Category: Restaurant News

Taste of the Dominion 2021 to benefit San Antonio Food Bank

Taste of the Dominion 2021 will take place October 7, 2021. Photo: google

After a one year hiatus, Taste of the Dominion, San Antonio’s favorite restaurant tasting, returns on Thursday, October 7, 2021 from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Sponsored and held annually at the exclusive Dominion Country Club, the event features more than 20 restaurants, alcohol tastings, and a silent auction – all benefitting the San Antonio Food Bank. (San Antonio Food Bank, 2021)

The event is a largely-outdoor event and is one of the few times non-members can visit the Club. Tickets for the event are going fast and available for $50 each.

Silent auction highlights include:
· 5 days in a luxury 3-bedroom condominium in Beaver Creek, CO starting at $2,400
· Private wine class for 20 at Total Wines starting at $500
· Whataburger mixed basket with custom sneakers starting at $750
· Private dinner for 10 at Carrabba’s starting at $500
· A Night on the Town in Gruene (4) Gift Certificate Bundle: (Appetizers for 4 at Cantina Del Rio,
Appetizers for 4 at Mozie’s, Dinner for 4 at the Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar, Admission for 4 to Gruene Hall, a $25 Gift Certificate from The Grapevine, and a $60 Gift Certificate from Cotton Eyed Joe’s.) starting at $295

Parking for guests is conveniently located next to the Dominion Country Club at Raymond Russell Park (free shuttle). Tickets will sell out so get yours soon.

Dominion Country Club
1 Dominion Drive
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 698-3364

The San Antonio Food Bank is a 501c3 non-profit organization providing millions of pounds of food to over 530 charitable organizations in Southwest Texas serving those in need. In addition to food distribution, the San Antonio Food Bank provides numerous programs that not only solve the immediate problems of hunger, but help individuals and families gain long‐term food security.

Kineapple at Pearl’s food hall now open

Kineapple, a new smoothie concept, is now open at Pearl’s Bottling Department. Photo: Kineapple, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce the latest restaurant at the Bottling Department – Kineapple – a concept by Robby and Neesha Grubbs, the duo behind Local Coffee Founders, also originating at Pearl. The new concept is now open to the public. Kineapple offers a variety of fresh smoothies, healthy snacks, salads, coffee, and more. (Kineapple, 2021)

The team behind Kineapple wanted to create an ingredient-driven menu that is easy for customers to navigate. The menu is designed to make healthy eating accessible and delicious. Kineapple is committed to sourcing the best ingredients for its patrons, who can expect to see smoothies made with different modifiers like plant based protein, whey isolate, creatine, turmeric, collagen, blue majik, cold brew shot, and more. Guests can also pick up a Crunchy Kale Salad, Free Range Chicken Salad Sandwich, Kineapple Farm Bowl, Golden Overnight Oats, In-house Protein Bar, and more. In addition to smoothies and snacks, Kineapple also offers coffee from a rotating list of curated specialty coffee roasters.

Kineapple, whose tagline is “Leave Feeling Better,” is a concept that is near and dear to its founders’ hearts in more ways than one. The name pays homage to Robby and Neesha’s youngest son, who struggled to say “pineapple” as a child and instead pronounced the name of the fruit with a K instead of a P. The founders wanted the concept to incorporate a pineapple, but wanted it to feel personal and organic, so Kineapple felt like the perfect name for this venture.

“Kineapple is something that we’re looking forward to bringing to Pearl. We wanted to be able to bring high quality, healthy ingredients to the table without sacrificing taste and that’s what we’ve done here.” – Co-Founder Robby Grubbs

“Neesha and Robby are wonderful operators – innovative, engaged, and talented. We are thrilled their newest concept is coming to the Food Hall.” –  Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso.

Kineapple’s hours of operation are 11a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Friday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The new concept is in the space formerly occupied by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie, located at 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894—and numerous plazas. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live; it is a place where things are made and celebrated with purpose and sincerity. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Pinks on the Patio at La Cantera Resort & Spa

Pinks on the Patio benefits Wings and moves to Friday nights in October. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Pinks on the Patio at La Cantera Resort & Spa is moving to Friday this year with themed events to Play up your Pink from 6p.m. to 9p.m. at Sire Bar on Plaza Saba. Pink is the symbolic color of breast cancer awareness as it symbolizes good health and playfulness. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2021)

Every Friday Evening, October 1-29, during the month of October, the La Cantera Family will be raising its glasses – and donations – to the efforts and actions of WINGS. Since its inception in 2017, Pinks on the Patio at La Cantera Resort has donated more than $21,000 to WINGS from the overall resort wide donation initiatives.

