Category: Bakery News

La Panaderia brings boozy coffee to La Cantera Heights menu

La Panaderia now offering boozy coffee and caffeine free options at La Cantera Heights location. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

San Antonio favorite La Panaderia recently opened a third location in La Cantera Heights, bringing their signature pan dulce to Northwest San Antonio with a new, fun, caffeinated addition – boozy coffee. Their boozy coffee options are now available as part of the new location’s extended bar program, and is available exclusively at La Cantera Heights. Guests can delight in signature sips such as the Carajillo (Espresso + Licor 43), the Frida Kahlo (Espresso + Kahlua), and the Paolo Rossi (Espresso + Grand Marnier) in addition to classic brunch cocktails and mimosa kits. The new coffee cocktails are the perfect addition to the brunch menu and can be paired with classic dishes such as the Ranchero Eggs Benedictine, French Toast or the unique new “Elvis” Croissant, filled with peanut butter whipped cream, bananas, and bacon. (La Panadería, 2021)

For those looking for a caffeine-free beverage, the new bar program also includes “Besos” (La Panaderia’s house blend margarita, frozen margarita and Frosé) and select wines from Texas, California and France.

Since opening La Panadería in San Antonio in 2014, the Cáceres brothers’ mission has been to share Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” bringing the art of their beloved pan dulce items to the Texas market that have since become a culinary staple for residents and visitors to San Antonio alike. La Panadería has seen great success in San Antonio and has shown resilience throughout the uncertain times the global coronavirus pandemic has brought on. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. All three of La Panadería’s locations offer indoor and al fresco dining as well as online ordering.

 

First impression: Sweet Craft Vegan

Sweet Craft Vegan’s Mexican wedding cookies. Photo: Sandra Cruz

I confess, I do not have a sweet tooth, but every once in a while I like to indulge. This past weekend, I wanted to try the pastries from Sweet Craft Vegan because I believe in supporting small local businesses, especially if they are a vegan business. There are not that many here in the Rio Grande Valley, so of course I was diving in.

I was running out of time because it was almost closing time but I made it there with only a half hour to spare. That was after having to consult a map because I was not sure I was in the right place. With no visible business sign, I had to walk around to be able to find it because, after all, I was on a culinary mission. And there it was, right after an insurance company. My efforts were about to be rewarded with some sweet, sweet pastries; I was craving the gansitos.

Unfortunately, everything was sold-out except for some Mexican wedding cookies. Who can say no to those savory, but messy powdered sugar delights? They come in see-through eco-cups – eight of them for $6. I grabbed two of those cups and struck up a conversation with Amanda Nolan, the owner. Her online business has been around for a while, but the brick and mortar Sweet Craft Vegan has been at that location only for about a month and they are working on putting up a business sign. The fact that she sells out of inventory almost every day is a good sign. Brownsville can sure use more businesses like these that cater to a public demand for more vegan food. Trust me when I tell you that those Mexican wedding cookies are so good, I will be back for more, and I am hoping Amanda perfects that empanada recipe so we can try those soon. It was worth the drive. For now, it is recommended that you call ahead with your order. Try it, you will not be disappointed. 

Here is a sample of what Sweet Craft Vegan has to offer:
* Donuts: biscoff, Oreo, blackberry hibiscus, gansito filled
* Conchas: vanilla tie dye, cookies n cream, chocolate, mazapán, strawberry, choco strawberry swirl
* Slutty brownies
* Hot cocoa rolls
* Vegansitos
* Mexican wedding cookies

Sweet Craft Vegan
1280 W Ruben M. Torres Sr. Blvd, Suite C
Brownsville, TX 78520
956-443-0443

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Celebrate National Sourdough Bread Day and National Empanada Day in April with La Panadería

La Panadería’s delicious empanadas are available for statewide shipping. Photo: La Panadería, used with permission.

The month of April is filled with several delicious national food days that you can spend celebrating at La Panadería. Founded by brothers David and Jose Cáceres in 2014 and known for their wonderful pan dulce, fresh breads and other delectable menu items, their bakeries have become a staple for San Antonians and visitors to the Alamo City. (La Panadería, 2021)

Kick off April with National Sourdough Bread Day on April 1 with La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking. The technique includes a 48-hour fermentation process and a double baking technique that results in artisan baked goods unlike any other. Loaves of La Panaderia’s delicious sourdough can be purchased in store, and Chef David even shared a tutorial for bread lovers to bake at home.

