Sam Spade's Profile
Visiting Atlanta Hound looking for options near NW San Antonio, La Cantera, RIM
Will beg to disagree with MrsWilson about Dough, my only gripe being that it can be a long wat if you don't time your arrival before 7. Sustenio was excellent on our only visit. If you have transportation but don't feel up to trekking downtown I'd also definitely reccomend Bin 555 (Bitters near 281) and Freetail brewpub (1604/NW Military).
San Antonio Report on a quick visit
Thanks for sharing your impressions, things are definitely changing for the better in this town. I'm glad you got to try Gwendolyn-IMHO one of the best in SA.
Tasting menu at Sustenio
Thanks for the info, had heard via chef's twitter that tasting was available at the ceviche bar. Would you mind sharing cost details? Does the hotel still have that semi-deserted look or has biz started to pick up- don't know what their marketing plan was, but this seemed a very subdued rollout.
Thoughts on these SA spots?
Esquire- great drinks (mixologist got props from starchefs.com)...but service is not good. If I was doing drinks downtown I'd opt for Bohanans bar or Zinc.
Dough-absolutely fabulous and well worth the drive to loop 410. They have expanded their place but might still get crowded on weekends-no reservations taken.
Feast-great small plates selection,but if I had ONE night in southtown-the Monterey, hands down. If you have several nights....Feast, Azuca, Bliss (brand new but excellent)
I'd also definitely consider Gwendolyn, and if you don't mind the drive past loop 1604, Sustenio at the Elian Hotel.
Good eats in Texarkana, TX
Been making 1-2 trips/year to Texarkana for nearly thirty years. When my in-laws were younger they'd humor my desire for fried catfish with a trip to The Point which was a bit out of town-haven't been in years, not sure if it exists now. In recent years, when I can dissuade them from going to Outback or Texas Roadhouse, we've been to Cattlemens Steakhouse on State Line (AR side) and Lee's Catfish (a bit N of town off Richmond Rd)-both are fairly good. For good value, and culinary experience you might also want to try the Old Feed House (AR side, cafeteria style all-u-can-eat).
Acapulco Drive Inn San Antonio - closed
From mySa.com: http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/southside/news/article/Southtown-s-Acapulco-Drive-Inn-ice-house-closes-2280673.php
San Antonio grows up, culinary wise
Was quite tickled to see SA has it's own heat map on eater.com (links below) even if we don't warrant our own page there (or here, for that matter). Also saw several SA chefs/mixologists highlighted on StarChefs.com including relative newcomers Michael Sohocki (Gwendolyn), Quealy Watson (Monterey) and Jeret Pena (Esquire). Mark Bliss' eponymous restaurant and Stephan Pyles' Sustenio are also set to open this month.
I realize this is a tourist-friendly town, and a lot of the riverwalk food offerings are geared towards the same chains/concepts available in any major metro. Interestingly, of the eleven restaurants on the heat map, ten are what I would consider walkable if you're staying downtown and only two (of the nine we've dined at) replicate a concept/menu that is not an SA exclusive.
http://eater.com/tags/san-antonio http://www.starchefs.com/cook/features/editors_dish/rising_stars/2012/austin-san-antonio
New Restaurant on S. Presa
Thought you might be interested in this, they're listed on open table as being open but when I called they said next Thursday (Feb 9) was official opening after a couple soft events. We're really looking forward to this!!
Fish Restaurant Name in San Antonio
Based on your description, doubt it was Sandbar since they didnt move to the Pearl until a couple years ago. My best guess is that might have been Azuca on South Alamo as it's about 20" walk, has lots of seafood (latin themed)options, and great drinks. Hands down, best seafood in SA is Sandbar, no close second.
http://www.azuca.net/azuca/index.php
Natchez Trace, Tupelo, Jackson suggestions
We were planning to drive the trace from north to south in March/April of this year. Realize that all dining/lodging is off the trace itself but were wondering if there were any places worth planning a lunch/dinner stop around. Would definitely overnight in Tupelo, Jackson, and Vicksburg per our current plan.
Natchez Trace dining suggestions
We were planning to drive the trace from north to south in March/April of this year. Realize that all dining/lodging is off the trace itself but were wondering if there were any places worth planning a lunch/dinner stop around.
Smoked turkey in SA
Looking for a smoked turkey and nouck so far. Had a great one from Rudy's last year but apparently they're not doing them this Xmas. Struck out at HEB and Whole foods also. Any other ideas?
New Restaurant on S. Presa
I'm pretty sure that's going to be Mark Bliss' new place. Per this story in SavorSA http://www.savorsa.com/2011/07/mark-bliss-to-open-bliss-in-southtown-in-november/
It's kinda exciting to have yet another reason for visiting southtown, have really enjoyed Monty and Feast!!
San Antonio Thanksgiving 2011
Here is the list from SavorSA
http://www.savorsa.com/2011/11/give-thanks-and-dont-forget-to-make-reservations/
Chef's tasting menu help
Called SP and they have extended Fuego into November- absolutely fabulous experience, quite unlike their regular tasting menu. Chef Stephen was very personable, explaing the intricacies of every course. Seating is for four only, well worth the price (125), wine pours (75)were a bit on the over-generous side, cab or DD might be a good idea especially if you had cocktail before dinner. Would definately reccomend this as best tasting menu we've had in Texas (hope Andrew Weisman forgives me)!
Turduckens in DFW
We were similiarly obsessed with the Turducken experience last year, didn't want to go the mail order route and ordered from Whole Foods(San Antonio). Yes it was cheaper than going out, and we had much better wine at home but the overall experience was "meh". Cajun rice stuffing was bland, whole bird(s) experience was bland...or maybe it was a case of high expectations. For us it's in the been there, done that category.
