{"id":41987,"date":"2025-11-09T07:42:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-09T07:42:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/41987\/"},"modified":"2025-11-09T07:42:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-09T07:42:19","slug":"dashi-sichuan-kitchen-closes-after-4-years-in-san-antonio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/41987\/","title":{"rendered":"Dashi Sichuan Kitchen closes after 4 years in San Antonio"},"content":{"rendered":"

After four years serving San Antonio\u2019s Northeast Side diners, Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar<\/a> has unexpectedly called it a day. The contemporary Chinese restaurant \u2014 known for its lively Chinese New Year celebrations and modern approach to ancient cuisine \u2014 says it is immediately closing to focus on other projects.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a heart full of love and profound gratitude, we\u2019ve made the incredibly difficult decision to cease operations at Dashi Chinese Kitchen + Bar, effective immediately,\u201d the restaurant wrote in a farewell message<\/a>. “To our loyal guests: Thank you for embracing Dashi, filling our dining room with energy, and exploring new culinary horizons alongside us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chef and founder Kristina Zhao opened Dashi on July 21, 2021, at 2895 Thousand Oaks Dr., a building that formerly housed LA Crawfish and Hawx Burger Bar. The restaurant was a sophisticated sibling to Sichuan House<\/a>, serving cumin lamb chops, seared green beans, and spicy whole fish alongside a creative cocktail menu.<\/p>\n

Zhao and husband Brandon La Lanne envisioned the space as a community hub. The calendar was filled with celebrations from guest chef dinners to lion dancers to industry competitions like the annual Daq Off.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you know, Dashi (\u5927\u5e08) means Grand Master,\u201d the statement continued. \u201cWe chose this name because a restaurant is a collaboration of the arts \u2014 what you see, smell, hear, taste, and feel. We sought to do that, and we did. We are immensely proud of the experiences we shared and the community we built.\u201d<\/p>\n

The move comes as the restaurateurs enter a new chapter. In October, Zhao and La Lanne purchased The Good Kind and Ivy Hall complex<\/a> in Southtown from Chef Tim McDiarmid. Ivy Hall Events<\/a> will continue to run as a wedding and event venue, but the couple has more ambitious plans for the rest of the space.<\/p>\n

The purchase allowed the couple to launch a new nonprofit, Ciao & Zen Collective<\/a>. At the launch party, Zhao said that the organization aims to unite San Antonio creatives through programs like fellowships, a global dinner series, and educational programs for local schools, seniors, and families. Sichuan House will also remain open.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are energized by our new space at 1127 S. St Mary\u2019s and the work of our nonprofit, the Ciao & Zen Collective,\u201d the restaurant said. \u201cIt is here that Dashi\u2019s spirit of global connection truly evolves as we build cultural bridges through the culinary arts.\u201d<\/p>\n