The upscale Italian creations eatery aims to invigorate the Alamo City’s dining scene with unique dishes and unforgettable experiences.
SAN ANTONIO — As the Alamo City aims to draw more people downtown, one strategy is to introduce more restaurants!
A recent $9 million renovation of the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk has ushered in a culinary refresh, including its newest restaurant: Moda Fare, a modern Italian concept designed to elevate the River Walk’s dining scene.
The upscale eatery is led by Chef Victorine Solidum, who brings a global flair to the kitchen with a blend of Italian tradition and artistic presentation.
“The hopes are to continue to create unforgettable dining experiences — from our team, from really the chefs to your table,” said Solidum.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Solidum says she developed her Italian culinary chops over more than a decade working alongside seasoned chefs. Now, she’s incorporating bold ingredients into dishes not often seen in the Alamo City.
“We have Mediterranean bass, which is very local to that area,” she said. “We try to bring these ingredients — which are not very common to the city — to the city.”
Alongside Moda Fare, the Grand Hyatt makeover includes Spoonful Provisions, a coffee shop and Tejas, a Texas-inspired bar — all part of the hotel’s effort to create a more vibrant destination along the River Walk.
What’s on the menu?
KENS 5’s Simoné Simpson got a taste of the new menu, starting with the Campanelle, a pasta dish featuring a pistachio pesto sauce and broccoli rabe. Next came the Pulpette, a meatball dish made with a butcher’s blend of pork, veal and Wagyu beef — inspired by a classic grandmother’s recipe.
Other highlights include the Branzino, a Mediterranean sea bass and the Ribeye Spiedini, both of which offer rich, homemade flavors.
Sweet ending
No Italian experience is complete without dessert. Simpson’s favorites? The Gianduja chocolate with hazelnut mousse and the Amalfi entremet, which features a surprise burst of lemon. It’s sweet and it has a layer of mildness before you get the bitterness and the crunch.
As downtown San Antonio looks to become more than just a tourist stop, new dining options like Moda Fare aim to give both locals and visitors a reason to stay — and savor.