The Pearl San Antonio is a wonderful neighborhood in San Antonio Texas.
A huge smoke stack lets you know you have arrived in the San Antonio neighborhood know as The Pearl
The Pearl
While we were in San Antonio we were staying at the Braunig Lake RV Resort. It was an awesome location with the sites surrounding a large, well stocked “catch and release” lake. Braunig Lake was smaller than the park in Houston, but not by much. It was a great location that offered easy access to everywhere we wanted to explore.
Southerleigh Brewery is where we had a fantastic al fresco lunch
A very large smoke stack let’s you know you have arrived at Southerleigh Brewery
For years I have been reading about The Pearl neighborhood. So I knew that one of our first days spent in San Antonio with include a visit there. The weather was absolutely perfect for al fresco dining so we headed there for lunch.
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery
Southerleigh Brewery at The Emma Hotel in The Pearl in San Antonio
Another view of this historic building in The Pearl in San Antonio
There were many restaurants that surrounded a centrally located park in Pearl. But sadly, due to Covid, they were either closed or only offering take-out. We were beginning to think we have to settle for a boxed lunch. When we suddenly came upon Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery. It was a huge restaurant in an historic building that housed the original brewery. In addition to a vast dining room with soaring ceilings there were several patio areas for seating. Our table outside was in the perfect setting with a view of lush landscaping and the buzz of people strolling through the park.
Background
In lieu of typing a lengthy history I am letting these photos do the talking for me. These were actually murals on the walls of the corridor that connects the brewery and the Hotel Emma.
The original building
A drawing of the expansion
Yet another expansion to allow for more draft horses
1910
1914
Barrels depict increased production at the brewery
1933 Delivery wagons
The gem of fine beer!
Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery is helmed by San Antonio Chef Jeff Balfour. The menu brings a modern take on Texas’ cross-cultural cuisine to Pearl. You can certainly taste the Influences of the coastal classics that Chef Balfour grew up with in his hometown of Galveston. These classics are married with the comfort of southern cuisine in a well curated, seasonally shifting menu that reflects his innovative craftsmanship. Southerleigh houses a custom manufactured brewery designed by Portland Kettle Works, and brings brewing back to Pearl offering 15 different beers on tap. Southerleigh is located on the ground floor in the historic Pearl brewhouse which is connected to the Hotel Emma.
Lush landscaping with gorgeous bougainvillea in bloom created a lovely view for lunch
Another of our stunning views from our patio table for lunch at Southerleigh Brewery
The rustic dining room at Southerleigh Brewery in The Pearl in San Antonio
The bar and service area of Southerleigh Brewery
The lobby of the Hotel Emma in The Pearl in San Antonio
Menu
Lush landscaping with gorgeous bougainvillea in bloom created a lovely view for lunch
Another of our stunning views from our patio table for lunch at Southerleigh Brewery
Our server was quite gregarious and spoke so enthusiastically about the menu that I had a hard time deciding between their Dinner Burger and their Lobster Roll. Finally the burger won out, so we ordered two burgers. But then there was an uh oh. Believe it or not there was only one burger left! Which led to ordering one burger and one lobster roll. Luckily we could easily cut each sandwich in half and share both. We were very happy Locavores!
Our lunch
Steve and I shared a Lobster Roll and a Burger both with fabulous fries at Southerly Brewery
A closer look at that yummy deliciousness
Southerleigh’s Dinner Burger consisted of two 8-ounce patties, bacon jam, ooey gooey melted cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato on a housemade bun slathered with mayo. The Lobster Roll was also on a housemade roll that was over stuffed with large chunks of fresh lobster that were lightly dressed in mayo and topped with pickles. Both of us had their truly fabulous seasoned French Fries. It was a really delicious lunch.
San Antonio River
The prestigious cooking school Culinary Institute of America’s Texas outpost
The main entrance to the Hotel Emma
We were so full from our lunch that we needed to walk for a bit. And The Pearl San Antonio was a great place to take a walk. We discovered that practically next door to Southerleigh Fine Food and Brewery was the Texas outpost of the Culinary Institute of America. CIA is a very prestigious school. In fact the very first chefs that we hired for our catering business were graduates of CIA in Hyde Park, New York. They were very well trained in absolutely all aspects of food service.
San Antonio Riverwalk
The San Antonio River
My handsome hubby standing along the banks of the San Antonio River
Walking a bit further we came upon the San Antonio River and strolled as far as we could and enjoyed the beauty of the landscaping and small waterfall. But there was much more of the river to see. We headed to the Shops at River Center to take a narrated boat ride along the length of the Riverwalk. But I’ll tell you all about that in my next post.
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