A Guide to Living in San Antonio (Feb. 27th - Mar. 5th)
Hey y’all,
Cory here.
San Antonio is in that in-between season, where hints of spring (and summer?) are starting to show.
Trees are budding, patios are filling up, and the city is waking up in more ways than one. Whether you’re looking for a great meal, a community event, or a reason to get outside, this week’s picks have plenty to offer.
This week, I’m sharing a fun debate: How well did my wife do recommending restaurants to a visitor in town? Plus, a free night of ballet, a deep dive into San Pedro Springs, and a spotlight on one of San Antonio’s most exciting pitmasters.
Let’s get into it.
🗺️ Feature of the Week: My {Insert Friend, Family, Relative} is in Town...
How Did My Wife Do?
Earlier this week, a good friend from Boston asked us where their family eat in San Antonio while staying downtown for a work conference. Without hesitation, my wife rattled off this list. How do you think she did?
🌿 Strolling the River Walk
Walk North → Head toward The Pearl, a vibrant district with top-notch dining.
- 🍜 Best Quality Daughter – Inventive Asian-American cuisine (our personal favorite).
- 🥞 Full Goods Diner – A solid brunch choice.
- 🍽️ Pullman Market – A variety of food vendors in one spot.
Walk South → Venture into King William, a historic neighborhood with great food.
- 🌮 Rosario’s – A lively, classic Mexican restaurant.
- 🍷 Maverick – A fantastic date-night spot.
- 🍸 Bar Loretta – A cozy bar with great cocktails.
- 🍞 Liberty Bar – Historic setting, great chile relleno, and legendary bread.
🚗 Worth an Uber Ride
- The Magpie – One of the best meals in town, an underrated gem.
- La Fonda on Main – A San Antonio classic for Tex-Mex and margaritas.
🍸 Classic Downtown Bar
- The Esquire Tavern – A historic bar with a cool speakeasy vibe downstairs.
Would you have added anything? Changed anything? Let me know!
📆 This Week's Picks:
🌿 Southtown Farmers Market
📍 Where: 105 Sadie St, San Antonio
⏰ When: Saturday, March 1 | 10 AM – 2 PM
🎟 Cost: Free
Stock up on fresh produce, sip local coffee, and support small businesses at this lively Southtown market. Grab a cafecito from @calicoffeefeastx, a smash burger from @church.burger, or fresh-pressed juice from @calibearjuices. Shop native plants, handcrafted candles, and organic skincare while enjoying the community vibe.
🩰 Ballet in the Park
📍 Where: Travis Park, 301 E Travis St
⏰ When: Friday, Feb. 28 | 7:00 PM
🎟 Cost: Free
Experience the magic of ballet under the stars at Ballet in the Park! This free outdoor performance features excerpts from Don Quixote and The Nutcracker, set against the San Antonio skyline. Bring a blanket, grab a bite from local food vendors, and enjoy an unforgettable evening of art and community.
🏙️ A Saturday in Southtown
📍 Where: Southtown, San Antonio
⏰ When: Saturday, March 1 | 10 AM – 11 PM
🎟 Cost: $65
Explore Southtown like a local with the Saturday in Southtown Passport, offering freebies and discounts at 16 participating restaurants, bars, and businesses. From craft cocktails to boutique shopping, this is your chance to eat, drink, and experience one of San Antonio’s most vibrant neighborhoods—all while supporting the Friends of the River Walk.
🌭 Wiener Ville Pop-Up at Idle Beer
📍 Where: Idle Beer Hall & Brewery
⏰ When: Saturday, March 1 | 2 PM – Late
🎟 Cost: Free!
Squeeze this one into your weekend plans! Wiener Ville is bringing its signature hot dogs to Idle Beer, serving up creative takes on a classic favorite. Stick around for live music from Los Muñoz Bros (9–11 PM) and a laid-back evening at one of SA’s best beer spots.
🎧 One Watch/Listen: The Future of UTSA on bigcitysmalltown
This week, bigcitysmalltown with Bob Rivard dives into the future of UTSA with President Taylor Eighmy, exploring the university’s merger with UT Health San Antonio, its rise as a Tier One research institution, and what this means for the city’s economy, students, and innovation ecosystem.
WATCH/LISTEN HERE🍖 (Re)Discover: Howdy Child at the Pearl
The San Antonio Report’s Ken Rodriguez recently profiled Matti Bills, the award-winning pitmaster behind Howdy Child at the Pearl Food Hall—and if you haven’t tried her pastrami yet, consider this your sign.
Bills, a Texas Monthly-recognized pitmaster, made a name for herself with “The Classic”—hand-carved pastrami brisket with mustard and Swiss on sourdough. On weekends, she ups the ante with 400 pounds of barbecue brought in from her butcher shop, Three Six General.
Beyond the food, Bills is shaping the future of Texas barbecue, training the next generation of pitmasters while sourcing ingredients from her own urban farm. Someone in our city well worth supporting!
📍 Where: Pearl Food Hall, 312 Pearl Pkwy
⏰ When: Arrive early on weekends for BBQ specials
🌿 Texas Nature Journal: A Hidden Oasis in the Heart of San Antonio
If you’ve never visited San Pedro Springs Park, you’re missing out on one of San Antonio’s most historic and naturally beautiful spots. This isn’t just any park—it’s the second-oldest public park in the United States and the site of the city’s original freshwater springs.
But one of its most overlooked features? The Grotto.
Tucked away in the park’s lush landscape, the grotto is a limestone formation that showcases the park’s natural beauty and historic significance. The springs once provided life-sustaining water for Indigenous peoples, Spanish settlers, and the early San Antonio community. Today, while the springs don’t flow like they once did, the grotto remains a striking geological feature, reminding visitors of the area’s deep connection to water.
Why You Should Visit:
• History Lives Here: San Pedro Springs dates back at least 12,000 years, with Indigenous groups like the Payaya using the springs long before Spanish settlers arrived.
• A Natural Escape: The grotto’s mossy rock formations and the serene pools nearby offer a peaceful retreat from city life.
• Perfect for Photography: With filtered sunlight hitting the limestone and water reflections, the grotto is one of the most photogenic spots in the park.
📍 Location: San Pedro Springs Park, 2200 N. Flores St., San Antonio, TX
⏰ Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon for cooler temps and great lighting.
Next time you’re looking for a quick nature break, take a stroll through San Pedro Springs Park and make sure to stop by the grotto—it’s a quiet, historic gem hidden in plain sight.
If you make it to any of these events or check out one of the recommendations, I’d love to hear how it went! Reply to this email and let me know—was it a great meal, a fun surprise, or something worth featuring again?
And if you’re enjoying the newsletter, share it with a friend who loves exploring San Antonio. A simple forward helps more people connect with the city and discover what makes it special.
Lastly, if you or your business want to support local storytelling and reach engaged San Antonians, let’s connect. Reply to this email or reach out at sponsor@ensembletexas.com to start the conversation.
Until next time,
Cory
