Despite all the propaganda that Father’s Day requires a slab of brisket, no two Dads are exactly alike. This year, treat him to something a little more curated. Whether he likes a dry aged steak lavished in butter or a simple sandwich paired with a quality brew, we have you covered with a spot for every Pop.
For the hop head: Alamo Beer Co.
Backyard barbecues seem fun on paper, but who wants to deal with all the heat and flies. This year, focus on the best part: the beer. The Alamo menu includes something for every type of drinker — poundable lagers, citrusy IPAs, and everything in between. The hearty food, a mix of fan favorites like nachos, sausage sandwiches, and soft pretzels, is ready for game day.
For the weekend warrior: Burnt Bean Co.
If the Old Man has wanderlust, take him on a road trip to one of Seguin’s brightest treasures. Chefs Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland pull off a rare feat — making food accessible enough to please everyone in the family while showing enough culinary finesse to be a finalist for this year’s James Beard Awards.
For the sports fiend: McIntyre’s
We’re not saying this Southtown spot can be seen from space, but it has enough glowing flatscreens to be seen for miles. Plus, the drink menu is varied enough to keep even fair-weather fans fueled. The beer menu ranges from domestic standbys to local craft brews to a propriety lager. The cocktails skip complicated drink craft in favor of the tried-and-true. Peruse the menu over a couple of rounds of cornhole.
For the amateur mixologist: Pastiche
If your Dad has a freezer full of specialty ice cubes and a cabinet stocked with various tinctures and bitters, he’ll have a blast at this East Side haunt. The cocktails — made with fortified wines, rare European spirits, and unique liqueurs — are the perfect prelude to a Father’s Day dinner — and tinkering inspiration for weeks to come.
For the plant-based pop: Pharm Table
Let’s face it, most of Alamo City’s vegan fare is hardly suited for a special occasion. Still, at least one place delivers in the clutch. From a smoked mushroom take on Nikkei ceviche to a lentil kitchari tempered by a coconut cilantro chutney, the worldly selections at this Southtown café feel like a proper celebration, especially when paired with a thoughtful wine flight.
For the meat and potatoes man: Range
Chef Jason Dady works with ranchers from the heartland to Central Texas to deliver some of the city’s best cuts of beef. The rest of the menu will leave Dad equally as spoiled. Skipping tweezered garnishes and fussy techniques, Dady tells a story of classic American cooking — from a creamy wedge with avocado mousse to traditional sides like potato confit and grilled asparagus.
For the barbecue stan: Reese Bros BBQ
A favorite of Texas Monthly, Bon Appetit and CultureMap readers, Reese Bros. could have gotten too big for its britches. Instead, the staff serves smoked meats with a welcoming smile. It’s easy to see why they are happy. They have easy access to arguably San Antonio’s best brisket, sausage, ribs, and sides. And they get to wear the joint’s cool Dad merch all day.
For the fine dining fanatic: Up Scale
Caviar deviled eggs with a fleck of gold leaf, lobster tagliolini, a very tony Beef Wellington…this year, Dad is getting fancy. Few San Antonio restaurants lay out the red carpet like this Southtown spot. Consider this the go-to if he insists on footing the bill.
CultureMap Emails are Awesome
Sweet Los Angeles salad chain plants first San Antonio store
One of America's buzziest fast-casual brands has found its way to San Antonio. Sweetgreen, a Los Angeles-based chain known for locally sourced bowls and a contemporary brand identity, debuts at Quarry Village on June 6.
Founded in Washington, D.C., in 2006, the chain has become one of the U.S.'s fastest-growing concepts by reimagining fast food. Its menu focuses on gourmet grain bowls and salads augmented with healthier drinks and desserts.
Highlights include a spring asparagus salad overflowing with green vegetables and za'atar breadcrumbs, the warm Shroomami bowl with roasted sesame tofu and portobello, and a protein-packed green goddess salad with black lentils and chickpeas.
