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Recently closed Bistro Thyme has reopened as Bistro Thyme II, apparently jettisoning nearly all aspects of the previous restaurant (including the chef-owner) save the somewhat odd name. The new menu features several Prime steaks, lunch now offers sandwiches and entrées under $10, and a private dining room has been carved out of the space. Lunch Tues.-Sat., Dinner Tues.-Sun, Brunch Sun. Bistro Thyme II, 1321 N. Loop 1604 E., San Antonio, TX 78247, 210-495-0244.
A November opening is expected for Freetail Brewing Co. in the Hill Country Plaza shopping center at NW Military Hwy. and N. Loop 1604 W. The craft brewery, named for a species of bat important in South Texas, will offer numerous beers along with pizzas from a wood-fired oven in a "laid-back and fun-loving" atmosphere. Freetail Brewing Co., 4035 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 105, San Antonio, TX 78257, no phone available yet.
Gianni's Italian Cuisine has moved from a previous location to new digs on Loop 1604 at Bitters Rd. The restaurant, open for lunch Tuesday through Friday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, has also upgraded its previous menu to include chicken Gianni, filet mignon and daily specials. Gianni's Italian Cuisine, 2602 N. Loop 1604 W., San Antonio, TX 78257, 210-223-9240.
You'd think Italy was the only country with a cuisine given the pace of Italian restaurant openings in the city. One of the latest is Tresca, brainchild of Dan Ward, managing partner of Piatti in the Quarry and part owner of Luca Ristorante Enoteca in The Fairmount hotel downtown. (Luca's chef is helming this kitchen as well.) Located in the fast-growing Sonterra-Stone Oak area, the restaurant offers outdoor dining in an Italian-styled "piazza" setting, a pair of private dining rooms and a lounge, all in addition to the main dining room. Menu items include cioppino, grilled swordfish with a kalamata tapenade, porcini-dusted beef with a Chianti-fig reduction, gnocchi with lamb ragù and various pastas and pizzas. Lunch & Dinner daily. Tresca, 700 E. Sonterra Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78258, 210-545-0077.
Adding to the influx of new Italian restaurants in San Antonio is Bianco Pasta Vino, recently recouping the space formerly occupied by Salis Italian. The menu suggests that the place will appeal to partisans of classic Italian-American, consisting as it does of standards such as chicken Marsala, veal piccata and pizza. We don't yet know about the nature of the wine list. Bianco Pasta Vino, 7155 Blanco Rd., San Antonio, TX 78213, 210-524-2416.
Art Tours & Dinner with Brian West
Chef Brian West, the ever-inventive honcho of Café Paladar, has added yet another arrow to his culinary quiver in the form of Savoring Art and Dinner Tours. Tours of local galleries and studios will be followed by dinner at the café, all for a cost of $80 per person. Chef West has also been offering cooking classes, one of the most recent being a Thanksgiving Dinner extravaganza. Call the restaurant for the exact dates of upcoming events. Café Paladar, 18322 Sonterra Pl., San Antonio, TX 78258, 210-798-7200.
29 Brix Offers Early-bird Menu
29 Brix in The Village at Stone Oak, sibling of 20nine Restaurant & Wine Bar in the Quarry, has been revamping its menu of late. Among the new offerings is a three-course, early-bird dinner special available from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The cost is $25, and entrées include pan-seared Atlantic salmon, roasted chicken breast and pork tenderloin. 29 Brix, 22506 U.S. Hwy. 281 N., Ste. 106, San Antonio, TX 78258, 210-496-2749.
Podna's Chef Riddle to Open Burger Restaurant
Troubled economic times may suggest a swing to burger basics, and chef Robert Riddle of Podna's Catfish & Po' Boys has anticipated the move with the announcement that he will be opening Big Bob's Burgers in the space vacated (for some time now) by John the Greek Restaurant. (John the Greek is still open at Hwy. 281 at Thousand Oaks Drive.) Yes, burgers; yes, house-made onion rings; yes, freshly cut fries; and double-yes to very cold beer (assuming it's beer such as Abita in honor of the Cajun roots of his current place). More news will follow with the actual opening. Podna's Catfish & Po' Boys, 1264 Austin Hwy., San Antonio, TX 78209, 210-828-8333.
Pam's Patio Café Extends Hours
Pam's Patio Café is moving beyond its mostly-lunch approach to extended hours that now see it open for both lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Wine dinners have also become a periodic feature. Pam's Patio Café, 11826 Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX 78230, 210-492-1359.
Chef Jonathan Parker, formerly of Pesca on the River and, most recently, the format-changing Merchants Grand Café, has made the move to Ounce Prime Steakhouse, a Dallas-based operation that has itself just put the moves on San Antonio. Ounce's menu is built upon Prime, Angus and Akaushi beef, and features the expected cuts, along with steak Diane and Châteaubriand. Alaskan king crab legs are among the appetizer possibilities. Ounce Prime Steakhouse, 1401 NW Loop 410, Ste. 105, San Antonio, TX 78213, 210-493-6200.
Check back soon for more news.
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