Hi Reader!

Part of my FNCE planning involves figuring out where I’m going to eat. I prefer having a meal somewhere to piecing together samples on the expo floor. I’ll enjoy trying things, but I still want to sit down and have lunch.

This year, a couple of events have already put new restaurants on my calendar. I’m also staying with friends, so some meals will take me away from downtown and the convention center. I’m looking forward to having that mix.

This is also the first year I've been to FNCE that hasn't been a new city for me.

Two Restaurants I’ll Be Trying

The BHN Executive Committee dinner is at The Ambler in Hotel Contessa. I’ve actually stayed at the hotel before, but I’m pretty sure we didn’t eat at the restaurant. It’ll be a chance to try it while spending time with new and old friends on the executive committee.

I’m also planning to go to La Gloria in the Pearl District for an EMU meetup. EMU is my alma mater, and I’m looking forward to catching up over a meal.

Both restaurants are new to me, so I don’t have an order to recommend yet. If you’ve eaten at either one, I’d love to hear what you liked.

Where Meals Fit Into the Conference Days

Having an event dinner planned helps, but there’s still the rest of the day to think about.

When I’m looking at sessions, I want to leave enough time to get food, sit down, and eat without immediately needing to leave again.

Walking to a restaurant, waiting for a table, enjoying yourself, and getting back all take time. A gap in the session schedule can disappear pretty quickly.

I also know that I’ll need breaks. Every FNCE I’ve attended has been fun, and every time I’ve needed more downtime than I expected. Sitting down for a meal gives me a chance to step away from the conference activity for a while.

For your own plans, it may help to look at the meals already covered by events and then figure out where the gaps are. If lunch matters to you at a particular time, give it a place in your schedule before that space fills up with something else.

Some of My Meals Will be Outside Downtown

Since I’m staying with friends, I’ll probably be grabbing breakfast with them or stopping at restaurants away from the convention center. That also gives me a reason to see a little more of San Antonio than I would if I stayed close to the conference all day.

I’ll likely eat at the Spurs game, too. That might mean concessions or snacks, or I may have dinner at an arena option while I’m there. I haven’t decided yet, and I’m fine leaving that open.

I don’t want every meal to become another reservation or commitment.

Sometimes having something at the hotel restaurant is what fits your energy and the time you have. Other times, you come across a little family-owned place and decide to stop. I’d like to leave room for that, especially somewhere with less conference traffic.

There are already plenty of scheduled things during FNCE. I want a few meals where I can decide what sounds good when I get there.

If You’re Working on Your Own Plans

I’ve put my restaurant picks and ideas for exploring San Antonio in my complete FNCE guide, along with packing tips and advice for planning your conference days. You can use it as a reference while you figure out what fits your trip.

You don’t have to work every recommendation into your schedule. Pick a place you’re interested in, leave enough time to enjoy it, and let some of the other meals be easy.

Have you eaten at The Ambler or La Gloria? Have a favorite San Antonio restaurant I haven't mentioned?

Hit reply and tell me what you ordered. I’d also love your recommendations for family-owned restaurants outside downtown.

Jennifer Parrott Hanes MS, RDN, LD

P.S. Food Network fans can find restaurants in San Antonio that have been featured on various shows here. The Cove is pretty good, though it's been years since I've been.

​​​​

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​