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Restaurant of the Year

The 7 best restaurants in San Antonio are heating up our food scene

Francisco Ortiz
May 16, 2016 | 6:00 am

We're honoring the top culinary talent in Alamo City at our Tastemaker Awards, extending to San Antonio for the very first time this year. You've met the nominees for Best New Restaurant and Chef of the Year, and now, ahead of the party on May 17, we're shining a light on San Antonio's top restaurants.

The seven nominees for Restaurant of the Year have made an impact with foodies and critics alike. They collectively reflect the recent and amazing growth in San Antonio's culinary offerings. Meet them now:

Bliss
Chef Mark Bliss excited San Antonians when he and his wife/business partner, Lisa, opened Bliss in Southtown in early 2012, following a two-year break from the industry. The arrival of Bliss, the first restaurant that the couple has owned and managed, marked a new level of eclectic, experiential dining to the booming neighborhood.

The frequently changing menu focuses on new American cuisine, charcuterie, artisanal cheeses, and house-baked breads. Along with the intriguing selection of wine and beer, Bliss — set in a stylishly revamped former gas station — has been a hit.

The Cookhouse
Located off the North St. Mary's strip, The Cookhouse pays tribute to Chef Pieter Sypesteyn's home of Louisiana, demonstrating that there's more to New Orleans than the familiar aspects of Cajun and Creole. Sypesteyn showcases what he has learned from American, French, and Italian cooking and provides a more worldly culinary adventure.

The popularity of the Where Y'at food truck, with its serious takes on po' boys, gumbo, and jambalaya, stirred Sypesteyn and his wife, Susan, to open The Cookhouse in a cozy spot that offers a New Orleans style throughout. The oyster bar is a particular treat, but dishes such as roasted duck with dumplings and the classic muffuletta, are just as irresistible.

Cured
Chef Steven McHugh opened Cured in 2013 in one of many century-old renovated structures at the former Pearl Brewery, now a hub of culinary and commercial rebirth in San Antonio's urban core. McHugh and his team blend locally sourced ingredients with organic methods to create hand-crafted cured foods. Cured offers a dazzling version of farm-to-table techniques and whole-animal cooking. Nothing goes to waste at Cured, where dishes such as beer can mussels or pork cheek poutine, paired with craft cocktails and beers in a rustic-chic setting, has gone over well with fans.

McHugh says he appreciates CultureMap's recognition as the latest in honors for Cured: "It represents how far we've come as a city in a few years. To see seven of these restaurants on this list, it's pretty amazing."

Feast
Like Bliss, Feast has furthered Southtown's reputation as a destination for local foodies. Feast opened in 2011, putting a Mediterranean spin on contemporary American cuisine. Formerly of 20nine Restaurant & Wine Bar, Chef Stefan Bowers and business partner Andrew Goodman have made Feast inviting with its white walls, dangling glass mobiles, and clear acrylic chairs complemented by several offerings of small sharing plates.

The menu at Feast changes seasonally and is broken down into categories such as "oceanic," "chilled," and "crispy." Having grown up in northern California during the beginnings of the organic food movement, Bowers regionally sources his ingredients to craft items such as heritage pork belly and duck breast tostadas. Bowers and Goodman also run a newer venture, Rebelle, in the recently renovated, historic St. Anthony Hotel downtown.

"Each accolade is appreciated. We don't have a big head at Feast and Rebelle," Bowers said. "It's stiff competition, with lots of killer chefs grinding out there. We don't take honors like this for granted."

Folc
Based in Olmos Park, Folc fuses family-style plates of American cuisine with contemporary techniques. Chef/co-owner Luis Colon plays with flavors and textures to create a relatively small yet lively menu worth exploring. It's made for a sharing experience among couples and small groups.

Folc is a compact place, but it's comfortable and intimate enough to enjoy elevated offerings such as the brisket burger with fried egg, pickles, and white American cheese or fried veal sweetbreads with coffee mayonnaise. Brunch is a special time at Folc on Saturdays and Sundays: A "Family Folc" order comes with a half made-to-order chicken, eight eggs, four biscuits, and roasted fingerlings. If you're dining for one, a breaded pork cutlet with ravigote sauce, fried egg, and dressed pea tendrils — peas are given much love here — is a can't-miss proposition.