Pinks on the Patio themed Fridays will feature either live music or DJ Celina from 6p.m. to 9p.m. and cocktail and wine specials along with tasty snacks. Two dollars from each drink special will go back to WINGS. Resort beverage partners include Belvedere, Whispering Angel Rose, Rock Angel Rose, Moët Chandon, and Western Son Vodka.

Loma de Vida Spa & Wellness, Signature Restaurant and SweetFire Kitchen will all have Pink menu options to benefit the charity. Landscaping on Plaza San Saba just off the resort’s main lobby will have a rosy hue at dusk, as Pink LED lights bring focus to the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Every Friday during the Month of October from 6p.m. to 9p.m.

October 1 All Things Pink, Anything Goes
October 8 Pink Lipstick – matted, frosted or glossy
October 15 Pink Hats ─ fascinators, chapeaus, any head embellishment with a Pink hue
October 22 Fifty Shades of Pink! ─ scarves and feather boas
October 29 Pink Masquerade ─ feathered, rhinestone or lace

Free ticketed event up to four (4) tickets per transaction at SquadUp, search Pinks on the Patio. Landscaping will cast a pink glow nightly through October.

La Cantera Resort & Spa – Plaza San Saba patio at Sire Bar
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

WINGS mission is to bridge the gap between diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, providing comprehensive breast health services to women in Central and South Texas who are uninsured – because everyone deserves a lifetime.

Key Strengths
• WINGS is the only program of its kind in the country providing this kind of support for women with breast cancer.
• Provided support to over 900 South Texas women with breast cancer.
• Provided over $12 Million in healthcare services to women with breast cancer.
• Over 95 percent of the women treated through WINGS are still living, because of the program.
• Since its inception in 1999, WINGS has seen five-year survival rates for the women it serves increase from zero (untreated breast cancer) to 100 percent for Stage I disease.
• Received the Guidestar Gold Seal demonstrating a commitment to transparency.
• Maintains an efficiency rating of 94 percent, which is above that of the average nonprofit organization.

Landscaping at La Cantera Resort & Spa will cast a pink glow nightly through October. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Whataburger announces two all-new limited time menu items

Whataburger’s Hatch Green Chile Bacon Burger. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger is bringing back its fan-favorite Hatch Green Chile Bacon Burger along with the all-new Whataburger Hatch Green Chile Bacon Chicken Sandwiches. The Whataburger Breakfast Burger has returned for its third time to offer fans a unique and hearty menu offering for those late-night and early morning cravings. (Whataburger, 2021)

The new Whataburger Chocolate Mint Shake is the perfect cup to toast the change in weather and ring in the holidays. It is the perfect combination of the classic chocolate flavor that customers have grown to love from the brand, with the addition of mint. All items are available now for a limited time and prices vary by market.

Since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Whataburger has focuses on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it.

Whataburger raises money for local families in need

Whataburger presented the San Antonio Food Bank with a check for $31, 624.20. From left to right: Krystal Garza, Whataburger Field Marketing Coordinator, Tom Willet, Whataburger Director of Operations, Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank President & CEO, Melba Harris, Whataburger Community Experience Manager, Brenda Cervantes Sanchez, Whataburger Field Marketing Coordinator. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Orange Spirit Week is Whataburger’s annual tradition of honoring its legacy while giving back to the communities it serves. This year, in honor of its 71st anniversary, Whataburger partnered with Feeding America® to help provide more than three million meals through local food banks across Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Following its first-ever systemwide fundraiser benefitting Feeding America®, Whataburger is giving $31,624 raised in the San Antonio area to the San Antonio Food Bank to help fight hunger in the community. (Whataburger, 2021)

The local gift is part of more than $300,000 that Whataburger customers donated across its 10-state footprint during the company’s Orange Spirit Week celebration. Customers who donated $1 during the fundraiser received a free Whataburger coupon for their generosity. Funds raised benefitted the communities where they were given. It is all part of Whataburger Feeding Student Success, the company’s signature community program operating at the intersection of food insecurity and education and focusing on helping students at all levels of education achieve their goals and dreams.

