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    Esencia

    4.8 (20 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Esencia Photos

    ESENCIA ATMOSPHERE

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    Pan Seared Red Fish
    Gregory C.

    I'm visiting town for a work trip and was looking for a place for dinner on my last night. This was one of the newer establishments and also had higher ratings so I decided to give it a try. It's tucked away in the St Anthony Hotel -- it has a darker and sleek aesthetic. I was able to walk in and get a table without a reservation. I ordered the Smoked Seafood Crudo, Peppers and Cactus, and Red Fish. Everything was delicious. I will say the Crudo was a smaller serving but very tasty. The red fish was cooked perfectly and extremely flavorful, I'd return to the restaurant for that dish alone. When I visit san Antonio again, I'll be back!

    Fernando V.

    Good date night spot, pretty limited menu and not that so main stream so be adventurous or maybe this is not he spot for you

    "Beef & Broccoli" Tartare
    Lorin B.

    The service was impeccable, we absolutely loved our evening with nico he was knowledgeable in the menu & gave such great recommendations. The ambiance was something out of a movie; we walked in stunned by the elegance. The crudo was my favorite item of the night, but nothing we had was bad by any means!

    Shrimp & Grits
    Julia H.

    Wonderful restaurant with a great vibe. All the entrees are gluten free and awesome! Tacos were great as appetizer! Great drinks and service was spot on! Highly recommend and will be on our repeat local restaurants!

    Kimchi bowl and duck flower
    Kimberly K.

    What a beautiful new restaurant -- and what an incredible makeover! Chef Leo has created a fantastic menu with truly memorable entrées. We loved everything we tried, especially the peppers and cactus appetizer (shishito peppers con chorizo), the masa dumplings, the duck and flower dish, and the kimchi stone pot-- all absolutely phenomenal. The ambience is stunning, the cocktails are wonderful, and the service was excellent from start to finish. This place hits every mark. We will definitely be back and will be recommending it to all of our friends. Five stars all the way!

    Jen H.

    I had really low expectations for this restaurant because I feel as though most "fancy" restaurants in SA are missing the cohesiveness that other big-city "fancy" restaurants have. There's certain elements I look for in terms of service, food quality, and overall experience when the price point is that high. For example, the glasses they use for water are lovely to look at, but it makes it difficult for the waiter to see when a glass is empty. I would expect my water to be always at least half-filled but it ran empty a couple times without the waiter noticing when she checked up on us. The duck was good, but I wasn't blown away by the flavors. The temperature of the dish was also a bit on the lukewarm side and felt like I was eating room temperature food. The best part of the experience was the decor and the building layout itself; it had Asian x Spanish villa vibes that was carried out perfectly.

    Mezcal cocktail with Tajin foam.
    David C.

    We truly enjoyed our first visit to Esencia! From the friendly team that greeted us at the hostess stand, to our amazing server Jenna, we felt completely at home in this beautiful new restaurant. They've done an amazing job transforming the place into a truly Spanish stunner that is modern yet timeless.... The food .. amazing ! So many unique flavors that were so well thought out. The Asian Mexican fusion is definitely working. Loved the beet carpaccio, the beef and broccoli , peppers and cactus , and the SHRIMP TOAST!!! The drinks were perfect ... highly recommend this great place inside the St. Anthony hotel .

    Amazing. One of the best restaurants San Antonio has to offer. I ate there last night and I have only great things to say. Great service, Jena was nice and knowledgeable of the menu and answered any questions I had. The restaurant was warm and inviting. And the food, top notch. You can't go wrong with anything you order. But I recommend, Pepper and Cactus and Smoked Seafood Crudo to start off. And Al Pastor and Carne Asada for entrees. For dessert, Churro Bread Pudding. Everything 10/10! I'm already planning to eat there again!

    Arroz con Pollo

    Our server Nico was exceptional, he had so much great input on every dish and helped guide us through both the food and drink menu. He was so nice and helpful through our dinner experience. He had a great attitude! Our food was amazing, truly I have no complaints. I would definitely request Nico as my server time and time again. 10/10

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    3 months ago

    The restaurant is fantastic. It's the food is fantastic. James Beard nominated chef perfect combination of Chinese Hispanic food mix

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    Pharm Table - Sweet potato waffles with a Golden brew

    Pharm Table

    4.3(470 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown, Southtown, Lavaca
    $$

