Culinary Dream Teams: Mark Martinez, John Philpot and Quealy Watson
Mark Martinez, Executive chef, Barbaro John Philpot, Executive chef, The Monterey Quealy Watson, Executive chef, Hot Joy Chefs Mark Martinez, John Philpot and Quealy Watson have three things in common. They all collaborate with Chad Carey and the Empty Stomach restaurant group. They are all causing a stir in the San Antonio food scene as…
Culinary Dream Teams: Diego Galicia, Rico Torres and Jesse Torres
Diego Galicia & Rico Torres, Co-owners, Mixtli Jesse Torres, Partner/bartender, Mixtli Three beards faced me across the table, but a single vision emerged from my chat with the boys of Mixtli. Get ready for a big move beyond Mixtli, the little cloud that could and its railroad car confines. Diego Galicia and Rico Torres met…
Beers We Love: 6 Brews for every palate
Soul Doubt IPA6.4 percent ABV The bittering units on this canned beaut (the second for Freetail after the inaugural Oktoberfiesta) aren’t for the faint of palate. Don’t be fooled by its signature pilsner-like hue, Freetail’s flagship IPA is for the hop-lovers as it delivers hop-forward notes and a fruity tail end with every sip. Stock…
Warm & Bright: Hot, spicy, smoky cocktail trends
Hot cocktails don’t just come in the toddy variety around these parts. This being South Texas and all, area bars are findings ways to combine the seasonality of local citrus and the availability of heat-adding ingredients to our favorite libations. We can’t talk about ‘tails without a mention of The Brooklynite (516 Brooklyn), which gained…
No Weak Links Here: 6 chains that break the mold
1. Luciano Restaurants Multiple locations, lucianorestaurants.com Headquartered in San Antonio, this family-focused chain has multiple locations throughout the Alamo City and four dining concepts that include a restaurant on the River Walk, neighborhood and family pizzerias, and express locations in area malls. Menu options range from a mozzarella bar to calzones and cannoli to Italian…
Culinary Dream Teams: John Russ and Elise Broz
John Russ, Executive chef, Lüke San Antonio Elise Broz, Pastry chef, Biga on the Banks Here’s a fair warning: This article could very easily dive into cheesy territory at any minute. Elise Broz, the statuesque brunette with the twinkly eyes that helms the pastry department at Biga on the Banks, and John Russ, the dark-haired,…
Culinary Dream Teams: Tim McDiarmid and Rebel Mariposa
Tim McDiarmid, Tim the Girl Rebel Mariposa, Rebel Eats Vegetables take on a sultry, irresistible look when in the hands of our next two subjects and it’s easy to see why. Whether they’re expounding the virtues of clean, vegan eating or rethinking the way veggies are presented in meat-loving South Texas, Tim “the Girl” McDiarmid…
5 Trending Ingredients for Your Pantry
1. Cardamom I don’t know who makes these decisions, but cardamom is frequently called the “queen of spices.” OK, fine, its use in cuisines as disparate as Indian and Scandinavian at the very least gives it claims to some diplomatic creds. The question is, however, which cardamom? There are three colors: green, black and white.…
Welcome to Flavor (Winter 2014)
The dining options keep expanding in San Antonio, and that’s most definitely a good thing. But let’s catch up on what’s happened around San Anto dining circles since this summer. In June, Cockasian Food Truck found a new owner in Luciano Valadez of Taps y Tapas; Locavore started serving a variety of cuisines out of…
5 Decadent Desserts That Will Make Us Forget Calories
The dessert game in San Anto is evolving to include a plethora of sweets. We’re taking you for a sweet ride through our favorite indulgences. 1. Canelés at Bakery Lorraine 306 Pearl Pkwy, Ste 110, (210) 862-5582, bakerylorraine.com There’s a lot to take in during any visit to the Pearl’s latest addition. We’re talking about…
6 Essential Farmers Markets in San Antonio
