The Palm has new lunch options.

The Veranda, a special events center, is opening this spring in the castle of Castle Hills, the space that used to house Jason Dady’s the Lodge.

A sign in front of the space, 1746 Lockhill Selma, promises to be open this spring, though a date is not mentioned.

The Veranda’s website doesn’t offer much more information, except to say that it can be used for weddings as well as corporate and social events. Contact the Veranda at either (210) 366-1220 or at sales@theverandasa.com.

The Granary serves some Ideas in Food

The Granary ŒCue & Brew at the Pearl Brewery, 602 Avenue A., is having its first Collaborative Chef Dinner and Workshop this Monday and Tuesday, featuring chef Alex Talbot of Ideas in Food.

Talbot, who’s part o the Ideas in Food workshop in Pennsylvania, will be leading an all day, hands-on, workshop on Monday to help San Antonio food service professionals expand and develop their cooking skills. The subject of this industry-specific workshop will be Making Tastier Food: The Role of Science, Technology and Creativity.

Then, on Tuesday, Talbot and the Granary crew will put that information to good use in creating a six-course tasting menu that will be offer that night in lieu of the normal dinner menu. The final menu will showcase elements of smoke and live fire and will include a beer pairing option. At the event, attendees can purchase a signed copy of Talbot’s book, “Ideas in Food: Great Recipes and Why They Work.”

The dinner is priced at $70 a person plus alcohol and is limited to 70 people. The Monday workshop is limited to five. For more information or reservations, call (210) 228-0124 or email thegranarysa@gmail.com.

EZ’s says sí to Síclovía

Every Tuesday from now through through June 26, all San Antonio EZ’s locations will be supporting Síclovía by donating 10 percent of pre-tax proceeds through the restaurant’s receipt drop program.

At the counter area at each EZ’s location in San Antonio, guests will see a specially designed box in which they can drop receipts after they pick up their order. From the tally of these receipts, EZ’s will make a monthly cash donation to the YMCA.

“This is the second year that EZ’s has supported us,” said Sandy Morander, President and CEO of the YMCA Greater San Antonio. “We are so appreciative of their continued support and Suzy Monford’s involvement in our program.”

Monford, president and CEO of EZ’s Brick Oven & Grill, serves on the YMCA’s board of directors and is also an active member of the Mayor’s Fitness Council.

Síclovía is a partnership between the YMCA of Greater San Antonio and the City of San Antonio to create a safe place to walk, bike, jog and do other outdoor activities.

Bin 555

Brunch and oysters at Bin 555

Bin 555 at the Alley, 555 W. Bitters Road, is now serving Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to a menu of brunch favorites, you can get a carafe of mimosas for $10 as well as a sriracha and bacon Bloody Mary to open your eyes.

On Tuesdays, Bin 555 is having a party in the beer garden featuring oysters for $1 apiece as well as an appearance from the DUK Truck. The oysters are served starting at 5 p.m. and you’d better hurry because they disappear quickly, from what I’m told.

For information, call (210) 496-0555.

Lunch at the Palm on your time

The Palm, 233 E. Houston St., has a new lunch menu designed for those who operating on a tight schedule. The promise is that you can get in and out of the restaurant in under an hour and still enjoy the likes of Grilled Cloak & Dagger Sandwich, Chicken & Avocado Sandwich, Nova Scotia Lobster BLT, Filet Mignon Medallions, Blackened Prime New York Steak Chop-Chop Salad, or a soup, salad and half sandwich combination.

The Palm still offers its Power Lunch menu for $25.90, which includes three courses, starting with soup or salad, followed by the likes of Chicken Parmigiana, Atlantic Salmon Fillet, Filet Mignon Medallions and the chef’s fish of the day. A side dish is included, as is dessert.

Living in a “Mad Men” world? There’s also the 1-Martini Lunch Club, which includes a premium martini or wine by the glass for $8.37. (Despite the name, no membership is necessary.)

