There are few joys in a father’s life that compare to the smile on his daughter’s face when he makes her happy. I must admit last weekend I was privileged in receiving both that smile and that joy. I must be honest and give credit to Chef Tomme Johnson and his wonderful staff at “The Grill at Leon Springs”.
For both of my children’s birthday each year, my wife and I take them out for a special birthday dinner. Since both of us are in the Food Industry we like to take them somewhere culinary. Now, we also take them to a Birthday lunch, which usually involves pizza, burgers or hot dogs but the dinner is a special event and our way of exposing them to different cuisines and something a little more upscale. My daughter wasn’t sure where she wanted to go this year for her birthday, so daddy got to choose. Well, a very dear friend of mine, Tomme Johnson is the Chef at The Grill at Leon Springs. The Grill is fairly new, but if you have spent any time in San Antonio you will know the owners, Thierry Burkle and Armand Obadia from L’Etoile, which is a wonderful French culinary dining destination located in the heart of Alamo Heights. The Grill, while total different in cuisine and style, is very similar to L’etoile in the aspect of quality, taste and service. The food was flavorful and perfectly cooked from the spring roll appetizers to the Jumbo Texas Gulf Shrimp. The presentations were attractive with a little whimsical playfulness and the overall menu has a selection that while not overpowering, has something for everyone. By the time the entrees were finished, my family was smiling and enjoying the ambience of this beautiful restaurant – my daughter was very happy. Now Chef Johnson had come out early to wish my daughter a Happy Birthday and he had warned us not to eat too much because what was a Birthday dinner with out dessert and believe me, the Grill has a superb Dessert Menu. Since I was already having visions of Crème Brulee dancing in my head, I asked Chef Johnson to pick out our desserts and that was a great idea. From the Crème Brulee, yes, Tomme knows my Achille’s Heel, to the Thin Crispy Granny Smith Apple Crepia w/ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, the chorus line of Homemade Pastries and Desserts sang Happy Birthday louder than any Opera Diva on stage. This was the encore to a very special Birthday Dinner.
When I tucked my daughter in that night she gave me a little kiss and thank me for a very wonderful Birthday dinner. As I stood there with my wife and watched our little girl drift off to sleep, I felt that warmth all parents get when their children are happy and I felt that feeling of gratitude that only come when a friend is there for you and your children at Birthday Time. To Chef Johnson and The Grill at Leon Springs – Thank you.
18417 Us Highway 281 N
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 545-3800
2053 Universal City
Universal City, TX 78148
210-659-3168
11821 West Ave
San Antonio, TX 78216
210-525-1961
3820 FM 3009
Schertz, TX
(210) 658-8822
3920 Harry Wurzbach
San Antonio, TX 78209
210.821.5600
210.826.6661
555 E. Basse Rd., #113
San Antonio
The Little Aussie & Bakery and Cafe
3610 Avenue B
210 826 7877
Godai Sushi
11203 West Avenue
San Antonio
Phone: 210-348-6781
L Etoile
6106 Broadway
San Antonio
Phone: 210-826-4551
Las Canarias
112 College Street
San Antonio
210-518-1063
Pesca on the River
212 West Crockett Street
San Antonio
210-396-5817
The Lodge Restaurant
1746 Lockhill Selma
San Antonio
Phone: 210-349-8466
Oro Restaurant & Bar
705 East Houston Street
San Antonio
210-244-0146
La Tuna Grill
100 Probandt
San Antonio
210-212-5727
7917 Pat Booker Rd
Live Oak, TX 78233
(210) 646-6844
San Antonio - The Forum
IH 35 N at Loop 1604
8096 Agora Pkwy Suite #100
Selma
210.798.TOGO
Fatty's Burgers and More
1624 E Commerce St
San Antonio
(210) 299-8110
Tanks Chicken & Waffles
1607 E Houston St
San Antonio
Pat’s BBQ
E. Houston and Olive
Aldaco's Mexican Cuisine
100 Hoefgen Ave
San Antonio
(210) 222-0561
Bohanan's
Prime Steaks
& Seafood
219 East Houston Street, 2nd Floor
San Antonio
210-472-2600
Mon Thai Bistro
4901 Broadway #110,
San Antonio,
Phone: 210-822-3253
Caliza Grille
420 West Market Street,
San Antonio
Phone: 210-224-6500
Guenther House
205 East Guenther Street,
San Antonio,
Phone: 210-227-1061
Shiraz
4230 McCullough Ave,
San Antonio
Phone: 210-829-5050
Suite 116
18414 US Highway 281 N,
San Antonio
(210) 545-3800
Boardwalk Bistro
4011 Broadway
San Antonio
Phone: 210-824-0100
Cafe Paladar (Formally Cafe Mariposa)
18322 Sonterra Place, #103
San Antonio
Phone: 210-798-7200
Magnolia Pancake Haus
606 Embassy Oaks #100
San Antonio
Phone: 210-496-0828
Reggianos
18740 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio
Phone: 210-403-2100
Fralos
23651 IH-10 West
San Antonio
Phone: 210-698-6616
Creole Kitchen Inc
1830 S Ww White Rd
San Antonio
(210) 333-9783
Papouli's
Greek Grill
1) 11224 Huebner Rd # 201,
San Antonio
(210) 641-1313
2) 18410 Highway 281 N,
San Antonio
(210) 281-1604
3) 8250 Agora Pkwy,
Selma
(210) 659-2244
Bin 555 Restaurant
& Wine Bar
555 W Bitters Rd
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 496-0555
3420 N Saint Marys St
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 737-3430
Big'z Burger Joint
2303 N Loop 1604 W
San Antonio, TX 78258
(210) 408-2029
Cool Cafe
12651 Vance Jackson
San Antonio, TX
78230
Eclipse Cafe
14439 NW Military Hwy
Shavano Park
(210) 408-7614
1133 Austin Hwy
San Antonio
(210) 824-8686
Pasion Latin Bistro
& Bar
1401 N Loop 1604 W
San Antonio
(210) 493-6200
Aloha Kitchen
1242 Austin Hwy # 109
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 822-9933
Thai Chili
Restaurant
4303 Thousand Oaks Dr
San Antonio
(210) 656-8589
Tommy Moore's
Cafe and Deli
915 South Hackberry Street
NyoShii
5282 Medical Drive
#115
San Antonio
210-593-4040
Fredericks
7701 Broadway,
Suite 20
San Antonio
210-828-9050
Biga On The Banks
203 South St. Mary's
San Antonio
210-225-0722
Bistro Vatel
218 East Olmos
San Antonio, TX
Phone: 210-828-3141
Citrus
150 East Houston Street
San Antonio
Phone: 210-230-8412
Bistro
728 S Alamo St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 224-7555
Le Reve Cuisine
152 E Pecan St # 100
San Antonio
(210) 212-2221
Flip Burgers
7310 Jones Maltsberger Rd
San Antonio,
(210) 828-7232