Mare e Monte Italian Restaurant
9390 Huebner Road
(210) 267-1233
mareemonte.com
The wait times are long here for a reason — Mare e Monte is an outstanding demonstration of unreasonable hospitality. Centered on hearty Italian cuisine with Albanian influences (a nod to owner Prince Blakajʼs roots), Mare e Monte hearkens back to an era where Instagram didnʼt rule restaurants — the menu did. The team at Mare e Monte greets each guest with the words “Welcome home,ˮ and it feels truly appropriate given the level of service they provide. For a memorable date, try the sole oreganata or the pollo Bronx parmigiana with a bottle of red from the extensive list.
9390 Huebner Road
(210) 267-1233
mareemonte.com
The wait times are long here for a reason — Mare e Monte is an outstanding demonstration of unreasonable hospitality. Centered on hearty Italian cuisine with Albanian influences (a nod to owner Prince Blakajʼs roots), Mare e Monte hearkens back to an era where Instagram didnʼt rule restaurants — the menu did. The team at Mare e Monte greets each guest with the words “Welcome home,ˮ and it feels truly appropriate given the level of service they provide. For a memorable date, try the sole oreganata or the pollo Bronx parmigiana with a bottle of red from the extensive list.
Wok Wey
1009 Avenue B
wokweysanantonio.toast.site
Chef Jaime Gonzalez proved that culinary masterminds donʼt necessarily need a brick-and-mortar to thrive. Taking the plunge and leaving the now-shuttered Carriqui to start his own food truck paid off. Wok Weyʼs brilliant blend of Chinese cuisine with Mexican elements is fusion food at its finest. Order the taco chinos, spring rolls and spicy garlic chicken. Wok Wey is parked at El Camino, while Gonzalez also serves up a smaller menu from the concept at sister bars Paradise Unknown and Be Kind & Rewind.
1009 Avenue B
wokweysanantonio.toast.site
Chef Jaime Gonzalez proved that culinary masterminds donʼt necessarily need a brick-and-mortar to thrive. Taking the plunge and leaving the now-shuttered Carriqui to start his own food truck paid off. Wok Weyʼs brilliant blend of Chinese cuisine with Mexican elements is fusion food at its finest. Order the taco chinos, spring rolls and spicy garlic chicken. Wok Wey is parked at El Camino, while Gonzalez also serves up a smaller menu from the concept at sister bars Paradise Unknown and Be Kind & Rewind.
Maxʼs Sister
10003 NW Military Highway, Suite 2115
(210) 383-8416
instagram.com/maxssistersa
Chef Andrew Weissmanʼs return to fine dining with last yearʼs opening of Maxʼs Sister is cause for celebration. As the mind behind Le Reve, Il Sogno and the Sandbar, Weissman repeatedly raised the culinary bar in San Antonio. Maxʼs Sister capably keeps up the maestroʼs tradition of pairing impeccable technique with impeccable service. While Maxʼs Sister isnʼt quite as ambitious as Le Reve — which many extolled as the finest French restaurant in Texas during its run — itʼs been a delight to see Weissman back and performing at the highest level.
10003 NW Military Highway, Suite 2115
(210) 383-8416
instagram.com/maxssistersa
Chef Andrew Weissmanʼs return to fine dining with last yearʼs opening of Maxʼs Sister is cause for celebration. As the mind behind Le Reve, Il Sogno and the Sandbar, Weissman repeatedly raised the culinary bar in San Antonio. Maxʼs Sister capably keeps up the maestroʼs tradition of pairing impeccable technique with impeccable service. While Maxʼs Sister isnʼt quite as ambitious as Le Reve — which many extolled as the finest French restaurant in Texas during its run — itʼs been a delight to see Weissman back and performing at the highest level.
Guajilloʼs
1001 NW Loop 410
(210) 344-4119
guajillos.com
Exemplary table salsa has an addictive quality. Your stomach is tempted to write checks that your tongue (and other body parts) may regret having to cash. Thatʼs certainly the case at long-running interior Mexican dining spot Guajilloʼs, which cranks up the heat with its orange-hued salsa brimming with habanero heat. The peppers deliver a fruity bouquet thatʼs balanced with just enough savory garlic for a combination thatʼs hard to resist — even when pain and pleasure mingle.
1001 NW Loop 410
(210) 344-4119
guajillos.com
Exemplary table salsa has an addictive quality. Your stomach is tempted to write checks that your tongue (and other body parts) may regret having to cash. Thatʼs certainly the case at long-running interior Mexican dining spot Guajilloʼs, which cranks up the heat with its orange-hued salsa brimming with habanero heat. The peppers deliver a fruity bouquet thatʼs balanced with just enough savory garlic for a combination thatʼs hard to resist — even when pain and pleasure mingle.
Aguazul
2831 NW Loop 410
(210) 809-4466
aguazul.app
Led by James Beard Award-nominated chef Enrique Lozano, Aguazul made a splash with its comprehensive menu dedicated to authentic coastal Mexican cuisine. A relative newcomer to San Antonioʼs restaurant scene, the eatery's large and ambitious menu includes shrimp and scallop aguachiles, ceviches (try the sampler), handcrafted sushi rolls, fried fish, oysters, seafood platters and plenty more.
2831 NW Loop 410
(210) 809-4466
aguazul.app
Led by James Beard Award-nominated chef Enrique Lozano, Aguazul made a splash with its comprehensive menu dedicated to authentic coastal Mexican cuisine. A relative newcomer to San Antonioʼs restaurant scene, the eatery's large and ambitious menu includes shrimp and scallop aguachiles, ceviches (try the sampler), handcrafted sushi rolls, fried fish, oysters, seafood platters and plenty more.
Isidore
221 Newell Ave.
(210) 756-7359
isidoresatx.com
Michelin-starred Isidore, one of the concepts inside the Pearlʼs Pullman Market, sets the bar for superior steak. Butter isnʼt even necessary for Isidoreʼs fall-off-the- bone, dry-aged wagyu ribeye or porterhouse cuts. With meat sourced from Texas farms and superior culinary craftsmanship, Isidore continues to demonstrate why it serves up the best steaks in San Antonio right now.
221 Newell Ave.
(210) 756-7359
isidoresatx.com
Michelin-starred Isidore, one of the concepts inside the Pearlʼs Pullman Market, sets the bar for superior steak. Butter isnʼt even necessary for Isidoreʼs fall-off-the- bone, dry-aged wagyu ribeye or porterhouse cuts. With meat sourced from Texas farms and superior culinary craftsmanship, Isidore continues to demonstrate why it serves up the best steaks in San Antonio right now.