News you can eat
6 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Celebrity-endorsed Sugar Factory debuts downtown
Editor’s note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio’s restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.
Openings
The first San Antonio location of Sugar Factory American Brasserie finally has an opening date. The international brand took to social media to trumpet its June 15 debut at 849 E. Commerce St. #109 in the Shops at Rivercenter mall. As previously reported, the restaurant is an offshoot of the Sugar Factory brand — best known for its rhinestone Couture Pops. In addition to serving confections such as a spiked s’mores milkshake, the brasserie loads the calories with dishes like a Flaming Hot Cheetos burger, beer-battered calamari, and roasted lobster mac ‘n’ cheese.
Downtown nightlife will soon get a jolt of energy. According to an Instagram post,Jessica Marinez and Amber Hernandez are taking over the former site of The Davenport Lounge at 203 N. Presa St. for a brand-new concept. An early victim of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Davenport shuttered in March 2020 and the building has remained vacant since. The couple, who also own the poppy north central venue Picks Bar, did not divulge details on the new project.
Alejandro Paredes, the owner of Carnitas Lonja and Fish Lonja, is transforming the restaurants’ patio into a new concept. On June 1, the nationally acclaimed chef announcedLonja Square, a new nighttime market devoted to Alamo City’s best street food. The property will be divided into eight spaces with a focus on variety. According to the project’s bio, only one taco vendor will be allowed.
Hip lifestyle shop/ apothecary/ tea bar R+R Collective Co. said hello to Southtown during its grand opening June 3, according to an Instagram Story highlight. The concept comes from the owners of popular online vintage shop Be Kind, Rewind and local wellness brand Relyt. The shop stocks likeminded brands and serves a variety of tea and coffee drinks.
Other news and notes
More than 80 Texas breweries and businesses raised more than $43,000 for the victims of the Uvalde school shooting during a fundraising event at Bandera Brewing on June 4. One-hundred percent of the beer festival’s proceeds were donated to the Robb School Memorial Fund set up by the First State Bank of Uvalde. Those who could not attend the event can still donate here.
Summer favorite San Antonio Burger Week is back June 10-19. The juicy promotion, which benefits San Antonio Food Bank, offers some of San Antonio’s most talked-about burgers for $5-$8. Thirty eateries are participating this year, ranging from fast-casual joints like Burger Boy to upscale destinations like Ocho. See the full list of participants here.