Mixtli
Mixtli is not so much a restaurant as it is an educational experience for diners and the cooks. Tucked away in a former train boxcar in Olmos Park, chefs/co-owners Rico Torres and Diego Galicia mix old-world and new techniques on staple Mesoamerican ingredients. Virtually everything is made in house, including masa and the cocoa that is roasted to make chocolate.

The menu changes every 45 days to focus on cuisine traditional to a different state or region of Mexico. Diners are given the chance to concentrate on and contemplate the ingredients on each plate — the traditions with which they are intertwined. Take, for example, grasshopper tostadas. Galicia and Torres note that roasted grasshoppers have long been a staple protein in Oaxaca, Mexico. There are no walk-ins at Mixtli, and with seating for only 12 people reservations are required.

"It's an honor to be recognized for our hard work at the end of the day," Torres says. "We aren't chasing awards, but trying to rescue, preserve, and promote these foods and ensure the history of the peoples associated with them."

Restaurant Gwendolyn
Downtown's Restaurant Gwendolyn is a step back in time. With a touch of Victorian style, chef/owner Michael Sohocki and his colleagues craft tried-and-true recipes with no help from machines — no blenders, choppers, or deep fryers. Sohocki also strives to source his ingredients from farmers and ranchers within a 150-mile radius, maintaining a sustainable, regional food supply. Whole animals are bought, cut, dry-aged, and preserved. Everything is made in-house. Coffee for dessert is crafted with a siphon coffee maker. Fats are rendered. Bacon is smoked onsite.

The venue's name is a tribute to Sohocki's grandmother. As a result, gourmet meals transport diners to a simpler time. It's all an ode to the pre-Industrial Revolution era, an exploration of how people related to their physical surroundings before their world, back then, got bigger.

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Buy tickets now to the Tastemaker Awards on May 17 at Bullock Texas State History Museum. Learn more about the event here.

Restaurant Gwendolyn strives to source ingredients from farmers and ranchers within a 150-mile radius.

Restaurant Gwendolyn
Restaurant Gwendolyn/Facebook
Restaurant Gwendolyn strives to source ingredients from farmers and ranchers within a 150-mile radius.
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Hot Headlines

Healthy grocery chain sprouts new San Antonio location, plus more top stories

Hannah J. Frías
Nov 12, 2022 | 12:00 pm
sprouts market
Photo courtesy of Sprouts Farmers Market

Sprouts Farmers Market has opened a third San Antonio store.

Editor’s note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. Here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. Healthy grocery chain sprouts new location for San Antonio's Far West Side. Sprouts Farmers Market has opened a third San Antonio store, and it's celebrating this weekend with several days of events and promotions.

2. Here are the top 5 things to do in San Antonio this weekend. Magic, live music, and merrymaking are on the Alamo City agenda this weekend.

3. Beat the crowds for a weekday jaunt through Wurstfest. Wurstfest is in full swing again, running from November 4-13.

4. Texas will host CMT Music Awards for the first time ever in 2023. Airing April 2, 2023, the awards ceremony will be hosted in Texas for the first time ever.

5. San Antonio Auto & Truck Show cruises back bigger than ever. The show is only in town this weekend at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

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Texas will host CMT Music Awards for the first time ever in 2023

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Fancy cars

San Antonio Auto & Truck Show cruises back bigger than ever

Katherine Stinson
Nov 11, 2022 | 10:53 am
San Antonio Auto & Truck Show
Photo by Mikie Farias
The San Antonio Auto & Truck Show is the largest showroom in South Texas.

Live your best Top Gear life with the return of the San Antonio Auto & Truck Show, only in town this weekend at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

The largest showroom in South Texas is back and bigger than ever. Not only will the 2022 San Antonio Auto & Truck Show have a larger assortment of electric vehicles than the show has ever had, but guests can also enjoy a wide array of classic cars, pet adoption opportunities, food trucks, and so much more.

