Hidden Gems

This hidden gem is San Antonio's best spot for traditional Thai

The Thai beef salad is a fan favorite.

Don’t let the basic name fool you. Thai Restaurant, located in the Medical Center area, has cultivated a faithful following by offering traditional and delicious Thai cuisine in a casual, family-owned-and-operated venue.

Situated on the corner of Babcock and Callaghan roads, Thai Restaurant is compact, but it never feels cramped or overly crowded. The staff is typically friendly and eager to please, especially with quick service.

The offerings are classic Thai, but there’s something irresistible about it when it’s cooked with a homemade touch. Several menu items have become particularly popular with diners: The drunken noodles, pad see ew, pad woon sen, maman curry, and Thai beef salad are all must-tries.

The pad Thai, in particular, is a joy. The meat is tender. The noodles taste just right, and the sprouts are plentiful. Some loyal followers consider it the best pad Thai in the city. Each batch is made to order based on the amount of preferred spice, on a scale of one to 10.

Have room for dessert? Coconut ice cream (optional with sticky rice) has become a favorite of many regulars at Thai Restaurant. So have the offerings of Thai iced coffee, bubble tea, and coconut juice.

It’s not the cheapest Thai place in town, but the lunch specials are hard to beat, especially if you’re tight for time in the Medical Center area — which is the case for many of us.

In the end, Thai Restaurant is unassuming yet provides some of the best authentic Thai cuisine in San Antonio.

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A toast to wine bars

2 new wine bars pour into San Antonio 10 days apart

Loblolly Cellars, Vino Grotta, San Antonio, wine bar, winery

Loblolly Cellars / Facebook

Loblolly Cellars, a Columbus, Texas-based winery, opened a tasting room in north San Antonio in late December.

Wine fans in San Antonio have two new urban wineries in town where they can enjoy a glass or two of vino and more.

First, the owners of Loblolly Cellars hosted a December 21 grand opening party to celebrate their new tasting room at 11115 Wurzbach Rd., Ste. 600, in the north central side of town.

Loblolly Cellars is based in the Columbus area, halfway between San Antonio and Houston. The owners have a vineyard on their family ranch filled with loblolly pine trees, which inspired the name of the winery.

The crew at Loblolly Cellars have spent the past year and a half promoting the fledgling winery, offering products at pop-up events in the Columbus area and around the Hill Country. The owners often use a mobile taproom to serve up a glass of Loblolly wine or sangria at such events.

Prior to opening the San Antonio tasting room, Loblolly has also been present for local events, such as pop-ups at the Vance Jackson Road tasting room parking lot. They also have appeared at the St. Matthew’s Catholic Church fall festival, which is held just down the street from the permanent tasting room site.

The family- and pet-friendly taproom offers indoor and outdoor seating where patrons can choose from a variety of Loblolly wines, such as Riesling, Malbec, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Tempranillo, Lenoir, Blanc du Bois, Camminare Noir, and an Italian-style red blend, a mix of Sangiovese and Aglianico grapes.

Loblolly Cellars also features house sangria and charcuterie. The tasting room is open from 5-10 pm on Thursdays, 1-10 pm on Fridays, 11 am to 10 pm Saturdays, and 11 am to 7 pm Sundays.

The second new winery soft opened December 30 at 19338 Babcock Rd., Ste. 209, in far northwest San Antonio. Owner Kim Stevens describes Vino Grotta, or “wine cave," as more than a wine bar, but rather an experience that features 100-plus wines from across the nation and world. The interior has a look and feel that reflect the rustic charm of underground cellars, Stevens says.

According to Stevens, guests can complement their wine with selections from a gourmet food menu that boasts small plates, such as zucchini fries, artichoke fritters, and red pepper gouda soup. The menu also contains sandwiches and flatbreads. Additionally, patrons may choose from a small assortment of craft beers and non-alcoholic wines.

Vino Grotta hosts occasional activities, such as live music performances, wine tastings and wine education programs. The space can also be reserved for various group events, such as private parties and corporate functions. A grand opening celebration is planned for February 1. The bar is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 3-10 pm, Saturdays from noon to 11 pm, and Sundays from noon to 8.

san antonio winery vino grotta loblolly cellars wine bar