    I loved this experience. It's a very calm and earthy vibe. They have plants every where including…read moreshelf herbs. The only complaint is how long it took to get served. We were seated right away but it was about 15 mins before someone came to our table to greet us and provide water. Once we ordered the waiter was very attentive. She provided us a palette cleanser (the spoons) which tasted like a lemon spice. It was really nice but had a kick at the end. We also ordered the probiotic appetizer which was gut healthy fermented veg. I wasn't a big fan of it, but my friend loved it. We also ordered the cilantro coconut guacamole and corn tortillas. This was very interesting! I've never had fruit in my guacamole. I loved it. And the corn tortillas were fresh and homemade. Next, I ordered a saffron date golden milk. They offer this hot or chilled. I got the chilled version. This is to die for if I could drink this every day I would. It is very comforting and as you drinking it, you get this like warmth all over. The spices are very balanced and it comes with oat milk so it's creamy. For the meal I order the akaushi beef tacos. Which was Barbacoa over a cashew cream trust with fermented, cabbage, and cilantro. It also comes with a side of salsa. These tacos were very filling and delicious. The flavors pair up so well. I did add some of the gauc to it for a more creamer taste. Overall, the food experience was a 10 out of 10. I am gluten-free and the whole restaurant is 100% gluten-free! They have vegetarian options and from what I could see also dairy free. If you're trying to expand your taste buds, this is definitely a place to try. The only thing I didn't like was the chairs lol the edge of it was so uncomfortable because it was putting pressure into my legs my friend said the same thing with her chair.

    Ken with Offline - Before we talk about the food. Let's talk about Luke our server. He bleeds Pharm…read moreTable and the concept. You can't teach that! 18 year downtown resident and he rushes to the top as one of the top servers! Now the food. Cin is a 40 year vegetarian and I took one for the team. Or did I? OMG amazing, the flavors.... Not often, I wake up the next day still thinking about the meal. Way cool vibe inside, and quite. Thx for the great meal, and thx Luke not for the good customer service... But the memory.

    Photos
    Pharm Table - Locally-sourced, globally-inspired food with a spice library, botanical cocktails, and natural wines.

    Locally-sourced, globally-inspired food with a spice library, botanical cocktails, and natural wines.

    Pharm Table - +50 horniness

    +50 horniness

    Pharm Table - Outdoor patio area

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    Outdoor patio area

    sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Wraps, and Bowls

    sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Wraps, and Bowls

    4.1(109 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    I try so bad to like this place and give it another try but again it disappointed us. The staff are…read morealways so friendly and the facility is clean and spacious. Easy location next to Trader Joe's Saw the Korean BBQ chicken ad and looked great. Well.... Every. Single . Item. Was cold, hardly room temp. This has also been a problem on the past. They leave the covers open duh Paid extra for sweet potatoes that were to be hot versus their free cold version but no.... Looked like it was sitting awhile and I said that as the cover was off, but the worker said no it was fresh Rice is airy and cold Kim chi cucumber ok The chicken was cold and looked nothing like the photo, I asked several times if it was the Korean BBQ. Looked dry and they just recommended me to choose a sauce they offer for all their items They do not have white meat btw Hubby walked in reluctantly as last visit we had been served cold Salmon He promptly walked out empty handed after trying to find other options Think this is it folks. Sadly, How many tries do you give a place chances for redemption?

    I love sweetgreen because I always feel good about eating here. Everything tastes fresh, the…read moreingredients are high quality, and the salads are huge -- definitely filling without feeling heavy. The Shroomami bowl is my favorite and never disappoints -- but they've recently added some new menu items that look just as delicious.

    Photos
    sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Wraps, and Bowls - Decor 7/2023

    Decor 7/2023

    sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Wraps, and Bowls - Miso Glazed Salmon

    Miso Glazed Salmon

    sweetgreen - Healthy Salads, Wraps, and Bowls

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    CAVA

    CAVA

    3.9(119 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$

    Our first time here and as we stared at the menu board overwhelmed Zack came up and asked if we…read moreneeded help. The experience was incredible as we were guided through the process. We were given samples of we were not familiar with and ended up with delicious combinations in a bowl. What a great experience! So enjoyed everything. The food and the guidance. I do not think it would have been the same without the help. Thanks Zack!! Only down would be lacks a bit of character in the dining room. No music or anything. Overall though so enjoyed.

    I go to this location regularly, and unfortunately every time I visit there seems to be an issue. I…read morealways order extra steak, but it is often cold or there is barely any available. Yesterday was especially disappointing. They only had a very small scoop of steak left and told me that if I waited for a fresh batch, they would give me the portion I paid extra for once it was ready. I agreed, even though I was already frustrated because this happens often. They rang up both my bowl and my boyfriend's order, then packed mine in a to-go container even though I said I was dining in. I sat and waited about 15 minutes for the steak, and my boyfriend eventually had to get up and ask for it. When they finally gave it to me, it still was not the extra portion I had paid for. While waiting, I also overheard the manager offering free food to a customer in line if she left a 5-star review, which felt unprofessional and misleading. To make things worse, when I started eating, the steak I had waited and paid extra for was burnt, dry, and like jerky. This was extremely disappointing. I love CAVA, which is why this is frustrating. I actively avoid this location because of repeated bad experiences, but it is the closest one to me. I've never had these issues at the Huebner location. I hope this location improves its food quality, service, and management.

