<p>The culinary scene in Texas is as hot as ever, especially when it comes to cutting-edge concepts and notable chef-driven establishments.</p><p>Anticipation is building in San Antonio for one such offering: Kimpton’s Hotel Emma, opening in spring 2015 at the Pearl Brewery complex. Housed in the Pearl’s iconic 119-year old brewhouse, the 146-room boutique property, honoring Emma Koehler, wife of Pearl Brewery founder Otto Koehler, comes with a unique concept.</p><p>“By design, Emma will help reinforce the distinct culinary identity of the Pearl and San Antonio itself,” says Executive Chef John Brand, who promises a unique food-oriented experience for guests. “From a culinary concierge to culinary-themed touch points throughout the hotel, the kitchen will be the focal point at Emma.”</p><div style="clear: both; float: right;"><div id="callout_style_0" class="sidebar_related_article"><h2>More Coverage</h2><ul><li><a href="/ArticleDetails/tabid/162/ArticleID/24386/Default.aspx" target="">Texas vineyards provide liquid lures for groups</a></li></ul></div></div><p>Inspiration and innovation drive the entire Texas F&B scene, offering groups a tantalizing range of options for wining, dining and remarkable culinary-themed encounters.</p><p><strong>Divine Dine-Around</strong><br>
Home to 4,000 restaurants, Dallas’ ever-evolving food scene offers two enticing new choices for groups. At Hotel Palomar Dallas,<a href="http://www.hotelpalomar-dallas.com" target="_blank"> Knife</a> is a reinvention of the steakhouse experience from James Beard-nominated Top Chef contestant John Tesar.</p><p>Southwestern cooking pioneer Stephan Pyles, meanwhile, has transformed his former Samar space in the Dallas Arts District with <a href="http://www.sansalvaje.com" target="_blank">San Salvaje</a>, or “Wild Saint” in Spanish, a high-energy fusion of various Latin American cuisines.</p><p>In San Antonio, serial restaurateur Johnny Hernandez’s latest concept,<a href="http://www.chefjohnnyhernandez.com/elmachito" target="_blank">El Machito</a>, pays homage to traditional mesquite-grilled meats, while in Houston, Chris Shepherd’s 2014 James Beard win as “Best Chef Southwest” underscores the flavor of the local scene. Groups of up to 180 can buy out his flagship restaurant <a href="http://www.underbellyhouston.com" target="_blank">Underbelly</a>, which also offers private space for up to 36. Shepherd also leads <a href="http://www.houstonculinarytours.com" target="_blank">Houston Culinary Tours: Where the Chefs Eat</a> in his spare time.</p><p><span class="page-break">PageBreak</span></p><p>Austin also continues to cement its premier place on the national culinary map. <a href="http://www.quiaustin.com" target="_blank">Qui</a>, the latest restaurant from Top Chef winner Paul Qui, was named the “Most Outstanding Restaurant of 2014” by GQ. Other movers and shakers include David Bull (James Beard Award semifinalist, “Best Chef Southwest” for 2014) of<a href="http://www.congressaustin.com"> Congress</a>, and Bryce Gilmore of <a href="http://barleyswine.com" target="_blank">Barley Swine</a>, a “Best Chef Southwest” James Beard Award nominee in 2013 and semifinalist for “Rising Star Chef of the Year.”</p><p>In Midland, Mayor Jerry Morales wears several hats, including president of the Texas Restaurant Association and owner of local favorite <a href="http://www.gerardoscasita.net" target="_blank">Gerardo’s Casita Grill & Cantina</a>, offering private space and catering services for groups.</p><p>With fine dining upstairs and a casual bistro on the lower-level, <a href="http://www.anson11.com" target="_blank">Anson 11</a> is an intriguing new group-friendly arrival in El Paso, offering molecular gastronomy from globetrotting chef Carlos Castillo, originally from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and most recently working in San Francisco.</p><p>A rising star of the Rio Grande Valley, meanwhile, is <a href="http://www.collettis.net" target="_blank">Colletti’s</a> in Harlingen. Housed in an updated heritage building from 1925, this family-owned Italian restaurant offers dedicated banquet and event space on the fifth-floor penthouse level.</p><p><span class="page-break">PageBreak</span></p><p><strong>Flavorsome Finds</strong><br>
Hill Country groups hunting for a singular epicurean experience can literally do that in consultation with Austin’s <a href="http://www.daidueaustin.net" target="_blank">Dai Due</a>. In addition to its “Roving Supper Club” that rotates around area restaurants, the company’s “Hunting and Fishing Workshops” application-based program exposes participants to the live hunting, field-dressing and cooking of local game. Groups with hunting experience and access to land can work with Dai Due to create a customized experience. Also offering classes in whole hog butchery, wild game cooking and canning, Dai Due will soon open its own supper club and butcher shop in Austin, with outdoor space for groups.</p><p>Located at the base of the new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge in West Dallas, <a href="http://www.trinitygroves.com" target="_blank">Trinity Groves</a> is a unique 15-acre restaurant, retail, artist and entertainment destination. Along with a brewery, a growing number of dining venues and an innovative Restaurant Concept Incubator program—connecting entrepreneurial chefs and restaurateurs with seasoned professionals to bring diverse new concepts to life—the complex offers <a href="http://www.3015dallas.com" target="_blank">3015</a>, a culinary event space hosting cooking classes, meetings and Iron Chef-style teambuilding events for up to 500 people.</p><p>Chuck wagon dinners, campfire suppers, wine tastings and more are on the menu for corporate events, teambuilders and other programs at <a href="http://www.cowboysolution.com" target="_blank">The Cowboy Solution</a> in Montgomery, a leadership and personal development company that uses horses to build partnerships based on trust.</p><p>Held every Monday at Beaumont’s new downtown Event Centre, Lunch on The Lake is a food truck concept that can also be booked by groups.</p><p>Galveston groups convening at the landmark <a href="http://www.thegrand.com" target="_blank">Grand 1894 Opera House</a> can have dinner served on stage and catered by its nationally acclaimed neighbor <a href="http://www.rudyandpaco.com" target="_blank">Rudy & Paco</a>.</p>
