Landrace, a new destination restaurant helmed by James Beard Award finalist Chef Steve McHugh, opens today in San Antonio’s Arts District. Years in the making, McHugh’s follow-up to his award-winning restaurant Cured honors the pastoral beauty of foods that can be traced back to the land where they are naturally shepherded over time, with seasonal menus that celebrate regional Texas ingredients and heritage growers close to home.
“I became a better chef when I moved to Texas and gained a deep understanding of the unique products that are grown here,” said McHugh. “Landrace is a dream realized for me, and I have been refining the concept for some time. The menu showcases my commitment to local ingredients and the unique products grown in South Texas and the Hill Country. I’m excited to celebrate the natural flavors and nuances of the seasons in collaboration with Texas’ heritage farmers and growers.”
An acclaimed chef and respected member of the San Antonio community, McHugh helped put the city on the culinary map when he opened his charcuterie-focused venue Cured in 2013. Now, with Landrace, McHugh shifts his focus to heritage and place, collaborating with an extensive list of Texas farmers and growers for ingredients ranging from 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, come from Peaceful Pork, which is helmed by a sixth-generation Texan located just two hours south of San Antonio.
Overlooking the River Walk and adjacent to the newly opened Thompson San Antonio, the 200-seat Landrace features a 40-seat riverfront terrace. Featuring a light color palette, soaring ceilings and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, Landrace evokes a 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 showcasing an impressive Grillworks wood-fired grill contribute to the ambiance. Beyond the main dining room, Landrace offers two expansive private dining rooms, one of which features views of the River Walk.
Much of the culinary action at Landrace revolves around the Grillworks wood-fired grill, where dishes such Lamb Sirloin with papalo chimichurri, Gulf Seafood Stuffed Crab Shells with epazote butter and NY Strip with chili pequin au poivre will be prepared. Even the Ember-Baked Honey Doe Farms Brie dessert can be prepared on the coals. The beverage program reflects the quality and intention of the dishes, with Old Fashioned libations made to order at a tableside cocktail cart.
Dishes from the Landrace dinner menu 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
- Savory German Pancake – with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, Pickled Local Kalvash Beans, Mustard Greens
Mains from the Kitchen
- Garganelli Pasta – with Gulf Blue Crab, Pumpkin, Black Garlic, Parmesan, Tarragon
- Oven Roasted Delicata Squash – with Pomegranates, Rye Berry Pilaf, Vegan Demi-Glace
- Slow-Cooked Bison Short Rib – with Raclette Grits and Dinosaur Kale
Mains from the Coals
- Bershire Pork Chop – with Peychaud-Pear Butter
- Half Grilled Achiote Chicken – with Fermented Habanero Yogurt
- Baked Vegetable Lasagna – with Herbed Pasta, Squash Soubise, Slow Cooked Greens
Landrace is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Sunday and dinner Tuesday through Saturday.
Landrace is located at 115 Lexington Avenue, San Antonio. For reservations or more information, please visit https://landracetx.com/.