Call (210) 226-7356.

Green Vegetarian moves Sunday

Green Vegetarian Cuisine opens in its new home at the Pearl Brewery Sunday.

The city’s first 100 percent kosher vegetarian restaurant has moved from 1017 N. Flores St. Its second location is open at 10003 N.W. Military Hwy.

“We are really excited about our new venture at the Pearl,” owner Mike Behrend says. “As you know, I have always had big dreams for Green.”

And that dream has him facing “a much larger space,” he says, where “we will be able to serve hundreds more meals each day.”

Green’s extensive menu includes dishes such as chicken-fried steak made with wheat meat, neatloaf and portabella steak as well as fried pickles, fried mushrooms, nachos, salads, burgers, quesadillas, enchiladas, stir-fries and sandwiches. New at the Pearl will be French press coffee.

According to a press release, “Green strives to be a sustainable restaurant with re-purposed restaurant equipment, the use of biodegradable packaging when possible, recycling, use of fair trade organic coffee, free range eggs and the use of their self-grown vegetables in many of their dishes.”

Green offers breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday. It is closed Saturday.

Pyles raises a Toast to Texas

Stephan Pyles

Celebrity chef Stephan Pyles will be in town on March 6 for a dinner at Sustenio in the Eilan Hotel, 17101 La Cantera Parkway. The theme is a Toast to Texas and will feature four courses served family style.

The meal will begin with spirits from two local distilleries, Rebecca Creek and Cinco Vodka, while the meal will be paired with Texan wines.

The evening is also an introduction of Sustenio’s new executive chef, Mike Spalla.

The price is $85 a person plus tax and tip. Dinner begins at 7 p.m. For reservations, call (210) 598-2950.

Corner Bakery adds turkey panini

Turkey Monterey Panini with Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

The Corner Bakery Cafe, at 255 E. Basse Road and 18720 Stone Oak Parkway, has added the Turkey Monterey Panini with smoked turkey, fresh spinach and provolone cheese on sourdough bread with a homemade artichoke asiago spread.

Also new is a Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, made with chicken, red and yellow peppers, carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes and orzo pasta simmered in a creamy broth with a hint of lemon.

“We have combined bold flavors in layers of fresh ingredients to craft an unexpected, delicious new panini,” said Chris Pheiffer, San Antonio Corner Bakery Cafe franchise owner. “The Turkey Monterey Panini is perfect for guests who love our panini offerings but want to shake up their routine.”

A soup and half of the panini is available for $7.99.

The Point celebrates 1st birthday

Denise Aquirre owns and operates the Point Park and Eats on Boerne Stage Road with Noel Cisneros.

The Point Park and Eats, 21488 Boerne Stage Road, is celebrating its first birthday March 15-17 with three days of activities and food trucks.

On March 15, Branchline Brewery will pour their brews, Sol Surfers will perform and the food truck lineup includes Skinny Cat, MARS Mobile Kitchen, Say.She.Ate, Pork U and Lagniappe Today.

D.J. J.J. Lopez will be spinning discs on March 16 while the lineup includes Skinny Cat, MARS, Crepe Nation, Texasada, Fat Bellies and Kitchen Fusionz, the latter of which is also celebrating its first year of business.

Jonathan Alexander will perform on March 17 while the lineup features Kitchen Fusionz, Pork U, Skinny Cat, So Frito and Fork It.

Drink specials will also be available throughout the weekend. For more information, visit www.ParkAtThePoint.com.

Three words to remember: Filet and lobster

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse, 255 E. Basse Road, is offering an off-the-menu special through April 7.

For $37.95, you can order a filet mignon and North Atlantic lobster tail, a starter and a side dish.

The only catch is that the special is not on the menu. You have to remember to ask for it.

The Hofbrau at the Rim opens

The Quarry Hofbrau at the Rim, 18403 I-10 W., has opened.

