It’s easy to be cynical about San Antonio’s proliferation of restaurant chains. Another Chipotle is hardly a reason to break out the bubbly in a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. But occasionally, news of a franchise coming to town seems more like an endorsement than a cash grab.
Such is the case for JINYA Ramen Bar, the Tokyo-born, Los Angeles-bred noodle shop once endorsed by late Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly food critic Jonathan Gold. A company rep confirms that the well-regarded operation will open its first Alamo City location at 311 N Loop 1604 W. #110 in March.
The concept is the brainchild of Tomo Takahashi, the son of a Japanese restaurateur. Following those footsteps, he opened the first JINYA in Tokyo before seeing a market in California. Since then, the chain has expanded across the United States, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston.
The eatery specializes in tonkotsu ramen, an indulgent, silky broth based on slow-cooked pork bones and usually served with firm, thin noodles. Perhaps the most popular of JINYA’s variations is the Tonkotsu Black, served with braised pork belly, wood ear mushrooms, green onion, nori, garlic chips, and fried onion.
Other slurps include wonton chicken ramen with green onion and spinach, a yuzu-seasoned option with a clear pork and chicken broth, and an umami-packed variation topped with ground pork, bok choy, and chili oil. Plant-based eaters have plenty of choices, too — like the Flying Vegan Harvest with Impossible meat or a spicy bowl with creamy vegetable broth.
In addition to ramen, the shops serve a variety of other treats, from appetizers like Brussels sprout tempura to traditional pork gyoza. During San Antonio summers, guests can also opt for curry rice bowls, mini salmon poke tacos, and jalapeño butter corn.
Though the exact opening date and hours have yet to be announced, JINYA Ramen Bar locations are typically open seven days a week until at least 10 pm. Company reps promise more details closer to opening.
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Bask in local artistry with the inaugural San Marcos Studio Tour in April
WHERE CREATIVITY FLOWS
A new way to interact with local Central Texas artists is debuting at the end of March. The inaugural, self-guided San Marcos Studio Tour will feature more than 50 artists all across San Marcos and the surrounding area.
The tour will be led by women-owned and operated MotherShip Studios, an up and coming studio and gallery located between San Marcos and Martindale. MotherShip aims to facilitate community development by providing an affordable, welcoming studio space for local artists.
A special event will kick off the tour on the evening of March 31 at the MotherShip warehouse. The evening celebration will feature a group exhibition, live music, a giveaway, an artistic demonstration, and more. Attendees can also try one of the specially crafted complimentary drinks by local breweries such as Middleton Brewing, Still Austin Whiskey, and Austin Beer Works, who are sponsoring the event.
The studio tour will take place the weekend of April 1-2. Tour maps will be provided with numbers assigned to each artist’s studio, and signs will be posted to help tour-goers find their way around. During the weekend, visitors can also check out different group showcases at the warehouse in between their studio stops. While at the warehouse, they can also browse a catalog by the tour’s artists that will be available for purchase.
One of the goals of the tour is to showcase the “raw spaces” each local artist creates their work in, according to a press release. From their paint-splattered or photo-covered walls, these creative environments are where an artist feels most comfortable to create their work.
The San Marcos Studio Tour is free and open to the public. The tour’s kick off event will begin at 7 pm on March 31, and the self-guided tour will take place from 12 to 6 pm on April 1-2.
More information about the tour can be found on MotherShip Studio’s website.
Own a piece of Utopia with this Hill Country riverfront retreat listed for $2.5M
UTOPIA ON THE WATER
Have you ever wanted to buy a retreat or say you own a slice of Utopia? Now’s your chance – the Utopia River Retreat, a remarkable 12-acre property on the Sabinal River in Utopia, Texas has hit the market for $2.5 million.
The secluded, tree-filled, riverfront estate boasts nine guest cabins and "the Fortress," a historic lodge that can sleep 12 guests.
Each cabin has its own full kitchen, living space, and covered porch. Three cabins have two bedrooms that can host up to six guests, and six cabins are single-bedroom that can sleep up to four guests.
The property has been a sought-after wedding destination since the first wedding ceremony took place there in 1861. The only structure on the land at the time was a stone fort, which has since been converted into the Fortress.
Other features of the Fortress include:
- Two master suites
- Three semi-private lofts
- A full kitchen
- Fireplace
- Wrap-around porch
- Original stonework on display
Another highlighted feature of the property is the renovated hay barn. The previous owners turned it into a bespoke event space with an open floor plan, wood beam ceilings, a stone fireplace, and attached deck. Also around the barn is a large green space and a covered gazebo with a breathtaking view of the Sabinal river.
The Utopia River Retreat sale is facilitated by Chad Foster, the founder and broker of Uvalde-based real estate group Foster Farm and Ranch.
“With its current amenities and space for expansion, Utopia River Retreat provides potential buyers with a lot of entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Foster in a press release. “The event space, cabins, and renovated fort make Utopia River Retreat a great addition to any real estate portfolio.”
As investors are snatching up properties left and right for the next wedding venue or event space, the Utopia River Retreat is touted as the next hidden gem in a booming wedding industry. The Knot estimates a Texas couple’s average wedding budget is between $24,000 and $30,000. Texas couples are also more likely to put 30 percent of their wedding budget towards a perfect venue for their special day.
Even outside of wedding season, the estate can host family vacations, reunions, and corporate retreats, and more.
The town of Utopia is located 90 miles west of San Antonio and 350 miles southwest of Dallas.
More information about the property can be found at the Utopia River Retreat website, and more information about the listing can be found at Foster Farm and Ranch’s website.
New clinical trial for lumbar spinal surgery begins in San Antonio
MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGH
A new clinical trial is underway for an alternative method to lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Orthopedic medical center Ortho San Antonio and orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Anton Jorgensen announced the BalancedBack Total Joint Replacement trial using a “first-of-its-kind” technology called the 3Spine MOTUS device.
3Spine is a healthcare company focused on integrating development, research, and execution of lower back total joint replacement. The combination of the 3Spine procedure and the MOTUS device aim to address leg pain, back pain, and spinal instability. The surgery implements reconstruction of the functional spinal unit to treat degenerative disease.
Dr. Jorgensen was trained by fellow orthopedic surgeon Dr. Scott Hodges, the co-founder and medical director of 3Spine. Dr. Jorgensen said in a press release that he is proud to be the first Texas surgeon to participate in an important clinical trial of this type. He encouraged the community to keep in mind the challenges that come with spinal fusion surgery while searching for “new and innovative solutions to improve patient care.”
“This is something new I had to learn and practice, but I am convinced that MOTUS has the potential to fundamentally change the way I treat degenerative lumbar disease,” he said.
The first surgeries in the trial were completed at the Foundation Surgical Hospital of San Antonio. 3Spine Inc. is seeking certain patients with single-level lumbar spine disease and lumbar degeneration to participate in the study. Patients interested in the clinical trial in San Antonio can email brouk.gebreab@christushealth.org for more information.