Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge opens in Stone Oak, focusing on Latin-inspired seafood
Arenas Marisqueria and Lounge had a grand opening March 16 at 19903 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 202, in North San Antonio, featuring Latin-inspired seafood, craft cocktails, and live music.
The Vazquez family, who have more than 30 years of experience in the local restaurant industry, partnered with business partner Issac Soto of event space Moonlight Ballroom to launch Arenas.
Co-owner Luis Vazquez said all of the recipes are family recipes and personal interpretations of classic Latin dishes.
“We want to evoke the feeling of being in a classy resort-style restaurant in Cancun or Cabo, but ultimately we want to be authentic to ourselves and create our favorite restaurant, a place we would like to go to enjoy a cocktail and good food and we hope San Antonio feels the same way,” Vazquez said in a statement.
The owners said their focus is on fun and frivolity in a sophisticated, more modern nautical-themed atmosphere, and the menu will include made-from-scratch dishes, such as Mojarra Chicharron and Camarones Mojo de Ajo, designed by the Executive Chef Luis Vazquez Sr.
Each meal will start with a signature soup, called Sopa Arenas, a more traditional Mexican appetizer, said Luis Vazquez Sr.
“We’ve wanted to do a seafood restaurant for a long time. We love seafood, and my dad makes a great ceviche. Everything, honestly, is so delicious. The shrimp enchiladas are my brother-in-law’s favorite.” Vazquez said in a statement. “Our goal is to differentiate ourselves from other Latin seafood restaurants in San Antonio. We’re not reinventing the wheel, but the goal is to be thinner, more refined.”
Members of the Vazquez family said the full bar will provide a range of traditional beverages and signature beverages, including the Cantarito, made with Tequila Siete Leguas, Cointreau, fresh orange juice and passion fruit, flavored with Squirt.
Currently, happy hour runs 3-7pm Monday through Thursday and features half off all signature cocktails and draft, premium, and domestic beer, as well as $10 hors d’oeuvres.
“Guests love our cocktail menu. It’s one of Arenas’ highlights, with freshly squeezed juices right in front of guests at the bar: orange, grapefruit, lime and lemon. We also make our own hibiscus syrup and simple syrup. Our cocktails are truly unique,” said Luis Vazquez Sr..
Opening hours are 11am to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday and 11am to midnight Thursday to Saturday. The kitchen closes one hour before closing.
210-267-5135. www.arenaslounge.com
