San Antonio Area - New Restaurant Openings -and- Restaurant Closings (New Braunfels: festival, contemporary)

[gtoman67z]

Is Jason Dady's Umai Mi in Artisan's Alley gone for good as it appears on urbanspoon (a site that was once good, now virtually worthless-soon to be reborn as Zomato....whatever that is) or merely closed for renovations as it appears on their website Umai Mi / So not authentic, it's absurd?
At one time I'd heard Chef was moving it to the Bahia Azul location and re-doing the original Bin 555 site as a Tre/winebar concept.

Umai Mi - North Central - San Antonio | Urbanspoon

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by gtoman67z

Is Jason Dady's Umai Mi in Artisan's Alley gone for good as it appears on urbanspoon (a site that was once good, now virtually worthless-soon to be reborn as Zomato....whatever that is) or merely closed for renovations as it appears on their website Umai Mi / So not authentic, it's absurd?
At one time I'd heard Chef was moving it to the Bahia Azul location and re-doing the original Bin 555 site as a Tre/winebar concept.

Umai Mi - North Central - San Antonio | Urbanspoon

It seems like all these local chefs like Jason Dady get bored (or perhaps the customers get bored) and then the chef decides to close up and move on to the next project. Their restaurants seem to never stay open more than a few years.

[gtoman67z]

Originally Posted by Azure110

It seems like all these local chefs like Jason Dady get bored (or perhaps the customers get bored) and then the chef decides to close up and move on to the next project. Their restaurants seem to never stay open more than a few years.

We're not near as involved in the "foodie scene" as we used to be a few years ago, but I'd definitely tend to agree with you about fickle customers. Few chefs/restauranteurs can keep the "Midas touch" going indefinitely, but he'd have probably been more successful with the Asian concept if it had been closer to the urban core.

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by gtoman67z

We're not near as involved in the "foodie scene" as we used to be a few years ago, but I'd definitely tend to agree with you about fickle customers. Few chefs/restauranteurs can keep the "Midas touch" going indefinitely, but he'd have probably been more successful with the Asian concept if it had been closer to the urban core.

I agree that Umai Mi probably would have more success downtown just by judging how busy Hot Joy always is in Southtown. I don't see Hot Joy shutting down anytime soon but you never know.

[RadiantBaby]

HJ will be around for a long, long time. They're doing really well.

Dady has had consistency issues (The Lodge anyone?) and it's been a problem since closing that property and Insignia. A good eatery will stand the test of time, fickle customer base or not.

[pr57001]

I thought Umai Mi was not good.

Visited Two Bros BBQ twice and had a bad experience both times. The food was serviceable, but the buzzare ordering process requires you to wait in line to order, then stand around for 20 minutes (no buzzer or PA) waiting for them to cut your meat, then wait in line again to pay (alongside others who just want another beer). On the last visit it was lots of grumbling folks.

There are a few ways to buy and be served BBQ that are well practiced, this is not one of them

[gtoman67z]

Agree that Umai Mi was my least favorite of the three "CaucAsian" joints that opened within months of each other. Not sure if his marketing strategy flopped or what, but things went downhill much quicker than I expected.
The Minnie's closure within a year of opening also was a big surprise for us-though I'm sure there's a very profitable financial backstory there. Funny now to drive by and see that building jacked up to move. The lean, which was half the charm, is gone.

[rynetwo]

New Braunfels is getting a Sea Island in the creekside development.

La Vernia is getting 1.2 million dollar restaurant call The Den.

[fritos56]

What are you kidding me about LaVernia?? Where did you hear that one.I know the area is growing since people are moving out of San Antonio and going there. Still haven't been up to Creekside to check things out.
Haven''t tried Two Brothers BBQ.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by fritos56

What are you kidding me about LaVernia?? Where did you hear that one.I know the area is growing since people are moving out of San Antonio and going there. Still haven't been up to Creekside to check things out.
Haven''t tried Two Brothers BBQ.

San Antonio Biz Journal

Transaction Action: Sea Island heading to New Braunfels - San Antonio Business Journal