Wine Time in Albuquerque
My wife and I made our first road trip to Albuquerque NM over Labor Day weekend to partake in the annual NM Harvest Wine Festival held at Ballon Festival Park. This event is put on every year by NM Wine over 3 days where 20 NM-based wineries and vineyards come to showcase their grape goodness to the winos of the state and beyond.
Read full storySmall Town, Great Pizza
Christoval Texas, a small town of 1.3 square miles and 226 people (2020) might be small in size and population, has some big pizza flavors coming out of 1982 Pizza Co. Opened in September of 2022, owned by Katy Capron. Katy is also the owner of the San Angelo/Christoval Rootbound Food Co kitchen and retail shop. No stranger to the food scene, Katy brings her business acumen, professionalism, and culinary talents to the quaint little pizza shop on Main Street.
Read full storyNew Shabuya Restaurant Has Potential
Shabuya Japanese AYCE has just opened its doors for its soft opening this week in San Angelo, TX. From 5-9pm, Tuesday through Sunday, they are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations are being taken at this time. This is San Angelos's first ever all-you-can-eat hot-pot, buffet, and sushi restaurant. It is located in the former Blue Tiger Restaurant at 3029 Sherwood Way, right next to The Original Henrys.
Read full storyThe San Angelo Staycation You Need to Take This Summer
San Angelo Texas has a very unique, one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast that all locals of Tom Green County must take this summer. Located within The Chicken Farm Art Center, the aptly named The Inn at The Art Center is where you can get away and escape the usual hustle and bustle of town without going far at all and yet you will feel like you've been transported to someplace very different.
Read full storyThe West Texas Hidden Wine Route
There is a hidden wine route in West Texas mostly unknown to the rest of Texas... until now. Most people think of Fredericksburg and The Hill County or something along the 290 Highway wine trail of Texas when anyone talks about wine in this state. I was one of them myself. But now after almost 3 years as a Texas resident, I have come to find there is another spectacular wine route every Texas wine lover needs to make. In fact, I made it a challenge of sorts for all Texans to try and hit all 5 wine stops (plus 2 epic food stops) from June 1 to August 30th this summer. Manage to hit all 7 and be rewarded for your efforts.
Read full storyAn Anniversary In Fredericksburg Texas
My wife and I just spent our 1-year anniversary in Fredericksburg Texas this past weekend April 28-30 with the 30th being our official anniversary date. Now as many of you know by now, this is not our first-time visit to "Fred." Not by a long shot. This was my 9th visit since moving here 2.5 years ago and our 5th time coming as a couple. We never need an excuse to make the short 2-hour drive from San Angelo to Fred. With its endless wineries and vineyards, dozens and dozens of restaurants, coffee shops, and all kinds of nick-nack and craft shopping along Main Street, it's easy to find good eats, drinks, and fun stuff to do all weekend long.
Read full storyA Czech Republic Escape In Texas?
Just this past weekend my wife Stacy and I ventured to Waco Texas for a short little weekend vacation, kiddo-free. Now I had not been to Waco prior to this, whereas my wife had been many years ago. Our intent was two-fold: to attend the 7th Annual Rootstock Wine Festival and stay at the $10.4M, almost 2-year-old Czech-themed Pivovar Hotel, Restaurant, Brewery, and Spa. Let me give you the summary of our trip and a good reason why you should consider making a trip to Waco this summer yourself for any of the many upcoming festivals and events held here, but also to stay at a hotel unlike any other you have been to before.
Read full storyThree Chefs Take on a Massive Brunch Festival
My wife and I attended our first-ever Forth Worth Food and Wine Festival at the Heart of The Ranch Clearfork grounds on April 1st. There was nothing foolish about this event as it was stacked full of food and drink events from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon with offerings of various culinary specialty themes at each session. Of the eight different events within the 4 days of the FWFWF, We chose the Rise & Dine event held Saturday from 11-2pm. $85 a person for all you can eat and drink (responsibly of course).