Whether you’re stocking up for the week or picking up breakfast, these markets are there when you need them Pearl Farmers Market This market is loaded with meat, nuts, bread, people and puppies, so get there early or fight the crowd. The market also features demos by local chefs and a chance to nosh at…
Hot San Antonio Restaurants: 10 spots to visit ASAP
1. Braza Brava Pizza Napoletana 7959 Broadway, Ste 300, (210) 320-2100, facebook.com/brazabrava About the first thing one notices upon entering Braza Brava in the Collection is the igloo-shaped, Neapolitan oven behind the bar: It’s tiled in brilliant red and exudes power and promise. Pause for effect. But the Diavola pizza that issued forth one recent…
13 Ways to Get Your Drink/Grub on in 2015
January San Antonio Cocktail Conference The new year means you get to pick up a new hobby, why not make it expert cocktail-making? In its fourth year, the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, now under the scope of director Cathy Siegel, will host more than four days’ worth of dinners, seminars, parties and, of course, cocktail…
Farmers Market Know-how: Get familiar with these staples
Both the draw and the crux of farmers markets is that they are entirely dependent on Mother Nature for their farm-to-table offerings. While some may still have visions of watermelon and sweet corn dancing through their heads, there are plenty of fresh alternatives to be thankful for during the colder months. The Current reached out…
Italian: SoBro Pizza Co.
SoBro Pizza Co. 1915 Broadway, Ste 100, (210) 227-6276, sobropizza.com If you build it, they will come. If you build it underneath their apartments, they’ll stop by for gelato, Napolitano pizzas and an excellent wine selection, because what could be more convenient? Such is the case at SoBro Pizza Co., situated on the ground level…
Sushi: Sushi Seven
Sushi Seven 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste 507, (210) 496-7777, sushi-seven.com Sometimes wasabi just doesn’t cut it. If you prefer your sushi a little hotter, and with a serious hint of San Antonio spice, Sushi Seven is probably right up your alley. Opened by several of the same chefs who tackled Sushi Zushi’s eight locations…
Pub: Stay Golden Social House
Stay Golden Social House 401 Pearl Pkwy, facebook.com/goldenglovessocialhouse Puro meets Pearl-adjacent at this laidback joint that packs a punch with seriously delicious cocktails. As the summer heat drags on and temperatures race past the previous day’s mercury line, Stay Golden Social House provides a chill place to fight the heat and grab a cocktail, both…
Modern: Mixtli
Mixtli 5251 McCullough, (832) 520-8928, restaurantmixtli.com The notion of selling tickets to a restaurant as though it were a night at the theater has been taken up in San Antonio by a duo of young chefs embarking on their first, stand-alone venture. In a railroad car. For a maximum of 12 people. At $85 a…
Mexican: El Machito
El Machito 7300 Jones Maltsberger, (210) 314-3971, chefjohnnyhernandez.com/elmachito The recent history behind the Alamo Cement Company buildings demands a certain level of gravitas. Stone Werks relocated down the road, while Firebird Mexican Grill couldn’t hack it. Maybe the third time’s the charm? With Johnny Hernandez’s latest, El Machito, the building and patio have received new…
Steakhouse: Galpão Gaucho
Galpão Gaucho 20079 Stone Oak Pkwy, Ste 3100, (210) 497-2500, galpaogauchousa.com We’re always looking for a bargain. So when a locally owned churrascaria opened up in Loopland, we made the pilgrimage up 281 for a taste of what Galpão Gaucho was grilling. After all, $21.50 for all-you-can-meat lunch sounded too good to be true. A…
Dessert & Bakery: La Panaderia
La Panaderia 8305 Broadway, (210) 375-6746, lapanaderia.com Los panaderos are in San Antonio. Brothers David and Jose Cacéres have opened the first of what could be many locations of La Panaderia, a concept the Cacéres hold dear to their heart. Their mother, Josefina, owned a panaderia in Mexico City when the brothers were young boys.…
Asian: Hot Joy