Hours are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday; and 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday. Call (210) 877-1500.

Coming soon

• The French restaurant Saveurs 209, 209 Broadway, will be open any day now. Call (210) 639-3165 or click here.
• Salaam International Food Market, 3727 Colony Drive, will open a restaurant in the near future at the back of the store, which features Middle Eastern groceries.
• Blanco BBQ is opening at 13259 Blanco Road, which has been the home of several previous restaurants, including Matisse.

If you have restaurant news, email griffin@savorsa.com or walker@savorsa.com.

The Hofbrau is opening a second location.

The Hofbräu & Beer Garden is opening a second location. In late February, the restaurant will open in the Rim Shopping Center off I-10.

The new location will cover 8,400 square feet in a ranch-style structure and will feature the same Texas favorites found at the original location, 7310 Jones Maltsburger Road, which has been open for the past three years.

In addition to the likes of chicken-fried ribeye and brisket nachos, the Hofbräu will feature various versions of its famous Dos-a-Rita cocktail.

For more information, check out the Hofbräu’s Facebook page.

Excitement on tap at the Point

Pedernales Brewery, maker of Lobo, will be featured at the Point.

The Point Park & Eats, 24188 Boerne Stage Road, is celebrating a Year of Beer with an inaugural event taking place Jan. 10.

Each month, the Point will showcase a Texas brewery, offering guests the chance to come out meet the brewer and learn a little about their beers and their operation.

Food trucks will incorporate the featured brewery into their menu or pair a select menu item with the beer, according to a post from the Point on Facebook: “We welcome Pedernales Brewing Company for January’s Year of Beer Dinner!”

It doesn’t cost anything to show up and meet the brewer, but food and beer will be sold separately.

For more information, call (210) 251-3380.

Vegeria named one of the best

USA Today has singled out Vegeria. .

Vegeria Vegan Tex-Mex & American Cuisine, 8407 Broadway, has been named one of the 10 great places for vegetarian food in the county, according to USA Today.

Vegan nachos and smoked mushroom tacos were standouts, as were raw beet ravioli filled with chipotle almond cheese and a raw avocado burger.

If eating more healthfully in the new year were one of your resolutions, you may want to give the restaurant a try, especially the raw offerings.

Call (210) 826-4223 for information.

Smells good enough to eat

I got after a restaurateur recently because her perfume was so overwhelming that I couldn’t smell the food in front of me.

I wonder if I would feel the same had she been wearing Tamale, a new fragrance that may appear this spring. And yes, it smells of corn, according to an article on Huffington Post.

I just wonder how many of the women who work in San Antonio’s tamalerias would appreciate finding a bottle of this wrapped up for their birthday or Christmas present.

Frothing at the mouth for foam at home? 

The CocktailMaster is one gadget from MolecularRecipes.com.

Didn’t get the culinary whipper you wanted for Christmas? Or perhaps you’re just hankering to make Liquid Popcorn with Caramel Froth or Air Bread Philly Cheesesteak.

You practically need a chemistry set and an advanced science degree to whip up some of these culinary creations.

For years now, molecular gastronomy has been the domain of chef’s, but it couldn’t remain in the commercial kitchen forever. Now you stock up on all the gadgets you need, thanks to MolecularRecipes.com, which offers recipes as well as the equipment needed to make caviar out of Cointreau.

For some ideas, visit http://store.molecularrecipes.com. Here’s hoping your experiments turn out better than a few of the molecular gastronomy touchdishes

It’s the holiday season, and that means seasonal treats in a host of traditional flavors, some with delicious twists.

RustyZipper.com has all sorts of vintage ugly sweaters.

Get out your ugly holiday sweaters

So, remember that holiday sweater some ex-friend gave you that was so ugly it made you long for fruitcake?

