to learn there is yet another restaurant on the horizon.

Houston spilled the beans on Mailroom Cafe, set to open in the summer in the same building as Go Fish.

“This will be a bakery and cafe offering your favorite pastries, gourmet sandwiches, and a coffee program geared towards the crowd that wants to come in for a meeting or sit at their laptop,” Houston elaborates on what will be the sixth concept for the group.

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6 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Voodoo Doughnut makes Alamo City debut

News You Can Eat

Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

A gaggle of locals braved chilly temps and long lines for the December 20 opening of hip Portland chain Voodoo Doughnut's first San Antonio location. Like the other locations, the new Alamo City outpost at 400 E. Houston St. now delivers sugar and caffeine to both morning crowds and late-night River Walk revelers.

Besamé, the latest project from the owners of popular nightlife spot El Camino, is now open at 511 E. Grayson St. Located at the former home of Alamo BBQ Co., the concept combines a full craft cocktail bar with food trucks such as Pete's Chicken Shack and 2M Smokehouse.

Salad and Go continues to make a dent in the fast-food market with a second location. A filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reveals plans for a diminutive shop at Potranco Road and Reid Ranch. The Arizona-based chain employs a unique drive-thru model to deliver classic salads like cobbs and Caesars on the quick. Construction is set to wrap up at the end of October 2023.

Boerne mainstay Mi Casa Tamales is taking a breather after 15 years in business. In a Facebook post, the team announced it would shutter on December 31 after fulfilling holiday orders. It's not all bad news, though. The restaurant is remodeling under the original ownership to streamline production. The rebranded eatery will open at a still-unannounced date.

Other news and notes

Turns out the Gray Lady is a fan of a San Antonio institution. In a December 9 article detailing the 25 best dishes of the year, New York Times writer Priya Krishna waxed rhapsodic about the Minion taco from Maria's Café. Though "smoky shreds of brisket and creamy-crunchy migas" ultimately won the reporter's heart, she noted that any filling is superb in the restaurant's "buttery flour tortillas."

La Panadería, already used to getting shine from the James Beard Foundation and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, has received an unexpected plaudit. Yelp gave it the top spot on its list of best hot chocolate stops in Texas. The bakery was joined by two other local faves in the top 5. I Love Churros and Tlahco Mexican Kitchen nabbed the No. 2 and No. 5 slots, respectively, with Coffee Crush and Laika Cheesecake & Espresso also making the list.

Courtesy of Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge

Upscale Latin-inspired seafood restaurant splashes into San Antonio's Stone Oak area

Magical Marisqueria

The Vazquez family, known for concepts like Sabor and Cocina Mexicana, is bringing a new upscale seafood restaurant to the Stone Oak area in San Antonio.

Located at the corner of Hardy Oak and Stone Oak, Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge will open its doors to the public in November. Bringing over 30 years of restaurant industry experience to the concept, the family's long-time friend and business associate Isaac Soto and family of the well-known Moonlight Ballroom event space are partnering with the Vazquez family on this new venture, according to a release.

"All of the recipes are family recipes," says co-owner, Luis Vazquez, in the release. "They're our take on classic Latin dishes. We want to evoke the sense of being at a classier resort-style restaurant in Cancun or Cabo, but ultimately, we want to be authentic to ourselves and create our own favorite restaurant ... a place we would like to go to enjoy a cocktail and some good food, and we hope San Antonio feels the same way!"

Featuring delectable, scratch-made dishes, highlights of the menu will include mojarra chicharron and camarones mojo de ajo, designed by executive chef Luis Vazquez Sr., whose signature soup, Levanta Muertos, will start every meal.

"We've been wanting to do a seafood restaurant for a really long time. We love seafood, and my dad makes a great ceviche. Everything, honestly, is so delicious. The shrimp enchiladas are my brother-in-law's favorite," says Vasquez Sr., in a statement. "Our goal is to differentiate ourselves from the other Latin seafood restaurants in San Antonio. We're not reinventing the wheel, but the goal is to be more subtle, more refined."

And lest thirsty San Antonians fear, the cocktails will also flow from the restaurant's craft cocktail bar.

"Our cocktail menu will be one of the big centerpieces of Arenas. Some of our cocktails are pretty unique," says Vasquez.

Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge will be located at 19903 Stone Oak Parkway, Suite 202.

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Property Showcase

San Antonio home sales continue to decline in February, latest report shows

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Home prices went up and sales went down in February, an inauspicious prediction for both homebuyers and sellers in San Antonio’s real estate market. That’s according to the latest market report from the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR).

The latest Multiple Listing Service (MLS) data shows steady price increases in the San Antonio area. The average home price is now at $365,679, an $8,700-plus increase from 2022. Median home prices have hit $310,000, which is a smaller increase from last year, but $50,000 more than 2021.