Hot Joy 1014 S Alamo, (210) 368-9324, hotjoysa.com Southtown’s favorite pop-up finally found a permanent location inside the former China Latina—and it was about time. Empty Stomach Restaurant Group’s crazy good pan-Asian eatery opened its doors this April and the crowds have yet to die down, for good reason. The menu, designed in part by…
American: Cured
Cured 306 Pearl Pkwy, Ste 101 (210) 314-3929, curedatpearl.com The Pearl’s latest eatery is also its newest crowning glory. As the first solo venture for chef Steve McHugh, Cured has set a new standard for an area already known for its innovative eats. Housed inside the Pearl Brewery’s former administration building, a 110-year-old edifice that…
The Women of Food
The culinary world can be a bit of a boys club. From chefs, bartenders and owners to folks on the production side—farmers, ranchers, fishmongers—Y-chromosomes abound. However, many members of the fairer sex, empirically less prone to attention-grabbing social media confrontations and wont to wear many hats, are making their marks on the Alamo City gastronomic…
Food Trucks: Boardwalk on Bulverde
Boardwalk on Bulverde 14732 Bulverde, (210) 402-2829, boadwalkonbulverde.com After three and a half years as the city’s original food truck park, this year Boardwalk on Bulverde got a serious facelift. Cameron Davies, owner of Cruising Kitchens and the Boardwalk on Bulverde, decided to beef up the amenities and jazz up the rustic ambience to compete…
Seafood: El 7 Mares
El 7 Mares 3831 W Commerce, (210) 436-6056, elsietemaressa.com It really doesn’t get any more puro seafood than El 7 Mares, a 20-year Westside institution that proves you can get fresh seafood just down the street from Our Lady of the Lake University. Come for the ceviche, but stay for the full-service bar while taking…
Global: Casa del Kabob
Casa del Kabob 1027 SW Military, (210) 921-1200 The creamy chipotle sauce that comes with some orders gives credence to Casa del Kabob’s mash-up name, but once inside the door, the place’s Persian/Mediterranean emphasis becomes clear: there’s hummus and falafel; there are kabobs and gyros; there are exotic Persian stews of eggplant and beef ……
3 New Local Frozen Treat Purveyors Will Help You Chill
Most of us already have our raspa stand of choice. Whether you’re going to wait in line at Las Nieves on Hildebrand—regardless of how many people may be before you—or you’re cooling off with one of the creations from long-time favorite Big Daddy’s Eats & Treats, it seems there’s always room for more sorbet, more…
Delis & Diners: Fratello’s Deli & Market
Fratello’s Deli & Market 2503 Broadway, (210) 444-0277, fratellosdeli.com When it comes to delis and diners, San Anto has a ways to go. But in the meantime, you could do worse than checking out Fratello’s on Broadway. After opening its doors last summer, the eatery has quickly become a favorite among those looking for a…
BBQ: B&D Ice House
B&D Ice House 1004 S Alamo, (210) 225-9801, banddicehouse.com What’s old is new again inside Southtown’s B&D Icehouse. After former owner Bruno D’Zanski shut down operations of the neighborhood hang in 2010, after more then 50 years, friend and businessman Steve Newman reimagined a new life for the space across the street from The Friendly…
Coffee: Rosella Coffee Co.
Rosella Coffee Co. 203 E Jones, (210) 277-8574, rosellacoffee.com Journalists love coffee. Weekend anchor for KSAT Charles Gonzalez loved it so much he decided to open his own java joint this spring. As the newest coffee shop in town, Rosella Coffee Co., designed by the Dado Group, is airy, welcoming and just posh enough to…
Alternative Options at Señor Veggie
Señor Veggie 620 S Presa, (210) 228-0073, senorveggie.us It’s not every day a vegan restaurant opens in San Antonio.After years as a catering company and food booth at the Quarry Farmers and Ranchers Market, in February Señor Veggie found a home in Southtown, inside the former Mr. Tim’s Country Kitchen. That’s right, the lard is…
