Burgerim celebrates grand opening in San Antonio

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Burgerim will host a grand opening on Friday to celebrate its new location in Ingram Park Mall.  Photo: Burgerim, used with permission. 

Burgerim, the new eatery serving sensibly-sized gourmet burgers, is now open in Ingram Park Mall. With a build-your-own burger concept, this rapidly growing fast-casual franchise will celebrate the grand opening this Friday October 19 from 5p.m. to 9p.m. with free burgers, giveaways and more. (Burgerim, 2018)

New to town, Burgerim serves customizable sensibly-sized burgers in uno, duo and trio packages or party box of sixteen. Boasting millions of flavor profiles and eleven different patty options, including beef, dry aged beef, wagyu, merguez, salmon, veggie, lamb, turkey, chicken, falafel and more with gourmet toppings such as sautéed mushrooms, pineapple and sunny-side up eggs.

In honor of the new location, the burger joint will host a grand opening party where the first fifty guests in line will receive a free Classic Beef Burger and entry into a raffle featuring numerous gift cards from Ingram Park Mall retail stores. The next fifty guests in line will be able to purchase a Classic Beef Burger for only $1 and will also be granted entry into the raffle. The remaining guests will enjoy 20% off their purchases for the remainder of the event.

There will also be a pet food drive to benefit the San Antonio Humane Society. Any guest who brings in a bag of pet food will receive a Classic Beef Burger for $1.

Burgerim is an international franchise that operates in over 200 locations in 16 countries and is a fast-casual restaurant that provides gourmet food with unique menu options. Burgerim is known for their gourmet sensibly-sized burgers with eleven different meat options and nine customizable toppings. Each restaurant is independently owned and managed by franchisees who continue the Burgerim legacy of high-quality service and cuisine.

Burgerim
Ingram Park Mall
6301 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78238

Culinary community unites for fundraiser for Samantha Flores

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The fundraising brunch will be held on Sunday October 14. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Chefs for Chefs is rallying the culinary community to unite to raise funds for Samantha Flores, manager at Ramen Bar, who is known for her ‘’great heart.” While riding her bicycle on her way home near Loop 410 and Nacogdoches Road in the early morning hours of Friday September 7, she was injured by a hit-and-run driver. She remains hospitalized and her road to recovery will be long. As her medical bills mount, Chef Michael Sohocki decided to reach out to other Chefs, Culinaria and La Cantera Resort & Spa to rally the community for a benefit to raise funds. (Culinaria, 2018)

This fundraising event will take place on Sunday October 14 from 11a.m. to 2p.m. at Grille 254 at La Cantera Resort and will feature brunch bites from featured chefs along with brunch worthy beverages, a silent auction and complimentary live music by Finding Friday. Tickets are $50 and are available online or onsite the day of the event for $60. If unable to attend but interested in doing more, a donation option is available. For questions contact Culinaria at 210-822-9555.

Participating chefs:
Chef Micheal Sohocki, Restaurant Gwendolyn
Chef Bruce Auden, Biga on the Banks
Chef Jason Dady, Jason Dady Restaurant Group
Chef Johnny Hernandez, Grupo La Gloria and True Flavors Catering
Chef Giovanni Sliva, Grille 254
Chef Andrew Weissman, Signature Restaurant

“One of our own needs our help and it’s time to bring together some of San Antonio’s best chefs to raise funds and the spirits of our friend and colleague.” – Chef Michael Sohocki.

Grille 254 at La Cantera Resort & Spa
16441 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256

Culinaria’s Chefs for Chefs provides assistance to chefs in their time of need. Every dollar raised is leveraged through health care and assistance for chefs during medical emergencies.

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar kicks-off brunch on Sunday

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Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar will now offer brunch starting this Sunday September 30. Photo: Jackie Klusmeyer, used with permission. 

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar officially opened its doors last weekend and now will be launching brunch this Sunday, September 30. Brunch at Meadow will run every Sunday from 10a.m. to 2p.m. The menu stays true to the Seasonal Texas Southern concept, featuring items such as Texas Oats with Crispy Pork Belly, Bok Choy and Sweet Potato Syrup, the Wood Oven French Toast with Pear Butter Pecan Caramel and Salted Honey Cream and the Camping Doughnuts with Cinnamon Brown Sugar and Créme Anglaise. (Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar, 2018)

Meadow will also debut their signature Meadow Burger this Sunday. The burger will be a staple on their menu and served during both evening dinner and Sunday brunch. The regular menu features summer-to-fall transitional items, like the Late Season Tomato Toast. Dishes are curated with help from local farmers and ranchers and with an ample supply of farm fresh veggies, pickling is done in-house to preserve seasonality.

