The Baked Bear Ice Cream Shop to open first San Antonio location

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The Baked Bear will open its first San Antonio location at The Shops at La Cantera. Photo: The Baked Bear, used with permission. 

The Baked Bear, a San Diego California-based ice cream shop well known for its monstrous ice cream sandwiches and original recipes, is excited to announce the opening of its first-ever San Antonio location, coming to The Shops at La Cantera this summer. (The Baked Bear, 2019)

Located in San Antonio’s top luxury shopping district, the menu will feature hand churned ice cream scoops, customizable ice cream sandwiches made with fresh-baked cookies and brownies, fun toppings and more. In addition to popular baked goods, all made-from-scratch flavors from the super-premium Baked Bear craft ice cream collection range from Blackberry Crumble to Toasted S’mores. The San Antonio location will also offer rotating, seasonal flavors and a Cookie of the Month. The Baked Bear offers a mix and match style for guests to find their favorite combination with the option of rolling ice cream sandwiches through colorful toppings, resulting in its Instagram-worthy reputation.

The Baked Bear concept was started by childhood friends, Rob Robbins and Shane Stanger, who left their careers to follow their true passion: serving up inventive sweets in their hometown of San Diego, California. The Baked Bear quickly became a phenomenon, known for high quality desserts and has been recognized by Forbes and Business Insider. The favorite shop has now grown to 24 current locations in eight states, with Texas locations in Austin and El Paso. Due to its growing population, The Baked Bear sought San Antonio as its third Texas location. The exact opening date and hours of operation will be announced soon.

“We are thrilled to join San Antonio and continue growing our fanbase in Texas. Summer is the perfect time to open, giving locals and visitors a chance to come in and cool down with our exquisite treats.” – local owner Kenny Alford

The Baked Bear
15900 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite LS3320
San Antonio, TX 78256

Savor opens this week at Pearl

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Savor opens on Tuesday January 22, 2019. Rendering courtesy of Clayton & Little, used with permission. 

The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in San Antonio is excited to announce Savor, the brand new restaurant at Pearl, will open on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The seasonal Modern American concept is based on the CIA’s curriculum, which teaches cuisines and techniques from around the world. The college’s world-class chefs and hospitality instructors will lead the students who will prepare and serve dinner as part of their associate degree studies. Upon graduation after this class, students may go on to pursue their bachelor’s degrees in management, culinary science, or applied food studies at the college’s New York campus. Savor is the newest member of the CIA Restaurant Group and will be open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. (The Culinary Institute of America, 2019)

Most menu items at Savor will be locally sourced and the CIA team relies on relationships with farmers and producers to create an array of fresh dishes. Savor’s menu style allows guests to build a customized three or four-course meal, including options such as honey-chili roasted chicken with fat rice and Asian lime; grilled Gulf shrimp with polenta, olives and tomato; and Berkshire pork schnitzel with a sunny egg, chamomile apple and red sauerkraut. The purpose of this menu format is to educate both students and patrons on various cuisines. CIA faculty overseeing SAVOR are Chef Uyen Pham and service instructor Samantha Fletcher.

The bar and lounge area will feature a menu of smaller and shareable plates such as caviar, potato, and soft egg with leeks and pumpkin seeds; roasted cauliflower and Brussels sprouts with toum garlic dip and chicken cracklings; and crisp-fried wings with miso-chili paste, pickled cucumber and toasted sesame. The beverage program will feature classic cocktails like a Negroni, a Manhattan and a dirty martini along with New World and Old-World wines and local favorite craft brews.

“We are thrilled to have Savor join the Pearl community. As a graduate of the CIA, I understand the hard work these students put in to make this a special experience for the guests, and I am excited the restaurant will bring flavors from all across the globe to our city.” – Shelley Grieshaber, culinary director for Pearl and previous director of education for the CIA in San Antonio

Savor
200 E Grayson St, Suite 117
San Antonio, TX 78215

Bakery Lorraine opens first Austin location

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Bakery Lorraine’s Austin location is now open for business.  Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission. 

Bakery Lorraine is a San Antonio favorite and nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. As of Monday, October 22, the first Austin location on Rock Rose at Domain NORTHSIDE is officially open for business. Located in Austin’s premiere shopping district, Bakery Lorraine’s menu will offer pastries, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and select beer and wine. Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7a.m. to 8p.m., Friday through Saturday from 7a.m. to 9p.m., and Sunday from 8a.m. to 8p.m. (Bakery Lorraine, 2018)

In addition to the famous Parisian macarons and divine pastries, like the pain au chocolat, the Austin location will also feature breakfast items, including the breakfast parfait, the quiche Lorraine, and breakfast sandwiches. Bakery Lorraine will offer a variety of savory lunch dishes, including an assortment of salads and soups, and artisan sandwiches. The restaurant will also feature a select beer and wine menu.

Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell, and operator Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine has quickly become a sensation in San Antonio. It 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 and recently awarded the 2017 StarChefs Rising Stars Award for “Best Concept.”

With the opening of Domain NORTHSIDE in September 2016, the latest part of the neighborhood quickly became the premier shopping, dining and lifestyle destination in the city. Domain NORTHSIDE brings together many of Austin’s best homegrown names with a list of best-in-class brands and first-to-Austin experiences and is excited to welcome Bakery Lorraine to the Rock Rose community.

