After 13 years, Cured exited San Antonio’s Pearl at the beginning of 2026, and more recently, records showed that the empty restaurant space was being primed for a $1.5 million makeover. We now know exactly what’s going into the Pearl location, and it has some big names leading the project.
La Unión Hospitality is a new hospitality group formed by chefs Rico Torres, Gabe Erales and André Natera. Together, the chef team will open Rosso, a “red-sauce” Italian steakhouse, in the former Cured space in late 2026. The restaurant will focus on pasta dishes, high-end steaks and an elevated dining experience.
San Antonio locals may recognize Torres for his work at Mixtli, the city’s first restaurant to earn a coveted Michelin Star. Others might know Erales, who won season 18 of Top Chef amid controversy surrounding his time at Comedor in Austin. Natera boasts decades in the biz, racking up his own accolades.
“We’re honored to join the community at Pearl, an iconic destination we’ve long admired, and we look forward to serving the San Antonio community together with Rosso, a tribute to the Italian-American cuisine and nostalgic dining we’ve always loved,” the trio said in a statement…