Downtown San Antonio’s long-vacant El Tropicano would possibly quickly be luring jetsetters once more. The landmark River Stroll lodge, now Sítio El Tropicano, has drafted some star expertise to guide its meals and beverage program: Austin’s Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group.
Emmer & Rye is not any stranger to creating locations. After opening a number of acclaimed eating places within the Capital Metropolis, the group — led by companions Kevin Fink, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Alicynn Fink, and Rand Egbert — shook up Pearl with Ladino, Henbit, and Pullman Market. The ideas quickly collected some critical plaudits, from Michelin stars to a James Beard finalist nod for Bristol-Joseph within the Excellent Pastry Chef or Baker class.
Though particulars are nonetheless slim, the group will run three ideas at Sítio El Tropicano: a foyer café and provisions store, a signature all-day restaurant, and a poolside spot serving cocktails and bites. Emmer & Rye may also deal with meals and beverage for the lodge’s 16,000 sq. toes of occasion house.
Emmer & Rye croup is understood for its ingredient-forward method at eating places like Isidore.Isidore/ Fb
Regardless of the fare, Emmer & Rye can draw loads of inspiration from the property’s storied previous. Town’s first River Stroll lodge opened in 1962 and spent its heyday internet hosting the likes of The Who, Dolly Parton, the Rolling Stones, and Julie Andrews. Lyndon B. Johnson visited it typically sufficient that it earned the nickname the “Texas White Home.”
After years of limbo, El Tropicano was bought in January 2024 by a consortium together with developer Trestle Studio, which is overseeing a restoration that pulls on the work of Brazilian panorama modernist Roberto Burle Marx. Along with the eating places, the positioning may have assembly house, a spa, and what it’s touting as town’s largest pool deck.
“San Antonio is such a particular metropolis, and seeing this historic property come again to life is extremely thrilling,” mentioned Egbert, the group’s associate and chief improvement officer, in a launch. “We sit up for bringing all-day eating and a vibrant sense of neighborhood again to this house.”
And a few San Antonio creatives may have much more entry. On Thursday, June 25, the lodge opened functions for its unique Sítio Membership. Perks embody members-only areas over the River Stroll; precedence cabana, eating, and spa reservations; room upgrades; and a calendar of seasonal programming. Members may also get to preen on the Flamingo Bar, a cocktail spot within the house that when housed the lodge’s pink-feathered flock.
A mannequin visitor room teases the tropical modernist design.Picture by Matt Kisiday.
Planners say they’re on monitor for a late 2026 opening, however there’s nonetheless loads of work to be accomplished. Throughout a June 24 web site go to, a lot of the aesthetic work was but to be accomplished, though a mannequin visitor room with palm tree views teased its tropical-modernist vibe. Completed or not, Sítio is now assured sufficient to open up reservations.
