San Antonio's best restaurants, bars, and culinary superstars were crowned and celebrated at the third annual CultureMap Tastemaker Awards party on April 4, bringing weeks of anticipation finally to an end.
Since February, we've honored our extraordinary nominees in an editorial series full of bite-sized chef, restaurant, and mixology profile. Then readers voted for their favorite new restaurant in a bracket-style tournament, which all led up to our Thursday bash at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.
Guests squeezed inside to cheer on the nominated and winning chefs.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Nineteen Hyaku brought two booths for more tasting options.
Guests joined the festivities during an exclusive VIP hour and then in an all-out general-admission party to savor delicious bites from the nominees. They also sipped drinks from a sponsor-supported bar while looking forward to learning the who won in each category. A portion of ticket proceeds benefited the Texas Food and Wine Alliance.
There were plenty of libations courtesy of Tito's Handmade Vodka, and hometown brewers Breakaway Brewing Company, Real Ale Brewing Co., and Alamo Beer Company. 7 Brew Drive-Thru Coffee and Topo Chico Mineral Water also kept guests quenched and cool during the perfectly warm evening.
Best Quality Daughter, representing Chef of the Year nominee Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, prepared deliciously marinated bamboo shoots that had fans and newcomers alike coming back for seconds. Best New Restaurant nominee Nineteen Hyaku taught some visitors the right way to eat nigiri: all in one bite, so the meticulously proportioned flavors stay intact.
These perfect bites combine rice, raw fish, and a little garnish that should all be eaten at once. (By Nineteen Hyaku)Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Some restaurants opted for something outside of dinner or traditional passed apps. Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year nominee Full Goods Diner brought their signature PB&J toast, featuring a peanut butter and cream cheese mousse, garnished with pickled fennel, for a bright and sweet-yet-savory snack. And nearly everyone listing favorite dishes had a place of honor for Pastry Chef of the Year nominee Grecia Ramos' assorted mini croissant bites from Baked.
Who would have thought PB&J would be one of the most luxurious snacks of all? (By Full Goods Diner)Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Some chefs and restaurant owners stopped by to enjoy the good eats and company, but took the night off from cooking. At the end of the night, they stood scattered among the crowd as KENS-5 anchor Sarah Forgany revealed the winners.
The Jerk Shack's Nicola Blaque was named Chef of the Year, while Jenn Riesman of Rooster Crow Bakery nabbed the Pastry Chef of the Year award. Bar Loretta and Weathered Souls Brewing Co. won Bar of the Year and Best Brewery, respectively.
Chef Nicola Blaque celebrates her win with CultureMap Brandon Watson.Photo by Guillermo Rosas
Then, three diverse restaurants scored in the restaurant categories. Globally-inspired casual hang Clementine was enshrined as 2024's Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, while CultureMap readers selected Thai Bird as this year’s Best New Restaurant. The Good Kind Southtown triumphed in our wildcard category for Best Patio. Lastly, King William charmer Leche de Tigre nabbed the biggest award of the evening: Restaurant of the Year. Read more about the winners here.
Our hearty congratulations to the winners and our thanks to the sponsors, participants, and attendees. Scroll through the above photos to relive the night, and we’ll see you next year.
