Health + Wellness

The Mindful Path to Eating & Living Well

Eating is emotional. These expert tips from two therapists can help you break unhealthy cycles and find peace in your relationship with food. Photography by Paula VM Food is more than fuel. It’s tied to our emotions, memories, and sense of self. But when stress, guilt, or unrealistic expectations creep in, that connection can become complicated. To shed light on building a healthier mindset around food, we asked two licensed therapists—Heidi Conlin, M.S., LPC, LMFT, Mental Health and Nutrition...

Food + Beverage

Savoring the Craft

Mae Dunne’s master barista transforms coffee into an experience with six artisanal brewing methods. Article by Taryn Tipton | Photography by Jessi Edison Mae Dunne is a brunch destination designed to create a sense of home. Inspired by family cooking traditions, local ingredients, and the simple joy of gathering around the table, the restaurant is named for the founders’ great-great-grandmother, a woman whose life reflected a love for both American and Mexican culture, for nature, and for the...

Life + Culture

Serving More Than Meals

After the July 4th flooding, Hill Country restaurants fed bodies and souls as a flooded community picked up the pieces. Article by Brian McVey While most Americans were preparing to celebrate independence with fireworks and barbecues on July 4th, Kerrville and the surrounding areas faced horrific floods that took hundreds of lives, devastated homes, uprooted families, and left scars that will take years to heal. But in the middle of the chaos, a beautiful truth emerged: Hill Country...

Life + Culture

Hill Country à la Française

Chef Tardif serves a dining experience infused with French spirit and Texas heart. Article by Connor Mullins | Photography by Paula VM Using his exquisite imagination seasoned with passion and creativity, Chef Jean Tardif has set himself apart in the Hill Country fine dining scene. The vibe inside his kitchens at Tardif’s American Brasserie near The Dominion and The Creek in downtown Boerne is bright and fresh. Tardif rarely follows written recipes; instead, he relies on inspired...

Food + Beverage

Favorite Local Flavors

We teamed up with a pair of foodie influencers to round up the local food and drink hot spots that keep them coming back. Article and Photography by Alan Williams & Susie LaFredo It’s the largest and most active online food community in the Alamo City area, but San Antonio Restaurants began as just a hobby for Alan and Beverly Williams. This Facebook group has grown into a thriving community of more than 300,000 members sharing favorite dining spots, photos, and reviews. Several years ago...

Food + Beverage

The Life of Spice

These local brands will help you punch up the flavor—and they have recipes to prove it. Article and Photography by Is there such a thing as too much flavor? Maybe. But if you’re a fan of bold and intense meals, you’re in the right place. These companies are ready to deliver all that herby-spicy goodness. LuBelz Rubs ( instagram.com/lubelzrubs ) has been helping people enjoy healthier, easier, and more flavorful food since 2022. The rubs Lulu makes are designed to work with meats, seafood...

Life + Culture

Help For Every Creature

Neighbors nearby and across the country ensure that pets and farm animals have food, safety, and a second chance. Article by Daniel Gertson | Photography by Dayna DeHoyos When floodwaters swept through Kerrville and the Hill Country over the July 4th holiday, the devastation displaced families, pets, and livestock alike. That’s when Dayna DeHoyos, founder of Animal Rescue and Rehab of Comfort, jumped into action. “I also volunteer at the Comfort Table and Food Pantry,” DeHoyos says. “And we...

Food + Beverage

Dining, Redefined

Discover how two Hill Country chefs transform meals into memorable events with artistry and heart. Article and Photography by When it comes to entertaining, few occasions feel as exciting and luxurious as bringing a gourmet private chef to your home or event. Beyond crafting memorable menus, private chefs transform dining into an intimate and tailored experience, whether it’s a cozy dinner party, a milestone celebration, or an elegant catered affair. The benefits extend well beyond...

Travel

Frohes Oktoberfest!

Take a drive to celebrate the fall and our region’s heritage at these German festivals in the Hill Country. Article by Daniel Gertson If you think Oktoberfest is just about beer steins and lederhosen, think again. Here in the Hill Country, German heritage runs deep, so the celebration is as much about culture, music, and food as it is about prost and polka. From the historic neighborhoods of San Antonio and the rolling hills around Fredericksburg to the fabled halls of New Braunfels and...

Food + Beverage

In Vino Frio

In this wine, there is family history and a distinctive Hill Country terroir shaped by the river running through it. Article by Rey Lopez | Photography by Joshua Aldama Take a drive through the limestone hills of Leakey, where the Frio River winds through oak-studded valleys and sunlight glints off the water, and you’ll find a place that feels both timeless and unexpected. Frio Canyon Vineyard is the kind of place you stumble upon and can't believe isn't more widely known—an estate-only...