Well, it’s time to take it out of mothballs and wear it proudly. Both Max’s Wine Dive, 340 E. Basse Road, and Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden, 312 Pearl Parkway, are having a day devoted to those ghastly knitted creations. On Dec. 14, anyone wearing an ugly sweater will receive a free dessert or small plate under $10.

So, find that sweater that puts the “err” in “merry,” and put it to the only good use there is outside of burning it for fuel.  To reach the Boiler House, call  (210) 354-4644 or visit www.boilerhousesa.com. For Max’s Wine Dive, call (210) 444-9547 or visit www.maxswinedive.com.

If you wish to invest in a vintage ugly sweater, check out RustyZipper.com. You can even find plenty that get more lit than a drunken uncle on Christmas!

Christmas concert at Boardwalk Bistro

On Dec. 20, Boardwalk Bistro, 4011 Broadway, hosts Small World, which will be performing their 20th annual Christmas Concert.

“We are serving our regular dinner menu with Christmas specials,” owner Barbara Hunt says. “The performance is 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., and there is no cover charge. This is always a wonderful event.”

For more information, call (210) 824-0100.

McDonald’s Holiday Pie

McDonald’s decorates its menu with holiday flavors

McDonald’s is offering the following treats through the end of the year:

• Peppermint Mocha – a milder blend of espresso, steamed milk, peppermint and dark chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate – a blend of peppermint and dark chocolate syrup, steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle
• Holiday Mint McFlurry – a soft serve vanilla ice cream blended with peppermint candy pieces and holiday mint flavored syrup
• Egg Nog Shake – a delightfully creamy, egg nog flavored shake with real whipped cream and a cherry
• Holiday Pie – a sweet custard filling baked inside a flaky pastry with colorful holiday sugar sprinkles on top

Cookie Bites and more at Corner Bakery Café

Corner Bakery Café, 18720 Stone Oak Parkway, is cooking up baked goods trays featured Cookie Bites, Bar Bites and Bundt Bites. Plus, the purchase of a large Cinnamon Creme Cake brings a $5 bonus card valid during the month of January.

Call (210) 441-4547.

EZ’s Pumpkin Latte Shake

Pumpkin treats at EZ’s through the holidays

EZ’s Brick Oven & Grill introduced two seasonal treats for October, and they proved so popular that both were held over through the holidays.

The dishes are the Pumpkin Latte Shake and the Roasted Pumpkin Pizza. both are available at all EZ’s locations.

Click here for more information.

Holiday lunches return to Ruth’s Chris

Both Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations will have holiday lunch hours this December.

The steakhouse at Concord Plaza, 7720 Jones Maltsberger Road, (210) 821-5051, is open now through Dec. 21, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., while the Sunset Station location, 1170 E. Commercce St., (210) 227-8847, will be open Dec. 17–21, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The cost is $50 per person and includes a starter, a choice of entrée, Accompaniment & Dessert

Choose an entrée from Filet & Frites, Sliced Steak Sandwich, Salmon, Chicken Caesar or Mixed Grill.

No other promotions can be used with this offer.

Black-eyed pea tamales at La Fonda Alamo Heights

La Fonda Alamo Heights, 6402 N. New Braunfels,  is combining two holiday traditions under one husk: tamales and black-eyed peas. From now through Dec. 31, you can order black-eyed pea tamales in addition to the usual pork, chicken and beef varieties.

“You are supposed to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day for good luck throughout the coming year,” says owner Hans White. “We figured this was a tasty way to do it!”

These handmade tamales can be ordered by the dozen and come ready to steam and serve at your next holiday gathering. Prices range from $8.50 per dozen for pork (with or without jalapeños), chicken, and beef to $12 per dozen for black-eyed pea. Order by calling (210) 824-4231.

If you have holiday restaurant news to share, email walker@savorsa.com or griffin@savorsa.com.

San Antonio’s restaurant scene is growing on all levels. Here are a few places that have opened recently or are opening in the near future.

La Tequilera del Patron has opened at 17776 Blanco Road.