Despite new home construction skyrocketing at the same rate, existing home sales have dropped by 28 percent. Homes are also staying on the market much longer than they did in February 2022, at around 70 days.

SABOR’s 2023 board chair Sara Briseño Gerrish shared her insights on the current market.

“The months of inventory is being reported at 3.3 and 93.5% of homes closed of their original listing price,” she said. “To close February, there were 3,531 new listings, 2,407 pending listings and 9,712 active listings.”

To add to February’s home sale woes, Bexar County saw a 16.4 percent decline with only 1,612 closed listings, while average prices increased 4.4 percent to $341,204.

Statewide, only 21,838 homes were sold in February, a 14 percent decrease year-over-year.

The full report can be found on sabor.com.

11 reasons to escape the San Antonio bustle with a day trip to Dripping Springs

JUST WEST OF WEIRD

As a Dripping Springs native, I like to think I know it pretty well. The town has come a long way from being known as the place “just west of weird," exploding in recent years into a suburb of Austin (though many would frown upon that designation). If you’re driving on Highway 290, viewing the Dripping Springs water tower with its “Gateway to the Hill Country” motto in bold letters serves as a personal welcome for residents and newcomers alike.

Despite the rapid recent growth in the Austin area, Dripping Springs still has many of the small-town features that its local residents — and transplants — all love. Many of the culinary staples I enjoyed as a teenager are still thriving, years after the COVID-19 pandemic threatened local businesses statewide. The annual April Founders Day Festival has been a must-see for families for decades.

Those in search of a new day trip spot should consider these 11 places to visit in Dripping Springs.

Where to Eat

Homespun Kitchen & Bar
Homespun is a farm-to-table American restaurant with European influences that serves brunch, lunch, and dinner with live music and kid-friendly spaces. Chef Michael St. Germain is behind all menu choices, applying his experience from San Francisco restaurants and bringing critical acclaim for his burgers, according to the restaurant's website. With weekday specials, fresh-made desserts and over 300 whiskeys to choose from, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. Reserve at homespunkitchenandbar.com.

Oak Creek Cafe
Who can say no to some good Southern comfort food? Oak Creek Cafe has been operating at the corner of Sportplex Drive and Highway 290 for several years. Must-try menu items include the chicken fried steaks, biscuits and gravy, and mushroom Swiss burger. The cafe regularly posts photos of its large plates of comfort food on Facebook, and Google reviewers love it as a breakfast spot above all.

Rolling in Thyme & Dough
A personal favorite: Rolling in Thyme & Dough’s original Highway 290 location is in the center of Dripping Springs, offering delicious pastries, breakfast, and lunch options. Fan favorites include the smoky chipotle breakfast sandwich, the TX two-step sandwich for lunch, and any of the freshly-baked pastries. They also have weekly BYOB bistro nights on Wednesdays in the spring, utilizing fresh ingredients from the Dripping Springs Farmers Market.

Mazama Coffee Co
Since its founding in 2012, Dripping Springs’ first independent coffee shop has been caffeinating the town for over a decade. They micro-roast their own beans from Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Indonesia, and Brazil. They also have a bakery to provide customers with well-loved baked goods and lunch. Mazama’s was named the Best Coffee Shop of Dripping Springs from 2018-2021, according to their site.

The Great British Baking Company
This cozy food spot is a newer addition to Mercer Street. The Great British Baking Company adds to the growing food culture in town with their homemade sticky toffee pudding, sausage rolls, scotch eggs, and rotating soups. All of their menu items are made right behind the checkout counter in their open kitchen. Don’t forget to browse their selection of imported British goods, and make sure to take home a parfait or chocolate mousse in a jar.

What to Do

Dripping Springs Chocolate Company
The Wilson family created their chocolate business as a way to support local economies in Nicaragua after a family mission trip. In their mission statement, they aim to create the best chocolate while “improv[ing] the lives of the farmers and communities that grow the cacao.” They’ve since expanded their initial chocolate offerings to spice rubs, dessert and hot cocoa mixes, and chocolate-covered snacks.

The Sated Sheep
As a self-described “psychologist-turned-fiber-junkie,” this yarn shop owner has created her own community surrounding fiber crafts and a love of knitting. Allison’s shop has been a must-see for any visitors looking to pick up a new hobby, or wanting to grab a glass of wine and watch other knitters or crocheters create works of art. The shop offers affordable classes for any skill level, private lessons, and workshops for special events.

Vintage Soul
If you’ve never met Julie Crawford, you’re missing out on one of the most bubbly and welcoming personalities in Dripping Springs. Whether you’re in her Mercer Street shop or watching her weekly “Try-on Tuesday” Instagram stories, Julie makes everyone feel confident in her clothes and accessories. And let’s be honest, everyone loves information about true garment sizing before you try it on or buy online.

