New Restaurant, Esencia, Opens Quickly at The St. Anthony Resort in Downtown San Antonio
The St. Anthony Resort Unveils new restaurant, Esencia, showcasing Chef Leo Davila’s San Antonio roots and Asian heritage. Acclaimed native Chef Leo Davila and the St. Anthony, a Luxurious Assortment Resort – a AAA 4 Diamond historic lodge situated within the coronary heart of downtown San Antonio – are happy to unveil particulars for its new restaurant idea, Esencia, opening this coming winter. Esencia will function 130 seats, a two-level eating room, elevated delicacies, distinctive service, craft cocktails, non-public eating experiences and extra, all situated contained in the luxurious St. Anthony Resort.
A Distinctive Culinary Mix
Esencia will replicate the culinary spirit of modern-day San Antonio – numerous, dynamic and deeply rooted in historical past, creating an expertise that feels unmistakably native, but globally impressed. The strategy blends the flavors and traditions of Spanish, Mexican and Asian cultures – all rooted in Chef Leo’s Chinese language and Mexican heritage – with a New American sensibility celebrating innovation, native elements and the artwork of cultural storytelling by delicacies.
Awarding Profitable Chef
Chef Leo, who has made a reputation for himself with a number of award wins, celebrated ideas and a James Beard Award nomination, is thrilled to take the helm of the most recent restaurant to grace the halls of the St. Anthony Resort. Below his course, the menu at Esencia might be a vibrant celebration of the state’s wealthy culinary panorama, showcasing prime Texas beef, wild sport, Gulf seafood and recent heirloom greens.
The Meals
The menu will function specialties equivalent to Carne Asada Frites served with Wagyu ribeye, potato pave, avocado salad, Asian chimichurri and heirloom corn tortillas; a reimagined Arroz con Pollo with cornish hen ballotine, mole amarillo, huitlacoche and squash fried rice, wok fried vegetable medley and miso aioli; a contemporary interpretation on Beef and Broccoli that includes tartare-style Asian-spiced Wagyu beef and beets, lemongrass aioli, broccoli mole and pickled pink onion; in addition to the Duck & Flower, an Asian-spiced duck breast with a hibiscus and Texas pecan mole.

The Drinks
Esencia’s beverage program will showcase a dynamic mixture of Asian spirits, tequilas and mezcals, Texas whiskeys, beers and an intensive number of wines. Visitors can discover creative cocktails such because the Smoked Outdated Customary, crafted with an unique bourbon from Anacacho Espresso & Cantina’s Barrel Program in partnership with Garrison Brothers, in addition to the Cherry Blossom Bitter that includes sake, gin, lemon, cherry blossom honey and egg white.
The Wine
A thoughtfully curated and numerous wine program will pair with the distinctive taste profiles of Chef Leo’s menu. The wine program spotlights 4 key areas – Texas, the West Coast, Mexico and choose Worldwide producers – highlighting the distinctive qualities and flavors every area affords.

The menu at Esencia consists of considerate nods to Chef Leo’s upbringing. His dishes pay homage to impactful folks and moments in his life, like his signature Barbacoa & Huge Crimson Tacos – a staple of the west facet of San Antonio the place he grew up, however enhanced with a pickled watermelon rind that honors his grandfather’s love of the fruit. All of Chef Leo’s dishes marry custom with creative, up to date twists, providing friends a memorable journey of taste, tradition and private connection.
“Esencia is greater than a reputation – it’s a philosophy,” stated Chef Leo Davila. “In Spanish, Esencia means ‘essence,’ and our mission is to seize the true essence of San Antonio delicacies. This metropolis has a narrative to inform, and meals is my means of sharing it. Bringing Esencia to life has been a dream come true – each element, each visitor, and each eating expertise issues. For too lengthy, San Antonio has been missed within the Texas culinary panorama. That adjustments now. My staff and I are proud to be a part of a brand new wave of cooks highlighting the depth, heritage and creativity that make this metropolis extraordinary – and to assist put San Antonio firmly on the ‘new Tejano’ culinary map.”

