Local Chef Leo Davila and the St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel – a AAA Four Diamond historic hotel located in the heart of downtown San Antonio – are pleased to unveil details for its new restaurant concept, Esencia, opening this coming winter. Esencia will feature 130 seats, a two-level dining room, elevated cuisine, exceptional service, craft cocktails, private dining experiences and more, all located inside the luxurious St. Anthony Hotel.
Esencia will reflect the culinary spirit of modern-day San Antonio – diverse, dynamic and deeply rooted in history, creating an experience that feels unmistakably local, yet globally inspired. The approach blends the flavors and traditions of Spanish, Mexican and Asian cultures – all rooted in Chef Leo’s Chinese and Mexican heritage – with a New American sensibility celebrating innovation, local ingredients and the art of cultural storytelling through cuisine.
Chef Leo, who has made a name for himself with multiple award wins, celebrated concepts and a James Beard Award nomination, is thrilled to take the helm of the latest restaurant to grace the halls of the St. Anthony Hotel. Under his direction, the menu at Esencia will be a vibrant celebration of the state’s rich culinary landscape, showcasing prime Texas beef, wild game, Gulf seafood and fresh heirloom vegetables.
The menu will feature specialties such as 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 modern interpretation on Beef and Broccoli featuring tartare-style Asian-spiced Wagyu beef and beets, lemongrass aioli, broccoli mole and pickled red onion; as well as the Duck & Flower, an Asian-spiced duck breast with a hibiscus and Texas pecan mole.
Esencia’s beverage program will showcase a dynamic mix of Asian spirits, tequilas and mezcals, Texas whiskeys, beers and an extensive selection of wines. Guests can explore inventive cocktails such as the Smoked Old Fashioned, crafted with an exclusive bourbon from Anacacho Coffee & Cantina’s Barrel Program in partnership with Garrison Brothers, as well as the Cherry Blossom Sour featuring sake, gin, lemon, cherry blossom honey and egg white.
A thoughtfully curated and diverse wine program will pair with the unique flavor profiles of Chef Leo’s menu. The wine program spotlights four key regions – Texas, the West Coast, Mexico and select Worldwide producers – highlighting the unique qualities and flavors each region offers.
The menu at Esencia includes thoughtful nods to Chef Leo’s upbringing. His dishes pay homage to impactful people and moments in his life, like his signature Barbacoa & Big Red Tacos – a staple of the west side of San Antonio where he grew up, but enhanced with a pickled watermelon rind that honors his grandfather’s love of the fruit. All of Chef Leo’s dishes marry tradition with inventive, contemporary twists, offering guests a memorable journey of flavor, culture and personal connection.
“Esencia is more than a name – it’s a philosophy,” said Chef Leo Davila in a statement. “In Spanish, Esencia means ‘essence,’ and 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. Bringing Esencia to life has been a dream come true – every detail, every guest, and every dining experience matters. For too long, San Antonio has been overlooked in the Texas culinary landscape. That changes now. My team and I are proud to be part of a new wave of chefs highlighting the depth, heritage and creativity that make this city extraordinary – and to help put San Antonio firmly on the ‘new Tejano’ culinary map.”
Esencia’s interior design is a thoughtful reflection of San Antonio’s deep historical roots and its vibrant, multifaceted culture, mirroring the restaurant’s culinary philosophy. Spanish influences, from the cantera stone fountain in the center of the restaurant, to wrought-iron detailing and more can be seen throughout the space, paying homage to the Canary Islanders that settled in San Antonio more than 300 years ago.
The space will be adorned with a carefully curated color palette, featuring warm yet muted shades such as terracotta, sage green, various teals and creamy off-whites, among others. Local artist Regina Moya was commissioned to create sunset clouds on the ceiling, giving the space an atmospheric aesthetic. Esencia’s main dining room brings back the original intended design which mimics the appearance of a Spanish courtyard, with warm lighting and olive trees placed throughout to help create a sense of place.
Esencia will be a place for casual gatherings and major celebrations alike. The restaurant is pleased to offer guests a variety of private dining options, including the Main Room with Spanish decor and a 14 foot mahogany table that seats 14-16; the Shanghai Room with Asian inspired elements that can accommodate up to 20 guests; and the Mezzanine, which seats 30-40 people in a comfortable and intimate setting with drapes for privacy and access to the balcony patio.
“We are thrilled to unveil Esencia to the public soon,” said St. Anthony General Manager Maria Martinez. “The restaurant is a natural extension of our hotel’s legacy and of San Antonio’s vibrant culinary culture. Esencia is not only an exceptional amenity for our hotel guests, but also a gathering place for our San Antonio community. We can’t wait to open our doors and share it with everyone.”
Esencia’s creation is made possible with the expertise of several key local partners, including Richard Garcia with Reasonable Remodelers, Stan Gluza with Doortex, Alan Petlin Gourmet Floors, Chris Greer with Saylee-Greer Landscape Architecture, artist Regina Moya and Nicole Pulley with Interior Affairs.
Esencia is located at 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX 78205 at the St. Anthony Hotel. Additional details, including its opening date will be revealed in the weeks to come.