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar
The Alley on Bitters
555 W Bitters Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78216

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar opens at Alley on Bitters

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Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar is now open to the public. Photo: Jackie Klusmeyer, used with permission. 

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar announces their official opening to the public as of Saturday September 22. This new Northside restaurant with a seasonal Texas Southern concept is now open with brunch beginning Sunday September 30. The concept comes from Chef Patrick “PJ” Edwards, who was previously the Culinary Director for Contigo Restaurant group in Austin, and wife, Lindsey Edwards, who was formerly the General Manager for the Jason Dady Restaurant Group. (Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar, 2018)

Locals can now support the San Antonio natives’ culinary dream to return and open their restaurant here. Neighbors, friends and families are welcome to get a taste of the Alley on Bitters’ latest restaurant concept, which promises Seasonal Texas Southern fare.

Meadow marks Chef Edwards’ first restaurant concept and the Texas Southern menu changes seasonally. The opening menu features summer-to-fall transitional items, like the Late Season Tomato Toast. Dishes are curated with help from local farmers and ranchers and with an ample supply of farm fresh veggies, pickling is done in-house to preserve seasonality.

Dinner options include freshly ground burgers, gulf shrimp, fried chicken and charcoal grilled ribeye alongside vegan/vegetarian dishes like fresh grilled okra and wood oven roasted acorn squash. Unique desserts feature the Lemon Ice Box Pavlova while the children’s menu contains a mix of comfort foods. Sunday brunch hosts a mix of classics and inventive dishes such as poached eggs with grits and camping donuts.

Evening dinner begins at 5p.m. and is served until 10p.m. Dinner is available Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday brunch will be offered starting Sunday, September 30 from 10a.m. until 2p.m.

Meadow Neighborhood Eatery and Bar
555 W Bitters Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78216

Southerleigh announces new oyster bar

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Southerleigh’s new oyster bar is open daily during regular restaurant hours. Photo: Giant Noise, used with permission. 

Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery at the Pearl is excited to announce the official opening of its first ever outdoor, walk-up oyster bar. As a modern coastal classics cuisine restaurant, Southerleigh’s new oyster bar is an addition to its popular seafood and Southern cuisine. (Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery, 2018)

Southerleigh began construction of its outdoor oyster bar in July. The inviting walk-up bar features six Southerleigh beers on tap, plus several varieties of fresh seafood, including oysters, gulf shrimp, crab, caviar and more. The bar overlooks Pearl Park where guests can enjoy live music and activities from the park throughout the year. The 100-square-foot space includes bar and patio seating. Along with oysters and selected fresh seafood items, the bar also features a drink menu of Southerleigh beer, house punch and wine including rosé, sparking and more. It will be open daily during normal restaurant hours and is located next to the restaurant in the patio of the historic Pearl brewhouse.

“We pride ourselves in providing fresh seafood, so it’s only natural to bring an oyster bar. Guests can feel as though they are having food right off the coast, while enjoying the view of Pearl’s campus.”- Jeff Balfour, Chef and owner of Southerleigh.

Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
136 E Grayson St.
San Antonio, TX 78215

Live Jazz at Buddy V’s Ristorante

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Buddy V’s will now have live jazz on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays featuring Alex and Karen Sutherlin.  Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

Guests to Buddy V’s Ristorante can now enjoy some soft jazz with their favorite Italian meal. Located at The Shops at La Cantera, Buddy V’s is proud to introduce husband-and-wife duo Alex and Karen Sutherlin, who will bring their sweet jazz stylings to the restaurant on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6p.m. to 9p.m. and Saturdays from 12p.m. to 3p.m. (Buddy V’s Ristorante, 2018)

Combined with the restaurant’s unbeatable deals, including all-day happy hour specials for ladies on Tuesdays and 50% off all wine bottles on Wednesdays, their sultry tunes are another great reason to bring friends and family for a delicious meal.

Buddy V’s Ristorante
15900 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 462-1167

Fast Eddie’s celebrates 20 year anniversary with Camaro giveaway

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Fast Eddie’s is celebrating its 20th anniversary with festivities and prizes.  Photo: Fast Eddie’s, used with permission. 