With a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2027, Sweetgreen commits itself to sustainable construction, a plant-heavy menu, and local sourcing when possible. The San Antonio newcomer works with local farms when possible, like Rio Fresh Farm, Fredericksburg Peach Co., Kitchen Pride, Village Farms, Bowers Shrimp Farm, and Banyan Foods.
That community commitment extends to working with locally serving nonprofits. For every meal sold on opening day, the restaurant will donate a meal to Brighter Bites, a national organization delivering fresh produce to underserved elementary school families.
Sweetgreen will also be bringing some opening day fun. The first 50 guests will receive a mystery box from Austin-based brand Kendra Scott, and the first 100 guests will receive a free print from local artist Maya Sokovic. Diners will also enjoy gelato and coffee from Paciugo and a live set from San Antonio deejay Alyson Alonzo.
San Antonio is a city with so much history, with a vibrant food and dining scene to match, and we couldn't be more excited to be joining the community," said Sweetgreen cofounder and CEO Jonathan Neman via a release. "We look forward to continuing our commitment of connecting residents in Texas to real, healthy, convenient food."
Once opened at 340 East Basse Rd. #101, Sweetgreen will have daily hours of 10:30 am- 9 pm.
Photo courtesy of Sweetgreen.
Sweetgreen greets visitos with a fresh, clean aesthetic.
Endless creativity of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse keeps superhero story in overdrive
The blast of pure fun that was 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse accomplished several goals, but none more important than reclaiming the character from being part of just the Marvel Cinematic Universe. By not participating in the never-ending connecting stories of the MCU, the filmmakers could do whatever they wanted, first and foremost using Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) instead of Peter Parker as its main character.
It was also at the forefront of multiversal storytelling that has become the rage in the MCU and elsewhere. Given the multitude of Spider characters that have existed in the comics over the years, it was uniquely suited to telling a story with people from multiple universes. That concept is taken to the nth degree with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, a film that has seemingly limitless levels of creativity.
Miles, having separated from Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson), and other Spider-people at the end of the first film, is doing well as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, casually protecting people from threats big and small. But when a highly unusual villain named The Spot (Jason Schwartzman) proves especially tricky, a series of events has Miles follow Gwen into a portal where he encounters every other Spider character in existence.
Lest you think that’s hyperbole, among the people he meets are Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman (Issa Rae), Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), Hobie Brown/Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya), Ben Reilly/Scarlet Spider (Andy Samberg), and Spider-Man India (Karan Soni), and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Revelations made while meeting all of them lead Miles to a whole new understanding of himself and the multiverse in general, with far-reaching consequences.
The filmmakers, once again led by writers/producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, fill the screen with so many visual elements that at times it can be overwhelming, but in the best possible way. Unlike most animated films, there are multiple different styles employed throughout, and never knowing what to expect gives the film a kineticism that borders on manic, although it always stops short of being incomprehensible.
The storytelling is much more complex this time around, no surprise since it involves so many more characters. But the personal stories of each of the Spider characters, especially Miles and Gwen, maintain a grounded nature that keeps the plot anchored even while delving into increasingly fantastical territory.
Although this film deals with some darker themes, there is still plenty of humor to be had. The intersection of so many Spider characters highlights their differences, and the way they interact can’t help but be entertaining. Miles is still a 15-year-old kid, and the way he navigates the world(s) has a lightness to it that is a sharp contrast to the various adults in his life.
Moore, who’s not as well-known as some of his co-stars, has proven to be the perfect voice for Miles, making him relatable and powerful at the same time. Everyone else gives similarly great performances, although the fact that many of them are famous for their non-voicework doesn’t really play a factor in how well they come across here.
A third film, Beyond the Spider-Verse, is teased with a cliffhanger, and unlike other franchises where multiple films are unnecessary, there are no such reservations here. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse equals the success of the first film, and there is no doubt that the filmmakers will bring the same level of attention to detail to the end of the trilogy.
---
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now running in theaters.
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Animation
Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