Chef's tasting menu help
Was curious about Salum, but would like to get an idea on cost before reserving. Also, saw on SP website that
Fuego will be available for two seatings at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the following dates:
•September 23rd & 24th
•September 30th
•October 1st
•October 7th & 8th
•October 21st & 22nd
Unfortunately, we'll be traveling mid November on a Friday (so Abacus tasting is out also). Do they do another chefs tasting, or is Fuego it?
We enjoyed Nana (can't beat the view) as well but felt culinary experience wasn't quite on same level of the others.
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Salum Restaurant
4152 Cole Ave Ste 103, Dallas, TX 75204
Fuego
6333 Camp Bowie Blvd Ste 240, Fort Worth, TX 76116
V Seagrove
Just returned from three week trip through NOLA and Charleston, culinary highlight of our trip was Chef Derek's tasting menu at V. Our only regret is living so far away. Service at the chefs table was excellent-great wine director as well!!!!
Chef's tasting menu help
Looking for suggestions for a tasting menu on Friday next month. Have done Abacus, Stephan Pyles in the past (2 years ago) and wouldn't mind repeating either but was wondering if something else on the same caliber has come up in the interim.
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Stephan Pyles
1807 Ross Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75201
Grayton Beach reccomendations
Had meant to add photos from tasting menu earlier but had computer issues. Can't say enough good things about our experience here!!!
Grayton Beach reccomendations
I should have listened to folks on this board and skipped FOW, Nothing was bad,service was great, but when the highlight of your expensive meal is a salad, something is missing.
On the other hand, V was fabulous! We opted to do the chefs tasting bar ($75/res taken for this), which IMHO surpassed Commander's and almost every single tasting menu we've ever done. Chef Derek's andouille larded scallop on grits has got to be in my absolute favorite dishes ever! We were completely sated when the cheese board came out but he graciously wrapped and labeled the selections-still enjoying these a couple days later.
My only surprise was that nobody else joined us at the tasting bar-if you're in the area please do not miss this experience. The wine pairings selected by their wine director were terrific as well. Perfect service, Chef personally took time with us to explain dishes and chat.
Grayton Beach reccomendations
Driving from Mobile on Saturday, was probably looking for a lunch place between Pensacola and GB. Looking for great seafood, preferably not deep fried, and age appropiate (50's) atmosphere. Decided on Fish out of water Sat nite based on friends rec, looking for Sunday brunch and nice dinner (waterfront?) Sunday nite. V gets some good plugs on Urbanspoon-any other ideas?
Grayton Beach reccomendations
Thanks for the tip, saw from their website that they don't take reservations-would it be very crowded on Saturday?
Grayton Beach reccomendations
Doing two nites (Sat/Sun) here next month. Was curious about Fish out of water for one evening. Any other dinner recs/lunch ideas?
Mobile, AL info
If you had to pick one, Noja OR True, which would it be? We have only one evening available and were doing Brick Pit for lunch.
Staying downtown, but wouldn't mind driving to True- I'd heard they do a tasting menu but can't find it on the website.
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Brick Pit
5456 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 36608
Noja
6 1/2 1/2 Jackson St N, Mobile, AL 36602
48 hours in San Antonio, help me narrow it down
More in reply to OP, and for benefit of anyone staying downtown searching for current (Sept 2011) update
Sandbar and Il Sogno now take reservations
New since 11/2010:
Gwendolyn-not Le Reve (though in same location), but excellent 100% locally sourced offerings by an up and coming star (Michael Sohocki)- $50-65 prix fixe at night.
The Monterey-small plate gastropub in Southtown-you can walk there from downtown.
Where are the SA foodies getting their information?
Sorry that your site is not up at present. Agree with you that dining scene here is improving, especially compared to 10-15 years ago, but get disheartened at times when places like Lodge and Oloroso can't survive, but there's big buzz about a new Cheesecake Factory at La Cantera.
I thought I saw a quote from Jason Dady somewhere (re Lodge closure) that "fine dining is on life support". Not sure if he was referencing just his predicament or musing about SA fine dining in general. Thoughts???
San Antonio for a Foodie - help please!
Taco Donut rocks!! Haven't been in a while but loved the 2 drive thru lines (Taco OR Donut).
If you're reading this in 2011....
Sandbar and Il Sogno now take reservations-probably a must on weekends
Best local cuisine/sustainable - only local produce/products? -Restaurant Gwendolyn
Other New places to try-The Monterrey (southtown), The Esquire (riverwalk bar)-all 3 above have websites
The Lodge is gone after December 31!!! IMHO-the best white tablecloth in SA
San Antonio Food Blogs?
Interestingly, a similiar thread (http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/804738) has popped up recently. It's great to find useful info on this Texas board (HOW DO WE GET A SAN ANTONIO SPECIFIC ONE????) instead of fielding the same old questions over and over.
What do I read?
http://www.sanantoniojoe.com./
http://eatsamore.com/
http://ohmypuddin.wordpress.com/
http://www.savorsa.com/
http://geekettebits.com/
And twitter feeds from Dady, Weissman, multiple random restaurants,brewpubs, etc.
Where are the SA foodies getting their information?
It would be nice to have a "one stop source"" for food info, asuming there's enough content being generated. Wondering what content generators (bloggers? CH posters? EN reviewers? SavorSA, etc etc) take would be on being "aggregated".?
I can imagine some bloggers would appreciate an increase in site traffic, not sure what the CH, EN, or urbanspoon take would be on lifting reviews.
An older CH thread of possible interest ( http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/708212 )has been revived as well. And not entirely off-topic, wondering what effect Googles acquisition of Zagat will be in the long run.
