8 minute read
Sip & Savor
Tropical onders By Kimberly A. Suta
IN THE ALAMO CITY
It is undeniable that summer is here in full force, and the only way to beat the heat is with some tropical refreshments. Here is what we have got! One of the best aspects of our San Antonio River Walk is you can pop down
there for a quick afternoon or evening of revelry and it feels like you have been whisked away to a tropical locale. With the swaying palm trees and exotic drinks, I feel like I have had a mini vacay.
To that end, I like to swing by The Frosty Dog, which is located right outside the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk and grab one of their refreshing frozen drinks to-go—my all-time favorite being the pina colada.
With the new TABC laws, visitors can now roam the River Walk freely, enjoying their alcoholic beverages. Previously, visitors were only allowed to carry wine and beer-based beverages. Still, The Frosty Dog is one of the only locations that uses liquor in their frozen drinks, including margaritas, daiquiris and pina coladas.
They also offer souvenir yards, from 18 oz. to 46 oz., with drinks on the rocks. One of the most popular options is the hurricane with a 151 floater. After a few rounds of these, just make sure to order an Uber.
LandShark
Mi Roti, photo by Lucero Trevino
Hugman's Oasis
The Frosty Dog
HUGMAN’S OASIS
Also located on the River Walk along E. Commerce Street is a new bar called Hugman’s Oasis, a tiki bar serving exotic craft cocktails designed by one of San Antonio’s premier mixologists, Benjamin Krick, along with Rob Barter and team. Hugman’s Oasis promises to “transport guests on a South Pacific getaway” with their world-class tropical drinks and lu’aus.
Signature cocktails include tasty options such as the Palapala Kono, made with grilled pineapple rum, scotch, maraschino, al pastor, pineapple and lime and Hugman’s Private Stock, made with rum blend #2, spiced cocoa, palm sugar and tiki bitters. The list goes on!
LANDSHARK
Next up, we have LandShark® Bar & Grill, which offers a tropical experience and scenic views of the famous River Walk from their remote patio. This fun, casual joint is inspired by the amazing beach hot spots that once dotted the Atlantic coast.
Not only can you enjoy tropical drinks such as the 5 o’Clock Somewhere®— made with Margaritaville® silver rum and paradise passion fruit tequila, Cruzan hurricane proof rum, orange and pineapple juices, house sweet and sour and a splash of grenadine served on the rocks, but you can grab a bite to eat, too.
I recommend the blackened fish tacos, made with the “catch of the day” wrapped in flour tortillas and layered with a yummy bacon aioli, shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes. You may not be on the coast, but it will certainly feel like it.
MARGARITAVILLE
You can easily hop over to LandShark’s beloved sister restaurant and bar, Margaritaville®, to keep the party going. Margaritaville ensures they have everything you could possibly need for a good time, and that includes a giant flowing margarita machine, islandinspired flavors, live entertainment on their patio and indoor stage, a covered outdoor 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar, which overlooks the San Antonio River and, to top it off, an elevated indoor tiki bar.
Make sure to try out their Who’s to Blame Margarita, served in a Margaritaville blender cup. Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame, but after a few of these drinks, no one will care. If you are feeling peckish, or to be honest, on the verge of hangry, order the Volcano Nachos. This hearty mountain of tortilla chips is smothered with beef, black bean chili, shredded fiesta cheese, creamy queso, pico de gallo, sour cream, pickled jalapenos and fresh guacamole. Like I said, bring your appetite!
MI ROTI
As we shift over the Caribbean, there are a few excellent spots to add to your list. Located at the Historic Pearl’s Food Hall, you will discover Mi Roti, a concept created by one of San Antonio’s most acclaimed chefs, Nicola Blaque along with her husband and partner, Cornelius Massey, also of The Jerk Shack. Chef Nicola was born in Jamaica but moved to the states when she was 5 years old.
Mi Roti just launched a new menu and serves up roti wraps (a Caribbean flat bread similar to large flour tortillas) and bowls packed with different proteins,
veggies, rice and incredible sauces. Chef Nicola’s favorite new option is the Cuban Picadilla, a sweetspicy mélange of beef, olives, raisins and tomato sauce. You can order the Mambo Combo #1, which also comes with cilantro lime rice, roasted corn, shredded carrots, pickled onions and peppers, green onions, garlic sauce and avocado cream, or you can build your own as you like.
