Restaurants at The Pearl: Where South Texas food meets the world

The Pearl is an exciting development in San Antonio. With over two dozen restaurants and bars, there is going to be something for every palate.  

The Historic Pearl Instagram page

From quick service to white linen, ramen, to ribeye steak grilled over an open fire, your cravings will surely be satisfied. The chefs at the Pearl are always looking for inspiration from other cultures and their own backyard of South Texas cuisine--creating menus that never get dull or boring.

All of the eateries at Pearl offer a snapshot of a changing city. This diverse cuisine celebrates the many ingredients and styles worldwide and South Texas' iconic food. As people come in to visit, they can expect these restaurants to provide some incredible food that tells stories about far-off places or our very own city.

Here we highlight just a few fantastic eateries within a short two-minute walk of one another.

Be sure to put a bib on; your mouth is about to start watering.

Best Quality Daughter

The founding chefs have been working side-by-side for many years now. Chefs Quealy Watson and Jennifer Dobbertin have brought several groundbreaking concepts to San Antonio, to raving success. 

And suffice to say, they've done it again with Best Quality Daughter.

A brand new, Asian-American fusion restaurant, Best Quality Daughter (BQD), was inspired by her travels and also from the food of her growing up. A warm, fun, even quirky environment, BQD serves up culinary awesomeness to locals and visitors alike.

With dishes such as gai lan with oyster sauce and salt-and-pepper shrimp and creative mashups such as rice chips with Thai curry baba ghanoush and dan dan noodles in Thai curry, you'll raise both eyebrows and expectations. 

Worth trying: Taipei Personality cocktail, honey fried peanuts, sizzlin' rice chips, gailan with oyster sauce, Panang curry dan dan noodles, salt-and-pepper shrimp, lychee sherbet sandwich for dessert.

Best Quality Daughter Instagram page

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

One of the newest additions to The Pearl, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, brings a French flair to San Antonio.

The brainchild of French food lovers Chef Laurent Réa, Philippe Placé, and Jérôme Sérot—these fellas have been friends for over 20 years and met right here in south Texas.

Many of the dishes and meals are reminders of their homeland of France and have a direct influence from their grandmother's cooking. 

Worth trying: Gratinee Lyonnaise, a Lyon-style onion soup with Emmental cheese and Cognac; Confit de Canard Au Poivre Vert. Also, the Crisp Duck Confit in a green peppercorn sauce. Top it off with Tarte Citron. A lemon tart with chantilly cream and fresh raspberry.

Courtesy of Brasserie Mon Chou Chou Instagram

Mi Roti

The brainchild of Chef Nicola Blaque and Chef Lionel "Butch" Blache, Mi Roti brings a Caribbean and West Indies flair to The Pearl restaurant scene.

"When I was thinking about Mi Roti and what it would be like, I wanted to keep it simple," says Blaque, "I said, 'Let me infuse fresh flavors, but stay simple, and I was able to achieve that."

After a 10-year stint in the US Army, Chef Blaque attended and graduated from the CIA, Culinary Institute of America, and did just that.

Roti is a flatbread popular in Caribbean cuisine. At Mi Roti, they use it as a wrap, and you choose your "fillers." You can select between a wrap or a bowl and pair with protein, rice, toppings, sauces, and aside.

Mi Roti Instagram page

Bakery Lorraine

Pastry Chefs and co-founders Anne Ng and Jeremy Mandrell met in 2008 while baking together. After moving to San Antonio and partnering with entrepreneur Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine became a reality.

Every single thing on their menu is hand-selected with the utmost of care and micro attention to detail. From the flour to the eggs and even the butter is specifically selected for their baked delights.

Nationally recognized, Bakery Lorraine now has multiple locations in San Antonio and Austin, Texas. 

Worth trying: the classic Quiche Lorraine, with bacon, gruyere, caramelized onions. Add in my personal favorite, the Almond Croissant.

Bakery Lorraine Instagram page

The final bite

The Pearl is a hot destination in San Antonio, with over two dozen restaurants and bars. With something for everyone, there are top-notch chefs, different styles of food to choose from, all types of cuisines--you really can't go wrong here.

Come enjoy the fresh air at this unique urban oasis. What type of cuisine intrigues you? Share your thoughts below.

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