His much-missed fine dining restaurant, Gwendolyn, famously operated without electric machines. Il Forno Michael Sohocki is known as one of San Antonio’s most statement-making chefs. For everyone else, it delivers on the promise of its name with a beautiful outdoor setting and simple sandwiches, salads, and egg dishes served with dozens of variations. For those on a fixed income, it gives a pay-what-you-can model. For those in recovery, it provides a stable workplace free from the pressures of the often toxic restaurant world. Comfort Café Community is at the forefront of this Los Patios café. The menu is ingredient-driven, sure, but Clementine serves it with the unfussiness of a sidewalk café. Cavatelli is topped with broccoli top pesto, fried quail is dipped into the charred eggplant skin mayo, and crème brûlée awakens with coffee meringue. This Castle Hill jewel adds a little zest. Clementine Most neighborhood favorites eschew innovation for comfort, filling the menu with standbys like burgers or simple steaks. ![]() Only Loretta serves immaculate steak frites until 1 am. Yes, dozens of San Antonio bars host post-work parties. The light dims as the conversation hits full roar. Service industry types stream in from nearby bars and restaurants. As the night draws on, however, the spot grows more familiar. Indeed, more than a few locals have celebrated milestones with a smokey Birthday Manhattan. Bar Loretta On paper, this Southtown haunt seems suited for special occasions. We’re willing to bet that your shoulders will drop, your back will relax, and you’ll settle in for the long haul. Or chase the Sunday Scaries away with the “keep it coming” Bloody Mary bar. Flop into one of the booths at this Monte Vista eatery and order a canned Lambrusco and a carbonara pie. Barbaro Though a neighborhood restaurant can be hard to define, it absolutely must pass the slump test. The dining room crowds guests in to form friendships over a perfect omelet. The dishes call back to Alamo City restaurants of yore and the largesse of everyday indulgence. ![]() ![]() A personal project for chef-owner Chris Cullum, it also speaks to a shared local experience. Attaboy It’s often said that San Antonio is the smallest big city in America. It takes magic to provide a home away from home. But before we reveal the winner at our highly anticipated event at the Briscoe Museum on May 18, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the nominated restaurants. That’s we annually honor the Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year as part of the prestigious CultureMap Tastemaker Awards. In a frantic fast-food world, they have the patience to create memories. Within their walls, romantic entanglements are formed, promotions are announced, and heartbreaks are drowned at the bottom of a cocktail. Neighborhood restaurants are not merely places to eat they become essential parts of their patron’s personal stories.
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