Shortly after comes National Empanada Day on April 8. La Panadería’s signature empanadas have layers of flaky pastry on the outside, fruit-filled insides, and an exterior dusted with sugar that is guaranteed to sweeten anyone’s day. The delicious empanadas are available in-store or can be shared with friends or family that live across Texas through La Panadería’s statewide shipping option. 

Brothers José and David Cáceres opened bakery-cafe La Panadería in 2014 to share their Mexican heritage and love for baking with the people of their adopted hometown of San Antonio, Texas. The Cáceres’ passion for baking began when they were young boys selling loaves of their mother, Doña Josefina’s fresh baked bread on the streets of Mexico City. Eventually José and David took over their mother’s homegrown business and started baking on a large scale, supplying bread and pan dulce for businesses throughout Mexico. After finding financial success in Mexico, the brothers realized they wanted to get back to the basics, and they decided to bring their passion for bread cultura to Texas.

Celebrate National Almond Day with La Panaderia’s Tequila Almond Croissant

La Panaderia’s Tequila Almond Croissant. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

National Almond Day is coming up on Tuesday February 16, and there is no better way to celebrate than with one of La Panadería’s signature Tequila Almond Croissants. La Panadería’s staple Tequila Almond Croissant has a golden, flaky exterior and is dusted with powdered sugar and topped with slices of roasted almonds with a creamy tequila almond filling guaranteed to make National Almond Day sweet. (La Panadería, 2021)

The pastry was created when Chef David Cáceres was experimenting with the traditional almond croissant recipe and did not have rum handy. He instead reached for a bottle of 1800 Reposado Tequila, and the rest is delicious history. The Tequila Almond Croissant is now one of the San Antonio bakery’s best sellers and customers can place orders online for pickup, enjoy in-store or via statewide shipping in Texas.

Brothers José and David Cáceres opened bakery-café La Panadería in 2014 to share their Mexican heritage and love for baking with the people of their adopted hometown of San Antonio, Texas. The Cáceres’ passion for baking began when they were young boys selling loaves of their mother, Doña Josefina’s fresh baked bread on the streets of Mexico City. Eventually José and David took over their mother’s homegrown business and started baking on a large scale, supplying bread and pan dulce for businesses throughout Mexico. After finding financial success in Mexico, the brothers realized they wanted to get back to the basics, and they decided to bring their passion for bread cultura to Texas.

Celebrate the season with La Panaderia’s Rosca de Reyes

La Panaderia’s Rosca de Reyes. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

La Panadería continues to share their traditions and bread cultura with San Antonio residents. Starting on Tuesday, December 29, La Panadería will begin selling their traditional Rosca de Reyes for Epiphany Day on January 6, 2021. (La Panadería, 2020)

The sweet bread features orange and guava flavors with chocolate and vanilla butter crust and cherries, and in Mexican culture, it is tradition to hide a plastic baby to symbolize baby Jesus. Whoever finds the baby traditionally must throw a party on February 2 for family and friends, though this year they might just oversee sending the Zoom link for a virtual party. As not everyone is familiar with the tradition, La Panadería includes the baby separately so people can hide them on their own.

Guests will have the option to purchase a small Rosca de Reyes for $4.50, a six-pack of small Rosca de Reyes for $24, or a family size Rosca de Reyes for $24. Rosca de Reyes can be preordered online starting December 29, 2020.

Pumpkin Spice Roundup – chefs create locally made pumpkin treats

Pumpkin Spice Boba Tea from Bao’d Up. Photo: Julia Keim, used with permission.

Local chefs celebrate Autumn by taking pumpkin spice season to a whole new level. Get cozy and check out some of these locally-made pumpkin spice creations. (Bao’d Up, EVO Entertainment Group, Bakery Lorraine, 2020)

The Pumpkin Pie Bao is made with pumpkin purée, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and pecans all inside a Chinese pumpkin steamed bun. Bao buns are known for being light, fluffy and soft. The filling inside this bao is reminiscent of a freshly-baked pumpkin pie. Ting Lin, Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Bao’d Up, is a first-generation Chinese immigrant who is passionate about adapting traditional Chinese dishes like bao to the American palate in interesting and fun ways. Available for contact-less pick-up and delivery at all four Bao’d Up locations today thru November 30.

