Food: Outstanding Service: Impeccable Ambience: Divine From the moment you walk toward the hostess area, you feel the anticipation and elegance. Simply beautifully and tastefully decorated. It's was a special night and from beginning to end it never disappoints. Our service Christ picked our drinks and wine. It paired wonderfully with our food. He could have gouged us and he didn't. That says a lot. The food was delicious! I didn't k if I was missing this in my life . Must haves: quesadilla betta, peppers and cactus (if you like a bit of spice and nopales), my fish was expertly cooked and flavorful. Get the pork belly tacos!!! We are sharing the steak next time. And there will be a next time. Also, the popcorn dessert was a pleasant surprise, I'd have that again and ask for one to take home. Chef Leo Davila outdoes himself. read more

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My friend and I wanted a fancy girls night dinner. We had reservations and were seated promptly on a Thursday night. The restaurant has a very classy, Spanish-inspired aesthetic that makes for a beautiful, Instagram-worthy date night or girls night photos. The menu was short but intentional, which I appreciated. The server explained that they specialized in Mexican-Asian fusion. We started with the bread and butter, then ordered the Duck & Flower and Red Fish for our entrées. The bread basket came with warm sourdough and caramelized onion focaccia, served with orange jam, pesto butter, and garlic butter. The orange jam was unexpectedly refreshing--zesty, citrusy, and incredibly fresh, almost like biting into a perfectly ripe orange. The Duck & Flower was an excellent choice. The duck was tender and flavorful, especially paired with the mole sauce. The jasmine rice was perfectly steamed, and the vegetables were cooked just right. The Red Fish was a bit of a letdown after the other dishes exceeded expectations. It was cooked beautifully and had a great texture, but unfortunately, it lacked the flavor I was hoping for. Overall, Esencia delivered a lovely dinner experience, and I'd definitely return to give the Pork & Apple a try! read more

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If you're looking for San Antonio Mexican or Mexican anything don't go. This place is an Asian restaurant disguised as Mexican/Asian fusion. If that's what you want the please proceed. Otherwise don't do it. I ordered the Arroz con pollo thinking it would be something along the lines of Mexican chicken and rice. I got a patty of puréed chicken mixed with rice. I've never been more disappointed. I ate my food for calories. read more

The location is on the Travis Park Square inside the St. Anthony Hotel. The staff was very nice and helpful. The decor is amazing. The food was good. Yet, if I am going to pay $75 for one person, I expect to be wow'd. The Al Pastor is a very large bone in pork chop that I expected a deeper grilled flavor. The pineapple onion mix on top was tasty and unique. The grits were cooked perfectly but missed a depth of flavor that grits should have in a dish like this. The avocado salad was a little too much lime but a solid idea. The banana creme dessert is that .. cream not pudding. I really did enjoy that the bananas were blended into the cream. I was disappointed that they had no decaf coffee at 7PM at night. There were a few more items on the menu that looked interesting... I will try again. read more

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Everyone who took care of us here made us feel important. Our hostess asked us what events were going on for us, so they could accommodate our timeline. Our server asked about food allergies. All our main food arrived exactly at the same time (3 people brought it all out.) This is a fancy restaurant but you could make a full meal from the Happy Hour menu and not spend a ton. I'll be back. read more

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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! read more

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Awesome experience. Our server (Kyri) was awesome. Such a nice young man. And manager (Marcus) was on his game and ensuring everything was working. Cool architectural vibe as well. Love this place. 1st time but will be back read more

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! read more

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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! read more

Esencia - Kimchi bowl and duck flower - Salad Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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 read more

Esencia - Salad Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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! read more

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The food was very good! We got the Kimchi Stone Pot with egg noodles and short rib as a starter, it was stunning, flavorful and the meat melts in your mouth , its a good portion to share (meant to be shared) but you could just get it as your meal and you would be full. The Duck Flower was good but very small portion size. The mais chicken dumpling soup was good it needed more chicken and the soup was luke warm even tho the bowl was piping hot. The deserts were delicious and the drinks were good. It is PRICEY not a budget friendly option. The atmosphere is relaxed a little fancy very dim lighting. The location is inside the hotel so don't try to enter from the outside. The service is nice but we didn't get as much attention as we wanted. It took almost 10 mins for our server to come after our hostess sat us, and it took us a while to get our drinks. read more

Esencia - Churo bread pudding - Salad Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

We had THE BEST experience at Esencia last night. We made a reservation and told the hostess and server we were celebrating our anniversary and my birthday, and we also told them I have celiac disease. Everyone went out of their way to celebrate with us. The server brought us a comp champagne toast and a small barbacoa tostada appetizer. She did a great job explaining their gluten and allergen protocols and specials - more than that, she seemed excited to talk about all the ways Chef Leo brought the Stixs and Stone protocols to the new kitchen. My husband had the al pastor pork chop and it was hilariously huge - like one of those giant Flintstone steaks that flips the plate over - with grilled pineapple, cheesy grits, and avocado salad. I had the arroz con pollo and genuinely didn't expect the presentation: the chicken is wrapped around the rice, which is absolutely delicious, the sauce is mild enough to not destroy the chicken and rice flavors, and the grilled veggies with tiny pattypan squash were so good that I basically licked the plate clean. For dessert I had delicious bananas and cream and husband had the famous churro bread pudding. We ordered espressos with dessert, delivered by the manager from Anacacho across the hall. On top of everything else, our server delivered us a sweet anniversary card and a birthday card signed by the staff. Altogether one of the best restaurant experiences I've had, ever. We're so lucky to have Chef Leo and his family in San Antonio. read more