Fast Eddie’s, the largest group of billiards halls in the U.S., is celebrating its 20th anniversary with six months of festivities, prizes and a Chevy Camaro giveaway. In recognition of loyal guests and many enthusiasts, Fast Eddie’s is hosting a series of anniversary parties at each location on the first Friday of every month from August 2018 through February 2019. Each anniversary party will have a festive theme, drink specials and raffles. The grand prize, a new 2019 Chevrolet Camaro, will be awarded to one lucky winner in the color of their choice during the last party. (Fast Eddie’s, 2018)

Fast Eddie’s opened its first location in San Antonio in August 1998 by hospitality experts and bar veterans, Bob Wilson, Mark Beyer and Mark Lewis. These talented entrepreneurs created a neighborhood gathering place with more entertainment options than were available at any other billiards halls. With large, comfortable environments that feature multi-dimensional entertainment, high-end audio-visual equipment, top of the line pool tables, dart boards, video games, music, comfort food, a full bar, themed events and charity benefits, Fast Eddie’s has drawn a loyal following. The single pool hall on Culebra Rd became so successful, it spurred the growth of Fast Eddie’s to 15 locations in Texas and Louisiana.

During each of the Fast Eddie’s 20th anniversary parties, one lucky winner will receive a $3,000-value prize. There is no cost to enter. Guests can attend recurring 20th anniversary parties at any of the 15 Fast Eddie’s locations beginning August 3, 2018. Forty finalist tickets will be issued per location per event. During each party, a total of ten tickets for the Grand Prize Camaro Giveaway will be drawn on the hour from 9pm to 12am. The final tickets will be distributed on January 4, 2019. To qualify for the grand prize, participants must be 21 years of age or older and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license, must attend any of the first six Fast Eddie’s parties and win at least one qualifying ticket at any of those six events. Winners of each monthly Fast Eddie’s 20th Anniversary party will be announced via Facebook Live and on HDTVs at each location. Participants must be present to win. Additional information on how to participate and event details and terms and conditions are available online.

Fast Eddie’s 20th Anniversary Party Event Dates:
• Friday, September 7, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, October 5, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Thursday, November 2, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, December 7, 2018: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, January 4, 2019: one $3,000-value prize giveaway
• Friday, February 1, 2019: car giveaway and one $3,000-value prize giveaway

Fast Eddie’s Billiards & Sports Bar San Antonio locations:
9910 W Loop 1604 N Suite 113
San Antonio, TX

7616 Culebra Rd #103
San Antonio, TX

502 Embassy Oaks
San Antonio, TX

11221 Perrin Beitel
San Antonio, TX

Men’s finals of Masskrugstemmen at Krause’s Café

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On Saturday August 11, Krause’s Café is holding the final of the men’s stein-holding competition. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels has been hosting traditional stein-holding competitions since May. Officially called Masskrugstemmen competitions, they are Bavarian strongman/strongwoman tests that have their roots in Germany where participants hold a liter of German beer by the handle, straight out in front of their bodies for as long as they can. The last person still holding his or her liter of beer correctly wins. (Krause’s Café & Biergarten, 2018)

This Saturday August 11, Krause’s Café & Biergarten is hosting the men’s finals which brings together the male winners from each previous round. The men’s finals will determine the overall ‘strongest’ steinholder, ultimately earning a chance to participate in the Masskrugstemmen at the Hofbrauhaus in New York City on September 15.  In New York, the stein master will then be named as national champion and win a trip to Germany. This is the final battle royale of the men’s series of Masskrugstemmen. The Women’s Finals will take place on Saturday August 18.

Krause’s Café is a New Braunfels historic restaurant that opened in 1938 and ran successfully until 1995. Recently it reopened and while keeping true to the original traditions it now has a ‘biergarten,’ live music and more. The menu reflects its German heritage and South Texas flavors while offering over 70 beers that include local, regional and international options as well as cocktails and wines on tap.

Krause’s Café & Biergarten
186 S Castell Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-2807

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. debuts first location in San Antonio

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The first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. location in San Antonio is located along the River Walk. Photo: Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., used with permission.