    Photos
    CAVA
    CAVA
    CAVA

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    Stop N Go Gyros - Gyro Salad

    Stop N Go Gyros

    4.6(67 reviews)
    7.4 mi

    This place has great gyros. You can get plates, sandwiches, or even stop by to get baklava that is…read moreauthentically sweet and savory. My girlfriend and I ended up trying their Greek fries, their chicken plate, and even one of their gyro sandwiches. All three dishes were full of flavor and savory, and if you asked me, it's worth the price if you want some good food if you're in the area. I will note especially that despite even being met with a rude customer, they were still professional as they got them settled in with their order. Even after when I had simply passed by one of the cooks, they made an effort to say to enjoy the food. It's a quiet hole in the wall. It is also by far one of the closest experiences that anyone can get to authentic Greek food with some pita bread and hummus. Although it has better prices than most, I literally went to the mall, and after, accidentally sat on a sealed container of my girlfriend's Greek fries and gyro sandwich... if you want leftovers that can withstand a big guy sitting on them - well, you go here too. I dented the cover and it did not pop open. We ended up eating the fries later when we got home. Still great.

    Stopped by for a quick lunch. The restaurant was not busy and ordering was easy. I ended up…read moreordering a gyro because their other options had too much food. Took my order to go and it traveled well. The gyro was super tasty but had too much of the mayo sauce. The meat was a bit greasy but overall enjoyed the entire thing.

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    Stop N Go Gyros - Inside

    Inside

    Stop N Go Gyros - Gyro Greek Fries

    Gyro Greek Fries

    Stop N Go Gyros - Gyro Plate

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    Gyro Plate

    Plantology - Taquitos

    Plantology

    4.3(179 reviews)
    4.5 mi
    $$

    Well I have to say, this is definitely another great vegan place to come try. I came here with…read morefamily as I have family that are vegans. I was told many good things about the food here. I'm glad to say they did not disappoint. The inside of the building is so nice and pretty. It was pretty with the fake greens, and I liked the hanging chair at the corner surrounded by flowers (very cute!). The lady at the front desk was so nice. She gave recommendations, and she seemed to know about the menu well. She took our order and we waited maybe 20 minutes before the food arrived. First off, the food looked so pretty and presented nicely. I had ordered the 'al pastor' tacos, and it was good. I really liked how the pineapple compliments the soy meat and with hot sauce, which was excellent. I think I ordered probably one of the best sweet potato fries I've ever eaten. They were soooo good and wished that they gave me more! I also really enjoyed the cauliflower wings too (you can pick 4 types of sauce to use). I especially loved the ranch that came with it. My family also ordered the street tacos, which they definitely didn't hold back filling. Their salads looked really tasty too. The last thing I ordered was an oreo milkshake to go. It was amazing, and they gave me a whole cookie in it too. I would absolutely come back and would totally recommend anyone to try!

    Menu is super well labeled including allergen information for items containing soy, etc…read more I got the Philly sandwich and the sandwich was overfilled. Was a great amount of food for the price!

    Photos
    Plantology - Inside

    Inside

    Plantology - Al pastor tacos

    Al pastor tacos

    Plantology - Inside

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    Inside

    Four Brothers

    Four Brothers

    4.2(229 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown
    $$$

    Another great meal! Our server Brahim provided the perfect service: attentive, thoughtful, kind…read more Really enhanced our meal. For a starter we shared the cornbread with another couple and it was plenty for 4 people. If you are from out of town and looking for some Texas-shaped vittles or just want something substantial to stretch your meal I recommend it! Very tasty and filling. For my main I had the scallops with creamed corn risotto. It was a dainty portion but the flavors were nice. My husband had the short rib tagliatelle which he loved. It was very rich and filling. We had the buttermilk pie again for dessert and this time it tasted sweeter than I remembered. It was good but we couldn't finish it. Idk if it was my tastebuds or if it was different. Anyways still a great meal overall and we will be back!

    We arrived in San Antonio after an 11+ hour road trip from New Orleans. By 7 pm hubs wanted dinner…read moreas soon as we checked into our hotel. Checked Yelp for dinner suggestions so Doc drove us to the paid lot next to where all the Cinderella lit up carriages drawn by horses were lined up. It seemed the boats going up and down the River portion of the Walk were busier. While we were walking I had my eyes open for a table with a view. We stopped at Four Brothers. The receptionist went over suggestions on the menu on her outdoor podium. Cornbread in the shape of Texas, shareable items like Dino ribs for $82, plus Pork Shank and ice tea completed our order. Everyone was very friendly. We had an exceptional view and we had more than enough food that we had to ask for take out boxes. My favorite was the Mac & cheese though I'm usually not a fan. This dish used cork screw shaped pasta and it was moist and not stuck together. I had to share a photo of it with Sweetie who is in Tokyo right now. Doc liked the pimento for the cornbread. As it was almost 9 pm we decided to pass on the boat ride but just walk on the other side with shops and more eateries. We're back on the road again tomorrow to Arizona.

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    Four Brothers
    Four Brothers
    Four Brothers

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    Esencia - salad - Updated May 2026

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