The restaurant bills itself as “the real Mexican cantina” and offers a varied menu that includes Chicharron de Rib-eye, marinated and fried chunks of rib-eye; grilled Artichoke Tequilera with caper aioli; Chicharron el Borracho, fried pork with a molcajete and beer sauce; and grilled short ribs. Other dishes include ceviche, beef tripe, paprika-fried chicken, tacos, soups and salads, and, on weekends, a series of cures for those suffering from a hangover.

The kitchen is open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday;  11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Tuesday; 11 a.m.-midnight Wednesday-Saturday. The bar stays open later. Call 210-479-1210 for information or click here.

Bite, 1012 S. Presa St., is a new Southtown destination opened by chef Lisa Astorga-Watel, wife of Damien Watel, who is known for his own culinary ventures.

According to the restaurant’s website, “Bite’s menu is never made of tiny hors d’oeuvres and cheap ingredients … but real dinner food! Imagine, instead of half a duck, it’s a quarter duck, instead of three lamb chops, it’s one really juicy nice one! It’s a full lobster tail in your spring roll! You probably expect to pay $40 bucks or more for your lamb chops, so doesn’t $18 for our lamb chop delight you in more ways than one?!!”

For more information, call 210-532-2551.

Restaurants at the Pearl Brewery will soon be opening in quick succession. First up is The Granary ‘Cue and Brew, followed by the Boiler House Texas Grill and Wine Garden, a standalone and a new concept from the owners of Max’s Wine Dive.

Jesse T. Perez will follow with his tribute to American favorites with Arcade. Early next year, look for a new venture from Steven McHugh as well as Green Vegetarian Cuisine, which is moving from North Flores.

A guac-topped favorite at Old West Burgers

Old West Burgers has moved from Evers Road to 4553 N. Loop 1604 W.

As the name implies, burgers are what dominate here with everything from a traditional burger to the wonderfully named Chalupacabra Burger. There are also burgers made with bison, chicken, turkey and vegetables.

For more information, call  210-267-1774 or click here.

Papa Nacho’s is opening soon at 203 N. Loop 1604 W., the site of the former El Papalote.

If you have information on restaurant openings or closings, email walker@savorsa.com or griffin@savorsa.com.

Texas Hill Country Holiday Wine Trail

Finally, there’s a little chill in the air, and you might already be thinking about the hustle and bustle of holidays — baking, wrapping, fireplaces, and of course, the Texas Hill Country Wineries 2012 Holiday Wine Trail.

From Nov. 30-Dec. 16, vineyards and tasting rooms will be cloaked in lights, warmth and holiday fun.

The Hill Country wineries invite you to come enjoy the sounds of carols, enjoy the aromas of Christmas treats and bask in front of the fireplace with your favorite glass of cheer.

Take the self-guided tour, visiting each of the 32 Hill Country wineries.  Your $60 ticket gives you the opportunity to collect Christmas ornaments to decorate your individual grapevine wreath and saving on the holiday budget with a 15-percent discount on three-bottle wine purchases from each winery.
Join the participating wineries for just one or all 17 days to experience the Decking of the Cellars. There are a limited number of tickets available and each year is sold out weeks before the trail.

Your $60 ticket includes:

• One grapevine wreath to be picked up at winery of your choice
• One ornament from each winery visited
• 15-percent discount on three-bottle purchases from each winery (winery choice and/or discount may exclude reserves, ports and wines already discounted)
• You only need one ticket per couple as this trail does not include tastings at wineries

Election Day Sweets

Election Day will soon be here. In the meantime, why not sweeten things up with political party cookies?  These cute donkeys and elephants, from Lily’s Cookies, are $3.50 each. They come in a clear cellophane bag with a bow. Also, the ‘vote’ cookies are $3.25 each in a bag with a bow. Lily’s Cookies is at 2716 McCullough Ave. Phone is 210-832-0886.

