Live music and elevated food, curated wine and cold beer — that’s the Fiesta experience at the Taste of the Northside.
This year’s event, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, will feature vendors from a who’s who of San Antonio restaurants offering upscale bites and top shelf drinks across the expansive Frost Plaza at The Rock at La Cantera.
Think lobster tar tar from Eddie Vs Prime Seafood and prime beef sliders from Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Mini meatballs and carrot cake from The Palm and Kona crusted lollipop lamb chops from Capital Grille.
“You are getting steak kabobs and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches the size of a fist,” said Brighton Center CEO Katrina Campbell. “You are getting free shuttles and free parking and no lines for food.”
The cost to enjoy the elevated food, no-line experience is not cheap. Select tickets are $318.50 each. Premier tickets for $600 apiece are sold out. All proceeds benefit the Brighton Center, a nonprofit that supports children with disabilities and developmental delays.
“Our goal this year is to raise about $650,000,” Campbell said. “The whole goal is for children with developmental delays to be as kindergarten ready as possible.”
Taste of the Northside was first held In 2000 as a small food and wine tasting initiated by wine and liquor store owners Jeff Bridges and Angie Bridges, Jeff’s late wife who died in 2024. The inaugural event raised $6,000 for the Brighton Center. It grew, became an official Fiesta event and today raises more than $600,000.
Held for years at The Club at Sonterra, the fundraiser gathered momentum until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020 and 2021. It resumed in 2022 and moved to The Rock at La Cantera in 2025.
This year’s event will feature live music from Velvet Band, a DJ, walking entertainment and food and drink samples from more than 50 restaurants. Recognized names include Blu Prime Steakhouse, Kirby’s Steakhouse, The Jerk Shack, Toro Kitchen & Bar, Maggiano’s and Brasão Brazilian Steakhouse.
Among the eateries making their debut is Stone Oak’s Katerina Restaurant & Bar, which opened in February.
“We will be serving a miniature version of our smoked Wagyu meatballs with sweet potato purée and pickled red onion with some black truffle aioli,” said Katerina chef Justin Manzi. “We will also have miniature lemon lime tarts.”
Since opening at the corner of Stone Oak Parkway and Loop 1604, Katerina’s has filled its dining room, held private parties and generated buzz.
“I would say we are 95 percent full Thursday through Saturday and 60 to 70 percent full on the other days,” said co-owner Dick Jones. “It has far exceeded our expectations.”
Like A Night In Old San Antonio, Taste of the Northside features music, food, dancing and the bright colors of Fiesta. Unlike NIOSA, which draws more than 85,000 people a year, Taste of the Northside attracts a fraction of that crowd. Organizers expect approximately 3,000.
“I love where we are located,” Campbell said. “The Rock is just so open and beautiful. You can see the event from one end to the other.”
