New restaurant Esencia set for St. Anthony Hotel

Zoom in: Billed as a confluence of Spanish, Mexican and Asian cuisines — a nod to Davila's Mexican-Chinese heritage — Esencia will serve classics with cross-cultural infusions.

• The arroz con pollo features Cornish hen ballotine, mole amarillo, huitlacoche and squash fried rice, plus a wok-fried vegetable medley and miso aioli.
• Another dish called Duck and Flower pairs Asian-inspired duck breast with a hibiscus Texas pecan mole.
• The cocktail menu follows suit, with fusion-forward drinks like a cherry blossom sour made with sake, gin, lemon, cherry blossom honey and egg white.

The vibe: Esencia, located in the former home of Rebelle, will offer an elevated atmosphere with 130 seats across its two-level dining room.

What they're saying: "In Spanish, esencia means 'essence,' and our mission is to capture the true essence of San Antonio cuisine," Davila said in a statement. "This city has a story to tell, and food is my way of sharing it."

What's next: An opening date has yet to be announced.