Kim pop rolls coming

The sign at 3830 N. Loop 1604 E. near the intersection of Bulverde Road says Tiger Pop Korean Roll n Go is coming  soon.

But what is it?

What was your favorite treat from 2011? A burger like this from Cullum's Attaboy?

According to a posting, “We are a completely new concept on Korean-inspired food. Our core items are Kim Pop, which are Korean-style rice rolls. Kim Pop rolls have never contained any type of raw proteins like Japanese style sushi, and we have blended them to include many iconic western ingredients. Our menu also includes Korean marinated steak tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls, salads and more! Only the highest quality non-processed ingredients are used, all prepared fresh daily for the fast-paced customer.”

The plan apparently was to have the eatery open over the holiday season, but work is still progressing.

The Luxury progresses

Work is also progressing on the Luxury, Andrew Weissman’s trailer park of mobile eateries. He hadn’t expected it to, because he told his contractors he’d be otherwise engaged with new baby Moishe Andres, but that seems to have spurred more work.

The Luxury, Mark Bliss’ Bliss and Stephan Pyles are among the eagerly awaited new dining venues for 2012.

Palenque Grill opens

Palenque Grill has opened at 389 N. Loop 1604 W. with an array of Mexican favorites. This is not related to Taco Palenque on Loop 410.

Foodie openings

• Boerne Epicure Gourmet Market, 210 S. Main St., Boerne, has opened. It promises “delicious surprises from around the world.” Call: 830-331-9355. www.boerneepicure.com.
• Spec’s Wine Spirits and Finer Foods has opened at 1305 Sidney Baker St., Kerrville. Call: 830-895-8757. www.specsonline.com.

The best of 2011

What were your favorite dining experiences of 2011? Was it a burger from Cullum’s Attaboy with bacon, egg and cheddar piled high on top? A trip to one of the Brazilian steakhouse? Maybe it was a meal on a barge floating down the San Antonio River. Or a favorite meal at the Lodge before its doors close. Or was it a meal you prepared at home? Share with us a few of your favorite food moments of 2011.

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

“Top Chef” here

First, the word is out that “Top Chef” is here filming for the new season. (Not the little guys that visited the Alon Market recently – the big-name chefs this time.)

Emeril Lagasse, Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi were at Biga on the Banks last night, according to Biga. No forewarning to the kitchen staff at Biga, but some in the group of 12 did head in to greet them after dinner, handshakes all around. Then, some of the chefs moved on over to the Esquire Tavern to close out the night, we hear.

So, where are they staying, where are they filming, dining out, etc.? Those in the know are being pretty tight-lipped at this point. But keep your eyes and ears open, and don’t forget to send chef sightings to us at SavorSA!

Lana Duke of Ruth’s Chris fame gets Vidorra condo here

Lana Duke, shown here at downtown Ruth's Chris, will have a residence in San Antonio.

Meanwhile, it’s good to hear that a great lady, Lana Duke of New Orleans, owner of the local Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses, will have a second residence in San Antonio. She and her son, David, will be part-time residents at Vidorra, a high-rise condominium complex on North Center Street.

The Luxury

Can we look forward to rotisserie and roasted meats going on the menu?

Andrew Weissman says The Luxury has made some significant progress, the containers are in, the landscaping soon to be started. He won’t commit to an opening date yet, but says it’s “pretty darn close.”

As always the Weissman creativity is running full blast. He is thinking of putting in a huge rotisserie in order to roast pork and goat to sell by the pound. That’s always a luxury for the tired, hungry, homeward-bound downtown worker.

He says his trailer dining concept will be unique — even among trailer dining concepts. Wine on tap is always nice, and the river location, across the the San Antonio Museum of Art will be a good draw. We’ll let you know, as soon as we do, the answer to that “when” question.

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

Haute cuisine in a trailer park?

Well, sort of.

Restaurateur Andrew Weissman says paperwork has been signed and development is proceeding for a property on the San Antonio River Walk, kitty corner from the San Antonio Museum of Art.

Look for The Luxury: Haute Trailer Cuisine, in November, he says.

This is the name for what he envisions as a twist on the trendy mobile dining idea that should be fun for kids and affordable for adults.

Three retrofitted Airstream trailers will serve the functions of kitchens in the food service area.

A play park for kids is planned, as well as an outdoor, shady, area for adults to relax, eat and have a drink. The lot, about an acre, is at the corner of Jones Avenue and Ave. B.

The name, he says, relates to the reputation for quality that the Airstream trailers have always had, but is also pokes a little fun at his reputation for concentrating on fine dining (and those who complain about it).

The classic, shiny trailers will offer drinks, entrees and desserts at $5 each. Each function will be separately prepared in one of the trailers, says Weissman.

For the kids, there will be a playscape, or an enclosed area where they can have fun while their parents relax nearby. The play area is a concept that has worked well at one of Weissman’s other restaurants, Big’z, on Loop 1604.

Its design will be subtle, says Weissman. “If you walk up to it, you might not even recognize it as a play area for kids.”

Plans for the property, from landscaping to outfitting the mobiles and having them plumbed, to designing the play area and restrooms, are already well underway, says Weissman. The final papers for the property were signed Tuesday, he said.

“A big part of this location will be its environmental aspects. It will feel like a garden, with native plants, brick pavers, trees. We want to make it have as minimal an environmental impact as possible. We’ll also be concentrating on eco-friendly practices, such as using bamboo packaging and so forth,” Weissman said.

Weissman and his wife, Maureen, own several other venues in San Antonio. These include The Sandbar, a fresh seafood restaurant at the Pearl Brewery. Il Sogno, an Italian restaurant, is also at the Pearl, while  Big’z Burger Joint is out on Loop 1604.

As a chef and restaurateur, Weissman gained national recognition, including four James Beard Award nominations for his first restaurant, Le Reve. The contemporary French restaurant on Pecan Street closed last year.