boogielovestoeat: Pacific Moon

17700 San Pedro Ave

San Antonio, TX 78232

Avg $10-$15 per entree

Right off of 281 and Brookhollow, a hidden gem that has everything you need to satisfy your palette for Asian/Asian-Fusion cuisine.

A little history about Pacific Moon: the owner, Han, started her culinary venture as a little coffee shop in 1999 off of Starcrest by Blossom Athletic Center selling pastries and sandwiches under the same name. Minimal kitchen space and a gain in popularity had her move shop to the Northwoods shopping center off of 1604 and 281. A few years down the line, she set up shop at their current location. Throughout the years, Pacific Moon has gained a solid following. Many of its patrons are regulars who have been a part of the Pacific Moon family since its early days.

Their menu ranges from crab turnovers, ceviche, salads, sandwiches, gourmet burgers, bowls (Samurai Rice Bowl is my favorite), to standards like Sesame Chicken and out of this world desserts like their house made carrot cake.

Pacific Moon has become a weekly custom of mine for the past several months even since some friends told me about it. This review will go over my first experience and some of the dishes I've tried along the way.

Upon entering for the first time, I was eagerly greeted by the staff. I just so happen to see some familiar faces behind and in front of the bar, so I’m immediately set at ease and comfortable. It was late in the night, so the restaurant itself was winding down and already in gear for the bar crowd. The bar was lined with a nice mix of clientele ranging from professionals of all ages, regulars, service industry friends, and random walk-ins.

I take a seat at the bar with long-time friend-brother-from-another-mother service industry allstar J. Bochenheimer AKA Big Baca Laca Tanaka from Osaka. Upon seating, a prompt drink order is placed and delivered by the lovely Monique, one of the service superstars taking care of the restaurant patrons as well as the bar guests. Shortly after receiving my perfectly made cocktail, a steaming bowl of deliciousness is placed in front of me with a small plate of brown rice. This soup is actually the main reason I even came in the first place. The friend I met up with informed me a few weeks prior that on Wednesday nights they offer complimentary soup. Well, who’s gonna pass that up? Ain’t nothin’ better than free food!

The soup is a delicate, brothy soup with beef, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, garlic and green onions with a slight kick of hot oil, served with an optional cup of white or brown rice. Simple, yet amazing! If Han walks around and sees you eating the soup, she will offer you more hot oil. Let me warn you, this oil is not for the faint of taste buds. A little goes a long way. If you put too much, you will feel like you just got roundhouse kicked in the mouth by Chuck Norris. FACT!

After being so impressed by the soup, I embarrassingly asked if I could have another bowl and one was brought out without hesitation. From then on, I knew I would love this place and I’ve been back time and time again trying different dishes. Here is a list and description of what I have tried.

Eye Opener – breakfast sandwich with perfectly scrambled eggs, ham, and cheese on a huge croissant topped with green onions. This thing is humongous and satisfying. It isn’t listed on the menu, but if you’re ever in the mood for THE champion of all breakfast sandwiches, this is the way to go!

Japanese Dongas – your choice of beef, chicken, or pork lightly battered and pan-seared served with a side of steamed rice and house gravy. I opted for the beef, which was like an Asian chicken fried steak topped with this semi-sweet, savory house gravy. Simple and delicious! Almost like a fusion of Asian and American comfort food.

Samurai Rice Bowl – cubed rib eye steak seared in a house ginger sauce, served over rice and topped with an omelet egg. This dish was SPICY! The flavor of the house ginger sauce with the mouthwatering beef and peppers was out of this world! To some, the egg may be off putting, but it adds some substance and a nice complimentary flavor to the dish. I’m Asian so the egg was no big thang to me, but when I described this dish to some of my friends, they were uncertain about it. My take on it is - don't knock it 'til you try it! The dish as a whole is a spicy and savory masterpiece.

Mike and Mark Rice Bowl – beef and chicken cooked in a house teriyaki sauce, served over steamed rice, topped with an omelet egg. Definite good eats! The beef and chicken were cooked to perfection and the sauce had the perfect balance to round out the dish.

Sesame Chicken – tender chicken breast battered and lightly fried, then tossed in a house sweet and spicy sauce served with salad on the side. This is her take on the standard, and blew away any other sesame chicken I’ve ever had. The batter was perfect, the chicken was tender. The salad was refreshing. A perfect ten!!

Carrot Cake - now this isn't listed on the menu either, and I don't even have the right words to truly describe it with justice. All I know is that it was my birthday week and word got out, so Han went to the back and brought out a slice of this unbelievable, seriously out of this world carrot cake. It was perfectly balanced with sweetness and amazingness. It looked like no other carrot cake I've ever seen and tasted better than any other carrot cake I've ever had. It was purely magical, like I was flying over a rainbow on a unicorn who was standing on top of a humongous bald eagle wearing a toupee. Magical... I'm just sayin'... I told you I didn't have the right words to describe this dessert!

All-in-all, I haven't had a single dish that I did not like. What separates Pacific Moon from the others is how fresh everything is. The sauces are house made, and the ingredients are top quality and you can definitely taste it! The service is spectacular, and the bar selection is vast, ranging from wine to sake to standard spirits to niche liqueurs to beers from all around the world! Pacific Moon has a definite at-home feel, from the first time you walk-in, you will be treated like they've known you for years and were waiting for you to get there! So, GET THERE ALREADY! If you go on a Wednesday night, you'll probably see me there!

That concludes my first ever review on my first ever food blog! Hope you enjoyed it, sorry this was so long, but like I said – it’s my first one ever!