Zinc Champagne & Wine Bar, San Antonio

Mmmmmm, I'll bet prison food is not so good. Ex-RB business owner faces criminal charges Elizabeth Marie Himchak Published 08/11/2010 - 5:03 p.m. Rate This Article: 0 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elizabeth Marie Himchak Email Former Rancho Bernardo business owner Leonidas “Leo” Serakos will be arraigned next Thursday on alleged crimes he committed before Bernardo Flooring went out of business last August. Serakos will be charged with seven felonies and five misdemeanors in San Diego Superior Court on Aug. 19. If convicted on all charges, Deputy District Attorney Gina Darvas said Serakos could be sentenced to a maximum of eight years and eight months in prison. In addition, Darvas said he could face about $25,000 combined in restitution to the alleged victims and an undetermined amount in fines. Serakos, 69, was notified of the charges in a July 1 letter from the San Diego District Attorney’s office. He now lives in San Antonio, Texas. Darvas said Serakos’ wife, Vonia, is not being charged. The couple owned and operated Bernardo Flooring from 1976 to last year. Six alleged victims are named in the charge summary. Because two were 87 and 90 years old last July when they paid Bernardo Flooring for work to be completed, two of the felony counts are for theft of over $400 from an elder/dependent adult. The other five felony charges are for diversion of construction funds in excess of $1,000. The five misdemeanor charges are for improper home improvement contract procedures/down payment. For each, Leo Serakos allegedly charged a down payment in excess of $1,000 or 10 percent of the contract amount, whichever is less. The alleged crimes all occurred between April 30 and Aug. 27, 2009. The Rancho Bernardo store, located in The Plaza, closed without warning to customers on Aug. 3, 2009. At the time, a note was taped to the door signed by Leo Serakos that said, “Please be advised that Bernardo Flooring and Design will have a business interruption due to health related concerns in our family. Hopefully, we will return to normal business Sept. 1, 2009.” On Aug. 14, 2009, attorney D. J. Rausa, who was representing the couple, sent an e-mail to the Rancho Bernardo News Journal that said the business was experiencing financial problems and had to close because the leasing company wanted the delinquent lease payment in full. With the exception of one charge revolving around alleged activities from April to August 2009, all other charges were for work Serakos contracted in late June 2009 until the store closed. Last year, the Rancho Bernardo News Journal spoke with some of those now named by the district attorney as victims, who said they paid Serakos thousands of dollars in down payments for flooring, window treatments and installation shortly before the store closed. They said products were never ordered or orders were canceled and they were unsuccessful in obtaining a refund despite at least one e-mail from Vonia Serakos to a customer promising a refund. Customers later learned Bernardo Flooring’s contractors license was suspended on July 4, 2009, because its bond was canceled, yet the business continued to operate.

From the very first time we went to Zinc Bar-we loved it. Been there 4 times since we moved from San Diego. Everyone has been very friendly and even got a tour of the wine cellar. After being in CA for over 28 years--quite impressive. Nothing to be imtimated by--what was YOUR problem. By the way, the food was great!!

The servers are so rude that you won't stay for more than one drink. And it's so expensive you probably can't afford more than one either. There are plenty of better bars nearby. Avoid!

We loved the atmosphere, the service, the food and the beverages. Our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable. We shared Paella for two and the wine was a perfect match. A truly memorable, romantic evening. We will be back, if ever in San Antonio again, and will tell all of our friends about Zinc. Bravo!! C. Toler

This was an amazing find. The bar off the street is only the beginning- the rest is series of rooms with funky mix of traditional brick walled rooms with modern chandeliers and lovely tables- you can see the vaults from old bank headquarters Wine and champagne were lovely but best part was paella- excellent and the chocolate molten cake is perfect, big dollop of cream and berries. Gabriel is a very thoughtful and charming waiter. Take in the enchanting little courtyard- and toss a coin in the well. A delightful evening- Money well spent A great spot for receptions or parties. A nice reprieve

Sophisticated, classy and worthy of regular attendance... the owner was always walking around. Nice. Very nice place. A nice change of Austin's "kid" bars where jeans are acceptable, jeans hardly fly here. :)

My husband and I went here during a weekend stay in San Antonio and absolutely loved it! The atmosphere can't be beat, and the prices weren't bad either. I had the most delicious chocolate raspberry martini, and their wine and champagne selections were something amazing as well. I'm having a girl's weekend in a couple of months, and this is definitely on our list of places to stop!

I was somewhat intimidated by Zinc when I first walked in but as I moved along with friends and we had a few round of drinks, I came to the conclusion that it had THE most friendly staff and was up there with La Valencia for the comfortable and upscale lounge factor. A definite stop for me now and in the future. A+ drinks at B- prices are the pleasant surprize at the end of a highly enjoyable evening at Zinc.