The magic of Whataburger started on August 8, 1950, in a tiny burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. An entrepreneur named Harmon Dobson set out to build a burger so delicious that customers would take that first bite and say, “What a burger!” Today, Whataburger is known for delicious burgers, big flavor, and the brand’s pride in taking care of its guests, communities, and employees, known as Family Members. Orange Spirit Week celebrates its founding and the foundation for success that Dobson created.

Pearl announces new food hall concept opening in September: Kineapple

Kineapple, a new smoothie concept, will open at Pearl’s Bottling Department in September. Photo: Kineapple, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce the latest restaurant at the Bottling Department – Kineapple – a concept by Robby and Neesha Grubbs, the duo behind Local Coffee Founders, also originating at Pearl. The new concept will open to the public in late September, with an exact opening date to be announced soon. Kineapple will offer a variety of fresh smoothies, healthy snacks, salads, coffee, and more. (Kineapple, 2021)

The team behind Kineapple wanted to create an ingredient-driven menu that is easy for customers to navigate. The menu is designed to make healthy eating accessible and delicious. Kineapple is committed to sourcing the best ingredients for its patrons, who can expect to see smoothies that can be made with different modifiers like plant based protein, whey isolate, creatine, turmeric, collagen, blue majik, cold brew shot, and more. Guests can also pick up a Crunchy Kale Salad, Free Range Chicken Salad Sandwich, Kineapple Farm Bowl, Golden Overnight Oats, In-house Protein Bar, and more. In addition to smoothies and snacks, Kineapple will also offer coffee from a rotating list of curated specialty coffee roasters.

Kineapple, whose tagline is “Leave Feeling Better,” is a concept that is near and dear to its founders’ hearts in more ways than one. The name pays homage to Robby and Neesha’s youngest son, who struggled to say “pineapple” as a child and instead pronounced the name of the fruit with a K instead of a P. The founders wanted the concept to incorporate a pineapple, but wanted it to feel personal and organic, so Kineapple felt like the perfect name for this venture.

“Kineapple is something that we’re looking forward to bringing to Pearl. We wanted to be able to bring high quality, healthy ingredients to the table without sacrificing taste and that’s what we’ve done here.” – Co-Founder Robby Grubbs

“Neesha and Robby are wonderful operators – innovative, engaged, and talented. We are thrilled their newest concept is coming to the Food Hall.” – Pearl’s Chief Marketing Officer Elizabeth Fauerso.

Kineapple’s hours will be 11a.m. to 8p.m. Monday through Friday and 9a.m. to 8p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The new concept will be in the space formerly occupied by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie, located at 312 Pearl Pkwy Building 6, San Antonio, TX 78215.

Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery, which operated from 1883 to 1999. Located just north of downtown San Antonio on the banks of the San Antonio River, it is home to architecturally significant buildings like the brewhouse and stable—both built in 1894. Today, Pearl is home to dozens of unique culinary concepts, one-of-a-kind retail, weekend markets, residential communities, innovative office tenants, the San Antonio campus of the Culinary Institute of America, and the award-winning Hotel Emma. Pearl is a vibrant district where community gathers to play, work, and live. We invite all to gather and experience the best of what San Antonio has to offer.

Project Pollo celebrates first anniversary

Project Pollo will celebrate one year at Roadmap Brewing Co. with free Chikn Sandwiches, pints, games, giveaways, and more. Photo: Project Pollo, used with permission.

Project Pollo is celebrating their first anniversary at Roadmap Brewing Co. This is the original site where Project Pollo first started as a wildly popular plant-based food truck slinging delicious chikn’ based delights before spreading its wings and expanding with brick and mortars across the state. The fun happens Saturday, September 18 from 12p.m. to 3p.m. where patrons can enjoy FREE Chikn’ sandwiches made with house breaded crispy Chikn’ strips topped with house-made aioli and dill pickles. Since all roads lead to beer at Roadmap Brewing Co, the pet-friendly craft brewery will be offering $1 off pints of brew to wash down your meal while you enjoy tunes by DJ Danny, outdoor games like Flickin’ Chicken and awesome door prizes. (Project Pollo, 2021)

There will be plenty of specials at all locations statewide. September 18 is also National Cheeseburger Day, and all locations will be offering an anniversary special of two plant-based Double Cheez Burgers served on a brioche bun with birdy sauce, double Impossible meat patties, dill pickle, cheddar cheez, and a grilled onion for $9.18. From birdy to burger, there is something for everyone.