A Design Ahead Expertise
Esencia’s inside design is a considerate reflection of San Antonio’s deep historic roots and its vibrant, multifaceted tradition, mirroring the restaurant’s culinary philosophy. Spanish influences, from the cantera stone fountain within the heart of the restaurant, to wrought-iron detailing and extra may be seen all through the area, paying homage to the Canary Islanders that settled in San Antonio greater than 300 years in the past.
The area might be adorned with a fastidiously curated colour palette, that includes heat but muted shades equivalent to terracotta, sage inexperienced, varied teals and creamy off-whites, amongst others. Native artist Regina Moya was commissioned to create sundown clouds on the ceiling, giving the area an atmospheric aesthetic. Esencia’s fundamental eating room brings again the unique supposed design which mimics the looks of a Spanish courtyard, with heat lighting and olive timber positioned all through to assist create a way of place.
Esencia might be a spot for informal gatherings and main celebrations alike. The restaurant is happy to supply friends quite a lot of non-public eating choices, together with the Essential Room with Spanish decor and a 14 foot mahogany desk that seats 14-16; the Shanghai Room with Asian impressed parts that may accommodate as much as 20 friends; and the Mezzanine, which seats 30-40 folks in a cushty and intimate setting with drapes for privateness and entry to the balcony patio.
“We’re thrilled to unveil Esencia to the general public quickly,” stated St. Anthony Normal Supervisor Maria Martinez. “The restaurant is a pure extension of our lodge’s legacy and of San Antonio’s vibrant culinary tradition. Esencia isn’t solely an distinctive amenity for our lodge friends, but in addition a gathering place for our San Antonio group. We are able to’t wait to open our doorways and share it with everybody.”
Our Native Companions
Esencia’s creation is made potential with the experience of a number of key native companions, together with Richard Garcia with Cheap Remodelers, Stan Gluza with Doortex, Alan Petlin Connoisseur Flooring, Chris Greer with Saylee-Greer Panorama Structure, artist Regina Moya and Nicole Pulley with Inside Affairs.
Esencia is situated at 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205 on the St. Anthony Resort. Further particulars, together with its opening date might be revealed within the weeks to come back. For extra details about the St. Anthony Resort, go to www.thestanthonyhotel.com.

ABOUT THE ST. ANTHONY, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL
Established in 1909, The St. Anthony Resort is a historic luxurious vacation spot situated within the coronary heart of downtown San Antonio. Often known as the “Queen of San Antonio,” the lodge has lengthy been a gathering place for royalty, celebrities and international tastemakers. A proud member of Marriott’s Luxurious Assortment, The St. Anthony seamlessly blends timeless magnificence with trendy sophistication, that includes superbly adorned rooms, award-winning culinary experiences, and over 30,000 sq. ft of distinctive indoor and outside occasion area. Simply steps from the River Stroll and the Alamo, the lodge supplies a refined gateway to timeless luxurious and the cultural soul of San Antonio. For extra info, visit www.thestanthonyhotel.com or observe alongside on Instagram at @thestanthonyhotel.
Proudly born and raised in San Antonio, Chef Leo Davila brings a deep understanding of town’s culinary heritage to his work. Drawing from his Mexican and Chinese language roots, Leo has developed a particular fashion that blends candy and savory parts, making a vibrant fusion of each cuisines. His revolutionary strategy to San Antonio regional fare has earned widespread recognition, together with a James Beard Award nomination, turning into a Meals Community Chef alumnus, rating #3 on the San Antonio Categorical-Information’ Prime 25 Mexican Eating places in 2024 and securing the #8 spot on Texas Month-to-month’s Prime 50 Finest Tacos listing. Leo has served as a Chef Ambassador for San Antonio’s UNESCO Inventive Metropolis of Gastronomy designation, representing town on a worldwide stage. In spring 2024, he traveled to Shunde, China, taking part in a Guinness World File occasion whereas showcasing San Antonio delicacies to greater than 1,000 pageant attendees. Chef Leo now proudly leads the culinary packages at Esencia and Anacacho Espresso & Cantina on the historic St. Anthony Resort in downtown San Antonio, TX.