Read full storyRemodeled Branch & Bird Fort Worth Is One Place You Cant Miss
I had never been to the downtown Fort Worth located Branch & Bird before this visit so I can't speak on what the venue was like before the recently completed remodel of the entire space. The Frost Tower, 12th-floor sky lobby level patio, and dining space are spectacular. After a short shutdown the past few months, the space is open again and ready to impress anyone who stops to experience the upgrades.
Read full storyFamily Roadtrip to Ruidoso New Mexico
Over MLK weekend my wife Stacy, my 8-year-old son Owen, and I took a 6-hour road trip to Ruidoso, NM for the first time. A city of ~10k people, with a valley elevation of 6,920' and nearly 12,000' at the summit of the Sierra Blanca Mountain. Stacy and I had been to New Mexico before with stops in Roswell, Hobbs, and Santa Fe last summer. Ruidoso however was going to be a family first for us all. I had not even heard of Ruidoso before Stacy mentioned it as a possible destination to go to over MLK weekend. We had been debating where to go for a while and wanted a new place to check out. The more I asked around and told people about the trip plans, the more I learned how popular and familiar local folks were with Ruidoso. I got more and more excited the more I learned from people about this unique little city that many say is a miniature replica of an almost Denver-like city with hiking, skiing, snow-capped mountains, casinos, and lots of outdoor activities. I'd have to agree that it is in fact a bit like that in both feel and look.
Read full storyTasting Food As It Should Be: Meadow Eatery
Meadow Neighborhood Eatery & Bar in San Antonio Texas is a place to go to remember how to really taste food, and experience food, not just eat food and fill up on food. I got exactly that kind of insight on my first visit here 2 weeks ago while attending a work conference not far away on the suggestion of a co-worker who raved about the place as being a hidden gem that shocked him and his wife on how good the food was and how unique the dishes were prepared. I take this guy's word about food at high value as he never steers me wrong. Once again, he directed me to something truly delicious and now I hope to steer you to the same culinary destination as well.
Read full storyEarly Texas Winery Takes On New Name
The former Spirit of Texas Winery in Early Texas has recently renamed itself 'Skies Over Texas Winery.'. Beyond the name change which so carefully fits its prior shorthand acronym 'SOT' has changed little from its prior operations. The quality, reputation, hospitality, and amazing wines remain in tact.
Read full storyAlejandro's Kitchen & Tequila Bar hits San Angelo
A few weeks ago my 7-year-old son Owen and I made our way into the newly opened Allejandro's Kitchen & Tequila Bar on Sherwood Ave where the former Asian Garden Buffet used to be located. It had been open for just 3 weeks at the time of our dinner visit on a Tuesday evening so I was curious about what the place had in store for us. Owen and I both love really good traditional Mexican food so we were hyped to go and try a new place in town with such a cuisine.
Read full storyNew To Town: Luigi's Italian Restaurant & Bar
The last new spot in San Angelo that the family and I have visited is Luigi's Italian Restaurant & Bar located just south of downtown on South Chadbourne St. Open for just over 3 weeks on the night of our visit, we got to see how well these new kids to town (but not the brand) are doing things with their unique but classic Italian dishes. With 33 years of family-owned and run business experience, this is their second location with the other original location in Corsicana, Texas. Let me show you what we found out on this debut visit.
Read full story38 Years of BBQ: Still Smoking Up The Goods
If you fly into San Angelo Texas SJT airport and drive your way into town, you're likely to pass by Packsaddle BBQ on your left-hand side of the road just a couple of miles before hitting the town. You'd be mistaken to not make a stop inside and see what's cookn'. Let me show you why this is so.
Read full storyCrafting A Beer Culture In Tom Green County
Tom Green County, population of 119,000 people with the city of San Angelo making up the vast majority of that headcount is quickly becoming a bit of a craft beer destination. With many places to get a pint of brew, four of them offer uniquely craft beer and they are each doing it in their own particular way. I went out and visited each location, toured the venue, met the head brewers, and learned the history, methods, and reasons why they do what they do, and of course, sampled a lot of really good craft beer. These are 4 must-try craft beer spots in Tom Green County right now.
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