Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar said Friday it’s closing effective immediately, a surprise to many San Antonio diners after a four-year run. The Northside restaurant drew a following for its punchy Sichuan flavors and inventive cocktails, operating alongside the group’s original Sichuan House. Founder Kristina Zhao said the team will redirect resources to new projects while the sister restaurant remains open.
The farewell note
In a Friday message, the team wrote, “With a heart full of love and profound gratitude, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to cease operations at Dashi,” as reported by MySA. The post thanked guests for “filling our dining room with energy” and framed the closure as a strategic move to focus on concepts that will define the group’s next decade. Followers were asked to keep an eye on the team’s other work for upcoming events and collaborations.
A four-year run that stood out
Zhao opened Dashi in 2021 as a larger, more contemporary complement to Sichuan House, expanding the family’s footprint in San Antonio’s Chinese dining scene. Express-News detailed the launch at the time, noting a sizeable dining room, a full bar, and a menu balancing traditional Sichuan dishes with small-plate experiments. Over its run, Dashi earned attention for plates like spicy cumin lamb and theatrical cocktails that leaned into Asian ingredients.
What’s next: Southtown and Ciao & Zen
The Instagram message said Zhao’s new Ciao & Zen Collective will carry forward Dashi’s spirit through programming at the Southtown Garden & Event Space on South St. Mary’s. The Southtown compound, which includes the Ivy Hall event garden at 1127 S St. Mary’s St, is listed online as an active event venue that has hosted pop-ups and community gatherings; see Ivy Hall for details. As noted by MySA, the post positions the closure as a pivot rather than a retreat from San Antonio’s dining scene.
How to keep up with the team
Sichuan House will remain open while Dashi’s team plans future events and collaborations, according to the farewell message above. The Thousand Oaks location was listed on Dashi’s site at 2895 Thousand Oaks Drive, where customers previously made reservations and checked hours; see Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar for contact details. Fans hoping to catch Dashi-style menus should monitor Ciao & Zen and local event calendars for pop-ups and special dinners this winter.