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. read more

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Took my daughter there and we both loved it! The ambiance is beautiful and great for a date night. The flavors were bold, tangy, meaty everything you could think when you infused Latin and Asian cuisine together. We ordered the beet salad, kimchi pot and the pork and apple dish. The staff was delightful! Would surely go again. read more

Esencia - Kimchi pot with noodles and spareribs - Salad Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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It was my first time here and I had an amazing experience! The apps, main entree, and dessert curated by Chef Leo were all top tier. It's a fusion of Asian, Mexican, and American (South Texas specifically) cuisines. Our server, Evan, was very accommodating and knowledgeable about the food items when we had any questions about the menu/when the food was brought to our table. The restaurant itself has a great ambiance and the women's restroom was very clean and cute. I highly recommend trying this place if you're looking for an upscale restaurant in which the prices reflect the service and quality. *Get the 'Nanas & Cream for dessert if you like banana pudding! I learned it's Chef Leo's grandma's recipe, and it's delish. read more

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 . read more

Esencia - Mezcal cocktail with Tajin foam. - Salad Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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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! read more

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Was in San Antonio for the weekend and had to try this place. The restaurant is located in hotel St. Anthony and course, the restaurant had a modern spanish design to it but the lights were very dim so the inside was dark. The table lamp was not enough to even see the menu. I guess it is suppose to give it a romantic vide. Our waitress was Robyn who was very outgoing, funny and cheerful. always had a smile on her face. She was also very knowledgeable with the menu and the chef. She highly recommended the Big Red & barbacoa taco which we did try. It was interesting favor to taste Big Red soda flavor with barbacoa. Gave it a touch of sweetness to the taco. We also had the smoked seafood crudo which doesn't like like the crudos i normally order but it taste very good. The shrimp toast is a must order and the chicken & masa dumplings. Everything tasted great and I do recommend this place. We could not leave without having dessert so I ordered the cake & popcorn. That was an interested combo but still love it. read more

Had a "Farewell, San Antonio" dinner at Esencia in the St. Anthony hotel tonight. It was an amazing experience. The atmosphere is fantastic. It feels like an old-world courtyard inside. Conversation sounds are "noisy" enough that you feel like no one is listening in on your private conversation, but quiet enough you can speak at normal volumes and be easily heard. The food was delicious. My husband had the filet and fries. The filet was buttery soft and tasted like steak should (not like someone is hiding sub-par fare under an entire bottle of seasonings). I wanted to try several flavors, so chose a salad (Farmer Brown's Beet Carpaccio) and an appetizer, (Tacos de San Antonio: Big Red & Barbacoa, Signature Pork Belly, and Smoked Cream Corn) Yall. It was delicious. Don't sleep on that Big Red & Barbacoa taco. Our waiter, Nico, was amazing. He really knows his wine and did a fantastic job steering us to a surprising (to us) Mexican wine that we loved so much we bought two bottles. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu as well and talked me into trying that Big Red Barbacoa taco. NO REGRETS. Amazingly, this was only their 4th day open and you'd never know from the front of the house. On the guest end, everything was running smoothly, professionally, and invitingly. Ten out of ten would recommend. read more

Had a fabulous time at the restaurant with my sister. My sister and I were greeted warmly by the hostess. Within 30 seconds of getting sat, our server greeted us. The food was amazing. Evan knew the menu inside out and asked our preferences and based his recommendation we went with what he suggested. The dishes did not disappoint. We had a curated meal and enjoyed each course with the wine he recommend. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the vibe was chic. Highly recommend! This is a great spot for a sister date or a date night! read more

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 read more

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I had an amazing meal at this new restaurant. We had amazing drinks and the food was amazing. A great fusion spot for Mexican and Asian food. The service was great. You would think the team had been working together for years. The location of the restaurant is also very cool. The St. Anthony hotel is beautiful. Give this place a try. read more

Food was amazing, drinks were amazing and the ambiance was perfect for any special/celebratory dinner. Service was also a 10/10. Would definitely recommend. read more

Esencia - Salad Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

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Wow, you'd never know it was day 4 since opening. The place ran like a well oiled machine. The food was spectacular - each dish a curated mix of flavor and delight. The vibes were incredible, like an outdoor cafe in an inviting courtyard. And while we expected good food (worth every penny), the service was the exceptional surprise. Nico (our server) was attentive, and boy does he know wine. We ended up buying two bottles. He listened to our preferences and recommended the perfect bottle. So good, we bought another. Front of house staff overall were kind and friendly, and the manager who checked in was rightfully proud of her team. Really, a well done evening. read more

Okay so my girlfriend, my parents, and my sister all came here since we had just heard about it. All of the staff was super friendly so that was a great start. We all had different meals, and I had the pan seared red fish...beyond amazing. The fish was so good! And what I was worried about is that with these upscale restaurants the portions are tiny...nope! I left stuffed and wanting more lol. Sister had the duck and it was so tender. Folks and girlfriend had the pan seared chicken, and again it was so damn good and juicy. We all loved it. read more

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

Our experience at Esencia was simply incredible. We came for our wedding anniversary and had a wonderful night. Our server, Kyri, was top tier. He was so attentive and professional and gave excellent dining recommendations. The food was delicious. The Kimchi stone pot had the best short rib I've ever had. They offered a complimentary dessert as well. The ambience is GORGEOUS!We will definitely return often! read more

We celebrated our 11 year wedding anniversary last night at Esencia. The food was delicious, portions are sizable. the wine was excellent and our server Kyri was wonderful. We will be back! read more