Nearly a century after opening as New Braunfels’ City Hall, the historic building at 200 N. Seguin Ave. has entered a new chapter — this time as Old City Hall Restaurant & Bar, a mid-century-inspired steakhouse where vintage signage touts ice-cold martinis and framed photos give the dining room a lived-in feel.
The new concept in the latest from Wiggins Hospitality, the group behind New Braunfels standbys McAdoo’s Seafood Co. and La Cosecha Mexican Table.
Inside, the menu sticks to a straightforward sensibility: one side devoted to food, the other to cocktails, wine and other beverages. Starters include smoked trout dip with crackers and crudité; tuna tartare with yellowfin, avocado and mango; and pigs in a blanket accompanied by honey Dijon mustard and black garlic ketchup. The bill of fare also branches out into pastas, salads and wood-fired steaks, along with house specialties such as the Mayor’s Cheeseburger and beef short ribs.
The woodfired, bone-in ribeye — one of the pricier options on the menu at $80 — proved a solid choice. Easily shareable between two diners, the steak arrived with a nicely developed char from the grill, and guests can opt to top it with bearnaise or chimichurri. The dish typically comes with scalloped potatoes, but the kitchen swapped in truffle fries with black garlic ketchup to accommodate this critic’s food allergies.
Cocktails also get careful attention. When my Cosmopolitan’s glass lost its chill, the server quietly replaced it with a freshly frosted martini glass, transferring the drink to keep it ice-cold — a small touch that fits the restaurant’s classily classic vibe. The Lemon Drop also appeared to be a popular order with guests, likely on account of its unique limoncello foam topper.
Cocktails are clearly a focus at Old City Hall with martinis taking center stage. In addition to the aforementioned Cosmos and Lemon Drops, the options range from the playful Mr. Bleu — made with bleu cheese–infused vodka — to espresso martinis. The drink menu also offers a curated selection of wines, signature cocktails such as a frozen gin and tonic and a small assortment of beers. Happy hour runs 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, featuring $10 martinis, $12 cheeseburgers and $6 pigs in a blanket at the bar and on the patio.
Food prices ranged from around $20 to market pricing for the A5 wagyu, including a decent assortment of entrees from $19 to $34, such as the miso honey-glazed salmon. The ice cream sundae was a popular dessert order. Served in a cold silver bowl with vanilla bean ice cream, guests have a choice of olive oil-and-pistachio or a miso-caramel-and-pretzel topping. Either way, the dessert is topped off with a generous serving of house-made whipped cream.
For those wondering whether Old City Hall is worth the drive from San Antonio, the new spot delivers a decidedly upscale dining experience. It’s the kind of place that could work for a special date night or even a fancy solo dinner, offering a mix of elevated steaks, thoughtful cocktails and attentive service.
And on the cocktail side, that Cosmopolitan — especially swapped into a freshly chilled martini glass — was one of the best I’ve had in a while.
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