Vatel

Damien in the news

Do Bianchi — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:07:34 +0000

Fork debate aside, Watel cooks up a storm in Stone Oak

MySanAntonio.com/San Antonio Express News

July 9, 2009

By Nazish Dholakia – Staff Writer/North Central News

A literal fork in – or in this case, by – the road has not stopped restaurant owner and chef Damien Watel from aspiring to make his newest venture a success.

Earlier this year Watel, who resides in the Alamo Quarry Market area, added two new restaurants, Ciel and Ciao2, to his repertoire of restaurants throughout San Antonio.

However, the fork sculpture that Watel mounted beside these restaurants led to a confrontation between himself and the Stone Oak Property Owners Association.

The SOPOA argued that the sculpture was an unapproved 14-foot advertisement, which violated community rules. Watel has since then built a partial wall surrounding the fork as a compromise.

(The fork artist, Gilbert Duran, said he recently filed a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union against the POA, claiming a violation of his rights.)

“I had no idea there would be such a controversy,” Watel said.

Click here to read more…

Have a drink on us at Ciel Plaza!

Do Bianchi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:14:15 +0000

Simply click on the coupon (left) to view full-size, print, and bring to Ciel or Ciao 2 at Ciel Plaza to enjoy a drink on us!

We look forward to seeing you…

Ciel Plaza
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎
(210) 481-7001‎

Happy hour at Ciel Plaza 5-7, 25% off apps and drinks

Do Bianchi — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:17:28 +0000

Above: at Ciao 2 in Ciel Plaza all of the pizzas are wood-fired (no coal here!).

Ciel Plaza
(210) 481-7001‎
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎

The weekend is almost here and you know what that means: HAPPY HOUR! From 5-7, enjoy appetizers and drinks at Ciao 2 and Ciel for 25% off. See you there!

Red carpet from the Essay/Ciel Plaza Mixer

Do Bianchi — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:40:14 +0000

Ciel Plaza is a great venue for all kinds of events — from corporate parties to wedding receptions, from intimate dinner gatherings to networking and singles events like last Tuesday’s Essay Magazine Mixer. Here are some highlights from the party. Stay tuned for more info on events like this one at Ciel Plaza.

Ciel Plaza
(210) 481-7001‎
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎

Father’s Day Brunch hours at Ciel Plaza

Do Bianchi — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:24:09 +0000

Ciel
(210) 481-7001‎
Ciao 2
(210) 481-7031‎
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎

Above: crème brûlée at Ciel.

Bring dad to brunch at Ciel or dinner at Ciao2!

Brunch served from 10-2 p.m. and dinner from 5-10 p.m.

Support the victims of Italy’s 2009 earthquake by drinking Abruzzo wine

Do Bianchi — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:28:51 +0000

According to the New York Times, the April 2009 earthquake in the Abruzzo region of Italy left nearly 28,000 persons homeless.

At Ciao 2, we are proud to pour Montepulciano d’Abruzzo by the Abruzzo winemaker Capestrano: it’s got bright fruit and smooth tannin, our favorite pizza wine and a great pairing for our Tomato and Mozzarella sandwich on grilled panini bread (above).

Abruzzo has been hard hit by homelessness in the earthquake’s aftermath and the many restaurants and wine bars and wine shops that have been damaged in the tragedy. Every time you open a bottle of wine from Abruzzo, you help to support the region, its winemakers, and its people.

Don’t forget Abruzzo!

SA Express-News: “Ciao2 is memorable for all the right reasons.”

Do Bianchi — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 21:05:15 +0000

Ciao 2
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎
(210) 481-7031‎

By Edmund Tijerina — Express-News

With all the fuss over a sculpture of a fork that sits in front of Damien Watel’s two Stone Oak area restaurants, it’s easy to forget about the businesses.

That’s too bad, because the experience and quality of the cuisine at Ciao2 is memorable for all the right reasons.

For those new to Watel’s places, the numeral in Ciao2 is due, the Italian word for two, denoting that it’s the second incarnation of his successful Ciao Lavanderia in Olmos Park.

Its clever, modern interior with bright-colored walls, brushed metal tables and a spacious patio promises a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, and the cuisine largely delivers.

Dishes such as a goat cheese portobello polenta, with two squares of polenta resting on mushroom demi-glace and topped with a dollop of herbed goat cheese and sautéed portobello slices, make that point abundantly clear. So did the mushroom and quail risotto and Pizza Napolitan that featured anchovies, capers and olives.

Click here to read more…

Featured dish: bruschetta at Ciao 2

Do Bianchi — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:46:22 +0000

Featured dish: bruschetta

Ciao 2
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎
(210) 481-7031‎

Classic Italian bruschetta at Ciao 2. Fresh summer tomatoes, diced and macerated in extra-virgin olive oil, served over gently grilled bread with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. It doesn’t get better than this!

Suggested wine pairing: Primitivo (Zinfandel) by Cantele (Puglia, Italy).

Please don’t forget to sign the Save the Fork Petition. Click here to learn more.

See and be seen: Essay Magazine Party/Mixer, Tuesday, June 16, Ciel Plaza

Do Bianchi — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:02:21 +0000

Don’t miss this summer’s hottest mixer and networking event, Essay Magazine’s June Mixer at Ciel Plaza….

Damien Watel, Plaza Ciel, and Essay Magazine present:

Essay Magazine Mixer

Date:
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Time:
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location:
Plaza Ciel
Street:
20626 Stone Oak Parkway
San Antonio, TX

To RSVP please call: (210) 481-7001
or email plazaciel@sorintl.com

The Best Rosé in the World and Coq au Vin at Ciel

Do Bianchi — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:42:58 +0000

Need we say more? Run don’t walk…

Ciel
20626 Stone Oak Pkwy
San Antonio, TX‎
(210) 481-7001‎

Above: Chef Clint Connaway’s classic Coq au Vin, braised for 24 hours.

Above: Bandol Rosé by Tempier, considered by many “the best rosé in the world” and very hard to find.