Based in San Antonio, Project Pollo has been named as one of the top 15 vegan fast-food chains in the US by VegNews. It is the brainchild of entrepreneur, Lucas Bradbury, who recently made the list of 28 Young Restaurant Leaders to Watch by QSR Magazine for the first-of-its-kind concept. For the past year, this plant-based fast-food chicken concept has been ruffling industry feathers with its unprecedented growth of 12 locations in just over 12 months. The rebellious recipe for success lies in challenging industry norms with a combination of plant-based affordability, convenience, sustainability, and deliciousness that attracts the adamant vegan and makes converts out of curious carnivores. More than just a restaurant, Project Pollo is a company that gives a cluck. With a motto of people over profits, the stores have given away more than 9,000 vegan sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs and saved as many as 239,782 chickens.

First Anniversary Celebration
Roadmap Brewing Co.
723 North Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX, 78215

First Anniversary Special available at all Project Pollo locations across the great state of Texas during store hours. 

Established in 2020 by vegan entrepreneur Lucas Bradbury, Project Pollo gives a cluck about the planet and the people who inhabit it. The first of its kind plant-based fast-food chicken concept, Project Pollo is built on bold flavors and bolder principles, including fair wages, sustainability, and people over profit. The scratch-made menu offers delicious vegan chicken sandwiches, wraps, and strips, as well as plenty of mouthwatering sides, including crispy Papas, smothered in cashew queso, and Mac N Cheese. Project Pollo is committed to changing the face of the fast-food industry by offering affordable, delicious, convenient access to quality, plant-based options that everyone from the veteran vegan to the curious carnivore will enjoy. With locations across Texas (some drive-thru), Project Pollo hopes to spread its wings to 100 stores by 2024.

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Chefs Steve McHugh and Todd Pulsinelli celebrate Oktoberfest at Cured

This Oktoberfest Wine & Dine dinner will raise funds for San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance. Photo: google

On Sunday, September 19, Cured will be hosting an Oktoberfest Wine & Dine dinner to celebrate San Antonio’s unique German heritage. Multi-James Beard Award-nominee Chef Steve McHugh has created an extraordinary five-course dinner in collaboration with Chef Todd Pulsinelli, the acclaimed chef of chic New Orleans hotel The Chloe. (San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance, 2021)

The intimate dinner is on track to sell out as a key fundraiser for the San Antonio Food & Alliance’s (SAFWA) Culinary Grant Program in South Texas. Tickets include a five-course dinner paired with Lone Star Beer and German and Austrian wines selected by acclaimed sommelier and board member Paula Rester-Salinas. Additionally, Rester-Salinas has crafted a refreshing welcome cocktail with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Nikolaihof Elderflower Syrup, muddled blackberries, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and Mountain Valley Sparkling Water.

The culinary powerhouse team of McHugh and Pulsinelli will present a fresh take on German classics while sharing their inspiration and culinary philosophy with guests.

The menu includes:
● First Course of Presskopf of Local Pork with Gribiche Vinaigrette and Arugula Paired with Lone Star Das Bier Y’all
● Second Course of Blackened and Pickled Beet Salad with Smoked Trout Croutons and Horseradish Cream Paired with Selbach Incline Dry Riesling (Germany)
● Third Course of Quail Schnitzel with Fennel Choucroute, Sweet Potato Mustard, and Blackberry Jam Paired with Berger Grüner Veltliner (Austria)
● Fourth Course of Slow-Cooked Wild Boar Sauerbraten with Schupfnudeln
● Red Cabbage and Jus Natural Paired with Schloss Gobelsburg Zweigelt (Austria)
● Dessert Course of German Bee Sting Cake with Bavarian Cream Filling and Honey Almond Topping Provided with Coffee Service

The Oktoberfest dinner at Cured launches the Wine & Dine series in San Antonio. In the unique dinner format, attendees get an up-close-and-personal opportunity to understand each chef’s inspiration and culinary philosophy with specially designed menus expertly paired with top-tier wines and spirits. Previous Wine & Dine dinners have featured culinary legends Jacques Pépin, Lidia Bastianich, Emeril Lagasse, and more.

The exclusive dinner kicks off with a cocktail hour at 5:30p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30p.m. A limited number of tickets are available now via the SAFWA website for $225.