Not a car enthusiast? There's a good chance you'll change your mind after attending the San Antonio Auto & Truck Show, and veterans get in for free on November 11 (which is Veterans Day).

The San Antonio Auto & Truck Show is in town for one weekend only, so don't miss out if you need inspiration on a car-shopping journey. Other nice discounts for the weekend include $6 tickets for kids 6-10 years old and free admission for children 0-5 years old. If military vets can't actually make it on Veterans Day, they can still get a discount ($8 for a day pass) on Saturday and Sunday. Senior citizens also get discounted $8 day passes for whatever day they choose to attend.

If you're wondering what could possibly be more fun than getting a discounted ticket to wander a whole day gazing at a showroom full of luxury automobiles, the show has a surprise for gear-heads and casual car lovers alike. Featuring a drawing every hour during the show, some lucky guests will have the pleasure of taking home one $100 gift card. It may not be a Lamborghini, but hey, it's something, right?

The official San Antonio Auto & Truck Show has been teasing upcoming attractions for this weekend's show experience on their social media channels, previewing the return of old and brand new auto-themed exhibits. One returning kid-friendly exhibit is the History In Motion tour bus. Another familiar weekend event is the Battle of the Bands, in addition to a full slate of incredible cars on display to admire from afar (there will also be opportunities to test drive select cars).

For more information on show hours and tickets, visit saautoshow.com

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Joy to the (Sea) World

The holidays splash into Sea World San Antonio with parades, parties, puppets, and more

Hannah J. Frías
Nov 10, 2022 | 10:54 am
Santa Sea World
Courtesy of Sea World
In total, Sea World will feature 12 uniquely themed holiday areas for this 42-day Yuletide extravaganza.

In Texas, we like to claim that everything is bigger here. We also like to compete for biggest of the big, which rings true for Sea World's self-ascribed "biggest Christmas event in Texas," kicking off this week.

Starting Thursday, November 10, the marine life park transforms into a holiday wonderland for 42 full days of sparkling lights, holiday festivities, and, of course, tasty seasonal treats. This year also marks the premiere of a new live-action musical, O Wondrous Night, as well as a new Christmas party zone, Snowman Jam. In the former, the Nativity story comes to life through the eyes of the animals who experienced it, thanks to puppetry, carols, and special effects. Meanwhile, Snowman Jam invites park visitors to enjoy festive flurries and specialty cocktails from the Frozen Fusion Bar while bopping to the sounds of a DJ.

Returning favorites include the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, Christmas Market, meet-and-greets with Santa and Rudolph, and the "largest light display in the state" – according to the release. In total, the park will feature 12 uniquely themed holiday areas, from a 1950s-inspired Christmas cove; a whimsical Snowman village with life-sized snowman; and the country-themed Christmas Market, which houses a Christmas tree made entirely of cowboy boots.

Other highlights include:

  • Holiday shows and festive animal presentations, from Merry Mariachis to a festive beluga whale and pacific white-sided dolphin presentation.
  • An immersive Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer experience: Hear the story of the world's most famous reindeer when strolling past life-size story book vignettes featuring the classic tale before meeting the beloved characters including Rudolph himself.
  • The Sesame Street Christmas Parade: Festive floats feature live performances and celebrate the magic of the holiday season with Sesame Street friends, including Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and more.
  • Coca-Cola presents Fireside S’mores and a holiday scavenger hunt: Families and friends can create memories while cozied up around the fire roasting marshmallows for delicious holiday s'mores. Afterwards, guests can participate in a photo scavenger hunt for Coca-Cola-themed festive prize and the chance to be featured on billboards around San Antonio.
Don't forget the festive food and drinks, either: The park will offer no lack of seasonal candies, baked goods, hot cocoa, and more. Winter cocktails include a new Santa-Gria and melon liqueur-based Grinch cocktail. For a traditional holiday meal, guests can enjoy dinner with Santa or Rudolph (reservations required).

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration runs from 1 pm until 9 pm on select days between November 10 and January 2, 2023. Head to SeaWorld.com to plan your visit or learn more about 2023 Season Passes, which includes free Christmas ornaments, a free ticket for a friend to join in the Christmas festivities, and more benefits.

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