SUDDEN SHUTTERS

San Antonio Greek hidden gem closes after 18 years

Zorbas Greek Mediterranean Cuisine has closed after 18 years.

Zorbas Greek Mediterranean Cuisine/ Facebook

A go-to spot for Greek cuisine in San Antonio has fired up its last pita. Zorbas Greek Mediterranean Cuisine at 2110 NW Military Hwy in Castle Hills has closed after almost two decades in business.

“After 18 years of serving our community, we are happy to announce that we have flipped our sign to closed for the last time,” wrote the business on Facebook. “We have been blessed to operate in the time that we have, and we will hold onto these memories for the rest of our lives.”

Zorbas was one of San Antonio’s last few true hidden gems. Opened in 2008, it became a neighborhood favorite before Instagram launched, receiving scant attention from the media since.Certainly, it was never much to look at. Although the chairs changed over the years, the rest of the dining room largely stayed the same, with photos of Santorini adorning the walls.

Customers never seemed to mind. Although the Yelp page is filled with quibbles about operating hours and room temps, even the negative reviews complemented the food.

Though billed as a Greek restaurant, Zorbas was owned by a Jordanian family, and the menu spanned the entire region. Greek staples like pastitsio were served alongside chicken tikka and mezze plates. But it was more well-known for its baba ghanouj and gyros, available in both the traditional lamb and beef combo and vegetarian eggplant.

Zorbas did not give a reason for the closure, but the “happy” line in the closing statement seems to point towards retirement. We have reached out to the owners and will update if we hear more.

greek cuisine mediterranean castle hills hidden gems closing

OENO FILES

New experimental wine tasting room pours into the Hill Country

Acquired Taste Wine/ Facebook

Acquired Taste Wine is taking a less serious approach to its winemaking.

A new wine brand along the Hill Country’s 290 Wine Trail might cause some self-serious oenophiles to go into a swirl. Acquired Taste Wine is now open in Stonewall, launching new labels at a dizzying pace.

Owned by industry vet Dave Bryant, owner of Texas wine consultancy Texas Wine Consulting, the project takes an experimental approach. A release says the brand “rejects the idea that a winery needs to be defined by a single label, estate, or tradition.”

Instead, the brand’s philosophy is laissez-faire. New wines, available by wine club or at the tasting room, will take varied approaches to sourcing fruit, try new blends, and generally remove the pomp from the tasting experience. As the name hints, it doesn’t expect to appeal to everyone.

The vision emphasizes vibes over specific varietals. Currently, the tasting room is pouring three labels:

Float Wines — a rosé and white blend meant to be enjoyed around water
The Campaign — two wines (a Sangiovese and a Tempranillo) blending red state and blue state grapes
Heart Break — “messy” reds meant for immediate drinkability

An upcoming fall release goes even more outré. Temporary Wines’ limited-production bottles will never be released twice. The labels double as temporary tattoos.

The tasting room is a little unconventional as well. Instead of the modern farmhouse style favored by many Hill Country wineries, guests can expect midcentury modern furnishings and Bauhaus posters. Although there is a bar along one wall, much of the square footage is devoted to living room-like arrangements.

Those who want to go on the adventure can find the wines at 239 Miracle Mile in Stonewall. The tasting room is open 11 am-5 pm, Thursday through Saturday, or by appointment.

wine road 290 hill country stonewall wine tasting rooms openings

SUDDEN SHUTTERS

San Antonio Greek hidden gem closes after 18 years

OENO FILES

New experimental wine tasting room pours into the Hill Country

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