Wine and dine at Crumpets’ Vintner Dinner featuring Concha Y Toro Vineyards

Sea Island Shrimp House offering ‘Two Can Dine for $17.99′

Kirby’s Alaskan King Crab Cake part of their Restaurant Week menu.

Restaurant Week extensions

Culinaria’s Restaurant Week last week was a hit — and at least three restaurants will be extending their Restaurant Week offerings. These include Biga on the Banks, 203 S. Saint Mary’s St.; Auden’s Kitchen, 700 E. Sonterra Blvd;  and Kirby’s Prime Steakhouse, 123 N. Loop 1604 E.

Restaurant Week featured special menus at lunch, for $15 and dinner, for $35. You can check out their menus by clicking here.

“A to Zealand” at Rock San Thai and Sushi Restaurant

Chef Rocky Niravong has planned a great four-course dinner to accent wines from
Argentina and New Zealand. Dinner begins with a Pinot Gris from New Zealand and move to two great reds from Argentina.  The finish will be a Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough.  Cecil Flentge will be there to discuss the wines as you enjoy the special dishes Niravong has for the night.

Event is Saturday, September 15, 7 p.m., $39.95 per person, not including tax or tip. For reservations call: 210-561-0011. Rock San Thai and Sushi Restaurant is at 5238 De Zavala Road.

Kids Eat Free, Mondays at Sea Island

Check out Sea Island Shrimp House’ new promotion, kids eat free every Monday, now through through Sept. 30. The promotion, which is valid every Monday all day, includes one free kid’s meal with the purchase of one adult entrée.  The kid’s meals feature one of four entrées and include a hush puppy, a choice of a side dish or Mott’s Applesauce and a free fountain drink. The entrees are Shrimp Bites, Fish Bites, Hamburger and Chicken Tenders.

Each Kid’s Meal costs $4.95 when ordered off of the menu, so a family of four ordering two adult entrées dining with two children 12 or under could save $9.90.

Mango Pork Carnitas Tacos at Barriba Cantina.

Music, Mexican street food on the River Walk

Barriba Cantina on the San Antonio River Walk is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, and features Mexican street food that is available until closing time.  Happy hour specials are available every Monday through Friday between 3 – 6 p.m. ($4 drafts, $4 wells and $2 off all Barriba Cantina signature cocktails).

Barriba also offers live music seven days a week, and during the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  There is no cover charge for the music. Music schedules are updated regularly on Barriba Cantina’s website. See what’s coming up!

The Hangar introduces new Smoked Meat Sandwich

The Hangar, a local bar and restaurant in the Alamo Heights area, at 8203 Broadway, introduced a new Smoked Meat Sandwich this month. Their cooks season a slab of brisket, then it is rubbed and cured for five days, then slow-cooked for five hours. It is served on rye bread with mustard, a pickle spear and home-cut fries. The sandwich is available Fridays through Sundays until they run out.

Viola Barrios

You gotta get Got Heart. That’s the message coming from Diana Barrios Treviño, who is offering a sweet deal to tempt people.

“It’s July and time to celebrate my mom, Viola, during her birth month!” Diana Barrios Treviño says. “Stop in at Los Barrios or La Hacienda de Los Barrios and enjoy a slice of Pastel con Flan and get a limited edition Got Heart T-shirt for $14.99!”

All of the proceeds go directly to Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation.

“It’s tax deductible, delicious and incredibly stylish!” she says.

Los Barrios is at 4223 Blanco Road. La Hacienda de los Barrios is at 18747 Redland Road.

Whataburger CEO Preston Atkinson presents JoNeen Serna of MDA San Antonio with a check.

Big heart for the MDA

Whataburger apparently has a big heart when it comes to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The San Antonio-based burger chain recently presented the local MDA chapter with a check for $100,000, which the staff of the various restaurants raised in a day.

