St. Anthony Hotel Unveils Esencia Restaurant
SAN ANTONIO (Nov. 20, 2025) – The St. Anthony Hotel has announced plans for Esencia, a new restaurant concept led by acclaimed local chef Leo Davila that will open this winter inside the historic downtown hotel.
The 130-seat restaurant will feature a two-level dining room, elevated cuisine, craft cocktails and multiple private dining experiences. Esencia is designed to celebrate the merging of cultures that define modern San Antonio, blending Spanish, Mexican and Asian influences through a New American lens.
Esencia’s culinary direction draws directly from Chef Davila’s Chinese and Mexican heritage, pairing global flavors with Texas ingredients. The menu will highlight prime Texas beef, wild game, Gulf seafood and heirloom vegetables, with dishes that reimagine regional classics and personal favorites.
Planned menu highlights include Carne Asada Frites with Wagyu ribeye and Asian chimichurri, a modern Arroz con Pollo featuring cornish hen ballotine and mole amarillo, a contemporary take on Beef and Broccoli with Asian-spiced Wagyu and broccoli mole, and Duck & Flower, an Asian-spiced duck breast paired with hibiscus and Texas pecan mole.
The beverage program will feature Asian spirits, tequilas and mezcals, Texas whiskeys, beers and a diverse wine list. Signature cocktails will include a Smoked Old Fashioned made with an exclusive bourbon created through Anacacho Coffee & Cantina’s Barrel Program in partnership with Garrison Brothers, along with the Cherry Blossom Sour made with sake, gin, lemon and cherry blossom honey. The wine program will spotlight selections from Texas, the West Coast, Mexico and select international producers.
Several dishes will offer personal nods to Chef Davila’s upbringing, including Barbacoa & Big Red Tacos inspired by San Antonio’s West Side, enhanced with pickled watermelon rind in honor of his grandfather. Each dish is designed to blend tradition with contemporary technique while telling a story rooted in culture and memory.
“Esencia is more than a name. It’s a philosophy,” Davila said. “Our mission is to capture the true essence of San Antonio cuisine. This city has a story to tell, and food is my way of sharing it.”
The restaurant’s design will reflect San Antonio’s history and layered cultural identity. Spanish influences will be seen throughout the space, including a cantera stone fountain, wrought-iron detailing and a layout inspired by a Spanish courtyard. A warm, muted color palette of terracotta, sage green, teals and soft off-whites will define the interior, while local artist Regina Moya has been commissioned to paint sunset clouds across the ceiling. Olive trees and warm lighting will further establish a sense of place.
Esencia will offer several private dining options, including a Spanish-inspired main room with a 14-foot mahogany table for 14 to 16 guests, the Shanghai Room with Asian-influenced design for up to 20 guests, and a mezzanine level seating 30 to 40 people with draped privacy and balcony access.
St. Anthony General Manager Maria Martinez said the restaurant is a natural extension of both the hotel’s legacy and the city’s culinary evolution.
“Esencia is not only an exceptional amenity for our hotel guests, but also a gathering place for the San Antonio community,” Martinez said. “We are excited to share this new chapter with the city.”
The project was developed with several local partners, including Reasonable Remodelers, Doortex, Alan Petlin Gourmet Floors, Saylee-Greer Landscape Architecture, artist Regina Moya and Interior Affairs.
Esencia will be located inside the St. Anthony Hotel at 300 E. Travis St. Additional details, including an official opening date, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