In addition to hosting the Oktoberfest Wine & Dine dinner, the Alliance will greet guests at the Pearl Farmers Market from 9a.m. – 1p.m. on Saturday, September 18. Guests who stop by the booth can register to win an artisan gift basket overflowing with local goodies from Alamo Gristmill & Spice, Byccombe Natural Solutions, Gourmet Texas Pasta, Pearl Goods, Swift River Pecans, Tio Pelon’s Salsita, Wildflower Caramels, and more.

All funds raised will benefit the host city’s culinary communities through SAFWA’s programming, including the Culinary Arts Career Conference for high school students and a unique grant program supporting culinary innovation and community giveback. As a continuation of its dynamic decade of success in supporting and cultivating Austin’s culinary businesses and nonprofits, the Austin Food & Wine Alliance (AFWA) expanded statewide in September 2020 to replicate its mission in Texas’ major cities, a move that will support pandemic recovery over the next several years. The newly formed Texas Food & Wine Alliance is the umbrella organization overseeing the AFWA, SAFWA, the Dallas Food & Wine Alliance, and the Houston Food & Wine Alliance.

SAFWA enjoys tremendous community support with H-E-B as a presenting sponsor and key supporters of Barton Springs Mill, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Pabst Brewing, Side Street Hospitality, Skurnik Wines, Sysco, Tender Belly, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Vital Farms.

The San Antonio Food & Wine Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness, support, and innovation in the South Texas culinary community through grants, educational programming, and events. Guided by an all-volunteer board of directors and committees made up of culinary- and community-minded professionals, the Alliance’s commitment is to support, inspire, and showcase Texas and beyond through the power of our diverse culinary communities.

Dallas Cowboys viewing party at Hills & Dales Ice House on September 9

Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and Miller Lite TM will participate in a live broadcast of the BLITZ and viewing party for the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season. Photo: google

On Thursday, September 9, Glazer’s Beer and Beverage of Texas and Miller LiteTM will participate in a live broadcast of the BLITZ and viewing party for the first Dallas Cowboys game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Hills & Dales Ice House. Glazer’s Beer & Beverage is a proud distribution partner for Miller Lite, the only beer of the Dallas Cowboys. In addition to enjoying the game and a round of beers, Cowboys fans can partake in hourly drawings from 4p.m. to 7p.m. for a chance to win prizes including tickets to a future Cowboys game, a Miller Lite Cowboys OtterBox Cooler, a Drew Pearson Hall of Fame Standee and more. In addition, fans can enjoy photo opportunities with former Dallas Cowboys star Charles Hailey’s five Super Bowl trophies that will be on display. (Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, 2021)

Hills & Dales Ice House
15403 White Fawn Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78255

Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, LLC (GBB) is one of the nation’s most distinguished beverage distributors, serving over 10,000 retail accounts across Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Since 1933, Glazer’s has been involved in the beer distribution business, eventually forming Glazer’s Beer & Beverage, LLC, which remains a family-owned and operated business. GBB is committed to building brands, outstanding customer service, delivering strong performance and an inspiring culture. GBB represents over 60 brewing partners and numerous nonalcoholic brands and energy drinks, selling over 30 million cases annually.

Whataburger and UTSA reopen Resource Room to support student success

UTSA Whataburger Resource Room at UTSA Main Campus Ribbon Cutting. Left to Right: LaTonya (LT) Robinson, Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); Whataguy; Dash Blaker, Director of Community Experience and Public Relations, Whataburger; Herb Ganey, Executive Director of the Student Union at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA); Rowdy the Roadrunner; Melba Harris, Manager, Media & Community Experience, Whataburger; and Eric Cooper, President & CEO, San Antonio Food Bank. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Last week, Whataburger and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) celebrated the reopening of the enhanced UTSA Whataburger Resource Room at UTSA’s Main Campus. (Whataburger, 2021)

As part of the Whataburger Feeding Student Success program, this rebranded, student-operated resource room provides nutritious food, toiletries, and other basic needs to help UTSA students succeed on their college journey. This is all made possible by Whataburger’s three-year commitment to support this resource room. With the help from the San Antonio Food Bank, nutritious food, free of charge, is now available again year-round. The UTSA Whataburger Resource Room is open to all UTSA students. A similar Whataburger resource room also operates at the UTSA Downtown Campus.

Since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Whataburger has focuses on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service. Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 850 locations across its 14-state footprint, and sales of more than $2.8 billion annually. Whataburger has 50,000 Family Members (employees) and more than 60 million customers who like to customize their Whataburgers just the way they like it.

UTSA Whataburger Resource Room at UTSA’s main campus. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.