We're averaging about three restaurant openings a week these days, food lovers. The opening of Michael Sohocki's Il Forno (read more about it on page 35), was preceded by Down on Grayson's (303 E. Grayson St., 210-248-9244) launch right in the thick of Fiesta. Brought to you by the same folks behind Mozie's, Gristmill Restaurant and Bar and Gruene Hall, Down on Grayson opened with a gorgeous patio, Cuba Libres on the cocktail list and American grill favorites. The eatery is primed for a badass happy hour and is already drawing folks in for game-time viewings on their bar flat screens.
Loopland residents are also getting a little love via Austin-based burger chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar, which opened its first location this past Monday at 17623 La Cantera Parkway, Suite 101. The space mirrors that of the original South Congress location in Austin, but features a beer garden with local brews served out of a 1950s Airstream trailer. For Guy Villavaso, co-founder of Hopdoddy, the addition was an obvious one.
"Guests like to come to Hopdoddy for a place to come together with friends & family for the perfect combination of craft beer + burgers. We've simply tried to create a great patio area to hang out and enjoy," Villavaso said via email.
As for what items San Antonians can get down with, Villavaso expects the Goodnight for a Good Cause burger to pull in Spurs fans.
"$1 from each burger sold, goes straight back into our community through what the Spurs Sports & Entertainment Nonprofit, Silver & Black Give Back's Team Up Challenge is doing with youth throughout San Antonio. Our Goodnight contributions will help local groups build incredible things from community gardens to flood victim prevention systems," he said via email.
If you're rocking that post-Fiesta bloat brought on by one too many $4 Bud Lights and delicious chicken on a stick (which we'd never in a million years give up), you always could grab a healthy lunch from Pharm Table. The eatery at 106 Auditorium Circle is now serving farm-to-table tacos during lunch. Order three organic vegan tacos from $10 or add some animal protein with 2 braised Berkwood Farms pork tacos for $14 or gulf-caught black drum tacos (available Thursday and Friday only) for $14. [email protected]