GOBBLE 'TIL YOU WOBBLE

9 San Antonio restaurants serving fantastic Thanksgiving feasts

Eddie V's Thanksgiving feast includes turkey and plenty of sides.

Photo courtesy of Eddie V's

Even with the most convincing of propaganda, the truth will out. Look at Norman Rockwell’s iconic 1943 painting “Freedom from Want.” Sure, the Thanksgiving scene seems idyllic as a family excitedly waits for the turkey to be carved. But zoom in on the family matriarch. No doubt cooking the feast left her completely worn out.

Nowadays, it doesn’t require hours in the kitchen to bring on smiles. Smart San Antonians can breeze through the holiday with no fuss by booking reservations at one of the local restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day. Now, if only Rockwell’s famous cook had had a smartphone.

Ambler Texas Kitchen
Downtown’s Hotel Contessa received culinary adrenaline last year thanks to chef Mike Collins’ finesse with Lone Star flavors. This year’s Thanksgiving prix fixe is no different, with classics like pan gravy reinvigorated with luxe ingredients like foie gras. Get in the festive spirit with a brown butter and sage Old Fashioned, then dive into salmon, ham, turkey, or prime rib. 5-10 pm. $85+.

Biga on the Banks
One of Alamo City’s fondest traditions is roaring back this year as chef Bruce Auden and his team prepare to wow locals with another New American Thanksgiving. Traditionalists are well-covered with prix fixe choices like ribeye or turkey, but guests can shake things up with red snapper, scallops, or grain-stuffed squash. Even pickier kids are covered with pasta and marinara. 5-10 pm. $75 for adults, $30 for kids 12 and under.

Dorrego’s
Should the Cowboys lose to the Giants on November 24, it will be easy to find comfort in this River Walk eatery’s hearty fare. The three courses include turkey with all the fixings or ever-popular prime rib. A slice of pie and a couple of blackberry brambles will inspire some cheer. 5-9 pm. $65.

Earl Abel’s
Yes, this San Antonio classic dazzles with savory Thanksgiving specials like a fried chicken basket or hickory smoked ham. Yes, the mashed potatoes and green bean casserole served alongside are a taste of home. However, nothing on the menu is as mouthwatering as the justly famous pies. Pick banana cream, pumpkin, apple, Texas pecan, cherry, or chocolate icebox. Better yet, waddle out after eating all six. 10 am-3 pm. $26.95 for plates, $3 per pie slice.

Eddie V’s
This upscale chain is known for its seafood, but guests shouldn’t sleep on the sides. Its all-day Thanksgiving special comes with plenty of them, from brioche sage stuffing to French green beans with sun-dried tomatoes. There’s also turkey, of course — made fancier when it’s slathered with pan gravy with a mirepoix brunoise. 11 am-8 pm. $47 for adults and $17 for kids.

Four Brothers Southern Provisions
A newcomer to the downtown scene, Four Brothers balances tradition with contemporary flavors. Get your gobble on with a three-course meal showcasing slow-roasted turkey breast with wild rice stuffing pilaf and goat cheese stuffing. A sweet ending is ensured with pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap tuille or pecan pie served à la mode. 11:30 am-10 pm. $65.

Landrace
Why wait until dinner for the Turkey Day feast? Lauded chef Steve McHugh is starting the day with an astounding Thanksgiving brunch. Choose your own adventure with breakfast staples like ricotta pancakes, made-to-order omelets, or cinnamon rolls, or carve some turkey to go with cajeta-glazed carrots. The Hang Up Your Spurs cocktail — a heady mix of rye, rum, and amaro — is de rigueur before a long afternoon nap. 7am-3 pm. $75+.

Ostra
There’s no need to save the pumpkin for dessert at the Mokara Hotel and Spa. Its in-house restaurant is going gaga for the gourd with a velouté bisque and tarts with Chantilly cream and pecan brittle. In between, diners can relish in a sweet tea-brined turkey served with garlic potatoes Robuchon (a swanky mashed potato for those who don’t keep up with French chefs). 5-10 pm. $65.

Supper
Reservations are going quickly at Hotel Emma’s signature eatery. No wonder! Chef Jorge Hernández is a wunderkind whose resumé includes a stint at José Andrés’ lauded Minibar. The Thanksgiving menu includes roasted turkey breast, buttery mashed potatoes, cranberry gelee, and more ($65). Additional sides include charred green beans with pecan macha; sweet potato gratin; Parker House rolls with honey butter and sea salt; and a selection of house made pies at $12 per slice. Hotel Emma is open from 7am-8pm.

holidays dining thanksgiving

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