Thompson San Antonio today announced plans for a dynamic collection of restaurant and bar concepts scheduled to be introduced in early 2021. Four dining and nightlife concepts will be anchored by Landrace, a new restaurant on the River Walk, led by James Beard Award finalist Chef Steve McHugh. Floating high above will be The Moon’s Daughters, an enchanting indoor-outdoor rooftop restaurant and bar set to dazzle from its 20th-story perch over the city. Stylish lobby and pool bars will round out the dining and beverage venues that will bring bold new energy to the River City.
“We are excited to bring creative, new and tailored dining experiences to San Antonio with the opening of Landrace and The Moon’s Daughters scheduled for early 2021,” said Ted Knighton, general manager of Thompson San Antonio. “It is an honor to work with one of San Antonio’s most celebrated chefs on his newest masterpiece, which will pay tribute to the ingredients and farmers of our region. The Moon’s Daughters will also offer a magical experience in a must-see rooftop setting, unlike any other in our city.”
Landrace – A Signature Restaurant
Landrace promises to be a landmark restaurant many years in the making. Located on the ground floor of Thompson San Antonio with direct access to the River Walk, the 200-seat restaurant will offer a distinctly independent mood from the rest of the hotel – one with a light color palette, soaring ceilings, and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the River Walk.
Executive Chef Steve McHugh, who gained national acclaim and local adoration for his seminal Cured at Pearl restaurant, has been charged with leading culinary operations, dreaming up dishes to satisfy wildly diverse palates. The menu will celebrate regional ingredients and heritage growers close to home, expanding beyond the exclusively cured dishes of Cured at Pearl.
The setting will evoke warm mid-century modernism with upholstered banquettes and chairs and custom-designed patterned screens in rose gold. A showstopping bar and a semi-open kitchen that showcases a beautiful Grillworks wood-fired grill will also contribute to the inviting ambiance. Beyond the main dining room, Landrace will offer two expansive private dining rooms, one of which features views of the River Walk.
“Landrace is a dream realized for me as I have been envisioning and working on the concept for some time,” said McHugh. “The menu will showcase my fascination with local ingredients and the unique products grown in Texas as we celebrate the natural flavors and nuances of the seasons in collaboration with Texas’ heritage farmers and growers.”
A sampling of regional providers is slated to include: quail and quail eggs from Broken Arrow Ranch, black garlic from Texas Black Gold Garlic, heirloom Bloody Butcher corn and Kalvash beans from Barton Springs Mill, plus sprouts, edible flowers and habaneros from Wholesome Harvest Farm, and cabrito from Windy Hill Farms. In addition, hog breeds including one of McHugh’s favorites, the Red Wattle, is expected to come from Peaceful Pork, which is helmed by a sixth-generation Texan located just two hours south of San Antonio.
Much of the culinary action at Landrace will revolve around the Grillworks wood-fired grill, where dishes such Grilled BBQ Oysters with charred lemon, Canoe Cut Bone Marrow and Lamb Sirloin with papalo chimichurri may be prepared. Even an ember-baked brie dessert could be prepared on the coals. The beverage program will reflect the quality and intention of the dishes, with Old Fashioneds made to order at a tableside cocktail cart.
Sample dishes from the Landrace dinner menu tentatively include:
Starters & Salads
- Bloody Butcher Corn Hushpuppies – with Chili Lime Popcorn, Persimmon Pepper Jelly
- Wagyu Beef Tartare – with Smoked Crème Fraiche, Quail Egg Toad in a Hole, American Caviar
Mains from the Kitchen
- Garganelli Pasta – with Gulf Blue Crab, Pumpkin, Black Garlic, Parmesan, Tarragon
- Oven Roasted Delicata Squash – with Pomegranates, Rye Berry Pilaf
Mains from the Coals
- Bershire Pork Chop – with Peychaud-Pear Butter
- Half Charred Chicken – with Achiote, Fermented Hot Sauce
The Moon’s Daughters – A Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
The Moon’s Daughters will bring soaring al fresco style to the River Walk for a rooftop experience unlike anything else in San Antonio. Inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, the 300-seat restaurant and bar will captivate from its 20th-story perch with indoor-outdoor seating, twinkling city lights and all the magic of starry San Antonio nights. Here, some of the city’s best live music also is planned to elevate the mood.
A Mediterranean-inspired menu from Executive Chef Robert Cantu will be equally playful, with flavorful dishes evocative of a sun-soaked holiday along the Aegean Sea. A native of San Antonio, Chef Cantu trained under the acclaimed Chef Dean Fearing at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas before going on to assume sous chef and executive chef roles throughout Texas and the Midwest.
A compelling selection of small plates are set to feature ingredients including charred and preserved lemon, local honey, roasted pistachios, local eggplant, fried mint and Marcona almonds. Entrées planned encompass meat and fish dishes as well as vegetarian Stuffed Leek Kebobs. Side dishes may range from roasted local squash and mushrooms to labneh, artichoke hummus and marinated olives.
Sample dishes from The Moon’s Daughters menu tentatively include:
- House Made Feta Burrata – with Rooftop Pesto, Local Honey, Speck, Marconas
- Blowfish Tails – with Charred Lemon, Harissa Aioli, Basil, Dehydrated Olives
- Lamb Ragu – with Hummus, Charred Shabazi Onions, Fried Mint, Pita
- Toro Tartare – with Eggs, Caviar, Marinated Cucumber, Ciabatta Chips
- Stuffed Leek Kebobs – with Local Squash, Tomato, Cashew Cheese
- Seared Black Bass – with Artichoke Puree, Local Squash, Tomato Butter, Basil Oil
The Moon’s Daughters is slated to be open for Happy Hour, Dinner and Late-Night dining.
Lobby and Pool Bars
Thompson San Antonio will offer two additional venues for original drinks and dining. A lobby bar will be open to the public and an outdoor bar on the fourth floor pool deck will be exclusively for hotel guests and residents of The Arts Residences at Thompson San Antonio.
Guided by its purpose of care, Hyatt’s multi-layered Global Care & Cleanliness Commitment further enhances its operational guidance and resources around colleague and guest safety and peace of mind. More information on Hyatt’s commitment can be found here: hyatt.com/care-and-cleanliness.