Whataburger also threw a party for 10 local children who are headed off to MDA summer camp as well as their families.

Whataburger is also showing some concern for the heart by introducing a new menu of items under 550 calories. They include:

• Whataburger Jr. with Bacon & Cheese, 400 calories
• Double Meat Whataburger Jr. with Cheese, 470 calories
• New Grilled Chicken Melt, 460 calories
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich, 510 calories
• Chicken Fajita Taco, 420 calories
• Whatacatch Sandwich, 450 calories

Whataburger breakfast choices under 550 calories include:

• Cinnamon Roll, 390 calories
• Bacon & Egg Taquito, 380 calories
• Bacon or Sausage Biscuit, 350 to 540 calories
• Egg & Cheese Biscuit, 450 calories
• Biscuit & Jelly, 340 calories
• Egg Sandwich, 310 calories

The baked goods at Little Aussie Bakery are all gluten-free.

Gluten-free goodness

A growing number of restaurants in San Antonio are offering gluten-free offerings to meet the growing number of people living with celiac disease.

And Little Aussie Bakery, 3610 Avenue B, is helping a few of them.

The bakery is now making the following gluten-free items for local restaurants:

• Whole flax buns for the various Babes Burgers
• Focaccia for All Aboard Deli, 5255 McCullough Ave.
• Buns for the Cove, 606 W. Cypress
• Pizza crust for Gallo Pizzeria, 164 Castroville Road
• Buns for various Rome’s Pizza places

Little Aussie has its own great gluten-free products, dishes and a dazzling array of baked goods, including mouthwatering cakes, that are worth checking out, too. Call (210) 826-7787.

Perry’s Steakhouse

4 for $4 at Perry’s

Perry’s Steakhouse in the Shops at La Cantera, 15900 La Cantera Parkway, has a thing for the number 4.

During the month of July, if you visit Perry’s on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday (except July 4), $4 gets you  your choice of an 8-ounce version of the famous pork chop; the house-made Polish sausage appetizer; the Candy Bar dessert, reminiscent of a Reese’s Cup; and the Perry-tini, a take on a lemon drop martini. Or you could have all four for $16.

On a visit this week, plenty of $4 pork chops were being served to the folks in the bar, which is where those of us without reservations sat and enjoyed the live piano as well as the various treats we tried.

For reservations, call (210) 558-6161.

If you have restaurant news, email griffin@savorsa.com or walker@savorsa.com.

Robert Fleming is opening a second Magnolia Pancake Haus this week.

NAO, the Latin restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America, will have its soft opening on May 23.

It will be in the Pearl Brewery, 200 E. Grayson St., and will feature dishes from throughout South America, Latin America and the islands.

NAO will be student-staffed and the menu will feature traditional dishes creatively reinterpreted for San Antonio diners.

Jesse Perez

In other Pearl Brewery news, chef Jesse Perez is opening his contemporary American restaurant, Arcade, this fall. It will be in the lab building near the stables on the property.

The streamlined industrial look of the space will be playful, Perez says.

We’re hoping the food will be as good as what we sampled from Perez during this year’s Culinaria.

In other restaurant news, Robert Fleming will be opening his second Magnolia Pancake Haus on Friday at 10333 Huebner Road.

Old favorites, such as the Apfelpfannekuchen and the pancakes as well as the house-made sausage and eggs to order, will be available. Call (210) 561-6117.

Robbie Nowlin, who left Jason Dady’s the Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills, to work at the prestigious French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., has returned to town. He will be working for Dady again, this time at Bin 555.

The Esquire Tavern

The Esquire Tavern, 155 E. Commerce St., has been named one of the top bars in America by Men’s Fitness magazine. The listing says that “Luckily despite its tourist-y location, this is a casual local favorite that just happens to boast the longest wooden bar in Texas. At 79 feet it’s the perfect spot to throw back a few Lone Stars (the “National Beer of Texas”), and hang with the locals. As for cocktails they’re fittingly big and boozy.”

