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Monthly Archives: October 2013

Pho Ha Long (Far West Side, San Antonio, TX)

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Pho Chin Nam. Beef brisket. Beef Flank.

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Cha Gio Vietnam (Vietnamese egg roll). 

Good, authentic asian food is a rare find in San Antonio...I’ve tried quite a few places and all of them left me unsatisfied, but I really enjoyed Pho Ha Long. It’s not my mama’s cookin’, but it really comes close on this Sunday morning. My family use to get pho every Sunday morning so ever since I’ve been living on my own, whenever I miss home, I hope to find a place like Pho Ha Long. They have excellent service and authentic Vietnamese pho. Another favorite is the Cha Gio Vietnam. It’s crispy, crunchy and filled with deliciousness on the inside. The bubble tea is great as well!

Pho Ha Long on Urbanspoon

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana (Castle Hills, San Antonio, TX)

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Pizza…It’s more than just a piece of bread and a few ingredients. If done right, the dough, is an oh-so-heavenly pillow painted with the heavenliest of tomatoes. And on this heavenly concoction lies only the best hand-rolled mozzarella…that can be found at Dough Pizzeria Napoletana. Dough Pizzeria bakes their delicious, fluffy pizzas in an authentic oven straight from Naples, Italy…

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Truffle & Mascarpone Burrata – As Seen on the Food Network. House pulled truffle Burrata. Colorburst Farms tomatoes. Rosemary Balsamic Reduction. Flatbread.

This delicious handrolled Burrata is probably the culprit behind my sudden mozzarella binge. The combo of truffle and mascarpone was perfect! It left me wanting much more!

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Bread. Oven-baked. Perfect chewy and soft bread texture, just like the pizza dough itself.

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House Smoked Salmon Spinach & Pancetta. Baby Spinach. Vital Farms pasture raised organic hard boiled egg. Gorgonzola. Crisp apple. Toasted Walnuts. Warm Pancetta Vinaigrette.

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Pork Love. Sopressata Salami. Sausage. Pancetta. Speck. House Pulled Mozzarella. Tomato Sauce.

Other Delicious Pizza: Arugula & Prosciutto. 

I’ve never been to Naples, so I can’t guarantee the authenticity of the dishes, however, my palate tells me that this has to be one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had… San Antonio is filled with pizza joints, but this one provides a romantic, yet homey atmosphere and more importantly, a delicious meal awaiting…

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana on Urbanspoon

Francesca’s at Sunset (San Antonio, TX)

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I haven’t lived in San Antonio for very long, but I feel I’ve discovered one of the most scenic areas in the city…La Cantera. In particular, The Westin La Cantera Resort is beautiful. It’s a nice getaway…the pools are refreshing, down the street are The Shops at La Cantera, beautiful views, and for you golfers, the course is beautiful! Francesca’s is one of the fine dining restaurants located in the resort and it’s designed with a 360 view of the hills so when the time is right, you’d be watching the Sunset hence, Francesca’s at Sunset.

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Jalapeno cornbread and biscuit. 

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Butter. Olive Oil. Salt.

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Koch Ranch Ancho Goat Albondigas. Coconut Curry Corn Sauce. Grilled Flatbread.

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Plum and Miso Marinated Quail Breast. Plum and Miso Emulsion. Wilted Greens.

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Rio Grande Valley Citrus Seared Scallops. Spinach Carrot Puree. Grilled Scallions. Navel Orange Supremes.

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Forelle Pear Salad. Texas Wine Poached Pear. Maytag Blue Cheese. Texas Pecan Crumbs. Prosciutto Crisps. Pear-Balsamic Vinegar.

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Smoked and Grilled Duck Breast. Roasted Red Bell Pepper Aioli. Sauteed Cabbage. Peppered Bacon.

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German Chocolate Cheesecake. Pastry Tuile

A great meal! Very well-seasoned and thought out dishes….My favorite dishes that we ordered were the Scallops and the Pear Salad. Scallops were perfectly cooked and the Maytag Blue Cheese in the salad was the best blue cheese I’ve ever eaten. It paired so well with the pear… haha no pun intended. The entree I could have gone without was the duck..it was slightly overcooked, although the flavors were great.

As if national recognition (AAA Four Diamond Award) wasn’t enough, they support the locals…all the more to try out this great restaurant. Whether you’re on vacation or even a local, an experience is awaiting you here…

Francesca's at Sunset on Urbanspoon

Luke (Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX)

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I recently relocated to San Antonio…a short term career move, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying food!  I was really missing home and “the Chef” surprised me this past weekend…There are quite a few great restaurants here ranging from great pizza joints (like Dough and Fralo’s), delicious BBQ, and Mexican food, but nothing here resembling NOLA cuisine. Luke was the next best thing…home away from home. New Orleans cuisine isn’t just comprised of gool ol’ Cajun seafood, gumbo, jambalaya, and poboys. There’s quite a bit of French influence as well…one of my favorite cuisines! Although Luke on the Riverwalk had a little of it’s own San Antonio twist, the food and feel brought me back into the CBD (City Business District) of New Orleans…

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Grilled Watermelon. Dried Cherry Compote. 14-month Tejano Ham. Arugula, Fried Goat Cheese. 

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Cup of Gumbo.

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Crispy Slow Cooked Pork. Green Beans. Toasted Almonds. Poached Egg. Spicy Butter Dressing. 

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Baked Texas Coast Oysters on the Half Shell, Shrimp, and Crab Gratin. 

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Hanger Steak. Steak-Frites. Garlic and Herb Butter.  I know, it looks like a teaser, but I actually split this dish with the boyfriend so there’s more than appears on this plate!

*NOTE: not pictured are the raw oysters (which were inhaled immediately)… large, fresh, and delicious!

The food was delicious! Although we ordered a feast of food, everything was refreshing and very flavorful. The only downside is the cost  $$$-$$$$. It’s an experience, regardless! Luke is one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans so I had very high expectations for this location. San Antonio is a beautiful city…very scenic hills, beautiful riverwalk and luckily for me, John Besh brought this delicious gem to the city! 

Lüke on Urbanspoon