The next time you're shopping around trying to source salt flakes, give Ben Annotti a call. The Chicago native, who most recently spent two years working at JW Marriott's umbrella of restaurants, launched Pantry Provisions, a web-based food and drink bodega where he ships out hard-to-find ingredients from around the country. Bourbon smoked sea salt (pictured), Liber & Co. shrubs and grenadine, Carr's Ciderhouse small-batch apple cider vinegar and Oregon Olive Mill EVOO, all shipped by hand.
Annotti, 27, functions as a one-man-band out of the Warehouse 5 space between Commerce and Buena Vista. But don't confuse this enterprise for a subscription-based boxed delivery service. Foodie shoppers pick every item and aren't subjected to a random mish-mash of ingredients that'll take up precious pantry space for months on end. Orders are shipped throughout the U.S. and Canada. Shipping for orders throughout Texas carry a flat rate of $3.99, while orders over $49 are shipped free. Cocktailians should keep an eye on Pantry Provision's growing line of boutique bitters.
Crossroads, the tasty kitchen that serves Southern-style snacks out of Faust Tavern, run by Drew Morros and Roberta Marques, will present a "Lowcountry" pop-up on Sunday, April 12 at 7 p.m. inside Brick (108 Blue Star). Expect to hear blues guitar while noshing on fried chicken livers and smoked pork, as part of a six-course dinner complete with fizzy drinks. Tickets go for $100 and can be purchased through brownpapertickets.com.
Les Dames d'Escoffier San Antonio has teamed up with a local Girl Scout for their Gold Award Project to present "Women in the Culinary Arts," a career event for high school girls looking to get into the burgeoning field, scheduled for Thursday, April 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Guests will meet female chefs, owners and entrepreneurs and tour the host location, The Culinary Institute of America-San Antonio (312 Pearl Pkwy.). The free event does require RSVP at [email protected].
In food truck news, Jimbo's Slice of Heaven will be back in rotation following its seasonal hiatus, starting Saturday, April 4 at The Point Park & Eats (24188 Boerne Stage Road, 251-3380) with a brand new menu that includes burgers, sandwiches, lighter fare and something for the kiddos.
Any Game of Thrones fans out there? Stay Golden Social House (401 Pearl Pkwy.) will unveil a new Westeros-themed menu with drinks like the Red Viper (tequila, Lillet Blanc, watermelon shrub, lime and soda) and the King of the North (whiskey, whiskey syrup, whiskey bitters). Winter came and went, but the show's fifth season is coming.