“We are thrilled to be opening our first ever Austin location at Rock Rose at Domain Northside; this location is a perfect fit for our brand. The area is rapidly expanding and we’re thrilled to be a part of the growing community. We can’t wait to show Austinites what we have in store.” – Bakery Lorraine Owner and Operator Charlie Biedenharn

Bakery Lorraine
11600 Rock Rose Ave, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78758

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

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana to open location at Hemisfair

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Dough Pizzzeria Napoletana is set to open a location downtown at Hemisfair in May.  Photo: Kevin Geil, used with permission.

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana is a San Antonio restaurant known for its authentic Neopolitan style pizza concept and coming up in May, there will be another location, this one to be located downtown at Hemisfair. Dough’s success stems from the original San Antonio location on Blanco Road which Doug and Lori Horn opened in 2007 and another location in Plano, TX, which opened in 2012. The debut of Dough’s second location in San Antonio will add further grandeur to the vibrant and redeveloping urban district downtown. (Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, 2018)

Inspired by the traditions of Italian ingredients, Executive Chef and Co-Owner Doug Horn, with his wife, Co-Owner Lori Horn, have developed the only pizzeria in San Antonio certified to serve under the guidelines created by Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (Neapolitan Pizzaioli Association) founded in Naples, Italy.  All ingredients are sourced as much as possible from Italy as well as from local farmers.  A true Neapolitan-style pizza is easy to distinguish: charred crust, sparse toppings and a raised border.

Menu pizza options will range from Arugula & Prosciutto, blending house-made mozzarella with truffle vinaigrette, to Pork Love, made with house-made spicy sausage, Speck, Soppressata Salami, Pancetta, house-made mozzarella and tomato sauce. Aside from traditional pizza, guests can expect house-made burrata, meatballs, antipasti, Tuscan and Italian salads and Italian-inspired desserts. Dough Pizzeria Napoletana will also reflect Italy with its extensive wine menu featuring carefully selected and imported vino from Southern Italy.  The drink menu will include a range of Italian sodas and local craft beers on tap, as well as Kimbo espresso.

Dough will be located on the corner of South Alamo Street and East César E. Chávez Boulevard at the southwest corner of Hemisfair. Owners Doug and Lori Horn anticipate the renowned restaurant will become a neighborhood spot for locals, a checklist destination for downtown tourists and convention attendees, a relaxing place in the park and a jumping off point for exploring Southtown. Like other businesses at Hemisfair, Dough will operate out of a restored historic property, an icehouse once called the O.K. Bar, serendipitously matching Dough’s branding which has always included the “O.K.” symbol. There will be a neon “O.K.” hand symbol sign outside the restaurant, as well as an “O.K.” symbol mural located near the entranceway, as an homage to the historic building’s name.

“We’re thrilled to bring Dough downtown and join all the exciting developments throughout Hemisfair,” – Chef Horn, co-owner of Dough.

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana
518 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX 78205

Buddy V’s Ristorante opens in San Antonio

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Chef Bryan Forgione puts the finishing touches on dishes during the grand opening of Buddy V’s Ristorante. Photo: Darren Abate, used with permission.

On Thursday, March 22, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Buddy V’s Ristorante at The Shops at La Cantera. It featured Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro, his wife Lisa Valastro, their four children and various family and Cake Boss cast members, in celebration of the restaurant’s highly anticipated opening. (Buddy V’s Ristorante, 2018)

Following the ceremony, invited guests, media and tastemakers enjoyed a private reception at the restaurant. Hosted by the “Cake Boss” himself, the bash featured delectable hors d’oeuvres and passed dishes including Grandma’s Meatballs with beef, veal, pork, marinara and parmesan, My Mother in Law’s Capellini Shrimp Scampi with roasted tomatoes, spinach, garlic and white wine, and Bone-In Veal Parm Chop oven baked with provolone, mozzarella and marinara; along with wine and signature cocktail offerings.

Aside from remarks by Jason Lapin of Blau + Associates, on behalf of Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla, there was also a champagne toast by Buddy Valastro in honor of the event. In true “Cake Boss” fashion, numerous cakes exemplifying the spirit of San Antonio including The Alamo, armadillo, cowboy boots and more, were presented for guests to enjoy and satisfy their sweet tooth.

Buddy V’s Ristorante is now open and serves both lunch and dinner. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 10p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11a.m. to 11p.m.

Renowned baker Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro has opened Buddy V’s Ristorante at The Shops at La Cantera, partnering with veteran restaurateurs Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla, to bring a taste of Valastro’s family gatherings and beloved heirloom recipes to San Antonio.

Inspired by family gatherings, neighborhood barbecues and the beloved recipes passed down by Buddy’s mother, grandmother and aunts, the restaurant features signature dishes such as My Dad’s Bucatini Carbonara with pancetta, cracked black pepper and egg; Lisa V’s Linguine & White Clam Sauce with white wine, garlic and extra virgin olive oil; Bone-In Veal Parm Chop oven-baked with provolone and mozzarella and served alongside spaghetti marinara; Valastro Sunday Gravy with meatballs, sausage, lamb, pork and a bowl of rigatoni; Steak Pizzaiola with peperonata, grana padano and polenta, and Nona’s Lasagna Al Forno.