Starrs on Mercer
Two sisters with zero retail experience collaborated in 2015 to build a bustling “modern day department store” on Mercer Street. Born out of a love for shopping and convenience, Starrs on Mercer is a one-stop shop for women’s, men’s, and baby clothing, plus accessories, and gifts. The Starr sisters have since opened a travel agency, Starrs On The Go, to expand their endeavors.

Treaty Oak Distilling
You can’t write about Dripping Springs without including some popular distilleries. When it was founded in 2006, Treaty Oak says it was only the fourth distillery operating in the state. The distillery sits on a 28-acre property on Fitzhugh Road with plenty of space for children to explore while you sit back and enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail. Tours of the distillery are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and classes are available on select Saturdays every month.

Desert Door Distillery
What was once a barren plot of land on Darden Hill Road has now developed into the only sotol distillery in the United States. Desert Door hosts a range of live music weekly, offers tours on weekends, and also has a rental space for private events. With a variety of cocktails and tacos made by James Beard award winner Jesse Griffiths and Spoke Hollow Steward, it’s definitely a go-to for any day trip itinerary.

San Antonio meat palace Fogo de Chao expands its menu with new plant-based options

Vegan News

Well, here's a twist: Fogo de Chão, the churrascuria-style restaurant concept from Brazil known for its dedication to meat, is expanding its menu in an unprecedented new direction: They're adding tofu.

Effective immediately, the restaurant will offer new plant-based and nutrient-dense dishes, alongside an enhanced Bar Fogo beverage list that has new non-alcoholic craft cocktails made with low-proof spirits (less than 0.5 percent alcohol).

Fogo CEO Barry McGowan says in a release that they're responding to demand from their younger, more health-conscious customers.

"Our young and dynamic guests consider themselves food explorers who seek new culinary discoveries with each visit,” McGowan says. “For nearly 45 years we’ve had nutrient-dense and plant-forward dining options for every occasion and dietary tribe throughour Market Table. With the rollout of our new dining choices and clean cocktails, we continue to offer our guests the variety and discoveries they crave while doing it in a wholesome and flavorful way.”

The Market Table is their famed salad bar, which has sated many a vegetarian diner or else those just not up for the whole skewered meat thing that is a trademark of Fogo and other churrascuria-style places.

Entrees
Two new plant-based innovations will join Fogo's existing Vegetarian and Pescatarian dishes such as the Cauliflower Steak, and will be available on the main dining menu available for lunch, brunch, and dinner as an alternative to the Full Churrasco Experience, as follows:

Seared Tofu with Miso Black Bean Pasta - Chimichurri-marinated tofu served atop black bean pasta sautéed with green onion, Napa cabbage, pickled onions and carrot ginger-miso dressing. Vegan and gluten-free.
Roasted Power Vegetable Bowl - Roasted eggplant, marinated mushrooms, roasted zucchini, asparagus, and baby peppers served with chimichurri spinach rice. Vegan and gluten-free.

togo power bowl Roasted Power Vegetable Bowl at Fogo de Chao.Photo courtesy of Fogo de Chao

They're also rolling out new dishes on the Market Table which for the past 45 years has showcased nutrient-dense and flavorful choices including seasonal salads, micro greens, natural and plant-based proteins, imported charcuterie, and more.

New items on the Market Table are as follows:

Spring Hummus - Fresh hummus blended with herbs, roasted garlic and citrus, topped with radish, fresh mint, edamame, and olive oil.
Baby Kale & Mango Salad - Fresh baby kale, Napa cabbage, red radish and mango, tossed in a lime honey dressing.
Miso Black Bean Pasta - Gluten-free black bean pasta tossed with green onion, Napa cabbage, pickled onions and carrot ginger-miso dressing.
Apple Manchego Salad - Granny Smith apples and Manchego cheese tossed with honey, cracked pepper and black mission figs.
Power Greens - A seasonal mix of vitamin-rich greens, fresh herbs and micro-shoots

The Bar
The Bar Fogo menu now features five new cocktails, including three made with Clean Co’s non-alcoholic spirits with less than 0.5% alcohol, as follows:

Yellowbird - Desolas Mezcal, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Cointreau, La Marca Prosecco
Espresso Martini - Diplomatico Reserva Rum, Caffe Borghetti and Licor 43
Clean Cosmo - CleanCo V (Vodka) Apple, Cranberry, Fresh Lemon
CleanR Sour - CleanCo R (Rum), Passionfruit, Pineapple, Aquafaba, Bitters
Clean Cucumber Martini - CleanCo V (Vodka) Apple, Cucumber, Basil, Lemon Twist

Founded in southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo has seven other locations across Texas: Addison, Uptown Dallas, Plano, Friendswood, Houston, Austin, and The Woodlands.

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