Had a quick 8 hr jaunt to San Antonio
Garcia’s mutliple national outlets have named the brisket taco here one of the best in the country. I actually enjoyed the cheese enchiladas with chile con carne much more although the taco wasn’t bad it was not god tier. Real og Tex mex
Curry boys interesting concept smoked bbq w curry a great combination. James beard award nominee
Brisket was kinda dry although it’s their most popular item. The sausage was better in imo and paired quite well with the yellow curry which was super flavorful with a bold kick.
Ladino enjoyable dips, amazing sour dough pita and a spicy and succulent lamb Adana kebab.
What’s not to love. Restauant is owned by the same group that does emmer and rye.
Compares to ammatoli in Long Beach. A step below bavel in LA but still a great spot for dinner
Appreciate the recommendation for Ladino. I haven’t been to Bavel in years, but I thought it was better than Bavel. In fact, I would return to San Antonio just to eat at Ladino again. And if I thought I could have gotten them through TSA, I would have returned to take a number of dips home.
I had the Muhammara and spicy plate to start. The spicy plate may have been the best schug I’ve ever had. I hesitated to order the spicy dip because it’s just schug, pickles and some harissa, but glad I did. In fact, still dreaming about it.
Main course was the saffron chicken with labneh and red cabbage – chicken perfectly cooked and very tender.
The dessert was one of the best I have had in years anywhere, including New York and Los Angeles. Forgot what it was called, but is was a candied pumpkin with sesame ice cream. (It doesn’t look perfectly plated in the picture because I had already taken a bite out of it. 
) Perfect with a steaming hot cup of tea on a freezing day.
Also hit a restaurant called Leche de Tigre which is “fancy” Peruvian. There is a ceviche bar where they make ceviche in front of you. Pretty good. Pasta dish was inedible – in some gooey sauce that was too rich, with truffles that I could not taste and truffle oil that I could (in a bad way). Other things coming out of the kitchen look better. Seemed to be quite the happening scene for San Antonio.
Finally had barbecue from Pinkerton’s. I have no idea if it was good or not. I’m not a barbecue person. They apparently have a sister restaurant in Houston.
Wow will have to try the zhug and the dessert. I’m def going to ladino next time I’m in town!
I dug up my receipt for Ladino and the name of the dessert was Kabak Tatlisi. However, it is apparently a winter dessert, which makes sense since pumpkins are a winter fruit. Kabak tatlısı - Wikipedia
So alas if I find myself back at Ladino in Spring or Summer I might not find that dessert.
Darn!
Pinkerton’s is great.
Esquire Tavern nice delmonico steak at the bar.
Southerleigh is fantastic! big fam style group dinner and they knocked it out. Saw a Michelin sign outside
Having a good time by the river
Wife liked it more than bavel. I would disagree but it would not be out of place in LA their lamb ribs taste exactly like bavel lamb neck. Sourdough pita is puffy and chewy best part is it’s free! I haven’t had a bad dish at ladino. Weakest might’ve been this sweet potato ice cream, however the tahini ice cream was very good.
Callums attaboy. The staff is kinda pretentious but the food is good as hell. Pet peeve asked for some recs and the guy said everything is good no opinions or even direction. French omelette was rich and buttery with perfectly runny insides while having a firm exterior. Might be the best hollandaise I’ve ever had. Great stiff emulsion with a bright acidity. Breakfast potatoes seemed to be double fried. Great attention to detail for pretty simple dishes. Better than petit trois
Garcias
The standard bearer of tex mex in San Antonio. Family atmosphere and all the servers are super friendly.
Claim to fame is the brisket guacamole taco.
But I think their best thing is the chili con carne smothered in anything stick to your ribs type food.
They also make mean hotcakes
Cullum’s Attaboy. Cool name. Cool place. Weird menu ranging from tarama pate to escargot to burgers. Go for the scene and food combo. Pictured is the tarama pate, which I liked less than average taramasalata.
Mixtli Bar. I read reports that the bar food of this Michelin-starred restaurant was as good as the dining room food. If so, I’m glad I didn’t make a reservation for the dining room. The guacamole and olives were too salty, the scallops lacked acidity, and my drink was too sweet.
Little Em’s Oyster Bar. Well-shucked oysters, good variety. Over-buttery but still good mussels. (Is the dish below hitting 2,000 calories?) I liked that they had big TVs showing football. I wish every restaurant would have that.
I was pretty underwhelmed with all the food so far honestly. Reminds me of New Orleans. But if you are into art, the McNay Museum is incredible. By that I mean I prefer it to NY MOMA. It may just be my second favorite museum in the world, after Musee D’Orsay.
Leche de Tigre. I liked this Peruvian restaurant more than any of the Peruvian restaurants in LA. Everything was good. Nice place. Recommended.
Southerleigh. I recommend this place too. Comfortable pub food is what I’d call it. The kind of place that would be popular and welcome in every neighborhood.
Are you serious ? Who goes to a restaurant (not sports bar) to watch TV
I’m just saying that I personally would like to watch football during any meal, however fancy. I would be more likely to eat at a restaurant that showed NFL games.
Don’t you prefer talking with your dining partners ? We pretty much eliminate any restaurants from our restaurant lists who has a TV - it’s one of the most detrimental things for us to have a great dinner