Pumpkin Spice Boba Tea is a new favorite fall drink. The creamy iced treat is perfect for a crisp fall day. Shaken with pumpkin syrup and spices, this boba tea is the perfect marriage of Chinese and American favorites, which just happens to be Bao’d Up’s specialty. Available for contact-less pick-up and delivery at all four Bao’d Up locations today thru November 30.

Bao’d Up is a minority-owned Chinese chain with four locations in and around the Austin area. The concept specializes in Bao or Baozi, which is a famous food category in many Asian countries. Bao’d Up uses a variety of different fillings and experiment with new ways of cooking the bao. Co-founded by tech entrepreneur Alex Wu and Chef Ting Lin, the first location opened in Central Austin’s Mueller Aldrich district on July 25, 2017. The restaurant quickly became popular for its fast-casual business model and technology-driven service platforms, including contact-free food lockers.

EVO Entertainment’s Pumpkin Spiked Shake has returned to all open locations for a limited time through Monday, November 30, 2020. The Pumpkin Spiked Shake was the result of a collaborative effort from EVO’s culinary team that returns each fall to the delight of customers. The boozy shake includes vodka and Baileys Pumpkin Spice liqueur and is available for $10.50; a non-alcoholic version of the shake is available for $8.50. 

EVO Entertainment Group® is an Austin based out-of-home entertainment operator comprised of a number of innovative brands including EVO® Entertainment, EVO® Cinemas, and EVO® Concerts. Since its launch in 2014, EVO® has gained a reputation as a leader in innovation, as well as one of the fastest-growing independent cinema circuits in the country. EVO® Entertainment Group currently employs over 1,000 team members and entertains nearly 3 million guests annually.

San Antonio’s nationally-recognized Bakery Lorraine just released their pumpkin spice macaron for Fall 2020. The shell of the macarons are seasoned with a house-made pumpkin spice blend and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds. Between the shells is an irresistible cream cheese buttercream that makes the macarons reminiscent of a pumpkin roulade. The fall-time treat will be available at all four locations of Bakery Lorraine, which stretch across both Austin and San Antonio.  

Bakery Lorraine is a San Antonio favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell, and operator Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine was named one of the best new bakeries in the U.S. by Food & Wine and CNN’s Eatocracyblog, as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. Bakery Lorraine has three locations in San Antonio including one in the Historic Pearl district, one in San Antonio’s Medical Center, and one in San Antonio’s RIM shopping center, including now an Austin location at Domain NORTHSIDE.

La Panaderia’s newly expanded outdoor patio now open

La Panaderia’s Broadway location has a newly expanded outdoor patio. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

La Panaderia’s newly expanded outdoor patio is now open for dining at the restaurant’s Broadway location. In a continued effort to provide a safe and socially-distanced environment, customers can now enjoy the perks of al fresco dining, and the restaurant’s signature menu items, in the renovated green space. Customers now have the option of ordering La Panadería’s full menu from the comfort of their table through a new QR code system.  Online ordering for contactless curbside pickup and delivery remain available from La Panadería’s Broadway and Downtown locations. (La Panaderia, 2020)

Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the United States, José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, also draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to bread making includes a minimum 48-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has two locations in San Antonio, Texas.

Thanksgiving specials from Bakery Lorraine and La Panaderia

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La Panaderia’s Tequila Apple Pie Croissants. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

Thanksgiving is right around the corner and Bakery Lorraine and La Panadería are making it easier than ever to make dessert the star of the big day with delicious pies and croissants for sale. (Bakery Lorraine, La Panadería, 2019)

Bakery Lorraine will have Thanksgiving pies available for order at all of their locations across the city and in Austin. Pies can be purchased for $26 each and customers are able to place orders now through Sunday, November 24. Pick up day will be Wednesday, November 27, the day before Thanksgiving and pick up time will vary based on location. There will be additional pies for sale that Wednesday on a first come first serve basis. Orders can be placed on the Bakery Lorraine website under the “store” tab. From there, customers can set their preferred pick up time and location.

