The staff at Bon Appétit regularly dines in top food cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, but this year, an upcoming San Antonio restaurant has their mouths watering. Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin’s Jue Let at Pearl has landed on the lauded magazine’s list of the eight most anticipated fall restaurant openings.
In January, Dobbertin announced the cocktail bar and restaurant would take over the former home of Blue Box, which shuttered in July 2024. The concept pays homage to its namesake, the Cantonese private chef for the family of American culinary legend James Beard.
“It was Jue Let who introduced young Beard to Chinese cuisine, shaping his palate and trajectory as a culinary icon,” explained Dobbertin at the time of the announcement. “Jue Let was a surrogate father figure to James Beard, and he left a lasting impression on him, as well as a lifelong appreciation of fresh, seasonal ingredients and Chinese culture.”
The concept will be a departure for the chef, who also owns Best Quality Daughter. Although it will employ much of the same team, including design firm Lake|Flato, drinks will take center stage.
“[Dobbertin’s] new cocktail bar in the historic Pearl multi-use complex turns the focus on drinks, but with cocktail-friendly fare on offer too,” writes Bon Appétit’s Kate Kassin. “The cocktails span no-proof and low-proof, to spirit-forward and martinis with a specific focus on tea. Diners can savor bar snacks and small plates like a grilled baozone (half-bao, half-calzone) and a crab louie onigiri.”
Roxie’s will open in November. Photo by Alie Jackson
Although Dobbertin has long been a darling of the magazine, the list’s other Texas entry was more surprising. Although Roxie’s comes from one of Texas’ biggest names in barbecue — Salt Lick’s Scott Roberts — Buda isn’t exactly a culinary capital.
Roberts introduced the Southern restaurant in January. The spot will take over the restored Buda Mill and Grain building, a location that has special meaning to the restaurateur.
“The setting is fitting — owner Scott Roberts’ father used to buy grain for their family cattle at the mill for years,” explains Kassin. “Roxie’s is a tribute to Roberts’ grandmother, Roxanna, with her family-style recipes on display. Think crocks of pimento cheese, chicken-fried steaks cooked in beef tallow, and deviled eggs garnished with fried chicken bites.”
Neither restaurant has announced an official opening date. According to Bon Appétit, both are set to debut in November, although local dates don’t always follow national timelines.
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