The first thing that comes to most minds when you think of San Antonio is The Alamo and Davey Crockett’s last stand. If you have ever been to San Antonio, you probably have fond memories of the Riverwalk and visiting the Alamo. If you haven’t visited San Antonio in 20 years, your memories are likely limited to the Riverwalk and Alamo.
Over the past 20 years, thanks to Christopher “Kit” Goldsbury and the investment he made to develop the Pearl district, the city has evolved into a foodie’s paradise. Goldsbury, a local billionaire who made his fortune after selling Pace Foods to Campbell Soup in 1994, bought the 18-acre Pearl Brewery site hoping to turn a run-down part of the city into the next great urban renewal.
The site included buildings with structural problems, and the soil was contaminated. It might as well have been swamp land, and the locals thought Goldsbury was nuts, but he had the appetite to build something special.
The original plan was to construct apartments and extend the San Antonio Riverwalk so water taxis could access the area. While the Riverwalk was never extended, Goldsbury delivered on his vision of creating a food-focused neighborhood. The first step was funding a new 30,000-square-foot campus for the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in one of the brewery’s old buildings. An education and research center focusing on elevating Latin American cuisines. The CIA offers cooking classes and allows the public to sample meals made by students at CIA Bakery Cafe or Savor restaurant. Since opening in 2008, more than 1,000 chefs have graduated from the program.
Goldsbury’s vision was to create a foodie’s paradise and historic preservation. He was adamant about restoration as opposed to tearing down and rebuilding. The best example of this is Hotel Emma.
Hotel Emma’s creation resembled an archeological dig more than a construction site. When a crew was removing a concrete slab in the lobby area, formerly the brewery’s engine room. The crew exposed a 25-square-foot area of original concrete tile that had been buried and forgotten for decades. The tiles were removed and preserved along with the February 1900 newspaper stuck to the undersides. A San Antonio company made exact replications of the tiles, which now pave the lobby floor of Hotel Emma.
I honestly say Hotel Emma is the coolest hotel I’ve ever explored. After hanging out in the lobby bar following dinner at Savor (I’ll get there in a minute), my wife and I decided to investigate. It could have been the cocktails or the crazy cool atmosphere, but we wanted to see more. We wandered around the property and jumped in the elevators just because we wanted to see what a guest floor looked like compared to the lobby. It didn’t disappoint. It felt like you were in the brewery, the exposed brick, winding staircases, gauges, etc. After exploring each floor, we returned to the lobby level and explored the rest of the property, finding one cool thing after another.
Ok, let’s get to the heart of the article. No, not GOLF, but FOOD!
Our first culinary experience was at the Culinary Institute of America restaurant “Savor.” Located right in the heart of the Pearl District, we had an 8 pm reservation, and our playing partners earlier that day couldn’t stop raving about Savor and the Pearl District. After 18 holes of hearing what I had in store, the expectations were high.
At Savor, they keep it simple but delicious. You have the option of either a three-course or four-course meal. I have never skipped dessert, so we opted for the four-course option. The menu changes throughout the year, but the current menu is pictured below. Trust us, no matter what you choose. You’ll be happy.
The thing I enjoyed most about Savor was the passion of the staff. Everyone working at the restaurant is part of the CIA program, and their dream is to become the world’s next top chef. Combined with the open kitchen, you can witness the magic as your tastebuds savor each course you just experienced.
Our next culinary experience led us to Dough Pizzeria Napoletana. Dough has two locations in San Antonio. The original location is in Castle Hills, and the newest location we visited was on Alamo St, near the Riverwalk. If you’re a fan of Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, you’re already familiar with Dough Pizzeria, featured in 2011. Food Network can’t get enough of Dough Pizzeria Napoletana. In 2018, they featured the new Alamo St location on Triple D Nation in a segment titled “A Taste of Italy.” Most recently, in March 2021, Dough Pizzeria Napoletana was featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives: Take-out- Carnivore Delivery!
So, Dough Pizzeria Napoletana is well-known and popular among locals and tourists. Again, our expectations were sky-high heading into dinner. First off, the hospitality was off the charts. I have to admit we made a faux pas. We had a reservation at the Castle Hills restaurant but went to the downtown location by mistake. The staff was super understanding and welcomed us with open arms.
Dough Pizzeria Napoletana is precisely what you think, a pizzeria. The pizza is fantastic and cooked in less than 90 seconds in true Napoletana style. I can’t say enough great things about the pizza, but the homemade burrata cheese steals the show. Pair the burrata with some thinly sliced prosciutto, and you’ll be on cloud nine. Another favorite was the warm olives. I’m a big olive guy and had never had them served warm in a cast iron skillet. It was delightful.
Our Final Stop in this foodie’s paradise was Landrace, located in the swanky Thompson Hotel. Landrace is home to Steve McHugh– known as San Antonio’s most celebrated chef.
If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience in San Antonio, look no further than Landrace Restaurant. This innovative restaurant in the city’s historic Dignowity Hill neighborhood offers a unique blend of traditional Texas cuisine and modern, global flavors.
At Landrace, the focus is on locally-sourced ingredients that reflect the rich culinary heritage of South Texas. The restaurant works closely with local farmers and ranchers to source the freshest, most flavorful ingredients available. This commitment to using local products supports the local community and ensures that each dish is packed with authentic flavors that are true to the region.
Landrace sets itself apart from other restaurants, committed to sustainability and zero-waste practices. Landrace has a garden where they grow herbs and vegetables and compost all of its food waste to help reduce environmental impact.
One of the standout dishes at Landrace is the mesquite-grilled ribeye, which features a perfectly cooked steak that’s been charred to perfection over the coals. The steak is served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and a tangy chimichurri sauce that perfectly complements the meat’s smoky flavor. Other popular dishes include the spicy beef birria tacos, the crispy fried chicken sandwich, and the vegan jackfruit carnitas.
What separates Landrace from the crowd is its unique cocktail program. I love an old-fashioned, and Landrace has an old-fashioned cart. Picturing being a kid and the ice cream truck is turning the corner, but now you’re all grown up, and instead of ice cream, you’re getting a tableside crafted old-fashioned with the bourbon of your choice. The cart features housemade bitters utilizing seasonal fruits and herbs to create Texas’s most delicious hand-crafted old fashion.
To finish things off, you must try Chef Steve’s carrot cake. At Golf Aficionado, we love our carrot cake, and the carrot cake at Landrace is out of this world. The Prickly Pear Icing might sound odd, but trust me, take the leap. You’ll thank me later.
If you’re looking for a fun city that offers numerous unique dining experiences, look no further. San Antonio is the perfect destination to explore the southwest’s culinary delights. Oh, and don’t think we forgot about the golf. TPC San Antonio and JW Marriott San Antonio have you covered. You can read all about that here. To plan your visit to San Antonio, check out Visit San Antonio.