Last week, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. opened its first location in San Antonio along the historic River Walk. Inspired by the Paramount Pictures’ hit film “Forrest Gump,” Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. presents a down-home, family-friendly dining experience that perfectly captures the charm and American spirit that made the film a smash hit. Each location offers a taste of southern hospitality and friendly service that involves the guest with such activity as its famous “Run Forrest Run” and “Stop Forrest Stop” license plate signs. It also offers interactive movie trivia, a retail market with regionalized merchandise and the iconic ‘Box of Chocolates’ for purchase, as well as photo opportunities with the world-famous Shrimp Louie mascot. (Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., 2018)

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. remains the first and only theme restaurant chain based on a motion picture, serving patrons around the world including Bali, Cancun, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo among many others, as well as major destinations across the United States like Hollywood, California; Santa Monica Pier in California; Times Square in New York City; the Las Vegas Strip; Navy Pier in Chicago; Mall of America; Miami, Florida; and San Francisco’s Pier 39.

Known for its quality seafood, Bubba Gump offers 19 different preparations of shrimp, as well as an exciting variety of fish, steak and chicken dishes, crisp salads, fun kid’s meals, creative desserts and award-winning ribs. The menu also offers signature items that include Coconut Shrimp, Grilled Seafood Trio, Jenny’s Catch with Lobster Butter Sauce, as well as appetizer favorites like Bubba’s Far Out Dip, Shrimper’s Net Catch and Run Across America Sampler. Guests can also enjoy new menu items like the BBQ Brisket Burger or the Backyard BBQ Combo with Tender Brisket, Barbecue Ribs, Grilled Chicken and Corn on the Cob.

Located at Navarro and W Crockett Street in the heart of the River Walk, it is within walking distance to nearby hotels, shops and attractions. In addition to its southern aesthetic, the restaurant will also offer riverfront dining on its outdoor covered patio. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will be open Sunday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 10p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11a.m. to 11p.m.

“San Antonio is a vibrant city recognized for its historic roots and eclectic culture. We are thrilled to join this thriving community and bring our entertaining atmosphere, memorable food and beverage, array of merchandise and souvenirs along with our engaging and interactive service to the River Walk.” – Jim Dufault, VP and COO of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
406 Navarro St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-4867

Celebrate National Lasagna Day with Buddy V

 

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Buddy V’s Nonna’s Lasagna al Forno. Photo” Buddy V’s Ristorante, used with permission.

National Lasagna Day is a holiday commemorated annually on July 29th to celebrate one of the most quintessential Italian dishes. A dish that is not only popular in the United States, it also has enormous popularity around the world even though there is debate among culinary historians over when this dish was created.

Straight from Buddy Valastro’s vault of family recipes, Nonna’s Lasagna al Forno is the holy grail of lasagnas and this is ultimate recipe needed to celebrate National Lasagna Day. Courtesy of Buddy V’s Ristorante at The Shops at La Cantera, this colossal dish features Italian sausage, bolognese, ricotta, provolone, parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bring home one of the Cake Boss’ most beloved heirloom recipes. (Buddy V’s Ristorante, 2018)

Nonna’s Lasagna al Forno – Courtesy of Bryan Forgione

Béchamel Ingredients
8 oz. butter
10 oz. all purpose flour
10 oz. chicken stock
2 bunches Thyme
Salt

Method

  1. Make roux with butter, chicken stock, and flour, cook out for a few minutes.
  2. Add rest and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid sticking to the bottom.
  3. Strain through china cap.

Nona’s Lasagna Al Forno Ingredients
11 sheets Lasagna Pasta
1 lb. Shredded Mozzarella
4 oz. Grana Grated
½ Gallon Ricotta
1 Bunch Basil Leaves
12 oz. Marinara
1/2 lb. ground beef, Cooked
1 lb. ground Italian sausage, cooked
12 oz. Béchamel

Method

(1) Spray heavily with non-stick all sides and bottom of a pan roughly the same size as the pasta.
(2) Lay down parchment paper to cover bottom.  Lay down pasta evenly covering ENTIRE bottom corner to corner, start layering –béchamel –marinara -meat –mozzarella –ricotta–grana -basil.
(3) Add a layer of pasta and push down using another pan.
(4) Repeat process until you end up with 11 sheets of pasta total.
(5) Cover with parchment and plastic wrap and put in cooler, place the pan on top and weigh it down evenly overnight.
(6) Next day, use a grill spatula to loosen up all the sides.
(7) Flip onto a parchment lined sheet pan.
(8) Cut into 4 rectangles and wrap individually.

Notes
For each layer: 1 qt. of meat, 1 qt. of béchamel, 2 cups of mozzarella, 1 cup of ricotta, 1 cup of grana, 6 oz. marinara.