Some of the simplest fare is often the most delicious. San Antonio, Texas is home to fresh foods and local produce provided by many small farms around the city. What’s better than fresh veggies and a savory pizza? Fresh veggies, fantastic pizza and a glass of your favorite wine, that’s what. Choosing fresh foods at local farmer’s markets will also allow you to create your own epicurean salads. However, one of the tastiest selections you have in San Antonio is a wide variety of pizza. Next, a great wine. Let’s go grab them! The first stop is for pizza.
Photo courtesy of Pearl Farmer's Market, Flickr Photo, Dough The first surprise is in the pizza category. San Antonio's Dough is one of only 54 elite restaurants in the U.S. to receive certification from L'Associazone Vera Pizza Napoletana for its very authentic Pizza Napoletana. Visualize savory pizzas with garden-fresh ingredients and an appetizer known as a burrata. Burratas are a delectable mozzarella with combined with various other cheeses. These come topped with sauce, mushrooms and other tasty ingredients.
Another notable pizza eatery is Franco's Italian Restaurant and Lounge. This is the place to enjoy authentic, hand-tossed pizza. Owner, Franco Prifitera is originally from Sicily, Italy. His pizza is cooked on a stone in a 650 degree oven. Franco's also serves original family recipes.
A great culinary experience can also come in the form of browsing the local farmers' markets. You can find their colorful displays in parking lots around the city, and they'll be showcasing some of the most gorgeous vegetables you've ever seen. Perhaps the most popular is Pearl Farmer's Market. Located along the banks of the San Antonio River, it is considered a cultural and culinary destination. This market is host only to producers within a 150 mile radius of San Antonio. Pearl's offerings include locally-grown produce, farm fresh eggs, grass-fed bison, lamb, goat, beef and heritage pork. Shoppers can even pick up baked goods, fresh tamales, herbs, cut flowers and handmade organic soaps. This colorful market is located in a historic section of San Antonio. If you are visiting San Antonio but it is not possible to cook or prepare your own foods, remember that many of the vendors will ship orders to your home and take orders by telephone. So if you see something that you like, grab a business card or a telephone number.
If farmer's markets are your passion, there are several others around the city and a quick search on the Internet will bring up some great ideas. Additionally, when you travel northwest into the Texas Hill Country you have access to orchards and strawberry fields. The owners of these farms allow guests to pick their own for a fee.
Cucumbers and Peppers at Pearl Farmer's Market — Photo courtesy of Grueneman
You may want some wine on hand to go with your meal. If so, you'll want to visit one of the many wineries located just northwest of San Antonio on the Texas Wine Trail: an easy day trip. You can make a list or reserve a wine tour that will take you from one winery to the next in the hills around Fredericksburg, Texas. I recommend considering Grape Creek Vineyards as one of your stops. This winery is located just outside of Fredericksburg and resembles a Tuscan villa. In fact, one of their slogans is Tuscany in Texas. Grape Creek wines have earned over 100 medals in the last two years.
Whether you want to grab pizza for a casual night in or go out to eat, you'll find food that pleases in San Antonio. If you'd like to roam from farmers market to market, you'll appreciate the colorful produce and organic food choices available. You won't go thirsty either. If you are looking for a romantic day trip, plan a tour of the Texas Wine Trail, it's right outside the city! Most of all just enjoy!