The Grand Hyatt, 600 E. Market St., has a new executive chef. Lawrence Eells grew up moving around the world. As a young boy in a military family, he spent the majority of his childhood in places such as Okinawa, the Philippines, Shanghai, Hawaii, Albuquerque, San Diego, Minneapolis and Dallas.

Mark Bohanan (right) presents proceeds from the first San Antonio Cocktail Conference to members of HeartGift. (Shane Kyle/CE Group)

Mark Bohanan, owner of Bohanan’s Restaurant and Bar and creator of the first San Antonio Cocktail Conference, recently presented a check for $57,000 to HeartGift San Antonio to support two lifesaving surgeries for children from disadvantaged countries seeking heart surgeries at Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital.

Other businesses who helped sponsor the conference included SoHo Wine & Martini Bar, Ocho Lounge at Hotel Havana, The Esquire Tavern and Rio San Antonio Cruises.

HeartGift is a San Antonio-based charity that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from countries with unavailable or inaccessible health care. Every child chosen receives state of the art pediatric surgery from doctors Dr. John Calhoon and Dr. Adil Husain and their medical staff free of charge.

During the celebration, attendees celebrated HeartGift surgery recipient’s Wang Nan’s fourth birthday, a birthday she may not have seen had it not been for the funds raised through the first-annual cocktail conference, a four-day educational event about spirits that was held in downtown San Antonio in January.

Wang Nan lives in a remote Chinese village in the Gansu Province. Her family lives in a five-room mud house on two acres of land. Although they farm their land, Wang Nan’s father must go to the Xinjiang Province to do construction work for eight months each year to send home money for the family. Wang Nan suffers from Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart defect. She was operated on Feb. 3 and she returned home with her mother and their San Antonio host family on Feb. 7.

“The inaugural San Antonio Cocktail Conference was a bigger success than any of us could have imagined,” said Bohanan, whose restaurant is at 219 E Houston St. “This donation simply would not have been possible without the countless number of supporters, partners, presenters and attendees that made this a reality. We are thrilled to provide such a significant contribution to HeartGift on behalf of the conference, knowing that it will save the lives of two children in need.”

Boschetto pizza coming to Gallo

Starting Thursday, Gallo Pizzeria, 164 Castroville Road, will be making pizzas with boschetto, white truffles and portobello mushrooms blended with cheese. According to the pizzeria’s Facebook page, “It’s great for Lent.”

The cost is $19.99 for a large and $15.99 for a medium. Supplies are limited. Pre-orders are accepted.

Call (210) 264-0077 or click here.

Sip a sample of the Veneto at Luce

Luce Ristorante e Enoteca, 11255 Huebner Road, is showcasing the wines of the Veneto at a special dinner set for 5 p.m. March 10.

Executive chef Joe Buonincontri and Italian wine expert Jeremy Parzen are teaming up for the multi-course meal.

The cost is $50 a person. For reservations, call  (210) 561-9700.

Hoist a beer on Texas Independence Day

High Velocity, one of the dining areas at the JW Marriott resort, 23808 Resort Parkway, is having a  Saint Arnold beer dinner on Texas Independence Day, March 2.

The four-course meal will feature matching beers.

For price, time and reservations, call (210) 276-2500, ext. 5835.

Maggiano’s is giving away dinner for 20

Want to win dinner for 20 of your nearest and dearest?

Registration is now open for the Maggiano’s Little Italy “Who’s In Your 20?” sweepstakes. This is a chance for someone to land a private, Italian-style dinner party with 19 of his or her closest family, friends and co-workers. A dinner will be given out at each of the chain’s 44 restaurants.

Anyone who registers will also receive a coupon for a free flatbread at the restaurant. Registration is open through April 1.

To enter, click here. The San Antonio Maggiano’s is at the Rim, 17603 I-10 W. Call 210-451-6000.