  • Pie flavors include:
    • Roasted In-House Pumpkin Pie
    • Dutch Apple Pie
    • Jack Daniel’s Pecan Pie
    • Apple Cranberry with Christmas Spice

La Panaderia is serving up their scrumptious Tequila Apple Pie Croissant this Thanksgiving. The unique pastry is made with a double baking technique and filled with caramelized apples and topped with a sweet crumble. The Tequila Apple Pie Croissant is a spin on the classic American dessert and a delicious blend of cultures.

Upcoming Easter specials

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Bakery Lorraine will have Easter theme pastries available for the holiday. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Easter is right around the corner and local restaurants will be having Easter specials and special menus throughout the month. Whether it is special Easter pastries, meal specials or special events, there is something for everyone. (Bakery Lorraine, Davila’s BBQ, Krause’s Café, 2019)

Bakery Lorraine will celebrate the Easter holiday with specialty pastries that include the bunny heads made with white chocolate mousse and strawberry compote, the Easter egg moon pies and the chocolate tart “nest.” They will only be available April 20 and 21 and while supplies last.

Davila’s BBQ will offer an Easter family meal available for pick up that day. For $43, families can pick up Davila’s Easter Family Order for 4-8 people that includes 1 pound of beef brisket, 1/2 chicken, two handmade sausage links, dessert and two quarts of sides: pinto beans, potato salad, Cole slaw, green beans, mac n’ cheese, Spanish rice and creamed corn. Orders can be made by calling the restaurant at 830-379-5566.

Krause’s Café
Friday, April 19 – A crawfish boil featuring Karbach Brewing Co. will take over the biergarten beginning at 6p.m. Prices are $15 for 1lb and $25 for 2lb of crawfish. The boil will include crawfish, corn, sausage and potatoes plus live music from Pete & Sean Williams.

Tuesday, April 30 – Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten is partnering with Duckhorn Vineyards to host a specialty wine paired dinner on Tuesday, April 30 at 7p.m. The vino-centric event will highlight various dishes created by Chef “Boomer” Acuna including Beefchetta. Each course will be specialty paired with a select Duckhorn wine. The restaurant will have a prix fixe four-course menu to be announced.

La Panaderia, the San Antonio-based bakery led by Mexican brothers Jose and David Cáceres, has created a special Easter Egg treat. Starting this week through the Easter Holiday, La Panadería’s downtown San Antonio location is offering its glazed mousse Easter Eggs in assorted flavors including chocolate and mixed berry for $8.00 each.

CIA Bakery Café at new restaurant Savor

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CIA Bakery Café will be open until Thursday April 11. Photo: Jessica Giesey, used with permission. 

Savor, the new Modern American restaurant that opened this month at Pearl, is also now home to The Culinary Institute of America’s annual pop-up CIA Bakery Café. Under the direction of CIA faculty, students will be preparing and serving breakfast and lunch for the public with dine-in and takeout options. (CIA Bakery Café, 2019)

CIA Bakery Café is open from January to April. Students in the college’s Baking and Pastry Arts major have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a real-world retail bakery and sit-down restaurant. For breakfast and lunch on weekdays, Savor will transform into a café serving a range of fresh dishes. Morning offerings include fresh pressed coffee with a nitro brew and pastries like alfajores, traditional shortbread cookies with a dulce de leche filling, popular throughout Latin America. The breakfast menu includes items like Sylvia’s Brioche French Toast with macerated berries and whipped crème fraiche or a Pressed Egg Sandwich with spinach, mushroom, prosciutto and gruyere. Lunch will include homemade soup, salad and sandwiches such as the Fried Chicken Cubano with crisp chicken, gruyere, Dijon and sour pickles plus Chicken and Dumplings, potato gnocchi with porcini mushroom ragu.

Monday January 28 through Thursday April 11
Takeout is served Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 2p.m.
Café dining is open Monday through Friday from 10:30a.m. to 1:30p.m.

Savor at Pearl
200 E Grayson St., Suite #117
San Antonio, TX 78215