Well, TacoLand (103 Grayson, (210) 223-8406) is now open, to the chagrin of most former Taco Land/Ram Ayala fans, after nine years of uncertainty. You can read more about the space on page 47, but if the bar’s faux re-launch really grinds your gears, there’s a newly formed Facebook campaign you can join. With less than 300 folks at press time, “Change the NAME” is hoping to persuade owner Chris Erck to well … change the name. Any TacoLand 2.0 supporters (hello? Is anyone there?) can buy one of the Hard Rock-esque “Viva Taco Land” shirts available at the bar for $20 bucks a pop.
In a fun change of pace, Texas Monthly recognized three San Antonio eateries in its annual Best New Restaurant and Best New Bar lists. Unsurprisingly, barbecue badass Tim Rattray and little bro brewmaster Alex Rattray’s The Granary ’Cue & Brew (602 Avenue A, (210) 228-0124) squeaked in at No. 9 for Best New Restaurant. Arcade Midtown Kitchen (303 Pearl Pkwy, (210) 369-9664) and Barbaro (2720 McCullough, (210) 320-2261) came in at No. 9 and No. 10, respectively, for best new bars. With Chris Ware, formerly of Bohanan’s, at the helm of the bar program, Arcade’s nod is entirely well deserved. As for Barbaro, which I personally can’t get enough of, the bar is an aesthetic gem and the drinks aren’t bad either.
Over the next several days, Alamo Beer will honor the Alamo’s siege with Siege Week 2 through March 6. This includes nine stops throughout the city including The Point Park and Eats, Stella Public House, Boiler House, Total Wine and more. The “week” includes an Independence Day Bash at VFW 76 (10 10th St, (210) 223-4581) on March 1 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The first 50 guests at each stop will receive an invite for a VIP tour of Alamo’s new digs led by the beer company’s president, Eugene Simor. For a full schedule, visit alamobeer.com.
Let’s eat all the things next Tuesday, aka Mardia Gras. We’ll have plenty of chances as The Hangar (8203 Broadway, (210) 818-7699) opens its parking lot for patio games, beer and something called a Bourbon Street Grenade. Over at Lüke Riverwalk (125 E Houston, (210) 227-5853), the jazzy downtown staple will feature an extended happy hour and New Orleans’ favorites will be on deck as chef John Russ and co. dish out a spicy crawfish boil, shrimp etouffee, Andouille jambalaya and fried chicken wings from 3 to 8 p.m. We’re compiling a list of other Mardi Gras parties at sacurrent.com. Restaurant/bar owners, send your events to f[email protected].
