Dine and Donate

San Antonio Restaurant Weeks serves up specials from almost 100 local eateries

San Antonio nonprofit Culinaria will host Restaurant Weeks from August 13-27.

Courtesy of Culinaria

Restaurant Weeks is back, giving San Antonians two weeks to enjoy a variety of prix-fixe multi-course meals at participating local restaurants with some proceeds going toward promoting the Alamo City as a premier food and wine destination.

Organized by the local nonprofit Culinaria, Restaurant Weeks has nearly 100 San Antonio-area eateries and bars taking part in the twice-a-year event, with the summer edition unfolding August 13 through 27.

Participating locations will offer special three-course prix-fixe menus: $20 and $30 for lunch, and $35, $45, and $55 for dinner, with to-go options at select eateries, according to a Culinaria press release.

Some restaurants plan to offer additional course options, as well as wine, cocktail, and beer pairings. Menus from participating restaurants and bars are available on Culinaria’s website. Reservations are not required, but are encouraged as walk-in service can’t be guaranteed, the release says.

Culinaria President and CEO Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge says Restaurant Weeks provides an opportunity for San Antonians and visitors to try and explore diverse dining options at new, young and long-established restaurants, and to do it all for charity.

"The event also provides an opportunity for chefs to showcase the variety of food and flavors that define the Alamo City and South Texas,” Taranto-Etheredge says, adding that the local culinary industry is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects.

“As a community, we are still affected by the pandemic, so hours and menu availability are subject to change. Please be patient and kind to restauranteurs who are working to provide the best experience and service while working under unusual circumstances."

Culinaria uses events such as Culinaria and the upcoming Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival, which debuts this October, to advocate for San Antonio as a hub of culinary, beverage, and hospitality recreation and education.

chefs charity

Good, old-fashioned cake

California bakery brings vintage-style cakes to first San Antonio spot

Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

SusieCakes is anchored by simple bakes, but also has lots of fun specials.

San Antonians who get nostalgic for a good, old-fashioned piece of cake can look forward to the arrival of SusieCakes, a small chain from California specializing in vintage bakes. It's opening at 7322 Jones Maltsberger Rd. on October 26, with a grand opening party to seal the deal.

Doors will open at 11 am, and the family-friendly celebration will run from noon to 3 pm. All children who visit will receive a free mini cupcake. For adults with free-cake FOMO, there's a raffle to win it for a year. There will also be a DJ, and kids' activities like face painting, a coloring contest, and balloon art. Founder Susan "Susie" Sarich will attend to greet guests.

Most of the SusieCakes stores are in California, which is where the restaurant is based (although Sarich is originally from Chicago). Then there are five existing Texas stores across Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth, making San Antonio the sixth. It will be the first location in the Alamo City.

$Chocolate cake at \u200bSusieCakes$ It doesn't get more classic than an all-chocolate cake.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Since 2006, this bakery has dedicated itself to classic bakes with "the finest, freshest ingredients you would find in a 1950s pantry," according to a press release. It promises no trends or artificial ingredients, but there are certainly some exceptions to the first rule.

Alongside simple layer cakes and throwback Barbie cakes (where the cake is built around the doll like a gown), it does also offer more contemporary obsessions like gender reveal cakes, Taylor Swift-inspired cakes, shag cakes, and ironically, those maximalist vintage layer cakes that are absolutely everywhere on social media in the 2020s.

Flavors definitely lean more traditional, with offerings like chocolate, vanilla, marble, coconut, lemon, carrot cake, Southern red velvet, and a whipped cream-topped berry cake. (I.e. the way it should be.) There's even a gluten-free vanilla cake and a flight for tasting all the different varieties.

$\u200bPumpkin maple cupcakes at SusieCakes$ These pumpkin-maple cupcakes apply fall flavors in a homey style.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Aside from full-size cakes, SusieCakes offers frosting-filled cupcakes, cookies, and sometimes even seasonal specials that depart from those bakes entirely, like an apple pie. There are almost always seasonal or cultural specials available; right now, themes are Halloween and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

$\u200bHalloween treats at SusieCakes$ These are just some of the Halloween bakes.Photo courtesy of SusieCakes

Customers can also order custom cakes, cupcakes and cookies, which can ship overnight. Customs are also available for weddings and other events.

SusieCakes will open October 26, and will operate Mondays through Saturdays from 11 am to 7 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. More information is available at susiecakes.com.

bakery desserts kids families holidays openings

Dine and Donate

San Antonio Restaurant Weeks serves up specials from almost 100 local eateries

San Antonio is the 5th easiest metro in the U.S. to pay off a mortgage

How pets are shaping home trends, from grooming stations to catios

Curious burgers and a baby bodega rework San Antonio dining news

Good, old-fashioned cake

California bakery brings vintage-style cakes to first San Antonio spot