I adore their flavorful Caribbean Pinto Beans, which are slow-cooked in onions, garlic and Caribbean spices for my side or you can request masala fries or plantains. It is a lot to eat for one meal, but if you cut it in half, you will have some late-night leftovers.
The Jerk Shack, which also serves up Caribbeaninspired dishes, just opened up a brick and mortar on the west side of San Antonio and has plans to open up another restaurant in Hemisfair Park next year.
JAMAICA JAMAICA CUISINE
And, finally, you will have to travel outside of the convenient downtown area to sample Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine, but it is most definitely worth the commute. Chef Angello Gordon hails from Jamaica and has created an authentic menu offering JamaicanCaribbean-West Indian fusions. With over a decade under its belt serving San Antonio, you can bet you are in for a tropical treat.
It is a great place to go for dinner, but an even better place for happy hour. Dig into some perfectly spiced Jerk Chicken Wings, Mango Scotch Bonnet Wings or BBQ Jerk Wings or go for the gold with some Stovetop Jerk Chicken made with rice and peas, steamed seasoned cabbage and traditional plantains.
Cool off with one of their signature tropical cocktails— everyone’s favorite Rum Punch, an Island Tini or Liquid Mary Jane. Make sure to check their social media for upcoming events. They know how to throw a party, island-style!
WRITER’S BIO
Kimberly A. Suta of Sutapants Productions is a local and national food writer, award-winning filmmaker and publicist for the culinary industry. She is also the co-creator of Homegrown Chef, a culinary series and catering and events company, featuring our city’s best chefs and delicious eats. Kimberly also hosts River Walk Culinary Adventure Tours, walking food tours that highlight the fantastic offerings along the River Walk for both ticketed events and private groups. Go to homegrowncheftv.com/culinary-tours for details.
Margaritaville Jamaica Jamaica Cuisine
Mi Roti, photo by Lucero Trevino
click on this:
THE FROSTY DOG
www.TheFrostDogSA.com
HUGMAN’S OASIS
www.HugmansOasisSATX.com
JAMAICA JAMAICA CUISINE
www.JamaicaJamaicaCuisine.com
LANDSHARK BAR & GRILL
www.SanAntonio.LandSharkBarAndGrill.com
MARGARITAVILLE
www.MargaritavilleSanAntonio.com
MI ROTI
www.MiRoti210.com
LandShark
LOCATED AT RIVERCENTER MALL 849 EAST COMMERECE STREET • SAN ANTONIO, TX 78205
SAN ANTONIO
$5 off*
ANY $25 RESTAURANT OR RETAIL PURCHASE
*Excludes alcohol and may not be combined with any other coupon or discount. Spend $25 in restaurant or retail and receive $5 off at Margaritaville San Antonio. One per table per visit per transaction. Excludes sale items in retail. Maximum 6 people per party. Offer expires 07/31/2022. TBLEND5OFF
$5 off*
ANY $25 RESTAURANT OR RETAIL PURCHASE
*Excludes alcohol and may not be combined with any other coupon or discount. Spend $25 in restaurant or retail and receive $5 off at LandShark Bar & Grill San Antonio. One per table per visit per transaction. Excludes sale items in retail. Maximum 6 people per party. Offer expires 07/31/2022. TBLEND5OFF
© 2022 DFO, LLC. Printed in the U.S.A. At participating restaurants for a limited time only. Selection and prices may vary. While supplies last.
20% OFF
ENTIRE GUEST CHECK
One coupon, per table, per visit. Not valid on national holidays, with the 2468 BOURBON BACON BURGER Value Menu®, Super Slam™, AARP or any other coupons or promotional offers. This offer can be redeemed only once by the original recipient. Coupon has no cash value. No change returned. Taxes and gratuity not included. Alcoholic beverages not included. Selection and prices may vary. Photocopied and Internet printed or purchased coupons are not valid. No substitutions. Restrictions apply. © 2022 DFO, LLC. Offer ends 8.15.2022.
One coupon, per table, per visit. Not valid on national holidays, with the 2468
Value Menu®, Super Slam™, AARP or any other coupons or promotional offers.
This offer can be redeemed only once by the original recipient. Coupon has no cash value. No change returned. Taxes and gratuity not included. Alcoholic beverages not included. Selection and prices may vary. Photocopied and
Internet printed or purchased coupons are not valid. No substitutions.
Restrictions apply. © 2022 DFO, LLC. Offer ends 8.15.2022.
