A new neighbourhood restaurant from acclaimed San Antonio chef Diego Galicia is preparing to open in Government Hill, bringing a seasonal menu, approachable dining and a new chapter for a historic 1910 home.
Filleman House is targeting an opening in the last week of November, following Thanksgiving, at 517 E. Grayson St., San Antonio, TX 78215. The restaurant is Galicia’s first solo project after years leading Mixtli, which earned San Antonio’s first MICHELIN Star.
Galicia confirmed the opening timeline and details about the concept during an interview with WhatNow San Antonio.
Construction is currently about 60% complete, with crews working on the bar and foundation repairs to the century-old home.
“We’re about 60% there,” Galicia said. “It’s moving along really fast.”
Filleman House is named after August Filleman, the original owner of the home. Galicia said the history of the property played an important role in shaping both the restaurant and its atmosphere.
“The house spoke loudly,” Galicia said.
The restored home will serve as the backdrop for a restaurant designed around what Galicia describes as the kind of food he personally enjoys eating. The chef said the menu was developed by writing down dishes inspired by his travels, friends, family and restaurants he has visited.
“It was just food that I love to eat,” Galicia said.
The menu will include dishes such as prime rib, steak au poivre, oysters, crab, lobster, pasta and a dry-aged burger. Galicia said the restaurant is intended to bring together dishes that customers may otherwise have to visit several different restaurants to find.
“You really can’t find them anywhere,” he said. “You have to really look for them in San Antonio.”
The steak au poivre is expected to become one of the restaurant’s signature dishes and is one item Galicia said will remain on the menu.
Desserts will take a more nostalgic approach, with offerings including root beer floats, a classic banana split and a cheese tray with honeycomb.
While the menu will be seasonal, Galicia said it will also change frequently, with dishes potentially changing daily.
“I’ll be changing things up all the time,” he said.
The concept will differ significantly from Mixtli, which is known for its highly orchestrated service and tasting-menu experience. Filleman House, by comparison, is being designed as a more casual neighbourhood restaurant where customers can stop in regularly.
“I want people to come Tuesday for a burger or Thursday for prime rib,” Galicia said.
The restaurant will also be designed to offer an accessible experience for a broad range of diners. Galicia said guests could come in for a burger and martini or enjoy a more substantial dinner.
“We’re gonna have something for everybody,” he said. “We’re not gonna exclude anybody here because of price point.”
Filleman House will accommodate approximately 60 guests and is expected to operate Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight, with dinner service only.
Both reservations and walk-ins will be accepted. Reservations will be available through OpenTable once the restaurant is closer to opening.
The historic home itself is expected to play a major role in the dining experience. Galicia said the property naturally complements the menu, envisioning oysters being enjoyed on the patio and crab in the sunroom.
“The house itself lends itself to the menu we’re putting together,” he said.
Galicia also plans to incorporate personal elements into the restaurant. He said his interest in hunting and wild game will be reflected in the space, which will feature taxidermy and photographs of his family.
The chef said naming the restaurant after the Filleman family was also a way to honour the people who originally built the home. Galicia noted that, like his own family, the Fillemans were immigrants, having come from Switzerland.
For Galicia, Filleman House represents a more personal expression of his culinary identity.
“Filment is more telling the story of myself,” he said.
The Government Hill neighbourhood was another factor behind the project. Galicia said the area is experiencing significant growth, particularly with new restaurants and other businesses expected to arrive over the coming months.
“The house stands on its own,” Galicia said. “It’s such a unique building and such a unique street.”
He hopes Filleman House will become part of the neighbourhood’s growing dining scene and encourage customers to visit other nearby businesses as well.
“I wanna create that really closeness with the business around me,” Galicia said.
The beverage programme is still being developed, with Galicia confirming the restaurant will offer wine by the glass and by the bottle. He said the team is putting particular effort into creating a wine list that allows diners to enjoy high-quality wines without having to order a full bottle.
Filleman House will also have a cocktail programme, with details still being finalised.
Galicia said the restaurant will draw on lessons from his 13 years at Mixtli, particularly the importance of keeping food simple and executing it well.
“A lot of times, simple is better,” he said.
Rather than pursuing additional awards with Filleman House, Galicia said his focus is on providing good food and service.
“I’m not concerned about chasing any awards,” he said. “I just want really good service, really good food.”
Despite the new concept, Galicia does not currently plan to expand Filleman House beyond the San Antonio location.
When asked whether it could eventually become a larger concept, Galicia said the restaurant is intended to be a one-off.
“I think it’s a one and done,” he said.
Galicia has earned national recognition throughout his career, including being named a Food & Wine Best New Chef in 2017. Under his leadership, Mixtli became San Antonio’s first MICHELIN-Starred restaurant and the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Texas.
Filleman House will offer a different kind of dining experience, with Galicia aiming to create a restaurant where guests can return regularly for familiar favourites while still finding something new on the menu.
The restaurant is expected to open in the last week of November after Thanksgiving, pending completion of construction.
WhatNow San Antonio will provide additional updates as Filleman House moves closer to opening at 517 E. Grayson St.
