Our Pick: Downstairs, 155 E. Commerce St., (210) 222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com/downstairs
Cured meats are having more than a moment in San Antonio. Charc Week, organized by Chef Michael Sohocki, celebrated its fourth iteration last July when it had already spread as far as Boerne and Austin. Artfully arrayed spreads of cured, smoked, dried and otherwise manipulated meats, mousses, patés and terrines can be found year ’round at restaurants as diverse as Cured (of course), Andrew Weissman’s Signature and Sohocki’s own Restaurant Gwendolyn. And as more chefs get into pickling and curing, expect the field to expand — to places as seemingly unlikely as The Esquire Tavern and its almost-river-level bar Downstairs. Here, chef Brooke Smith produces a groaning board of meats, cheeses, olives, breads and various mustards, all but the cheeses made in-house, that fairly glows — even in the bar’s dim light. Expect the unexpected such pickled okra and head cheese. There’s enough diversity in this spread to tackle any cocktail you might want to throw at it.
Cured meats are having more than a moment in San Antonio. Charc Week, organized by Chef Michael Sohocki, celebrated its fourth iteration last July when it had already spread as far as Boerne and Austin. Artfully arrayed spreads of cured, smoked, dried and otherwise manipulated meats, mousses, patés and terrines can be found year ’round at restaurants as diverse as Cured (of course), Andrew Weissman’s Signature and Sohocki’s own Restaurant Gwendolyn. And as more chefs get into pickling and curing, expect the field to expand — to places as seemingly unlikely as The Esquire Tavern and its almost-river-level bar Downstairs. Here, chef Brooke Smith produces a groaning board of meats, cheeses, olives, breads and various mustards, all but the cheeses made in-house, that fairly glows — even in the bar’s dim light. Expect the unexpected such pickled okra and head cheese. There’s enough diversity in this spread to tackle any cocktail you might want to throw at it.
Previous Winners
WINNER: Bakery Lorraine, 306 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 110, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com
2. Cake Crumbs, 1218 W. Bitters Road, Suite 108, (210) 906-3783, cakecrumbssa.com
3. Bird Bakery, 5912 Broadway, (210) 804-2473, birdbakery.com
WINNER: Smoke Shack, 3714 Broadway, (210) 957-1430, smokeshacksa.com
2. Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q, multiple locations, rudysbbq.com
3. 2m Smokehouse & Catering, 2731 S. W. W. White Road, (210) 885-93
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WINNER: Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe, 918 N. Main Ave., (210) 951-2802, luluscafeinsa.com
2. De Wese’s Tip Top Cafe, 2814 Fredericksburg Road, (210) 735-2222
3. MK Davis Restaurant, 1302 N. Flores St., (210) 223-1208, mkdavisrestaurant.com
WINNER: Golden Wok, multiple locations, goldenwoksa.com
2. Ding How, 4531 NW Loop 410, (210) 549-8881, dinghowsa.com
3. Taste of Asia, 300 W. Bitters Road, Suite 120, (210) 496-6266
WINNER: Local Coffee, multiple locations, localcoffeesa.com
2. Barrio Barista, 3735 Culebra Road, (210) 519-5403, barriobarista.coffee
3. Rosella Coffee Co., 203 E. Jones Ave., Suite 101, (210) 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com
2. Barrio Barista, 3735 Culebra Road, (210) 519-5403, barriobarista.coffee
3. Rosella Coffee Co., 203 E. Jones Ave., Suite 101, (210) 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com
WINNER: Blanco Cafe, 1720 Blanco Road, (210) 732-6480
2. Taco Libre, 6511 Ingram Road, Suite 101, (210) 592-6288, facebook.com/vivatacolibre
3. Rosario’s, multiple locations, rosariossa.com
WINNER: Justin’s Ice Cream, 245 E. Commerce, (210) 222-2707, facebook.com/Justinsicecreamsanantonioriverwalk
2. Lick Honest Ice Creams, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2101, (210) 314-8166, ilikelick.com
3. Amy’s Ice Creams, 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 430, (210) 832-8886, amysicecreams.com
2. Lick Honest Ice Creams, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Suite 2101, (210) 314-8166, ilikelick.com
3. Amy’s Ice Creams, 255 E. Basse Road, Suite 430, (210) 832-8886, amysicecreams.com
WINNER: Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House, 214 Broadway, (210) 375-4082, nectarsa.com
2. Snociopa, 6423 Babcock Road, Suite 104 , (210) 455 -8638, snopioca.com
3. Bar Louie, multiple locations, barlouie.com
2. Snociopa, 6423 Babcock Road, Suite 104 , (210) 455 -8638, snopioca.com
3. Bar Louie, multiple locations, barlouie.com
WINNER: Sweet Yams, 218 N. Cherry St., (210) 229-9267, facebook.com/sweetyamsorganic
2. Green Vegetarian Cuisine, multiple locations, eatatgreen.com
3. Viva Vegeria, 1422 Nogalitos St., (210) 465-9233, myvegeria.com
2. Green Vegetarian Cuisine, multiple locations, eatatgreen.com
3. Viva Vegeria, 1422 Nogalitos St., (210) 465-9233, myvegeria.com
WINNER: Sea Island Shrimp House, multiple locations, shrimphouse.com
2. El Bucanero, multiple locations, bucanerosanantonio.com
3. Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, 76 North East Loop 410, (210) 340-7143, pappadeaux.com
