THE PEARL DISTRICT

SAN ANTONIO

Once home to the largest brewery complex in Texas, the Pearl District has over the last decade emerged as a revitalized neighbourhood that should be on any San Antonio visitor’s must-see list. Scattered throughout its nine hectares of restaurants, shops and activity-filled public spaces are reminders of its industrial past, from the brewery relics incorporated into its fountains and planters to the lobby chandelier made of old beer-labelling equipment in its exquisitely designed crown jewel (and former brewhouse), the boutique Hotel Emma. Features such as these make the Pearl a feast for the eyes, but the real draw for many has more to do with their belly. There are no fewer than 24 places to eat and drink — charcuterie at Cured, roasted quail at The Granary, Tokyo shoyu ramen at Tenko Ramen and the elixir-like cocktails at Blue Box Bar among them — and that doesn’t include the 45plus vendors at Pearl’s weekend farmers market, where you can buy everything from local wines and raw honey to handmade empanadas. The retail therapy continues at Pearl’s shops. Pick up one of Caroline Matthews’ handmade guayabera shirts at Dos Carolinas, size up a canvas for your living room at Lawrence Markey’s art gallery or treat yourself (or someone else) to one of the simple yet stunning pieces of jewelry at The Tiny Finch.

See more photos of San Antonio and read about Jenn Fast’s adventures in the city at cangeotravel.ca/ss18/sanantonio.

Clockwise from TOP LEFT: The beet, avocado and citrus salad at Cured; the courtyard of the Hotel Emma, once the Pearl Brewery’s brewhouse; the scene at the weekend farmers market; a trio takes an evening wander among the neighbourhood’s shops and...