The Pearl
Once the home of the Pearl Brewery, this 22-acre area today is a mixed-use neighborhood with expanses of green grass for romping, a year-round schedule of music, and the largest Farmer’s Market in San Antonio (held on Saturdays and Sundays). It is located along the North portion of the renowned San Antonio River Walk and is home to the San Antonio branch of the Culinary Institute of America as well as plenty of restaurants and boutiques. Any day is a good day for a visit, but Sunday is a special pearl of a day for families, which show up in large numbers then to enjoy a meal and some frolicking time in the large water feature splash pad that is particularly popular in summer.
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| kids frolicking in the water feature in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| exterior of The Culinary Institute of America in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
*Bakery Lorraine
306 Pearl Pkwy. #110, (210) 862-5582. Daily 7am–8pm.
Romance is part of the story at Bakery Lorraine. Owners Jeremy and Anne met while working for celebrity chef Thomas Keller at Bouchon Bakery in California’s Napa Valley. I’ve enjoyed Keller’s pastries in California and NYC, and those here are on par. I especially liked the raspberry croissant and was enthralled just looking at the fluffy, flower-like caramel peanut tart. My granddaughter favored the made-from-scratch pop tart. More extensive breakfast items are available--think barley and farro porridge and quiche Lorraine--and lunch brings on a selection of sandwiches. Customers line up to order, then select a table inside or out.
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| interior of Bakery Lorraine in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| colorful fruit tarts at Bakery Lorraine in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| fluffy caramel peanut tarts at Bakery Lorraine in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| child downs a pop tart at Bakery Lorraine in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| child smushes a muffin into her face at Bakery Lorraine in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
*Bottling Department Food Hall
312 Pearl Pkwy, in The Pearl. Sun-Thur 8am-9pm, F-Sat 8am-10pm.
Some of the food booths in the bustling Bottling Department Food Hall offer the option of sitting at a bar at the booth itself, but mostly diners find an open table in the interior or outside by the grassy central courtyard, where children can play in a water feature and playground. A vibrating pager lets you know when the order ready. Foods specialties include burgers, chicken, ramen, donuts, beer, and more.
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| exterior of Bottling Department Food Hall in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| interior of Bottling Department Food Hall in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| ramen from Tenko Ramen at Bottling Department Food Hall in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
*Lick
In The Pearl, (210) 314-8166.
This ice cream shop offers some unusual flavors--think Texas Sheet Cake and Goat Cheese Thyme & Honey. All ice creams at Lick are made with milk from Texas cows. Limited seating is available inside and outside, but never enough in summer.
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| counter at Lick in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| flavors at Lick in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| child looks at ice creams at Lick in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| double-decker ice cream bowl at Lick in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| twins and older sister eat ice cream at Lick in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
*La Gloria
100 E. Grayson St., in the Pearl, (210) 267-9040. L-D daily.
Dedicated to celebrating the tasty street foods of Mexico, cheery La Gloria serves up a varied menu. A good start is the molcajetes--a super-hot bowl of melted Mexican cheeses with salsa mixed in that is prepared dramatically at the table, then diners spoon it into tortillas. Two of those plus one sope and I was good to go. Panuchos topped with a sort of salad are also very good. Tacos are small and come three to an order. Quesadillas, tostadas, tortas, and ceviches are also available. Drinks include aguas fresca, beer, and margaritas in many varieties.
More places in The Pearl:
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
Hotel Emma
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| twins and older sister eat ice cream at Lick in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| child and mother study menu at La Gloria in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
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| sope and margarita at La Gloria in the Pearl in San Antonio, Texas |
More places in The Pearl:
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
Hotel Emma
More things to do in San Antonio.
More ideas for exploring the U.S.
images and video ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Oh dear. I should not have read this when I was hungry. Your food photos are of "you are there" quality which is making me wish I could just reach out and help myself to a bowl of ramen. (It's a cold night here in Philly). San Antonio is on my bucket list---along with Antarctica. I'm thinking I have a better chance of making it to San Antonio.
ReplyDeleteYou'll love San Antonio. And don't forget it has UNESCO sites, too!
DeleteLove the new look! And I always want to go to Culinary Institute of America places after I discovered it in New York. This area sounds great especially with the Saturday and Sunday markets!
ReplyDeleteI think CIA's are only in NY, SA, and Napa in California.
DeleteOh these look like seriously Good Eats. I really enjoyed reading about The Pearl, San Antonio, Texas, and molcajetes are something I'd love to try. What's not to love about "a super-hot bowl of melted Mexican cheeses with salsa mixed in that is prepared dramatically at the table, then diners spoon it into tortillas," oh Yum - says she who is on a bit of a diet at the moment!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to only order molcajetes if you are with some other people to help you eat it!
DeleteOkay, I could just day 'ditto to Carol and Suzanne's comments above but must add that my mouth is watering and your new look is fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that you noticed my blog template has been updated! It was a lot of work.
DeleteThis article is super timely for us. We are intending to visit San Antonio in 2019, and we will have to check out Pearl for a delicious meal.
ReplyDeleteWhen in doubt, head to the Pearl.
DeleteI usually think of Mexican food when I think of San Antonio but that ramen from Tenko Ramen looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIndeed!
DeleteThere are so many reasons to visit San Antonio but if I could do a trip solely dedicated to the city's food scene, I would be happy! My mouth if watering just thinking about it all, especially the ice cream from Lick!
ReplyDeleteThe food scene is definitely impressive.
DeleteThe Pearl sounds like a wonderful place to spend a day. I especially like all the food choices. I'd probably spend all day sampling from shop to shop. Looks like a great place to bring the kids along as well.
ReplyDelete